Read Online Private Melody by Altonya Washington - Free Book Online

transplant…maybe.” She smirked and blinked to ward off what felt suspiciously like tears.
    â€œIf 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.”
    â€œWhy would you feel the need to explain that?” Herested 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.”
    â€œSo 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.”
    â€œHmph.” She leaned to pull plates from one of the bead board cabinets. “I wish more people were as respectful of privacy.”
    â€œWould you have told me if I hadn’t asked about Parker?”
    Kianti nodded. “I actually decided to tell you this morning. After breakfast, of course.”
    He frowned. “Why after breakfast?”
    She laughed. “Well, I wanted you to eat before you ran out. I did pretty much slave over our food here, you know?”
    Therin wasn’t amused and let her see the agitation tighten his gorgeous features. “You figured I wouldn’t stick around once you told me about your condition?”
    â€œMen rarely do.” She turned to take utensils from a drawer. “And if they do, it’s not for long.”
    â€œI don’t appreciate being put in that group, Kianti.”
    â€œOh, don’t take it seriously.” Her laughter bubbled up again. “It’s understandable that a man would think twice about hooking up with a woman who could die in the midst of making love.”
    â€œJesus.” Therin grimaced. “Do you ever stop to think that it’s not your condition that sends a guy scramblin’but your expectation that he’ll be an ass about it that does the trick?”
    Kianti didn’t have a comeback. “Would you like to eat in the kitchen or the dining room?” she asked instead.
    Therin massaged the silky hair covering his head and cursed his loss of temper. Raising his head then, he watched Kianti and smiled over how smoothly it’d happened and how alive it’d made him feel when it did.
    â€œKitchen’s fine,” he said and moved to help her.
    â€œI’m not an invalid, Therin,” she snapped when he took the dishes and silverware. “I can damn well set a table—you’re my guest.”
    In response, he took her wrist and planted her on one of the stools. “I was only offering to help, but since you expect me to treat you like an invalid, I’ll just go on and give you what you’re looking for.”
    Kianti’s mouth parted but again she found that she had no comeback. She watched Therin set out the breakfast, giving him instruction on where to find mugs, glasses and serving utensils. While he was engaged, she indulged in observing him—looks, clothing, manner—and discovered battling with her four over protectors hadn’t prepared her for going a round with this man. It hadn’t prepared her at all.

Chapter 6
    K ianti mostly picked at her food. It wasn’t difficult for Therin to notice.
    â€œI think I’ve been doing a pretty good job of treating you like an invalid, but I draw the line at feeding you.”
    Her laughter was soft, but it was there. “I rarely eat breakfast.”
    â€œAh…bet that doesn’t sit too well with your doctor.” Therin spoke around a mouthful of perfectly seasoned eggs. “Could you help me out, anyway? Eating alone is almost as bad as drinking alone.”
    Without argument, Kianti reached for her fork and stabbed