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“I stopped taking them,” she blurted when it became obvious that he wasn’t going to let up on the questioning.
Therin stroked a sideburn and seemed to consider what she’d just said. “Didn’t you tell me they’re your only treatment?”
She scooted off the stool. “Are you done?” She took his plate without waiting for an answer.
“Did Brody take you off of them?”
“No. I took myself off them.”
“What?”
She scraped any leftover food down the disposal and rinsed out the sink. “I took myself off them.” She kept her back toward Therin.
“Why the hell would you do a stupid thing like that?”
In reply, Kianti began rinsing the dishes and putting them in the washer.
“Does Brody know?”
She grabbed the utensils from the kitchen island. “He does and he’s fine with it.”
Therin stood. “Now why don’t I believe that?”
Kianti loaded the utensils. “Can we stop talking about it? I don’t expect you to get it.”
He blocked her way when she moved to collect more items for the dishwasher. “So help me to get it, then.”
“Why do you care?” she snapped and then pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m sorry.” She went to rinse out the food warmers.
“Stop.” Easily, he trapped her against the island, one hand on either side of her. “Listen, I don’t know you well, but I’d like to change that.”
“Why?” She kept her eyes trained on the floor. “You can’t possibly be interested in pursuing a sickly woman like me.”
“Maybe I am.” His voice was deep and tight with emotion he realized only she had the power to rouse. “Maybe deep down I’ve got some Florence Nightingale tendencies lurking.” He tilted his head to study her face and saw her produce the smile he’d been seeking. He moved back to lean on the corner opposite her. “Will you at least help me understand why you’d take such a dangerous chance with your life?”
“This is almost impossible to explain to someone who’s never had a chronic illness that keeps them chained to treatments.” She smoothed hands across her bare arms and began to walk around the kitchen. “I want to live,” she said simply. “I don’t feel that I can do that with medication as a constant reminder that I’m…different.”
Therin’s brows drew close over his bright eyes and his heart went out to her. He caught her before she could walk past, cupping her face when he turned her to him.
“It’s only one pill, sweet. Seems like a small price to pay.”
Her dark gaze appeared haunted. “It’s not the pills—not exactly the pills—but what they represent. Weakness. ‘Kianti can’t do this because she’s too frail…’” she mimicked. “Do you know how many times I heard that as a child—as an adult?” She studied his face, her fingertips aching to graze the glossy sideburns framing his very handsome face. She shook off the need. “You couldn’t understand,” she muttered.
“You’re probably right.” His thumbs smoothed the flawless cinnamon of her skin before he reluctantly pulled his hands from her face. “That’s probably due to selfishness, though.”
Kianti brought a hand to her hip. “Selfishness?”
“I just met you and since then you’ve consumed the majority of my thoughts.” He invaded her space until he had her trapped against the island once more. “I don’t know what the hell I’ll do when I go back to Vancouver. I’m sort of getting used to seeing you every day.”
“Well…” She uttered a nervous laugh, fighting to make the moment light. “It’s the technology age, you know? I’m as close as your computer.”
“Right.” His eyes narrowed as they roamed every inch of her face. “Sadly, my laptop won’t allow me to do this.”
Kianti would have melted to the floor when he kissed her, had he not gathered her close before he took her mouth with his. The kiss went directly to sultry, scooping up flecks of sweetness along the way.
To accommodate for the difference in their heights, he perched her on the edge of the island and stepped between her thighs. Never once did he break the kiss. Kianti gave into the delicious tingling that began at the part of her that most ached for him and radiated outward to the rest of her. Boldly, she flexed her thighs about him and drew him closer.
Therin allowed his hands free rein, massaging her back through the cottony material of her halter. He moved around to fondle her breasts, groaning into her mouth as he squeezed.
