AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But this is a home.” She trailed her fingers across the cushiony, amber suede sofas and oversize armchairs situated behind the round tables. “This is a home,” she repeated.
In that moment, Therin didn’t know if he’d ever had such enjoyment in that room.
“You should check out that piano.” He spoke in a hasty manner when she noticed him staring.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” she whispered, passing the instrument without a look as she moved closer to Therin. She brought her hands to his biceps and then stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
“Thank me? It’s you who’s doing me this favor.”
Kianti shrugged toying with the zipper tab of his blue-gray pullover. “You’ve just shown me how much you appreciate it.”
Before she could set down on her feet, he gathered her tight and plied her with a deeper kiss. Kianti moved forward, nudging him until he was seated on the back of one of the armchairs. She stepped between his thighs and became a more eager participant in the kiss. She tugged his hand to the front of her blouse and arched her breast against his palm.
A clearing throat drew them apart moments later. Therin pressed his forehead to hers and inhaled for a few additional seconds before he looked toward the door.
“Sorry for interrupting.”
“Come over here,” Therin waved, taking Kianti along with him as they headed for the front of the room. “Kianti Lawrence, I’d like you to meet Morgan Felts, my chief of security,” he said, watching as Morgan behaved in the same awed manner his associates had when they first met Kianti.
“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Lawrence.”
“Please call me Kianti.” She shook Morgan’s hand and then glanced quickly across her shoulder. “I should go check out that piano so…it was nice meeting you, Morgan. Hope to see you at the event.”
Therin allowed Morgan a few more seconds to ogle. “So what’s up?” He clapped the man’s shoulder.
“Rick.” Morgan cleared his throat. “The guys said he had some ideas about what the attacker told him.”
“Has anyone been acting strange around the office?” Therin asked once he’d recapped Rick Dubose’s theory.
Morgan only shook his head.
Therin noticed him grimace. “What?”
“Everybody’s edgy as hell around the office.” Morgan raked back the thick blondish-brown tufts of his hair. “Rick’s probably grasping at straws here hoping to come up with something that’ll put everyone else at ease.”
Therin reclaimed his spot on the back of the chair and watched Morgan pace. “So you think there’s nothing to this?”
“That’s exactly what I think, and the folks who attacked Rick were most likely counting on you to make somethin’ of it.” Morgan punched a fist to one of the sofa pillows. “Hell, Therin, they know what the guy does for a living—it’s probably why he was targeted in the first place.”
Contemplating the theory, Therin moved the back of his hand along a sideburn. “Thanks, Morgan.” He saw the man’s expectant stare and nodded. “Will we see you tomorrow night?”
At ease then, Morgan grinned. “You’re crazy if you think I’d miss out on a free concert by Kianti Lawrence.”
“How often do you get to enjoy this?”
Kianti and Therin took in the sunset from the roof of his home. The construction from that end of the house was designed flat to accommodate the coffee table and stuffed lounge chairs. The area was treated for the abundance of snow that fell during the year and could become a weight issue for a flat roof.
Therin kept Kianti snuggled into his lap. “I almost never get to enjoy it.” He kept his chin propped to her shoulder. “I just had it checked out for the event this weekend. Hope it’ll go over well with the guests.”
“Oh, I’m sure it will.” She shrugged. “Speaking as a guest and all.”
Therin kissed her cheek. “Does it make you want to give a big donation to my organization?”
Kianti turned so that she was straddling him. “The organization will definitely get a big donation.” She settled down snug on top of him. “I’ve got something else in mind for its spokesman.”
A kiss ensued, growing hot in an instant. As they were alone, Therin didn’t think twice about baring her to his gaze and to his mouth.
“Don’t stop,” she begged when his mouth closed over the nipple he’d bared. “Mmm…” She thrust herself against his tongue while grinding more insistently against his lap.
“Damn.” His hands flexed about her thighs and he stood to take her with him. “I really wanted you to see that sunset,” he growled and carried her inside for what he wanted more.
