A Reckless Note (Brilliance Trilogy #1) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,76
not. But it served a purpose.”
It’s an answer I would give, one that says much and nothing at all. One that reaffirms my belief that he is a man of mystique, who appears to share himself with the world and somehow share very little at all. It’s a gift that also requires practice and motivation. It’s a talent of necessity. Still, it’s clear he’s slowly opening up to me. I haven’t opened to him. Not much.
For that reason, I don’t press him to go deeper, to explain that purpose. I don’t ask him because I now know that I understand him beyond the content of words. Instead, my hand dares to go to his forearm, my finger tracing one of the musical note tattoos on his arm. It’s my silent way of telling him that I know he was running from the family and the pain represented.
He covers my hand with his and our eyes connect, the lighthearted mood shifting, the air thickening with our shared attraction. “What did the song I was playing at the gallery mean to you?”
My lashes lower, his music and that song playing in my mind. Kace cups my face, drawing my gaze to his. “You don’t have to tell me.”
“It reminded me of a romantic moment between my father and mother. A good memory but still painful. I miss them often.” I dare to run my fingers over his jaw. “I really loved getting ready this morning to the sound of you playing. Really loved it.”
“Maybe one day you’ll trust me enough to tell me why you love the violin so much and how you really know what you know about the Stradivarius.” He kisses my fingers. “Not today, I know, but one day. We need to try to rest a bit.” He stands, taking the case with him and placing it back in the overhead bin. He offers me his hand and the moment my palm is in his palm and I’m standing, the plane begins to jump and jolt. Kace grabs the ceiling and wraps his free arm around me, his eyes meeting mine as he says, “Hold on, baby, and I will, too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Kace and I lay with our seats back, facing each other, no arm between us, our legs entangled—talking. We just talk. At my prodding, he tells me stories about the different countries he’s visited—about the food, the people, his shows. We talk for what feels like hours, until my eyes grow heavy and he pulls me under his arm, onto his chest. I fall asleep just like that, in his arms, with his heart thundering under my ear. I wake to him stroking my hair, murmuring in my ear, just before the wheels hit the ground.
Once we’re off the plane and inside the private airport, we head toward the front door, me rolling one bag and Kace handling the rest. “We have to find a drive-thru that’s open,” he says. “I need food. Now.”
“Me, too,” I say. “It’s late, though. Do we have a car service waiting or how does this work?”
“I rented a car,” he says, “that should be here waiting on us outside.” We exit the building into the parking lot and thank God Kace suggested we stick our coats in the bags because it’s warm, like sixties, versus the thirties back home.
“Here we are,” Kace says, motioning to the fancy black sports car sitting near the door. “That will be us. The keys are under the seat.”
I blink. “Is that a Porsche? Can you even rent a Porsche?”
“Money buys just about anything, baby. And as for the Porsche, it’s the best they had on short notice.” He opens the door, grabs the keys, and pops the trunk. “I’m not a Porsche guy. Chris is. The man loves these damn cars.”
We load up the trunk and then us inside the car. He revs the engine. “It’s a beast, that’s for sure.”
“Why don’t you like it?” I ask, running my hand over the leather. “It’s a beautiful car.”
“It’s all muscle. I guess it’s that damn Stradivarius spoiling me, but I like a little more finesse.” He shifts into reverse and it’s not long before we’re on the highway and driving with confidence.
“You know where you’re going?” I ask.
“I’ve been here a few times. We’re headed downtown. The event is actually inside the Driskell hotel, which is why we’re staying at the Fairmont hotel for privacy reasons.” He motions to a road sign that lists restaurants