by Lisa Kessler
“I wondered why a musician would give up a beautiful instrument like your mother’s piano.”
“My mother didn’t give me a choice in the matter. She wanted you to have it,” Kate said, surprised at how bitter she sounded.
“Do you play?”
She shrugged. “Not very well. But I get by.”
“Get by?” He moved his chair back and crossed an ankle over his leg.
In this new position, Kate could enjoy the cut of his shirt over his chest. She cleared her throat. “I can plunk out melodies just fine, but I’m a little rusty at playing the bass line with my left hand.”
“Sometime, I would love to hear you play.”
God, she couldn’t get enough of his accent. Focus, Kate. “Oh I’d be too embarrassed. Betty told me you’re a concert pianist.”
He cocked his head and raised his eyebrows. “How well I play has nothing to do with it.”
Kate laughed, leaning back slightly as the waitress placed their drinks in front of them. “What will happen to my Mom’s piano, anyway?”
Calisto grasped the warm coffee mug and answered, but Kate didn’t register the words. The café, its customers, the smell of coffee, even time faded when she noticed his hand.
“Kate?”
His ring. She couldn’t take her eyes off of it. Something about it seemed… familiar. Maybe she was insane. She couldn’t have seen it before, and yet she was sure she had. Either that or she had some vivid déjà vu.
“Kate? Are you all right?” Calisto asked.
Kate blinked and shook her head slowly, breaking the trance she felt when she noticed the ring. “I’m sorry. I saw your ring and I can’t help thinking I’ve seen it before.” She searched his face for something that might tell her why the ring seemed so familiar. “I swear I’m not usually this crazy, but it looks familiar to me.”
His gaze held hers, his voice soft but commanding. “You are many things, but crazy is not one of them. Perhaps intuition told you of our meeting in a dream. Stranger things have happened in this world, no?”
Dream. The word sent a chill down her spine. “You believe in déjà vu then?”
“You do not?”
“I asked you first.” She sipped her coffee, desperate to shake off the nagging anxiety that haunted her since she saw his ring. Something inside of her kept grasping for a memory that she knew didn’t exist.
“Yes, you did.”
His voice guided her back to the present. “Do you always answer a question with another question?”
“You are not the first to accuse me of such a thing.” Calisto smiled, lifting his coffee to his full lips.
“Now that I can believe. So maybe I’ve seen your ring before, huh?” She glanced at his hand but, concerned the design would entrance her again, she returned her attention to his face.
“Maybe so.” He placed his mug on the table. “As I said, stranger things have happened.”
Kate nodded. Strange things were happening all right. She sipped her coffee, unable to take her eyes off of his. Did he feel the same attraction?
She was a choir teacher who lived out of state in a two-bedroom apartment, and he was a reclusive philanthropist. This was real life, not a fairy tale. She had to wake up. She was on the rebound here.
“We should probably get going.” She set her mug down. “It’s getting late.”
“I suppose it is.” He looked almost disappointed, but he rose from the booth and moved around to help her to her feet.
“Thank you.” The second her fingers touched his, a shock of desire zipped through her. She had to force herself to let go of his hand. Keeping a clear head was difficult when her body reacted to him this way. He made her feel more alive, her senses heightened. Her heart raced just holding his hand.
Imagine if we kissed. Her skin flushed with heat and she rolled her eyes at herself.
“Where are you parked?” Kate asked.
“I am not.”
“You’re not? Did you take a cab or something?”
“Something… ”
Kate grinned, shaking her head. “You play the man of mystery well, don’t you? I’d be happy to give you a ride. It’s the least I can do since you saved me from a night all alone.”
“You should never be alone.” Calisto offered his arm, tipping his head slightly toward her.
She placed her hand into the crook of his arm, barely resisting the urge to run her fingers along his bicep. “Are you always so charming?”
His eyes lost focus, and something shifted in his expression. For a moment, he looked as haunted as Kate felt. “Not always,” he said.
She glanced at his ring again and wondered whether she had as much control over her life as she believed.
Chapter Eight
Calisto raised a brow. The small yellow car was not what he expected.
“Just a sec, I’ve gotta let you in from the driver’s side.” Kate leaned across the steering wheel and unhooked the bungee cord that held the passenger door closed.
He had no love for automobiles. They weren’t from his era and since he had the ability to fly, he didn’t see the purpose in learning to drive a car. That did not mean he hadn’t ridden in many BMWs, Lexus, Jaguars, and Bentleys. He knew the luxury of leather seats and climate control.
This car had neither.
He schooled his features to hide his doubts about the car’s viability when he tugged the door closed. The driver’s door had vice grips where the window crank should be, a bungee cord held the passenger-side door closed, and duct tape covered the small tear in the corner of the convertible top. Even though it was November, she had the top of her faded VW bug folded down. He envisioned a surfboard hanging out the back like many of the college students who came to La Jolla in search of waves to ride. Kate claimed she didn’t belong in California, but her car most certainly did.
“Sorry. I probably should have warned you about Bessie before you accepted my offer to take you home.”
“Bessie?”
“My car. I’ve had her since college. When I realized I finally could afford another car, I bought her a new engine instead.” She turned the key and smiled at him. “I still haven’t fixed the passenger door. I’ve been searching for a salvaged door off the same model bug. They’re tough to find now and… ” Her cheeks flushed with color. “And now I’m rambling. Sorry, I do that sometimes when I get nervous.”
He rested his hand over hers on the gearshift. “Did I complain about your car?” Kate shook her head slowly and he smiled. “I am grateful for your company, and here is a little-known secret.” He leaned closer to her. “I have never ridden in a convertible before.”
Her eyes sparkled with delight. “You’re in for a treat.” She put the car in gear and pulled onto the street.
Calisto usually despised riding in cars, but Kate’s car, in spite of its battle scars, was far from the metal prison of the luxury vehicles he’d ridden in before.
The night air blew through his hair, caressing his skin, and he closed his eyes, drinking in the sensation. It almost felt like flying. In all his years, the wind had never gusted this way against this skin. Only his feathers had ever experienced this freedom.
The moonlight shone in the midnight of Kate’s hair, and the wind brushed it back. He memorized every curve and angle of her profile, loving the way she sang with the radio under her breath.
Echoes of her native melodies filled his mind and for once it brought peace instead of bitterness and rage.
She still loved to sing.
By the time they reached the interstate, their conversation was comfortable. Within twenty minutes, they left the freeway and the thickening mist threatening to blanket the roads. They wound down the narrow road along the La Jolla cliffs and stopped in front of his house.
Kate whistled at the automatic gates that opened to reveal his winding driveway. He tried to see his home as Kate might.
His large, hacienda-style house overlooked the Pacific. On the r
are occasions he stood at the arched windows on the second floor, he could see pods of dolphins jumping through the surf in the moonlight. The stucco walls were a tan shade that complemented the warm sand and ice plant that crept up the cliffs.
Kate flipped the keys to kill the engine and stared. “It’s beautiful.”
“I am glad you like it.” He unhooked the bungee cord to open his door. “Come, I will show you around.”
She seemed to consider his offer for several seconds before nodding once. “All right, but I can’t stay too long. It’s late and I hate driving in the fog.”
He hoped she couldn’t see the joy he felt. He was certain it would only scare her to know the depth of his desire and the intensity of his hopes.
Lost in his thoughts, Calisto led Kate down the limestone walkway to the front door. He wasn’t ready for the night to end. She had recognized his ring, his personal signet from Spain. It bore the flames of the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo, and a dove of peace soared above the fire. There was no other ring like it in the world.
Lifetimes ago, he gave the signet to her, a token of his devotion. She wore it like a pendant on a fine leather strap around her neck, and she treasured the ring as she treasured him. Calisto cleared his throat, struggling to bury the thoughts before they resurrected his emotions.
He wondered if she had any other memories of him. He was tempted to peer into her mind.
The weight of her hand pressed against the crook of his arm, and the urge to hold her almost overwhelmed his tenuous grip on his self-control. He still remembered how perfect she fit into his arms, the way her body molded against his. How would she feel now, changed but still so like her former self? Having her close again was a tremendous temptation.
When he opened the door, he stepped back to allow Kate to enter. “Welcome to my home.”
“Thank you.” When she passed by, he caught the scent of her hair and squeezed his eyes shut.
She smelled like sunshine.
The click of her shoes echoed against the polished Spanish tile floor of the foyer and reverberated in the spacious great room. The rest of the floor was covered with sand-colored carpet, and whitewashed driftwood beams hung high above, accenting the vaulted ceiling. A large fireplace with a raised hearth stood in the corner with French doors on the right leading to a deck that overlooked the beach. Light colors decorated the entire room. Yet nothing looked touched, like no one lived there.
Kate thought maybe by seeing his home, she’d get a glimpse into the mysterious Calisto Terana. Though the hacienda was stunning, nothing inside revealed anything about its owner. No stacks of unopened mail, no photos of family, not even coats draped over the sofa.
Nothing was out of place.
He led her through the house and out the French doors without a word. Moonlight sparkled on the waves below. They stood together, leaning against the railing of the deck. Plumes of fog floated through the air, glowing in the moon’s haunting light, and the scent of salty sea air filled her lungs.
“It is beautiful here, no?”
Kate nodded as the sea breeze blew through her dark hair. Without meaning to, she leaned a little closer to him. “Yes it is.”
“When I need to clear my head and think, this is where I come.” He stared at the ocean. “This is where I find my peace.”
She watched the wind pull at the leather tie that held his hair back. Why was he telling her these things? They just met, but the feeling that they’d known each other forever pervaded her thoughts. Did he feel the same?
Even the profile of his face made her heart flutter. The angle of his forehead, the strength of his jaw, and the curve of his lips spoke to her, called to her, and made her yearn for him. She wanted to untie his hair and slide her fingers through it.
Turning toward the waves, she sighed. “I used to come to the beach as a teenager and sit for hours watching the water, wondering why I felt empty inside. The ocean never brought me any peace. The waves made me feel lonely, like a piece of me was missing. I never figured out why. I guess it was easier to move away.”
“Did you fill this emptiness in Reno?” he asked without looking at her.
“I think so.” Kate shrugged. “I’ve been happy, I guess.”
Until Tom upended her world.
He nodded and shifted beside her. Carefully he caught a stray lock of her hair and brushed it back from her face.
“Do you feel empty here now?” he asked.
Kate turned, finding him much closer than she expected. Her heart pounded in her ears, and her eyes lingered on his lips before finally locking on his heated gaze.
“No,” she said, surprising herself. “No, I… I like it here.”
“Maybe you need new memories of the ocean to fill the emptiness.” His dark eyes never strayed from hers, demanding her attention.
Kate bit back her desire and nodded, forcing herself to turn toward the water. “Maybe so.”
Calisto took her hand, and Kate was surprised to find her fingers lacing together with his as if they’d been made to fit together as one.
“Walk with me?” His low voice stripped away a layer of her resolve.
Kate nodded, following him down the steps to the sand below, only stopping for a moment to leave her shoes on the landing. They walked across the cool beach without saying a word, hand in hand, and Kate watched the haze float in atop the salt water. It was eerie and beautiful all in the same moment.
“You are shivering.”
Calisto’s voice added to the tremors that pulsed through her body. Why did he have to be so perfect? He looked at her like she was the only woman in the world.
“Am I?”
He smiled, raising their joined hands to place a tender kiss on her knuckle, and then tugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“Is that better?”
Kate nodded, no longer able to speak. His masculine scent surrounded her, and before she could stop herself, she pulled his coat so tight, the cold lining spread gooseflesh across her skin.
He slid the backs of his cool fingers down her cheek, his lips hinting at a smile. “Good.”
Kate tilted her chin up. When he bent and brushed his lips against hers, her breath caught. Her pulse raced and electricity shot through her veins. Her skin warmed. Had she ever wanted anyone this badly?
She brought her hand to his chest. His chiseled muscles responded to her touch, and a moan escaped her as he clutched her tighter. Calisto’s fingers slid through her hair, and her lips parted, her tongue tasting him, tangling with his until her knees buckled.
Dear God, this man could kiss.
Gradually she drew back, softening the kiss until her forehead rested against his. She stared into his eyes, wishing she knew his thoughts. Wishing she understood what it was about this man that made passion ignite through her bloodstream like wildfire.
Her pulse throbbed in her ears, and she took a small step back. She tried to remember the list of things she still needed to finish at her parents’ place, and her job back in Reno. Anything to regain control of herself.
Real life didn’t involve rich, exotic bachelors on private beaches. She fought to think of the music she loved, to recall the pain she felt when she walked into Tom’s office three weeks ago. She needed to protect her wounded heart and fight the growing attraction to the man who made her body ache for his attention.
He reached for her hand, and her fingers entwined with his. Traitors.
He watched her face as they walked down the beach together. He had to concentrate to keep from dragging her back into his arms. Until he kissed her, he hadn’t understood the true depth of his loneliness, but now that he’d held her again, tasted her lips, he couldn’t let her go.
For the first time in centuries, he felt content and alive.
Until Kate pulled away from him.
He wanted to understand her, but he wouldn’t allow himself to look into her thoughts. Limiting himself to the speech of a mortal man proved difficul
t.
He was out of practice.
“You are quiet.”
“Sorry. We shouldn’t have done that. I… ” She shook her head and watched the waves. “I have no business jumping into a relationship right now, and I have no interest in being a one-night stand either. If I gave you the wrong impression, I’m sorry about that.”
“I did not mean to rush anything.”
“You didn’t. I kissed you back.” She sighed and finally looked up at him. “I’m probably going back to Reno soon anyway. The last thing I need right now is more drama.”
“Do you have anyone waiting for you there?” The question surprised him. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. It hadn’t occurred to him until this moment that Kate might be in love with someone else.
Jealousy curdled in his stomach while he waited for her to answer.
“Not anymore.”
Her answer didn’t relieve him as much as he hoped it would.
“We were going to get married until I caught him fooling around with one of his grad students. That’s why I came back to San Diego. I needed time away. A change of scenery, you know?” She shook her head with a sigh. “It’s been an awful month for me.”
“He was a fool to let you go.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I wish I had more comfort to offer than words.”
The suffering he saw reflected in her gaze tore at his heart. Cold fury churned inside him. He wanted to know who hurt her, and he wanted to cause him pain.
Slow, lingering pain.
“Why are you being kind to me?” she asked, jarring him from his thoughts.
“What?”
She shook her head. “I just want to understand what’s going on here. I looked you up online. I know you’re one of San Diego’s most eligible bachelors. You could have anyone.”
He scowled. “Who I could have is of no importance.”
“No, it’s very important to me. I was naïve once, and I got burned. I’m not looking for another heartbreak.”
Calisto stared into her beautiful eyes. He could never hurt her.
The ocean breeze drifted past them, tugging at her hair. Her eyes sparkled, and for a moment, the centuries that separated them vanished.
