The beat of attraction
Itâs the opportunity of her career, a story that may save Nona Gregoryâs job at one of North Carolinaâs most respected papers and put the ambitious reporter on the map. All she has to do is get reserved architect Ken Yamada to open up about what inspires his unique art. But soon Nona finds herself beginning to fall for the part-time musician who plays the drums with a beat so dangerously in sync with her heart.
Fiercely protective of his scandalous past, Ken is surprised that Nonaâs in-depth profile starts to uncover the real man behind his legend. Nona shares a love of music and a passion so deep that Ken doesnât want to believe that she could betray his trust. The scoop of a lifetime would expose a family secret that might destroy his career while making Nonaâs. Is she willing to sacrifice their chance for a future in perfect harmony?
âYouâre putting in quite a lot of effort to find out about me. Iâm not sure you even need me anymore.â He let the humor he felt seep into his tone.
She rolled her eyes, but her smile remained, bright and beautiful. âYou flatter me, Ken. Itâs my job to know as much as I can about you. I do the same thing with all my interview subjects.â
Draining his smoothie, he looked into her eyes. âReally. How many of your subjects have you gone running with? Or done martial arts with?â
She blinked, then her gaze fled from his. âNone. Youâre the first.â
He adjusted his expression, hoping to indicate how he felt about the double meaning of her words.
Her eyes grew wide, and she sat straight up in her chair as the realization hit her. She hit the button on her phone to cease the recording. âWait. I didnât mean it like that. I meant⦠Well, you know what I meant.â She looked flustered, even a bit embarrassed.
It was a big change from the put-together, confident woman heâd come to know, but parts of him enjoyed seeing her a bit off her game. âHowever you meant it, Iâm not against being your first.â
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for picking up Tempo of Love. This is the last title in my Gentlemen of Queen City series; at least, thatâs the plan. Itâs bittersweet for me to leave the gents behind, but I truly hope youâve enjoyed the ride. Ken and Nonaâs relationship is full of ups and downs, curves and detoursâwill they make it to the end of the road together? Turn the page and find out!
All the best,
Kianna
KIANNA ALEXANDER, like any good Southern belle, wears many hats: loving wife, doting mama, advice-dispensing sister and gabbing girlfriend. Sheâs 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 â80s Barbie dolls.
For Kaia. I love you deeply...
except when youâre critiquing me. JK. Never change.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Jennifer C, my assistant, and the members of Kiannaâs Royal Kourt street team. I appreciate all your hard work. My thanks also goes to Priscilla Johnson, who is a great friend and an invaluable supporter. To my Destin Divas: stay awesome. Thanks also to LaSheera Lee, LaShaunda Hoffman, Ronald Headen, Anya Alsobrook and the book clubs who support me.
You all rock!
Chapter 1
âYo! Nona!â
Nona Gregory heard her name being called but didnât bother looking up from her computer screen. She was typing, fast and furious, determined to get the latest draft of her article on her bossâs desk by the end of the day. Given that she only had twelve minutes, she couldnât spare any time to deal with her coworkerâs foolishness.
âI know you heard me, girl.â Ever persistent, Casey Dunning sidled into Nonaâs office, a smirk on her face. âDid you get that thing I sent you?â
âNah. Havenât checked my email today.â Nona kept her eyes on her screen and her hands flying across the keys as she answered.
âGirl. Youâre such a workaholic. Youâre not even going to look at me?â
âNot until I hit Send on this article.â
Casey sighed. âFine. Iâll wait.â
For the next few moments, the only sound in the office was of Nonaâs seventy-five-words-per-minute typing. True to her word, she didnât acknowledge Casey until sheâd completed the last line, run a quick spell-check and sent the article on its way. Raising her eyes to her perturbed-looking coworker, she asked, âWhatâs so important?â
âItâs not important, per se. But it is funny, and I think most of us in this office would agree that youâre entirely too serious.â