A Reckless Note (Brilliance Trilogy #1) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,39
me? Will Kace?
The spell between us is broken as Sara appears before us in a stunning silver knee-length dress, greeting us with a bright smile. “Ready for this, Kace?” she asks.
“Always,” he assures her, and then glances down at me, his hand warm on my lower back, his gaze sweeping my mouth and lifting. “See you soon,” he says softly, and somehow he manages to turn those simple words into a seduction.
He releases me, heading to the stage, and I’m far too cold without that man’s hands on my body for my own good.
“We’re in the front,” Sara announces, motioning me toward the chairs.
I follow her lead and we settle into our spots at the end of the aisle. Kace has now started to play a few random notes, testing his tuning. The sound of his violin vibrates through me, nestling deep in my soul and threatening to stir a million memories.
“I’m really excited about this,” Sara says. “Chris and Kace have been talking about performing together since they were both at the same charity event a year and a half ago.”
“They’ve known each other for a long time, right?”
“Forever, even before I met Chris, but that event was really where they became friends, not acquaintances. And now they have three events and back-to-back shows together. Are you going with us to Austin and California?”
He’s leaving again. That’s what I take from her question and it’s my reality check on what to expect in the future. Kace leaves. That’s what Kace does. “No,” I say. “We’re just getting to know each other.”
“And yet here you are.”
My brows furrow. “What does that mean?”
“He doesn’t bring women to his shows. He doesn’t let anyone inside his personal life, not even his crew.”
“Why me?” I ask, speaking what is on my mind without meaning to.
“You’ll have to ask Kace that question, but as Chris always says to me, because you’re you. I know what it’s like to be with a man who seems bigger than life, but underneath the fame, he’s a man. Just a man. One not likely to trust easily and that comes from life lessons. Don’t forget that.”
No one understands life lessons more than me, but as for me being me—I’m not me. I’m a lie, which only makes her words about trust more powerful. “Thank you,” I say and I turn my gaze to Kace as he plays a small bit off Prince’s Purple Rain and then stops, talking to Marvin and Chris.
“Doors opening in three minutes!” someone shouts out, and then to my shock, the blonde from the photo I’d seen of Kace in Germany is on the stage, offering everyone water and doing so in a pink dress with lots of cleavage. Tension radiates through me and when she stops in front of Kace and rubs his arm, my fingers curl into my palms. She’s touching him again.
She steps to the left and I end up in Kace’s direct view. He’s staring at me, those blue eyes piercing me even from a distance, the push and pull between us potent. His eyes narrow and I see the question and answer in his face. He knows I’m uncomfortable with that exchange. Damn it, he knows, and I’m conflicted about how I feel about that. I have no rights to this man. I know this. We barely know each other, but I have no interest in groupie status.
Kace cuts his stare, catching the woman’s arm. He whispers something to her and there is a knot in my chest that I don’t have the capacity to handle. I move, intending to stand up, but Sara catches my arm. “That’s Kelly, but everyone calls her Kiki. She’s the operations manager for his tours. Kace is all business with his crew. She’s just a toucher.”
“Seems like he was touching her, too.”
“No. He was just trying to get her attention.” She motions to the stage. “And that’s why.”
I jerk my gaze in the direction she’s indicated and the toucher hops off the stage and heads right for me.
I turn to Sara. “Sara—”
“I promise you. There is nothing between her and Kace. I promise you.”
I have no idea why her promise helps the way it helps, but it eases the pressure in my chest. Right then, Kiki kneels in front of me and I rotate to stare down at her. She’s even prettier up close, her skin porcelain, her eyes a paler blue than Kace’s, but oh so pretty. She grabs my hand. “I’m