Pride and Consequence (11 page)

Eddie tapped one nail to her chin. “I didn't even think about driving. I was gonna catch a flight.”

“Ah, live a little. We could leave Thursday morning.” Tree suggested. “Really see the sights.”

Finally, Eddie nodded. “Okay, you've convinced me. It sounds like a great idea.”

“Good,” Tree said, deciding not to tell her how happy she had made him.

Malik and Zakira arrived at the Chung Palace at the same time. They exchanged quick kisses at the door before rushing inside out of the wind. The hostess promptly showed them to their table and left them with menus. Malik held Zakira's chair and waited for her to pull off the black wrap she wore. When he saw the confining wine dress beneath, he groaned and walked away before she took her seat.

At first, Zakira thought he may have been sick. Then, she saw the look he gave her before rolling his eyes.

“Malik, have I done something wrong?” she asked, setting her wrap aside as she pulled her chair closer to the table.

“No. Nothing,” he curtly replied, his dark penetrating stare already scanning the menu. “What did you want to discuss first?” he asked without looking up.

Zakira shook off her concerns and focused on the restaurant. “I wanted to talk more about the suppliers,” she said, pulling her chair around the table in order to sit next to Malik. “I wanted to know who you deal with the most and if you'd ever consider changing.”

Malik hesitated before answering. Zakira's perfume was both hypnotic and seductive. When the waitress arrived to take their orders, he was finally able to concentrate on business….

“…I've been working with them about a year and a half,” Malik said a bit later as they finished their food. “At first, they were coming up with some great menu and banner ideas. But the restaurant is becoming more noticed and I'm getting bored with their stuff, especially the advertising.”

“So are you shopping for a new agency?” Zakira asked, pulling apart the egg roll she held and watching fresh cabbage and other ingredients spill to the plate.

Malik shrugged. “I don't know. They just don't seem to be coming up with anything different. I was thinking maybe you could take a look at their work and give an opinion about what you think we should do.”

“Sounds good,” she decided, polishing off the rest of the egg roll. When she pushed her plate aside, Malik signaled for the check.

Outside in the parking lot, she took Malik's hands. “Are you coming back home with me?” she asked.

“Why?” he replied, his expression blank.

Zakira fixed him with a wicked smile and stepped closer to ease her hands inside his champagne-colored suit jacket. “I was hoping this meeting would end like our others.”

Malik clenched his fists when Zakira's mouth trailed his jaw. Finally, he stepped away and pretended to search his pockets for keys. “I really need to get back to the restaurant, but I'll see you later,” he said, already walking away.

Zakira frowned to prevent her tears from escaping. She watched her husband settle into his SUV and speed out of the parking lot. The Navigator disappeared round the corner before she even moved.

The bathroom was silent except for the bubbly bath water swirling down the drain. Zakira stepped from the tub and went over to the lighted mirror. After securing the pins in her hair, she took a closer look in the mirror.

“Damn,” she whispered, seeing that her eyes were still puffy and red from all the crying she had done that afternoon. Why would Malik push away from her physically? Especially now, when they should be closer than ever?

She chose not to harp on the issue, fearing she would lose control of her emotions yet again. She selected a bottle of coconut-scented lotion and left the bathroom. She was drying off when Malik walked into their bedroom.

Zakira didn't look his way, but she could feel his eyes on her. She finally glanced up to see him staring intently as she smoothed the lotion into her skin. When his smoldering dark eyes met her smoky brown ones, he looked away as though he were disgusted. At that point, Zakira lost her temper and threw the lotion bottle to the floor.

“What the hell is your problem?” she demanded, standing with her hands on her hips. Her expression was stormy and she was completely oblivious to her nudity. “Malik?” she called, when he only stared.

“Get dressed,” he finally said, dragging his gaze to the floor.

Zakira raised both hands defensively. “Get dressed? Why? Do you suddenly have a problem seeing me this way? Every time I find your eyes on me, it's as though I've done something wrong. You look like you—like you disapprove or something. What the hell is goin' on with you?”

“Hell, Zaki! Dammit, I'm dyin' or have you forgotten that?” he raged, slamming one powerful fist against the wall. “I got more on my mind right now than playin' stud to you.”

Zakira turned away before he could see the tears welling in her eyes. She grabbed her robe from the chair and slipped into it. At the bedroom door, her hand paused on the knob. “I'll sleep in the guest room. That way you won't have to worry about me taking advantage of you while you sleep!” she spat and let the door slam behind her.

Malik dropped to the bed, holding his head in his hands.

Gloucester, Maine

“So, what do y'all think?” Melinda asked, once the tour had reached its end.

“Well, I'm jealous,” Zakira admitted, slapping her hands against her jean-clad thighs.

“Are you ever going to want to go back to Chicago? I know I wouldn't,” Eddie said.

Melinda laughed. “I'll take your responses as compliments. Now, why don't you both go get settled? In three hours, there will be dinner and coffee served on the patio. We can enjoy the ocean view for as long as we like.”

Zakira and Edwina stood shaking their heads as their energetic hostess bounced off. Then they headed toward the guest wing, chattering away.

“I couldn't believe it when I saw you and Tree arrive together. Anything I should know?” Zakira pried.

Eddie rolled her eyes. “Nooo. We just decided to drive up together, that's all.”

Zakira knew there was more and enjoyed teasing Edwina. “Mmm. But neither of you brought a date?” she slyly noted.

Eddie folded her arms across the front of her fuzzy red sweater. “So?”

“Soooo?”

“So, we have our own rooms. So there.”

“Ha!” Zakira blurted, her expression incredulous. “That only leaves more places to make love.” She nudged Eddie's shoulder until they both burst into laughter.

When Zakira stepped into the bedroom, the lightness of her mood vanished. She and Malik had barely spoken since the more than three weeks prior. In that time, they had hardly seen one another. New Year's Eve and the following day had been a joke. Clearly, the fact that it could be their last New Year together was no motivation for civility. She made a point of waiting until he left the house before exiting the guest room in the morning, and she was in bed before he returned at night.

While Malik was busy unpacking, Zakira went to the closet. She found blankets and an extra pillow which she placed on the sofa.

“What are you doin'?” Malik asked, his hands stilling over his luggage.

“It'll raise too many questions to ask for a room of my own,” Zakira replied, without turning to face him. “So, I'll have to make use of the sofa.”

“That's not necessary.”

“No? I disagree considering how distant you've been,” she reminded him, finally turning to pin him with accusing eyes. “And Malik, that is something I can't even begin to understand.”

“Baby, I'm sorry.” Malik told her, running both hands though his dreads. “What I said to you before, I'm—I just have a lot goin' on.”

“Well, news flash! So do I!” she snapped, slamming both fists to the back of the sofa. Before her emotions got her too riled, she turned away and grabbed her overnight case. “I'm going to take a bath. I should be done in about forty-five minutes. You'll probably want to be gone, so you won't think I'm trying to tempt you when I walk out.”

On the beach, Tree and Eddie barely moved as their eyes feasted on the crashing waves.

“This is somethin' else,” Tree remarked, tightening his hold around Eddie's waist.

She smiled and snuggled her face against the softness of his thick, black knit sweater. “I could stay like this forever.”

Tree pulled away and looked down at her. “Just like this?”

Eddie nodded against his chest. “Exactly like this.”

Tree trailed his index finger along her cheek and urged her to look up. When she did, he pressed the sweetest kiss to her lips.

Dinner was light, yet satisfying. The couples enjoyed music and the relaxing atmosphere. One by one, they wandered off to enjoy the privacy the place boasted. Zakira and Malik were last to leave.

“You coming up?”

Zakira retained her seat on the lounge and drew her knees close to her chest. “I'm gonna stay out a while longer,” she said, smoothing her hands across the luxurious softness of her yellow sweater. “Don't worry, I won't disturb you when I walk in.”

“Zaki—”

“Don't, Malik. Please don't make it worse by telling me you're sorry again,” she urged, closing her eyes as she silently prayed that he let her be. When he walked away, she released the sobs she had suppressed.

After a long beach stroll, Tree and Eddie headed upstairs.

“I'll see you in the morning,” Eddie whispered, when they stopped between their room doors. She moved to kiss his cheek, but Tree cupped her face and kissed her mouth instead.

“I want you in bed with me,” he growled during the deep kiss.

Eddie shuddered, caught up in the sensational kiss. She clutched Tree's shoulders when he lifted her against his massive frame and took her into his room. She felt herself being lowered to the king-sized bed in the far corner. Tree's lips trailed the softly scented column of her neck as his fingers ventured beneath the hem of her white sweater. A low groan slipped past his lips when his fingers grazed the side of her breast and he realized she wore no bra. Eddie pushed her fingers through Tree's hair and gasped at the luxurious texture of the thick, black locks. She felt his hands curve beneath her bottom as he settled more snuggly against her.

Suddenly, a tiny voice called to Eddie and she shook her head to ward off its unwanted warnings. Unfortunately, it would not be silenced and soon she was pressing against Tree's shoulders.

“Wait…” she whispered, even as she moved closer to his touch.

Tree uttered some muffled response, but did not veer from his task. A moment later, he felt Eddie rise up from the bed and move away.

“I'm sorry,” she called softly as she raced out of the bedroom without looking back.

Saturday was an event-filled day. The group ventured into a neighboring seaside town and visited the fresh markets while enjoying all the excitement of the marina. They indulged in the sensational food offered by the local eateries. That evening, there was a classical concert given by a local pianist. When the group arrived back at the house, they went to the beach and indulged in beers around a roaring fire. It was well past 2:00 a.m. when they all headed inside.

“To hell with this,” Malik growled. He had barely been able to sleep without Zakira next to him. Refusing to spend another night that way, he took her off the sofa and placed her in bed. Zakira wiggled, but did not awaken as Malik's fingers trailed her collarbone before his lips followed the same path. Malik rested his head against her shoulder and simply enjoyed the comfort of having her next to him.

Early the next morning, Zakira found herself in her husband's arms. She noted that they were still clothed. No surprise, she sourly remarked to herself. After a long sigh, she quietly left the bed, dressed and set out for a walk.

The setting was exquisite—almost ethereal. At dawn, a mist settled over and around everything in its wake. It moved like a living thing, casting a calm, mellowing effect on the stunning environment.

Zakira found an isolated spot on a cliff overlooking the deserted stretch of beach. The area was shielded by towering trees, and she felt she could have stayed for hours.

It was some time before Malik found her. She was wrapped up in a thick red-and-black cashmere checkerboard blanket. He quietly stretched out beside her.

“Go away,” Zakira ordered, without opening her eyes.

Malik turned and looked at her. “I can't do that until I apologize.”

“Malik…”

“And explain,” he added, watching her weary gaze turn expectant as she waited for him to continue.

“I'm dyin',” he began, pounding his fist to his palm as he spoke. “I'm dyin' and I'm angry. I'm mad as hell because soon I'm not gonna be able to do this,” he said, trailing his thumb around the curve of her jaw. “Zaki, you don't know how hard it is for me to see you every day and know that soon I won't ever be able to see you again.”