by Kristi Gold
He started to argue that an orphanage would constitute a better cause, but thought better of it. “Best of luck on your venture,” he said, then turned to Nasira. “For my lovely bride.”
She took the rose and smiled as if he had offered the moon and stars, not a simple posy. “To what do I owe this wonderful gift?”
He kissed her cheek. “For agreeing to wed the likes of me.”
“Most of the time, I happen to like being wed to the likes of you.”
She might rescind her half compliment if she knew of the lies he still harbored. “Shall we take our chances on the games up ahead?”
“As long as they do not involve cow patties.”
“I believe they are games of skill involving tossing rings.”
She hooked her arm through his. “Then by all means, let us test your skills.”
Unable to help himself, Sebastian leaned over and whispered, “I’m definitely up for testing all my skills when we return to the ranch.”
He expected his spouse to deliver a derisive glare over the innuendo. Instead, he received a surprisingly sultry look. “That is altogether possible if you are a good boy tonight.”
Perhaps Rafe had been correct—simple gestures could pay off in spades.
When they traveled on toward the brightly-lit gaming booths, Sebastian spotted a young boy dressed in jeans and miniature cowboy boots, turning in circles in the middle of the sidewalk, swiping the tears furiously from his face. A group of boisterous teens approached him, seemingly oblivious to the distressed child.
Sensing disaster, Sebastian immediately removed Nasira’s hand from his arm, swept the boy up and away from the danger of getting run over by unconcerned adolescents, then set him down near a street light, away from the crowd. “Are you lost, young man?”
He turned his misty brown eyes on him and sniffed. “My dad told me not to talk to strangers.”
Sebastian took a step back so the boy wouldn’t feel threatened. “That is banner advice under normal circumstances. I only want to help you locate your parents and return you safely to them.”
The child seemed to mull that over a minute before he spoke again. “A girl was chasing me and I lost my dad.”
“What does your father look like?” Nasira asked from behind Sebastian.
When the boy turned his gaze on Nasira, he seemed to relax and smiled as if he were quite smitten. “He’s got on a cowboy hat and boots and jeans and I think a blue shirt. Where’d you get it?” he asked, looking at the rose.
“Sebastian gave it to me.” She pointed behind her. “We bought it at a booth not far from here.”
“I might want to get one of those for my...” He lowered his eyes and kicked a pebble into the street. “Mom.”
After exchanging a knowing look with Sebastian, Nasira offered him the flower. “I am certain my husband would not mind if you give her this one.”
“Not at all.” He did mind that the description of the missing parent didn’t provide much hope of immediately finding him. “Is your father tall like me?”
He nodded. “Uh huh. But he doesn’t talk funny like you. Are you from Dallas?”
Nasira laughed. “We are from London, far across the ocean.”
The child’s expression brightened. “We learned about that place in school. I’m in the second grade and I like to ride horses and... Dad!”
Clutching the rose, the boy ran straight into the arms of a man sporting a suspicious look as he headed toward them. As soon as he arrived, Sebastian thought it best to offer an explanation before the presumed father jumped to the wrong conclusion. “We found your son quite distressed and lost. It seems you’ve arrived just in the nick of time.”
“Looks that way,” the cowboy said as he eyed the flower before regarding his child. “You know better than to run off without me, Brady. Your mother’s going to skin my hide for not watching you better.”
“I didn’t mean to do it,” Brady said. “Angie was chasing me and I ran too far, I guess. And then this man picked me up before I got run over by kids and the lady gave me her flower so I could give it to Mom.”
“Mom, huh?” the father asked.
Brady shrugged and muttered, “Maybe Angie,” then turned his attention back to Nasira and Sebastian. “They’re from London. Do you know about London, Dad?”
“Yep, I do,” he replied. “I also know that I told you to stay away from people you don’t know.”
Sebastian offered his hand for a shake in an effort to reassure the man. “I’m Sebastian Edwards.”
The cowboy hesitantly accepted the gesture. “I’m Gavin McNeal, former sheriff.”
No wonder he had looked at Sebastian as if he were a deviant. “You’re no longer in law enforcement?”
His features went from rock hard to only slightly stony. “I gave that up to spend more time with this kiddo, and the one we have on the way. I’m a full-time rancher now, although I do pull deputy duty now and again if the department’s shorthanded.”
A clear message to Sebastian the cowboy could still hold his own around unwelcome strangers. “I’m certain your service to the community is very much appreciated. And to put your mind at ease, Brady did mention he wasn’t allowed to talk to strangers. Of course, I assure you our intentions were perfectly honorable.”
“Yes, they were.” Nasira moved to Sebastian’s side. “However, my husband has forgotten his manners as he has failed to introduce me.”
That could be a rather large strike against him. “My apologies. This is my wife, Nasira.”
“I am Rafiq bin Saleed’s sister,” Nasira added. “You might know him.”
“Only by reputation,” Gavin said. “I did hear something about some folks from England staying at the Shakirs’ place, so I assume that’s you. My ranch isn’t too far from there and my wife, Valerie, and Fiona are fairly good friends.”
Apparently news traveled at warp speed in this dusty Texas town. “We’re only going to be here for a few weeks. Do you have any suggestions on sights we should see while we’re here?”
“You should have dinner at the Texas Cattleman’s Club,” he said. “And when you do, be sure to check out the statue of Jessamine Golden. That’s my wife’s great-great-grandmother.”
“I have seen the statue,” Nasira said. “But I am sure my husband will find it quite interesting.”
Brady began tugging on his father’s hand to garner his attention. “Can we go ride the roller coaster now?”
“Sure thing, bud, as soon as I find your mama, who was hanging out near the arts and crafts last time I looked.” Gavin regarded them again. “Nice to meet you folks, and thanks for corralling the kid. What do you say to Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Brady?”
“Thank you for getting me not lost and for giving me the flower.”
“You are quite welcome,” Sebastian said.
“Goodbye, Brady,” Nasira added. “I hope you have a wonderful time this evening, and I am certain Angie will appreciate the rose.”
Gavin took Brady’s hand and touched the brim of his hat. “Have a good night, folks.”
Watching father and son walked away, Sebastian experienced a good deal of regret as he remembered a time in the distant past when he’d had the same relationship with his own father. The relationship that at one time he’d hoped to have with his own son, until he realized the lack of wisdom in that. He was amused as Brady started chattering about the funny-talking man being a superhero, and did they have those in London?
The comment caused Sebastian to chuckle. “From shipping magnate to superhero. Quite a leap.”
Nasira tucked her arm into his again as they started down the sidewalk. “I would thoroughly disagree. You are a natural-born rescuer.”
He frowned. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
She
tipped her head against his shoulder. “I would. In a sense you rescued me.”
He had never looked at his marriage offer in that way, but he understood why she might. “Perhaps I saved you from a life of misery with a forced marriage to a man chosen for you, but you would have found a way out of the predicament without my assistance.”
“I suppose that is possible,” she said. “But I am glad that I met you that night at the gala.”
“I’m grateful you gave me a second glance considering all those potential suitors surrounding you.”
“Yes, but not one offered to whisk me away in their Bentley.”
They exchanged a smile and walked on in silence, but one question nagged at Sebastian. “Have you enjoyed our life together, Sira?”
She paused a moment before answering. “We have had wonderful adventures and amazing travel. You have introduced me to many new experiences.”
“No regrets?”
“Only one.”
“What would that be?” he asked though he already knew the answer.
“We have no children.”
He had strolled right into that one. “I understand you’re still mourning the loss, yet I can’t understand why you would want to risk your health after you had such a difficult pregnancy.”
She stopped and faced him. “Life is not without risk, Sebastian. And at times risk comes with precious rewards.”
He didn’t know how to answer to satisfy her needs. He didn’t know if he would ever want to enter that territory again. “Speaking of risks, would you care to climb on that giant Ferris wheel and take it for a spin?”
Nasira glanced over her shoulder then regarded him with a frown. “You know I am afraid of heights.”
“You have no need to be afraid while in the presence of a superhero.”
She smiled. “This is true. If I agree, will you promise to hold on to me?”
“You may count on my undivided attention.”
“Then yes, I will join you on that contraption, and hope I do live long enough to regret it.”
Sebastian led Nasira to the line of people awaiting their turn on the ride. When their time came, he approached the elderly gentleman in charge of the ride and withdrew his wallet. “How much, kind sir?”
“Three tickets.”
Tickets? “I wasn’t aware we needed those.” He pulled a twenty out of his pocket. “Will this do?”
“I don’t make change, mister.”
“No change necessary.”
The attendant grinned, displaying a remarkable lack of teeth. “I guess it’ll do at that.”
“Amazing how money opens doors,” Sebastian said as they climbed into the car.
Nasira grabbed the railing and sat, looking somewhat fearful. “Amazing how rickety this ride seems.”
He lowered next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “Just hold tight to your knight.”
She surprised him with a soft kiss. “Happily, kind sir.”
When the wheel began to move, sending them up toward the night sky, Nasira closed her eyes and tensed against him. He held her tighter, stroked her arm and rested his lips against her temple. He experienced such a fierce need to keep her sheltered from harm, and a secret fear that he could not be the man she would want in the future if he couldn’t give her the child she desired.
But tonight, he could give her all his consideration and forget the chasm that still existed between them.
When they reached the top, the ride jolted to a stop, causing the car to slightly sway and his wife to clutch his thigh in a death grip. Stifling a wince, Sebastian lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “Open your eyes, sweetheart.”
“Must I?”
“No, but you’re missing an extraordinary view.”
After a few seconds ticked off, she finally lifted her lids and looked around. “I must admit, all the lights are beautiful. They remind me of our holiday together two years ago.”
While she must have been struck by sentimentality, he was hit by some rather sexual memories. “Ah, yes. Rome. We barely left the room.”
“That is not true. We had several meals on the veranda.”
He brushed a kiss across her lips. “That’s not all we did on that veranda.”
Her smile arrived slowly. “True. You have always been quite devilish when we travel.”
“And you are always quite willing to dance with the devil.”
“Evidently I cannot resist your charms.”
He pushed her hair away from her shoulder. “Would you be willing to dance with me later tonight?”
Without giving him a verbal response, Nasira wrapped her hand around his nape and pulled his mouth to hers, taking Sebastian by surprise. As the ride began to move again, picking up speed, they continued to kiss as if they were youngsters in the throes of first love. But they weren’t youngsters. They were husband and wife in the midst of a troubled marriage, yet he felt as if this could be the path to healing.
When the ride bumped to a stop, they finally ended the kiss only to be met by applause, whistles and catcalls. Sebastian helped Nasira out of the car and they rushed away, then paused and shared in a few laughs.
Nasira wrapped her arms around his waist. “I do believe you have ruined my reputation.”
He pressed a kiss on her forehead. “If you agree to return to the ranch now, I will endeavor to ruin it more.”
She studied his eyes for a few moments, as if searching for something unknown there. “Sebastian, I....”
“What, sweetheart?”
“I think that is a marvelous idea.”
* * *
Saying what she had wanted to say would have been a horrible idea.
Still, Nasira had come very close to voicing an emotion she had never admitted to him, or to herself, during their decade together. She loved him, and most likely had for many years. Love had not been a goal in their marriage. A marriage based on convenience and mutual need. Yet somehow she had introduced the emotion into the union when she had allowed Sebastian into her life, and into her heart.
That did not change the fact that her husband might not feel more than fondness for her. That did not negate that they wanted to journey down different paths and if he had his way, their future would not include having a child.
Yet as she rode back to the ranch, her hand resting lightly in Sebastian’s, she did not care about compromise or doubts. She only wanted to enjoy this night with her husband in the event these memorable moments might be their last.
She leaned back against the headrest and sighed. “I realized something tonight that I have never considered before.”
“You are not so afraid of heights?”
“No. I enjoy country living.”
“That’s why we have the country home in Bath to escape the hectic pace in London proper.”
“I know, yet I feel a certain freedom here. It does sound odd, I suppose.”
He pulled beneath the portico and shut off the ignition. “This place does afford quite a bit of privacy, which reminds me.” He reached into the back of the car, retrieved a silver bag full of pink tissue and handed it to her.
“What is this?”
“Open it and you’ll see.”
She rummaged around and withdrew a bathing suit that was little more than a labyrinth of turquoise strings. “I have never flown a kite in the dark.”
“Very amusing. We both need to relax, and what better way to do that than to swim.”
“Isn’t it too cool to swim?”
“The spa and pool are both heated.”
She could imagine they would generate their own heat, yet she worried about the privacy issue. “I would still have to get out of the spa or pool.” She shook the swimsuit at him. “This barely cov
ers anything at all. What if someone happens upon us?”
“You have a robe, do you not?”
“Yes.”
“Besides, you have a remarkable body. Why not show it off?”
“I do not think it is wise to show off my body this much when two other people reside on the property.”
“Two people who’ve been instructed to give us complete solitude.”
He had supported his arguments much too well, drat him. “All right. I will join you in a swim.” She pointed at him. “But only for a swim. Heaven knows I wouldn’t want to be caught doing anything else.”
He gave her a winning grin, the one that had always won her over. Patently sensual, and slightly wicked. “Yes, dear. Only a swim.”
As much as she would like to trust him, Nasira was not sure she should. Trouble was, could she trust herself?
Seven
The moment Nasira stepped onto the deck and slipped off the robe, swimming was the last thing on Sebastian’s mind. The suit fit her to perfection, from the low cut of the bodice to the bottoms secured by two ribbons at her rounded hips that accentuated her long torso. Her hair flowed freely, straight and sleek, begging for his touch. When he honed in on the diamond hoop at her navel, her attempt at rebellion during her brief university days, he had fond memories of playing with the bauble with his tongue...as well as other more intimate places now covered by a small fabric triangle. That alone caused him to move down one stair to conceal the result of his sinful thoughts.
He had to remember to take it slowly, let the evening progress with no expectations in terms of lovemaking. He needed to concentrate on making his wife feel appreciated and respected, even if it meant using his tongue solely to talk for the time being.
Unfortunately his randy libido seemed to be speaking much louder than his honor. He would simply have to quiet the urges and not appear as impatient as a lustful schoolboy.
Down, Henry.
When Nasira stuck her toe in the deep end of the pool to test the water, even that seemed overtly sexy to Sebastian. And when she executed a perfect dive, surfaced not far from him and slicked her hair back from her gorgeous face, he gritted his teeth to keep from going after her like a lion and a gazelle.
