Every Beat Of My Heart

The rhythm of love

Lina Smith-Todd is a winning bid away from owning a piece of musical history. The auction heats up when she discovers that her chief competition for a piano owned by Thelonious Monk is the man who once shared her bed. But the priceless baby grand isn’t all that the seductive, supremely confident musician intends to possess. Rashad MacRae wants a second chance to be with Lina.

Rashad’s passion for music was inspired by the legendary Monk. But if walking away with the prize means losing his shot at a future with Lina, he’s ready to concede defeat. To entice her back into his arms, Rashad has to find a way to regain the self-sufficient attorney’s trust. And now a family revelation could cost him everything. Can doubt be swept away by the promise of an everlasting love song they both know by heart?

She chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re mighty persistent, aren’t you?”

“Only when it comes to what I want. And I want you, Lina.” He reached out, his large hand cupping her cheek as he tilted her face up toward his gaze.

Her pulse quickened as the heat of his palm penetrated her skin. Once again, logic abandoned her and allowed her emotions free rein. Looking into his dark eyes, with the memories of all they’d shared passing between them, she knew it was only a matter of moments before he kissed her. And if he kissed her, it would be all over for her, as far as putting up any resistance went.

He rotated his upper body, slowly leaned in her direction.

She wet her lips with the tip of her tongue, torn between logic and desire. Could she really trust him with her heart again? Parts of her were still unsure. She needed to buy herself some time, give herself space to think this through more fully. So she blurted, “It’s going to rain any minute.”

Dear Reader,

Thanks so much for picking up Every Beat of My Heart! I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy it.

What can you do when you have to choose between something you really want and something that could change your life? That’s the question Rashad and Lina are facing. Only one of them can be victorious...or is that really the case?

Get ready to find out as you go on this steamy, sensual journey!

All the best,

Kianna

AuthorKiannaAlexander.com

Every Beat of My Heart

Kianna Alexander

KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. She’s a voracious reader, an amateur seamstress and occasional painter in oils. Chocolate, American history, sweet tea and Idris Elba are a few of her favorite things. A native of the Tar Heel State, Kianna still lives there with her husband, two kids and a collection of well-loved vintage ’80s Barbie dolls.

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For my daughter, whose inquisitive mind sees adventure around every turn, and whose loving heart embraces everyone she meets.

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank Kianna’s Royal Kourt, for all their hard work in getting the word out about my books. I’d also like to thank the other Harlequin Kimani Romance authors who’ve embraced me as a new author to the line, making me feel like family. My appreciation is owed to my husband and children for bearing with me through the deadline doldrums. And of course, I thank each and every reader who has ever taken the time to read my work.

I’d like to salute fellow authors Rebekah Weatherspoon and K.M. Jackson for their work in increasing the visibility of diverse romance. Follow the #WOCinRomance and #WeNeedDiverseRomance hashtags on social media to add your voice.

This book heavily features the works of jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, who is considered a pioneer of the genre. I’m proud to say he was born in my home state of North Carolina. I encourage you to download or purchase Mr. Monk’s work. To find out more about his life and his art, visit the following websites.

Thelonious Monk’s official website: MonkZone.com

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz:

MonkInstitute.org

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Copyright

Chapter 1

Lina Smith-Todd breezed into her office, shutting the door behind her. Tossing her purse onto the floor next to her desk, she flopped down in her chair, a smile plastered across her face. She’d just returned from court. She had made such a compelling case for her client, she was sure the bailiff and court clerks were still talking about it. Well, at least that’s what she wanted to think.

She’d been tackling cases as an employment lawyer for the Lerner Law Firm for seven years now. Through the last days of her tumultuous marriage, a contentious divorce and those early days of singlehood, she’d managed to keep her sanity by focusing on her work. Throwing all her energy into her clients’ cases left her little time for pity parties.

Today’s showing in court had been especially impressive. She’d say it was in her Top Five Best Arguments of her law career. Her smile broadened as she recalled the flustered look on the face of Ray Deocampo, her opposing counsel. She hummed to herself as she booted up her computer, preparing to tackle her exploding inbox.

The phone on the top of her black lacquer desk started ringing before the email program had a chance to fully load. Typing with one hand, she grabbed the receiver and used her shoulder to hold it to her ear. “Hello?”

“Ms. Smith-Todd, I’d like to see you in my office.” The voice on the other end of the line belonged to Gwendolyn Lerner, the owner and executive partner of the firm.

“I’ll be there in just a moment.” Replacing the receiver in the cradle, Lina stood. She knew better than to enter her boss’s office with a victory grin, so she went to the small wardrobe that occupied a corner of her office. Opening the door, she looked at herself in the mirror, adjusting her expression from full tilt gloating to something pleasant, but professional. Satisfied, she left her office and headed down the hallway to see what Mrs. Lerner wanted.

She found Gwendolyn’s office door slightly ajar, and let herself in. Gwendolyn, dressed impeccably as always, today in a charcoal-gray skirt suit and matching pumps, looked up upon her entrance.

Lina watched her boss in silence, observing her manner and expression. Gwendolyn Lerner was an amazing litigator and very personable. At times, she could also be a hard-ass. Generally, one could tell if Mrs. Lerner was in a good mood or not within about thirty seconds of stepping into her office.

With a smile, Gwendolyn set aside the stack of paperwork she’d been reading and gestured to one of the empty chairs in front of her large cherrywood desk. “Please, Lina, have a seat.”

Relieved to see that Gwen seemed to be in good spirits, Lina slid into the chair. “You wanted to see me, ma’am?”

“Yes, and thank you for coming over so promptly.” Gwen leaned back in her chair, tenting her fingertips.

Lina smiled in response, curious as to what her boss would say next.

“I wanted to congratulate you on your argument in court today. Apparently it was very convincing, because I just received a call from the court saying that opposing counsel has dropped their case.”

Before she could stop herself, Lina gave a few triumphant fist pumps. But once she remembered where she was, she tempered her reaction a bit. “That’s great news.”

“Don’t stop celebrating on my account. You’ve earned it. And there’s something else you’ve earned.”

Lina’s ears perked up, and she shifted her body, sitting forward in her chair. Could this be it, the moment she’d dreamed of since she’d first come to Lerner Law as a lowly legal assistant?

“You’ve done impressive work for Lerner Law, from the very first day you arrived. You’ve shown yourself to be more than competent, and I think you’re ready for the next step.”

Lina was now on the edge of her seat, hanging on Gwen’s every word like a kid holding an ice cream cone on a hot day. It had taken her almost five years to make junior partner. Could she really be moving up so soon after her last promotion?

Gwen seemed to be enjoying drawing this out.

But the suspense was killing Lina.

Finally, mercifully, the smiling executive attorney said the words Lina had longed to hear ever since she’d watched her first episode of The Practice.

“I’d like to make you a senior partner in the firm.”

It took all Lina had to hold back the squeal of delight rising in her throat. She stood to shake her boss’s hand as the response she’d begun practicing the day she graduated law school fell from her lips. “I’m honored, ma’am, and I accept. I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.”

Gwen smiled and released her hand. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

Lina watched as her boss sat back down, then followed suit. She was so giddy on the inside that keeping a straight face was becoming difficult. The moment she got back to her office, she knew she would be busting a celebratory move. It would probably be the Running Man, or the Butterfly. Hell, she was so excited, she might even have to throw in the Cabbage Patch.

Gwen’s voice broke into her thoughts. “It will take a few weeks to finalize things. Since I’m also going to offer Tara Mitchell a senior partner position, I’m going to go ahead and order new signage for the office, stationery and all that. Of course, I’ll talk to finance about adjusting your salary to reflect your raise in pay.”

Lina knew she was probably smiling too hard, but she couldn’t help it. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Mrs. Lerner, for having faith in me.”

“Call me Gwen. After all, before long, we’re going to be Lerner, Mitchell and Smith-Todd.”

Hearing that gave Lina pause. It had been four years since she’d divorced her ex-husband, Warren. Yet she still used his name to hyphenate her own, as if she were still married to the cheating asshole. She’d been so busy with climbing the ladder of success that she’d never gotten around to having it changed. Now that her name was about to be on the building, she sure as hell wasn’t going to be identified by the last name of a man she could barely stand to be around.

“Smith. Lerner, Mitchell and Smith. If my name’s going up in lights, I want it to be my name, not Warren’s.”

“Sounds like I just gave you the motivation you needed to go and get your name legally changed.”

Lina stood. “You sure did. Is there anything else you need from me?”

Gwen shook her head. “No, that’s all for now. I’ll have a contract drawn up for you to sign in a few days. In the meantime, it looks like you’ve won yourself some time off, since the Reedy case was dropped. So I’ll see you Monday.”

With a wave, Lina departed and went back to her own office.

Inside the glass walled room, she closed all the blinds on the wall facing the corridor. Then, when she was sure none of her colleagues could see her, she kicked off her pumps and performed a Running Man move that would have put any Soul Train dancer to shame.

The pinging of her email program, which was open and running on her computer, grabbed her attention. She shimmied over to the desk and took a seat. There, on the screen, was a calendar reminder she’d set for herself several weeks ago. Reading the text, she grinned.

She’d seen an article a while back on a social media site announcing an upcoming auction. After reading the article, she’d set the reminder because there was an item scheduled to be sold that she just had to have: a piano played by the legendary Thelonious Monk.

The auction would take place tomorrow night, and the timing couldn’t be better. Between her savings and the substantial raise she’d soon be getting as Lerner Law’s newest senior partner, she would be in a position to make a competitive bid on the piano. And when she got her hands on it, she planned to have it delivered straight to her mother, Carla.

Carla had been in poor spirits lately, as age and stress had conspired to cause her health to decline. But Lina knew that owning the piano played by her very favorite musician would do wonders on raising her mother’s spirits. Lina had been treated to Monk’s music from the cradle. She didn’t know anyone who appreciated Monk’s artistry the way her mother did.

Except for Rashad, her traitorous thoughts reminded her.

She sighed as she thought of her ex-flame. He’d been in her life for only a few weeks before she’d become unable to put up with his secretive ways. As a woman who’d already endured the humiliation of a cheating spouse and a failed marriage, she craved transparency and openness. Rashad had seemed unable, or unwilling, to provide that, so she’d walked away from him. And just as she always did when her personal life went awry, she’d thrown herself into her work. Only this time, her immersion in work had paid off in a big way.

Pushing aside thoughts of Rashad and his tight-lipped behavior, she began gathering her things. A three-day weekend in early June was a rare treat, and she intended to enjoy it. She’d kick back for the rest of the evening, then spend her Friday planning the perfect strategy for winning the bidding and securing Monk’s piano for his biggest fan: her mama.

Once she’d packed up, she grabbed her phone and purse and strode out the door.

* * *

Rashad MacRae ran a hand over his face, stopping at his mouth to stifle a yawn. A glance at the wall clock hanging across from him showed that it was eleven minutes past six. He should have left the courthouse over an hour ago. Summertime meant an increase in marriages, and as an assistant register of deeds for Mecklenburg County, the influx of paperwork always landed on his desk.

Stamping his name on the last few pieces of paper needing his approval, he stood from behind his desk and stretched his arms above his head, hoping to ease the tightness in his shoulders. He strode across the room to the single-cup coffeemaker he kept atop a bookcase and set it to make a cup. The way he was feeling, he would need the jolt of java to keep him awake for his commute home.

While the coffee brewed, he filed away the papers he’d been working on and searched around for the day’s edition of the Charlotte Observer. He’d picked up a copy at lunch, and even though he couldn’t see it amid the clutter on his desktop, he knew it was there somewhere. After a bit of straightening up, he still couldn’t find it.

He got his coffee, added a bit of sugar and sat back down at his desk. The first sip of the dark brew seemed to jump-start his memory, and he recalled where he’d stashed the newspaper. Opening the top drawer of his desk, he pulled it out. While he drank his coffee, he skimmed the front page. A small headline in the bottom right corner caught his attention.

King’s Guitar, Monk’s Piano, Among Items to be Auctioned This Week. See Article, p. 6A.

His eyes widened. Monk’s piano. Surely they didn’t mean... He quickly opened the paper to page 6A to read the article. Sure enough, the piano in question had once been played by Thelonious Monk, Mr. “’Round Midnight” himself.

A smile spread across Rashad’s face. As a young musician, he’d looked up to Thelonious Monk, studying his style and recordings almost religiously. It was Monk’s artistry that first inspired him to put his hands to those eighty-eight keys. So owning a piano once played by the master himself would be a lifelong dream come true. He knew the piano would cost a pretty penny, but one couldn’t really put a price tag on a piece of musical history as significant as this.

He pulled out his smartphone and opened the notes app, keying in the details of the location, time and date of the auction. As he did, he realized that the auction would be held the very next evening. Once he had the information saved to his phone, he tucked it away. Folding the newspaper, he went to tuck it back into the top drawer of his desk.

As he slid the drawer open, the smiling face of a woman looked up at him.

He lifted the photograph from the drawer and held it up.

It had been taken last fall at his friend Darius’s wedding. It was of Lina looking gorgeous in her bridesmaid’s dress, smiling brightly for the camera. Behind her, he stood with his arms looped around her waist.

They’d broken up months ago, but he hadn’t been able to part with the photo. She had looked so carefree, they both did. That day, they’d just started to explore what their mutual attraction could lead to. And it had led to plenty: plenty kisses, plenty smiles and plenty of good lovemaking. He’d started to fall for her, started to think about the possibility of becoming a one-woman man.

Then her mistrust had reared its ugly head, derailing their relationship before it really had a chance to get established. She assumed that because he didn’t volunteer every mundane detail of his life, he was hiding something from her. She didn’t seem to understand that he just wasn’t one for discussing things in that way. She’d demanded to know everything about him, but he hadn’t been ready to reveal so much of himself. So she’d dropped him, walked away without a backward glance.

What she didn’t know was that he’d never stopped thinking about her. She might have given up on their relationship, but he hadn’t. He’d stopped calling her once he realized she wasn’t going to speak to him, but he knew he’d get another shot. Charlotte was a large city, but not so large they wouldn’t eventually run into each other. And when they did, he intended for her to hear him out, just one more time. If she still didn’t want to see him, then so be it. But he had to try because deep inside, he knew she couldn’t resist the molten-hot physical attraction that had drawn them together in the first place.

Smiling, he tucked away the newspaper and the photo. Lina was out there somewhere, and he would square things away with her soon enough. Right now, he had another mission.

Come tomorrow night that piano was going to be his, and he didn’t care how much it cost.

Chapter 2

Lina arrived at the one-story building housing Cleveland and Wendell Auction House around four on Friday afternoon, a full two hours before the auction was set to begin. She wanted to make sure she got a good seat up front, where the auctioneer could easily see her paddle.

There were many items up for sale at that night’s event, including paintings, antique furniture and even a few other musical instruments connected to some important person or another. Despite the impressive array, she was only interested in one thing: Monk’s piano.

She’d chosen a black sheath and a pair of matching pumps for the evening. The dress was long, with a slit for ease of movement. She tightened her gray wrap around her shoulders to shield herself from the subzero air-conditioning as she went to the front desk to sign in and obtain her paddle.

After securing her paddle, she moved through the well-appointed corridor toward the suite where the auction would be held. The place had an aristocratic feel due to the decor; cream-colored wallpaper imprinted with a gold brocade pattern, dark maple furniture that looked more like artwork than something to sit on. The windows were covered by velvet drapes the color of eggplants, and the floors were covered with thick Berber carpet in the same shade. Side tables held dramatic floral arrangements of tall white calla lilies in gold vases, ceramic figurines and crystal dishes displaying wax fruit.

She entered the suite and found it was decorated in the same fashion. The room had been arranged with rows of chairs much less fancy than the ones in the lobby, but still plush and cushioned. A center aisle had been created to separate the seats into two sections. All the chairs faced a raised platform in the front of the room where a podium and microphone were set up. There was no one else there, and that made her smile. As the first to arrive she had her pick of seats, so she moved toward one on the front row of the left section, bordering the aisle.

She was just about to ease her behind onto the thick burgundy cushion when she heard a male voice.

“Lina, is that you?”

She recognized the deep timbre of it right away, and her eyes slid shut. She straightened and turned slowly toward the voice, all the while willing her instincts to be wrong.

They were not.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Rashad standing at the back of the room near the door she’d just come through.

He looked so handsome he threatened to take her breath away. He wore a coal-black suit with a soft blue shirt and black-and-blue-striped tie. The suit was cut to fit his tall, muscular frame, and was well complemented by the black wing tips on his feet.

Her eyes traveled up to his face, and to the thing about him that had always made her knees go weak: his hair. The impeccably maintained dreadlocks he wore were wound and bound low on his neck. But since she’d spent many a night running her hands through his hair, she knew it was long enough to reach the middle of his back. God, he was sexy.

While she sat there on the verge of drooling, he steadily moved closer to her.

He spoke again, his voice cutting into her fantasy. “It is you. It’s good to see you again, Lina.”

“I...uh... It’s good to see you, too.” She stammered the response, disarmed by his striking good looks and easy manner.

He smiled, his soft, full lips spreading to reveal his perfect pearl-white teeth. “This is so funny. I haven’t seen you in months, and this is the first place I run into you. What brings you here?”

She blinked several times as she struggled to remember why she’d come, or even where she was. What was it about this man that made her brain function slow down to a crawl?

He regarded her for a few silent moments as if waiting for her to answer his question.

Realizing she would never be able to answer him while looking at all his sexiness, she shut her eyes. That seemed to kick her brain back into gear, because she was finally able to respond. “I want to buy the piano.”

“Monk’s piano?”

She nodded, opened her eyes. “I don’t think there are any other pianos up for sale.”

He released a low, sexy chuckle. “Looks like we’re after the same thing, then.”

She drew in a deep breath. She knew from her time with Rashad that he loved Thelonious Monk just as much as her mother did, if not more. She’d been so focused on getting the piano, she hadn’t even thought about the chance he might know about the auction and make an appearance.