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“Mmm…” Her voice wavered when he broke the kiss to trail his mouth down her neck and across her collarbone. In moments, she felt his face at the valley between her breasts. She arched insistently, silently begging him to tend to them properly.
Therin trailed his nose down the cleft, breathing in the scent of her skin and proving to himself that her breasts were as full and supple as he’d suspected. His hands continued to fondle her, thumbs working the nipples into solid gems eager to be sucked.
“Therin…” She arched more determinedly.
The cinnamon-brown mounds nudged his mouth each time she took a breath. “Kianti…” He pressed his forehead to her chest and sighed.
“Please don’t go,” she easily read his mind.
Going was just what he intended on doing. Whatever was happening between them only had the chance of being a fling at best. There was, after all, a vast amount of distance between them and two very hectic lifestyles. He didn’t want to accept any of it.
God, he was in trouble.
“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” Kianti asked, feeling his touch cool.
“Damn right,” he admitted, and then cupped his hand about her neck when she would have looked away. “Not for the reasons you think,” he said. “I’ve got to head back tomorrow afternoon. If I sleep with you now, I’d tell my responsibilities to go to hell.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?” She kept her eyes on the massage she applied to the bend of his elbow where his sleeve ended.
“It wouldn’t be bad at all.” He grinned, yet rolled his eyes. “Still more of a headache than I’d need if I put it off for too long.”
Kianti’s mouth turned down, but she wouldn’t beg. Well…no more than she already had.
“Look at me.” He flexed his hand lightly about her neck and waited. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
“What shall I cook?” Her dark eyes were brilliant with expectancy then.
Therin chuckled. “As much as I love your cooking, it’d be safer if we go out. Since this is your town, you pick the place.”
Kianti accepted the invitation with a nod and curved her fingers into his collar. “Dress casual,” she said.
“Be ready by seven.” He didn’t trust himself to kiss her again and simply brushed his thumb to her cheek before he left.
San Diego, California~
Former military liaison and decorated marine Shepard Yale had an unfailing reputation for being a no-nonsense, hard-as-nails leader. When Therin arrived at the corner café where he’d agreed to meet the retired general, he saw none of that spit-and-polish demeanor, but one that was more approachable. Therin assumed that becoming a grandparent definitely changed a person.
The general nodded, a smile coming to his face when he noticed Therin. He stood with a fluid grace but his posture was straight as a rod. Retired or not, the man still held on to a bit of that spit and polish.
“Hope this isn’t too far out of the way, General,” Therin said as they shook hands. “I got the feeling you’d want to take this meeting privately.”
“I thank you for your consideration, son.” Shepard Yale’s mouth turned into a smile that hinted at how impressed he was. “I’ve heard of your diplomacy and discretion. Happy to find those attributes to be true of you.”
Therin nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“Location’s not a problem,” the general said while reclaiming his seat at the table. “I live out in Marin now. My daughter and her family are visiting—they made a trip in to visit the Star Wars place.” He shrugged. “I came along for the ride so we’ve got a while to chat before I have to go back to meet them.”
“Well, you must know how curious I was to hear that you’d called.” Therin tapped the shellacked surface of the table. “When I was an ambassador, we never had the chance to collaborate on any issues.”
A waitress arrived for orders then. Once she left, General Yale studied the sunny view of the bay beyond the café’s windows. “A man’s issues can change with the onset of age,” he said.
“Are you all right, sir?”
The general chuckled. “I’m in good health, son. Sorry for getting too prophetic on you there. I was thinking about my being a grandfather now. Perhaps the most rewarding charge I’ve ever had in my life. I place it above all the pomp surrounding being a liaison and decorated general, above raising my own kids, even.” Something shadowed his vivid blue gaze. “I was so busy working to build my life. I devoted my time and talents to strengthening the country’s infrastructure, but ignored the most basic necessities—the education of our children.”
