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Therin whistled a soft tune and was grabbing his keys from the message table when his phone vibrated next to them. He grumbled low, spotting Vaughn’s name on the faceplate. Silently, he debated on whether or not to reply. Last thing he wanted was more drama filtering into his time with Kianti.
“Yeah, V?” He answered anyway, while checking his watch.
“Hey…you talk to the general yet?”
“Mmm, the general…that’s a no.”
“Why not?” Vaughn laughed shortly.
Therin settled partially on the desk. “Other things on my mind.”
“Ah…the lovely and gifted Kianti Lawrence.” Vaughn’s laughter was easier then. “Look, man, you know I approve of you takin’ time out to enjoy yourself but have you thought about how complicated this could be?”
Therin wouldn’t admit that was almost all he could think about. Those thoughts, however, were easy to cast off when he recalled how alive he felt when he was with her. He wasn’t ready to let go of that yet and honestly didn’t know when he would be.
“Ther?”
“Did you check out her entourage?”
Vaughn cleared his throat. “Yeah, um— They, um, they’re almost like a family. They don’t share blood but they share history. All met up during their college years. Kianti divided her time between a hellacious practice schedule mixed with her music curriculum. She and Parker—Brody—go back the furthest. They grew up together.”
Therin frowned over that discovery but didn’t take long to mull it over.
“Therin… Did Kianti talk about Parker’s role in her crew?”
Therin stroked his jaw absently and tried to remember. “She said he was her cook. Why?”
“Because Brody Parker has a medical degree.”
Therin’s hand paused on his jaw. “Medicine?”
“Cardiology is his specialty.”
“You’re sure?”
“I double-checked to make sure.”
Therin’s light stare traveled the hotel room in an absent manner.
“You think the guy’s walkin’ around with a med degree but prefers to play cook to a musical genius?” Vaughn pondered.
Therin managed a chuckle. “I doubt it.”
“Wonder why she didn’t tell you? You want me to dig more? I’m sure I can find—”
“No, no, V. This is good.” Therin bumped his fist against the cleft in his chin. “I’ll ask when the time is right.”
“I take that to mean you plan on getting to know her better?”
“I’ll let you know once I know, V.”
“This may sound corny, but is it fair to say that the talented Ms. Lawrence is unlike anyone you’ve ever met?”
Therin’s soft smile belied the unexpected pounding in his heart. Just the mention of her name was starting to affect him quite seriously. “It’s fair to say it.” He finally acknowledged Vaughn’s query.
“Can I ask why?”
Therin leaned on the edge of the message table and considered Vaughn’s words. “Guess I could be shallow and say it’s because she’s a sexy dime I want in my bed.” He grinned when Vaughn’s chuckle came through the line. “And she’s definitely that, but there’s more to it. I’m gonna need more time to figure out what that means. I wasn’t expecting her, V—not one damn bit. All of a sudden, she was just there—right in front of me, and that’s where I want her to stay.”
Vaughn whistled. “I’m impressed.”
“Ha! Good for you. I’m scared,” Therin admitted while silently acknowledging that his fear was more exciting than terrifying.
“So I guess this means she’s more than someone’s toy you plan on stealing away?”
“She was always more than that. Look, V, let me check in with you later, all right?” Therin added when Vaughn made no further comments.
He waited a beat before leaving the message table, taking a moment to think over the new information he’d received. Did he and Kianti know each other well enough yet for him to ask what role Brody Parker really played in her life? How would she react to him prying into that?
Therin thought back to the kiss they’d shared. He exchanged stroking his jaw for stroking his chest that felt tight with need once those memories began to funnel in. Ending that closeness was the last thing he wanted, but it was way too soon for them to venture down that road.
In light of that, should he even be heading to her place for breakfast? he wondered. He’d barely been able to walk out of there the other day. Clearly, his resistance to her was practically nonexistent. No doubt she’d be just as provocative that morning. Then what would he do? The right thing and not take what he wanted from her or take her until neither of them could see straight which was the only thing he wanted to do.
