Free Loved by You by Kate Perry Page A

meet the agent.”
    KT obviously struggled with what to say but then she stood up. “I know you were listening,” she muttered as she grabbed her jacket.
    “Why does that make you angry?”
    “I told you I hate playing for people.”
    “You were playing for yourself, and I’m not people. What happened that made you hate an audience so much?”
    “Nothing.” She pushed by him.
    He took her arm and stopped her. “If I tell you it was the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard, would you still be angry at me for eavesdropping?”
    “I don’t know. Do you mean it?”
    “Unequivocally.”
    She studied him as if trying to gauge his sincerity.
    “I wouldn’t lie to you, Karma.”
    She scowled but didn’t move to retract her arm from his grip. “Call me Karma again and I’ll punch you.”
    “I just wanted to get your attention.” He smiled. “For someone who plays such passionate music, you’re kind of gruff.”
    She flipped him off.
    Laughing, he led her outside. While she locked the door, he asked, “What was that music?”
    She flashed him a suspicious sidelong glance. “Why?”
    “Because I have a feeling you won’t play it for me again and I really want to listen to it. It was amazing. I’ll look for a recording of it.”
    She mumbled something.
    “What?” he asked, leaning closer to hear her.
    She mumbled again, but louder this time. “I wrote it.”
    Chance stopped in his tracks. “ You? ”
    “Why do you look like it’s so inconceivable?” she asked with grouchy irritation. “My parents are Anson and Lara. Music is in my DNA.”
    He pointed back at her cottage. “That wasn’t music. That was … wow .”
    A range of emotions flickered across her face: pleasure, fear, hope, and stubborn resignation.
    He wondered where the fear came from, and what happened to make someone who played like that refuse to let anyone listen. He wanted to ask her, but he could read people, and he knew without a doubt she’d just push him away.
    One day she’d bare herself to him—physically and emotionally. He didn’t know why, but that was important to him.
    He kept their conversation light and innocuous as he drove them to the appointment in his borrowed car. The apartment wasn’t far, in an area called Cow Hollow, just northeast of Laurel Heights.
    The rental agent was already there showing the apartment to another couple when they arrived. Chance took KT’s hand as he introduced her to the woman, mostly because he wanted to be closer to her. To the agent, he said, “I wanted to get KT’s approval, because you never know when she might move in. Right, sweet pea?”
    KT shot him a look. “It seems premature, doesn’t it, honey bunny? Since we only met two days ago.”
    He squeezed her hand. “When it’s right, it’s right.”
    The real estate woman didn’t seem to know what to do with them, so she pointed out the obvious things about the apartment, like the spare bedroom and extra closet space. When they reached the top floor, she showed them how all the windows in the living room tinted to protect against the sun.
    KT rolled her eyes at him but then she faked enthusiasm, saying, “It’s not going to be a living room for long. It’s perfect for my piano,” she purred.
    “Karma has a grand piano,” he explained to the wide-eyed real estate agent.
    “Hey,” his “girlfriend” protested. “It’s not just a grand piano, it’s a Pleyel. It deserves respect.” She turned to the agent. “How do the windows work? Direct sun is the kiss of death for instruments.”
    “Here.” The agent pressed a button on the wall and all the windows darkened automatically.
    KT patted his belly. “That must please your masculine heart. Men like gadgets like that.”
    “It is instant privacy.” He pulled her closer. “We won’t have to worry about the neighbors watching.”
    The agent cleared her throat. “I’ll just let you look around,” she said, quickly leaving the room.
    KT gave him a look and