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Kianti was checking her hair in the dresser mirror and nodded once in approval of the tiny braids that drew her hair back away from her forehead while leaving the rest of the heavy mass draping past her shoulders.
She was turning away from the dresser when the pill bottle caught her eye. Her fist clenched reflexively and she pressed it to her chin before leaning over to grab the bottle. Brushing her thumb across the label as she studied it, she debated on whether to take one just in case….
“Dammit, Key,” she said and slammed the bottle back to the dresser. How could she even consider giving up something she was so determined to accomplish in order to indulge in a few moments (hopefully a few hours) with Therin Rucker?
Nothing was worth that. Not even the pleasure he was sure to bring if his kisses were any clue. The bell rang and she inhaled slowly as though resolving the issue in her head.
“Did you have a horrible time with the traffic?” she asked after greeting Therin at the front door. “It must be a lot different here than it is in Vancouver.”
“It wasn’t so bad.” He shrugged, his light eyes appreciatively taking in her hair and the turquoise halter she wore.
“Why’d you decide to stay there instead of moving back to the States once your post was up?” Kianti asked while heading for the kitchen.
Therin followed, smiling at the fuzzy black slippers that slapped at the glossy hardwoods. “Vancouver’s more my style—then there’s the place itself. Damn beautiful.” His voice softened and at that moment he wasn’t referring to the city, but the woman in his line of sight.
“Makes me feel like I’m in a different time—place.” He shrugged offering the sudden explanation when she caught him staring. “Keeps me mellow.”
Her dark eyes registered understanding. “Is that important to you? To feel mellow?”
“Well…yeah.” He smiled on the admission. “I’d say the same is true for you—am I right?”
Kianti didn’t hesitate with her nod.
“Is that what your disappearing backstage is about? You make a habit of doing that?” He strolled closer with his thumbs hooked in the belt loops of his denims.
“It helps.” She resumed her journey toward the kitchen.
Therin bit his lip on the next question for only a second before deciding to bite the bullet and ask. “Helps with what?”
The long fork she’d reached for hit the cream stovetop with a clatter. “What do you mean?”
“Hell,” Therin muttered and took a moment to work his fingers against the muscles tensed at the back of his neck. “I know Brody Parker is a doctor. I thought he might be yours.”
She smiled and reached for the fork again. “I assure you, I’m not contagious.”
Therin reciprocated the smile. “I didn’t suspect that you were.” He neared the island and watched her at the stove. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“It’s okay.” She was already shaking her head. “I definitely can’t blame you for asking especially after that pathetic lie I told about Brody being my cook.” She laughed shortly over the memory.
Therin took a seat on one of the Chinese stools surrounding the chopping-block-top kitchen island. “Why’d you feel the need to tell me that?”
“Hmph.” Kianti turned and leaned against the stove. “Therin, I have a heart condition that can cause a spike in my blood pressure. My playing affects it, as does virtually any overexertion.” She toyed with the O-ring at the front of her halter. “I’ve been taking pills for several years to regulate it. There’s no other treatment aside from a heart transplant…maybe.” She smirked and blinked to ward off what felt suspiciously like tears.
“If I’d introduced Brody as my doctor that night, I’d have felt obligated to explain all that and…” She grabbed a towel and began to wipe down the counter. “I just didn’t want to.”
“Why would you feel the need to explain that?” He rested his arm across the island. “Lots of celebrities travel with physicians.”
She ceased the wipe down and smiled sadly. “I’ve been explaining myself for so long…it’s just habit.” She shrugged. She waved the dish towel in his direction. “You can’t deny that you wouldn’t have been curious.”
“So what if I was?” He straightened and pressed a hand to his olive-green polo. “That wouldn’t have given me any right to know.”
“Hmph.” She leaned to pull plates from one of the bead board cabinets. “I wish more people were as respectful of privacy.”
