Page 62 of Private Melody
“And you still want to marry me?”
“More every second.”
“I thought that ‘Mom’s face on the piano keys’ comment may’ve been a deal breaker.”
He turned her slightly on the bench to face him. “Nothin’s gonna break this deal, Ms. Lawrence.” With that said, he kissed her slowly.
The engagement party was put together in record time but it lacked no special touch. From the dazzling floral arrangements set amidst the fine antiques present throughout the Lawrences’ enchanting Marin County home, everything was top-notch in the elegance department. When the guests of honor arrived, the frenzy reached its peak.
“I told her no press…” Kianti grumbled while her fingers curved deeper into the sleeve of Therin’s eggshell jacket.
“You’re a renowned pianist and I’m…practically royalty.” He repeated her mother’s words and grunted when she elbowed him.
“Ex,” Kianti retorted.
“Anyway, we’re world renowned. Press is a part of it.”
“Hmph. Even if they want to grill you about everything that happened?”
“They don’t know enough yet to grill me.” Therin’s easy expression tightened some as he studied the heavy crowd. “Besides—” he stroked the satiny brown skin between her shoulder blades bared by the V-cut back of her wine-colored dress “—they’ll have a tough time getting anything out of me since I plan on kissing my fiancée on the dance floor all night.”
“Why, Mr. Rucker, are you asking me to dance?” she drawled intentionally, laughing when he offered his arm.
“What do you think our chances are of talking my mom into a small wedding?” Kianti was asking once they were surrounded by a sea of slow dancers.
“World renowned…” Therin sang.
“Elopement…” she countered.
“Stop.” He flexed his arm about her waist. “You’d break their hearts. You’re their only child—only daughter at that. Don’t you think Mr. Donald would want to give you away?”
She rolled her eyes. “Damn you for reminding me of that.”
“Let me make it up to you.”
The couple forgot all else and lost themselves in the dance and the sweet kisses that followed. Almost ten minutes passed before they were interrupted by one of the servers. Francina Lawrence wanted them for pictures.
“Is this a part of the only daughter’s duty?” Kianti asked through her aggravation.
Therin shrugged. “I’m pretty sure it’s in the good daughter’s handbook.”
The photo op lasted about twenty minutes. It seemed more like an hour to Kianti. The sight of familiar faces however, took her mind off any frustration.
“Lookin’ good, Mrs. Ambassador,” Cube was saying as he tugged her into a bear hug.
“We aren’t married yet.” Her voice was muffled against the sleeve of his dark jacket.
“Close enough,” Khan said while pulling her back and kissing her cheek.
“You guys had better be there. No last-minute business,” she ordered, poking a finger to the handkerchief peeking out of Winton’s front pocket when he kissed her other cheek.
“We’ve waited a long time to find someone suitable to take you off our hands.” Brody turned her to face him. “No way are we missin’ this.” He hugged her while the rest of the guys crowded around.
Therin chuckled at the scene they made. As he stood there watching the huddled group, an idea formed.
Kianti wanted to purr in response to the kisses showering her back. Content, she stretched against the covers, turned to her back and smiled up at Therin.
“What’s up?” She took note of his clothing. “Great suit.”
He smirked and brushed the edge of the mocha silk tie against her arm. “Just can’t go to city hall lookin’ shabby, you know?”
“City hall?” Her voice was a whisper and then she followed his bright gaze to the closet door. A gorgeous white suit hung there beneath a sheet of clear plastic. “For me?”
“Get dressed.”
Kianti squealed, flung herself against his chest and planted a hard kiss to his mouth.
“Therin?” It was some time later when Kianti made her way toward the living room. She gasped, taking in the transformation of the corridor. “Therin?” Her voice had lost a bit of its strength.
He appeared then at the end of the lily-lined hallway. “Like I said, you just can’t go to city hall looking shabby. But right about now, I’m thinkin’ we look too damned good for city hall.”
“What is all this?” she asked while he escorted her into the living room. Her second squeal of the morning carried across the room when she saw the guys there along with Vernon and Wren Shay.