Free Loved by You by Kate Perry

looking at apartments today,” he said honestly, relieved that he’d made the appointment with the rental broker.
    “Would you like me to come along?” she offered, like a spider inviting a fly into her web. “I can reschedule lunch for another time. I know the city, and a woman’s perspective can only be a good thing.”
    “My girlfriend is coming along,” he said way more naturally than he’d have expected. “Thanks though.”
    “Next time.” Her undercurrent of annoyance was mostly disguised.
    Not if he could help it, he thought, but he put a smile in his voice. “Sure. Talk to you soon.”
    He hung up quickly and then, to make it legit, he called KT. “What are you doing?” he asked when she picked up the phone.
    “Are you going to be the type of boyfriend who’s always hovering?” she asked, her voice amused.
    He grinned, feeling something inside him fall into place. “Are you saying you need your space?”
    “You see, that’s why I’m dating you, because you’re so astute.”
    He chuckled. “Is that the only reason?”
    “You kiss kind of nicely, too.” Her voice lowered with desire.
    His body reacted to it. “I didn’t call to talk about kissing.”
    “Too bad.”
    He knew he had a goofy smile on his face, but he didn’t care. “But if you come with me to look at an apartment, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded with them.”
    “It’s a deal.”
    “I’ll pick you up at noon.” He hung up, feeling good.
    Ante Up snorted.
    He reached down to scratch the little guy behind his ears. “You’re just jealous. Maybe we can find you a fine companion of your own.”
    The pig jerked his snout in the air.
    “Don’t knock it. It’s nice having a girlfriend.” Even if she was a pretend one.
     
     
    It was before noon when he headed to KT’s. Yeah, he was a little eager.
    He wound his way through the side garden to the back of the house, following the directions she’d texted him. Apparently she lived in a separate unit from the rest of her family. It made sense. KT was an independent woman.
    Her cottage was charming, if small, but it was the music that poured out from it that caught his attention. At first he thought it was a recording she was playing loudly, but as he got closer, he heard a pause and then the music resumed.
    It was KT playing, he realized. He approached quietly and tested the door. Unlocked. He let himself in silently, not wanting to disturb her—not wanting her to stop.
    The piano dominated the space, standing in the middle of the room. There were other instruments around the room; a violin seemingly at the ready. To the left there was a small kitchen that overlooked the room, and then a small hall that had a couple other doors and what looked like a messy bedroom at the end.
    She sat at a larger-than-life grand piano, sheet music scattered on top of the piano in front of her. Her eyes were closed, and she rocked with the force of the song she played. The music rose in a powerful tide of emotion from the belly of the instrument, profound and layered. Powerful.
    He let KT’s passion wrap around him, feeling an echoing thrum in his chest as he watched her play. She was totally immersed, a single-minded focus that had him jealous of the piano.
    In that moment, he knew he was going to make love to her. Of course he’d thought of it before—often—of stripping her bare and coaxing beautiful sounds from her, the same way she did with the piano. A man didn’t buy lingerie for a woman if he didn’t hope to see her in it.
    Now he knew it was inevitable, no matter how temporary they claimed their relationship to be.
    The music stopped with a crash, pulling him out of his carnal thoughts.
    KT whirled around, fury in her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
    “I came to pick you up.” She looked like a caged animal and instinct told him not to bring up her music right now. He made his face blank, looked at his watch, and said, “We should go. I don’t want to be late to