surprised to find her as captivating at a distance as she was once that distance was closed.
Cinnamon-brown and fine-boned, she appeared doll-like and far too fragile to pound out the driving rhythms that she gave less than an hour ago. Her eyes appeared to tilt at the corners and he wondered at their color, but didn’t want her opening her eyes just yet. He needed more time to observe, and it was then that he recognized what he was seeking when he disappeared backstage to find her.
There was calm, a serenity that he’d swear was almost visible. It followed her and he wanted it or…at least a moment to enjoy whatever part of it she might unknowingly share.
He watched as she reached up to finger the glittering band that held her coarse dark hair away from her face. She opened her eyes then and looked right at him as if she’d been aware of his presence all along. Along with the cool expectancy in her bottomless dark stare, there was also the hint of curiosity.
“I’m sorry.”
His first words sparked a smile and a slight indentation along her left cheek that hinted at a dimple.
“What for?” she asked.
Therin took a moment, long brows rising slightly as he regarded his answer. He’d known the reason for the apology but when she asked, his mind went completely blank. What the hell was wrong with him? He prayed she hadn’t detected the frown he was trying to hide.
Kianti tilted her head and observed him. A lost tourist, perhaps? She’d detected a chord in the two words he’d spoken. Something old-world or, at the very least, regal, clung to his tone.
“I wanted to compliment your playing,” he said after a quick swallow and clearing of his throat. “Phenomenal.” He grimaced over the word choice.
Her nod was barely there, yet her smile was genuine. “Thank you.”
Therin risked a glance down the narrow corridor leading back toward the main stage. Hands hidden in the deep pockets of his black pants, he moved closer to where she lounged.
“The pamphlet they’re passing around mentioned that you play by ear.”
“It’s true.” She shrugged. “If I had a piano near, you could hum a tune and I’d prove it.”
Laughter rumbled easy and soft between them.
“Therin Rucker.” He extended one of the hidden hands he’d pulled from his pocket.
She accepted the shake. “Kianti Lawrence.”
His sleek brows rose again. “Like the wine?”
“Not quite.” She grinned. “Pronounced the same, but spelled differently. Many people tell me I’m much harder to take than the wine.”
The sound of voices growing nearer intruded on their second round of laughter. Kianti promptly eased her hand out of Therin’s grasp.
“Here she is, y’all!”
Kianti gave a short laugh as she often did when Cube David’s voice reached her ears. However, she’d hoped for just a few more moments with the mysterious music lover who’d just introduced himself.
Unfortunately, the three men following Cube made their presence known all too soon. Thankfully, they stifled any questions when they discovered her with “company.”
“Therin Rucker, Cube David—my bodyguard.” She made the introductions, still seated with her feet up. “Winton Terry—my business manager. Khan Choi is my stylist and this is Brody Parker my—uh—cook.”
Someone snickered and Brody’s mouth tightened.
Kianti didn’t attempt to hide her surprise or confusion when all four of her associates approached Therin for handshakes. They all grinned broadly and addressed her mysterious “music lover” as Mr. Ambassador, which roused a curious frown between her brows. She watched Therin chuckle as he engaged in light conversation with the guys.
She used the time to more closely observe him. She’d been trying like the devil not to gawk when she’d opened her eyes and found him standing there. Leanly muscular and quite tall, she doubted even the chic pumps she wore would prevent her from having to look up into his face. And what a face it was, every square inch of it drenched in a flawless cinnamon-brown. Then there were the long sideburns, which added a dangerous but nonetheless provocative appeal to his features. His hair was cut close and lay in waves of silky black over his head. She could have lost herself in the crystal appearance of his hazel gaze deep set beneath long, heavy brows.
“Well, we appreciate you attending tonight,” Khan was saying as the conversation began to taper off.
Winton chuckled. “Yeah, even if you are here to conduct top-secret political business.”
Contagious male laughter rumbled once more.
“Not so top secret,” Therin admitted while pressing a thumb to his eye to remove a laugh tear. “Anyway, I’m glad I attended, too.” His shimmering gaze focused on Kianti then. “Ms. Lawrence’s music is…quite powerful. It was nice meeting you.” His tone grew softer as he reached out to shake hands with the guys and say goodnight.
Alone with Kianti, the guys pulled chairs close. Brody claimed the closest spot and took her wrist for a pulse check.
“We leave you alone for a second and here you are meeting with royalty,” Khan noted while fluffing out her hair.
Kianti’s gaze and attention was still on the path Therin Rucker had taken when he made his exit.
Chapter 2
Therin woke early the next morning and was thoroughly agitated shortly afterward. The staff and their discussions that he had to shake off last night had descended upon his suite with their opinions of the previous evening.
“He stirred up a shitload of crap just by attending that thing,” Vaughn said while he helped himself to coffee from the breakfast cart.
“Put himself smack dab in the middle of some heavy hitters, that’s for sure,” Peter Stanson added while waving toward Vaughn for the carafe.
“Yeah, heavy hitters who either approve or oppose EYES and the ex-ambassador’s allegiance to it.” Chief of security, Morgan Felts, muttered a curse while stretching out on the cream sofa in the living area.
Therin predicted the conversation among his top three staff members would only grow more heated. For a change, he welcomed that. Hopefully, their discussion would keep his absence from being noticed for a while. He slipped out the suite without alerting their attention.
For a long while, he corrected himself upon arriving in the almost empty breakfast bistro located in the hotel mezzanine. Finding Kianti Lawrence there had him regretting that any shred of business had followed him along on the trip.
He thought back to the previous evening, recalling his loss of words when she’d first spoken to him. The sensible, less popular side of his demeanor told him to leave her alone. There was no need to grow more infatuated than he’d already become in the span of the ten-minute conversation with the woman. The only thing further “involvement” could result in was
