by Kristi Gold
That had been much too easy, in his opinion. “Really?”
“Yes.”
“Should I perhaps define ravish?”
“I assume you mean you wish to remove my clothes, take me to bed and have your wicked way with me.”
“Precisely.”
“My answer is still yes.”
Shifting against the building pressure in his groin, Sebastian tapped the driver on the shoulder to garner his attention. “Kind sir, please return us to the hotel as quickly as possible and you will earn a sizeable tip.”
The man glanced over his shoulder. “We’ve barely been three blocks.”
Sebastian had no desire to argue the point. “Unless you want your bloody carriage serving as a boudoir, you will do as I say.”
The jerk had the gall to grin. “You got it.”
Sebastian settled back against the seat and smiled. “Let the faux honeymoon commence.”
* * *
Nasira worried they might not make it past the elevator before clothes began to come off. Her resolute husband somehow maintained enough control to refrain from disrobing until they reached the suite. On the way to the bedroom, they began shedding attire and shoes and by the time they fell back on the mattress, they were entirely naked and completely entangled.
Sebastian suddenly stilled and rose up. “I want to slow this down. I want this to last and if we keep going, it will be over in a matter of minutes.”
She pushed a wayward lock of hair from his forehead. “You will receive no objections from me.”
He rolled her onto her side so that she was facing the glass doors and moved against her back.
“Do you recall our first night?” he asked as he ran his palm over the curve of her hip.
“How could I forget? I was so very nervous, and you were so gentle.”
“You were also a virgin, something you didn’t tell me until right before that pivotal moment.”
“I wanted to seem worldly. I did not want you to know I was so inexperienced.”
“You also didn’t want me to know you’d never had an orgasm. You told me the morning after. I’ve always been curious why you had never pleasured yourself.”
“That would have been considered forbidden.”
“And have you experimented since we’ve been married?”
“Never.”
“Not even over the past few months?”
She sensed his sudden bout of guilt. “No. I only wanted you.”
He slid his hand to the inside of her thigh. “And I made you wait for months.”
“Having you touch me was worth the wait.”
As they lay there in silence, Sebastian plying her with gentle strokes, the lights of the city illuminated the darkened room, making the atmosphere seem highly sensual and romantic. Nasira closed her eyes, taking in the ambience and willing the climax to remain at bay. Yet her efforts proved futile, and she again gave in to nature’s course and her husband’s skill as she experienced blessed relief.
So deep was the blissful aftermath that Nasira wasn’t aware Sebastian had left her until she heard the sound of him tearing a condom wrapper, a reminder that he still was not willing to conceive a child. She shifted to her back and wrenched the negative thoughts from her mind. And when he returned, she welcomed him into her arms and her body. Feeling the play of his muscles beneath her palms, she held on tightly as he moved inside her, deeper and deeper, faster and faster. She listened to the sound of his ragged breaths and knew the exact moment when his own orgasm took over. Then he whispered her name.
After a time, he rolled to his back and took her with him, their bodies fitting together like a perfect human puzzle. During the next span of silence, she expected to hear his steady breathing, indicating he had fallen asleep. Instead, he played with her hair and showered her face with gentle kisses.
She was beginning to give in to the lull of sleep herself when he sighed and rested his lips against her ear. “I love you, Sira.”
Never in her wildest dreams had she ever believed she would hear those words, though she had secretly hoped that someday she would. Even now she believed she might be dreaming. She said the only thing she could manage to say. The words she had kept harbored in her heart for fear that if she voiced them, she would be lost to this enigmatic man forever.
“I love you, too.”
While Sebastian continued to hold her close, Nasira felt as if all her wishes had come true. All but one. Yet now that she knew her husband truly loved her, would she be foolish to believe she might be granted the child she had always wanted? Perhaps that would be too much to ask, yet as she recalled both Violet’s and Fiona’s claim that Royal, Texas, was a place bestowed with magic, she desperately wanted to believe she could have some magic of her own.
* * *
Time had passed quickly since their return to the Shakirs’ ranch. Sebastian and Nasira had shared three wonderful and blissful weeks full of meaningful conversation and memorable moments. She had never felt so cherished, or so loved, by her husband.
Sebastian had showered her with small gifts, had made love to her often and had barely tended to business. Following Violet and Rafe’s wedding in two days, she planned to return to London with her husband and continue their marriage with an eye toward a bright future, even though he had given her no indication he wanted to work on having a baby. Yet she believed that with a bit more gentle persuasion, he would eventually come around, and hopefully she was not giving way to false optimism. If not, she would have to decide if she would be willing to adopt and give up the dream of feeling her own child growing inside her.
After finishing her morning tea in the kitchen, Nasira took the cup to the sink, and immediately felt two strong arms encircling her from behind. “How dare you leave me alone in bed?” Sebastian asked in a teasing tone.
She turned and kissed his unshaven chin. “If you recall, I am meeting Violet for breakfast.”
He slid his hand beneath her blue tailored blouse and cupped her breast through her lace bra. “Do you need a ride?”
“I thought I would drive myself.”
He rimmed the shell of her ear with his tongue. “That wasn’t the ride I had in mind.”
Of course not. “I do not want to keep Violet waiting. She is anxious enough with all the wedding chaos.”
Sebastian slid his hands over Nasira’s hips and pressed against her. “What time do you expect to return?”
She saw afternoon delight in her near future. “I assume in few hours. We have to go over the final details and that could take some time.”
He scowled. “The blasted wedding is spoiling my fun.”
She patted his pajama-covered bottom and stepped aside. “You have had more than your share of fun of late.”
He leaned back against the counter, bringing his bare torso into full view and sparking Nasira’s imagination. “If I can interest you in more fun, let me know. In the meantime, while you ladies are discussing catering and flowers, I shall be making a few calls to prospective American clients.”
Before she forgot her duties and caved in to her own cravings, Nasira grabbed her bag from the counter and kissed her husband squarely on the mouth. “I should be back before lunch. Be naked and waiting in the bed.”
He grinned and winked. “If you give me advance warning, I’ll be waiting naked in the foyer. Or if you allow me to drive you, we could have a quick roll in the car.”
“Definitely a cad,” she said as she headed to the entry, plagued with visions of Sebastian taking her down on the plush rug or in the sedan. Or both.
Nasira fished the keys from the pocket of her dress and slid into the driver’s seat, thankful Sebastian had encouraged her to learn to drive on the correct side of the road for when they returned for visits. She liked the thought
of coming back to Texas to see her brother’s baby and perhaps by then she would be carrying one of her own. Or perhaps it was much too soon to hope for that blessing.
Setting those nagging concerns aside, she navigated the country road with relative ease and arrived at the Royal Diner to find Violet’s new Jaguar—a wedding gift from Rafe—parked in the lot near the street. Nasira selected the empty space beside the sedan, turned off the ignition and regarded her watch. The fact she was fifteen minutes late flew in the face of her usual punctual self.
After she entered the restaurant, Nasira caught sight of Violet and Mac’s assistant, Andrea Beaumont, seated at a small table in the corner. She strode across the room at a fast clip, until a bout of dizziness caused her to slow her pace. Clearly she was in need of sustenance, yet the scents emanating from the kitchen served to make her a bit queasy.
“I am so sorry for my tardiness,” she said as she settled into the chair across from Violet and set her purse at her feet. “I awoke a bit later than planned.”
“I hope you had a good reason,” Violet said with a teasing smile.
“I do too,” Andrea chimed in. “Did your handsome husband detain you?”
Nasira felt heat rise to her face. “Actually no, but that is only because I climbed out of bed before he roused.”
“In that case, you should have hung around a little longer,” Violet said. “I take it you and Sebastian are mending fences and maybe making a baby in the process?”
If only the last part were true. “We are making very good progress. Now what have I missed in regard to the wedding plans?”
Violet studied the notepad before her. “Actually, I’m fairly sure everything is in place. The menu has been finalized and the flowers have arrived from Hawaii. The cake is going to be gorgeous and the tent should be set up by two. Andrea arranged for a quartet to play during the ceremony and she’s confirmed Rafe and Mac’s tuxedos are ready to go.”
“Now we only have to make sure the groom arrives on time,” Andrea added.
With the arrangements already taken care of, Nasira wondered why she had been invited to the lunch today. “What can I do?” she asked.
Violet grinned. “Make sure the groom arrives on time.”
Nasira returned her smile. “I can certainly do that, although I believe my brother will be there early, anxiously waiting to claim his bride. What time would you like us to arrive?”
“I’ll be getting dressed at the house around noon,” Violet said. “I could definitely use your help zipping my dress, if I can get it zipped.”
Andrea laid a hand on Violet’s arm. “Stop it. You’re barely showing.”
Violet patted her slightly distended belly. “My baby bump is much bigger, and I’m sure the breakfast I’m planning to eat isn’t going to help.” She slid a menu in front of Nasira. “I highly recommend the buttermilk pancakes with a side of bacon.”
Nasira’s stomach lurched at the thought. “I believe I will have toast and tea.”
Andrea pushed away from the table and stood. “You girls enjoy your meal. Unfortunately Mac has a full schedule today so I’m going to have to settle for coffee and a granola bar I have stashed in my desk.”
Violet frowned. “Tell my brother to stop being such a slave driver.”
Andrea released a cynical laugh. “That would be like telling a cowboy to give up his spurs,” she said as she headed out.
As soon as Andrea left, Violet shook her head and sighed. “I’ll be so glad when those two finally admit they want a relationship beyond business. Mac is so stubborn he can’t see the forest for the trees. I really want to shake some sense into him.”
“Most men are stubborn,” Nasira said. “My husband included.”
“But he’s coming around, right?” Violet asked.
“Yes, he is.” Nasira wanted to delve into more detail but decided not to burden her brother’s bride with her problems. “How have you been feeling with all the wedding stress?”
Violet took a sip of water and leaned back in the chair. “Better than I expected. The morning, noon and night sickness has subsided for the most part. I could still fall asleep on my feet at times, which I’ve learned is typical.”
Nasira recalled the fatigue, along with the overwhelming sadness after her loss. “It is normal.”
“I’m so sorry for being insensitive, Nasira,” Violet said, her tone laced with sympathy. “I know how difficult it’s been since your miscarriage.”
“It’s all right, Violet. Enough time has passed where I no longer fall apart around pregnant women.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am sure. I would never want you to feel you have to be guarded around me when it comes to your pregnancy. In fact, I am thrilled to have a new niece or nephew. And I would enjoy living vicariously through you until I have my own child. After all, you can give me advice when that happens.” If that happened.
“I’m personally looking forward to the next phase,” Violet continued. “I have a friend who claims she couldn’t get enough sex, and I know that will thrill Rafe. Of course, the best part about being pregnant is...” She leaned forward and whispered, “No period.”
No period...
The comment prompted Nasira to grab her cell phone from her bag and retrieve the calendar app. After she scanned the dates and did a mental countdown, she was overcome with panic when she should have been overcome with joy.
“Are you all right, Nasira?”
She raised her gaze to Violet. “I... I think...”
“You think what?”
“I might be pregnant.”
And if that were true, she could only imagine what that possibility would entail. Perhaps stress had been the cause of her missing her period. Perhaps it would be best to wait a bit longer to find out the truth.
Nine
“You’re definitely pregnant, Nasira.”
A short while later, Nasira found herself at Rafe and Violet’s home, holding the second of two positive pregnancy tests in one hand, steeped in shock. “I cannot believe this.”
Violet wrested the plastic stick from her grip and set it on the vanity. “Believe it. I think taking a third is a bit of overkill.”
Nasira pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “How am I to tell Sebastian?”
“Easy. ‘Sebastian, you’re going to be a daddy.’”
If only it were that simple. If only he would embrace fatherhood. If only... “He will not be happy about this.”
“What makes you believe that?”
Nasira opened her eyes to Violet’s concerned expression. “It is very complicated. My husband is complicated.”
“I can do complicated, Nasira. Now let’s go into the living room and you can explain.”
Nasira aimlessly followed her future sister-in-law into the parlor and settled in beside her on the sofa. After taking a cleansing breath, she began the arduous explanation by recounting Sebastian’s concerns for her safety, his bittersweet memories of his mother, his reluctance to be like his father. She ended her explanation in a haze of tears, saying, “I am worried he will never accept the news at this point.”
“He has no choice,” Violet said with certainty. “It might take some time, but after he sees you’re totally healthy and happy, he’ll get used to the idea. And as soon as he holds your baby the first time, he’ll wonder why he wasted so much energy worrying over nothing.”
Nasira wished she could be so confident. “I hope you are right, Violet.”
“And on the off chance I’m not, what are you going to do?”
Nasira had yet to make any solid decisions in that regard. “I suppose I will wait and see how Sebastian reacts when I deliver the news.”
Violet took her hand. “I know it’s tempting to put it off as
long as possible, but the sooner you tell him, the sooner you’ll know how to prepare for the future.”
“I would rather hop a plane to Bermuda and bask on the beach.”
“And I wish I could wear normal jeans again.”
They exchanged a smile and a quick embrace before Nasira came to her feet. “I so very much appreciate your counsel. Please wish me luck.”
“Good luck.” Violet stood and drew her into another embrace. “That’s what family is for. And if your husband acts like a jerk, you know you always have a place here with us.”
“I would never want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing. I’m sure Rafe would be thrilled to have his pregnant little sister and wife hanging around, driving him insane with sporadic hormonal outbursts.”
Nasira tried to laugh yet it sounded hollow. “That would be the last thing my brother would want, having his younger sibling residing under the same roof while he is in the honeymoon phase with his new bride.”
Violet’s expression went suddenly serious. “He’s very protective of you, Nasira. I’d hate to think what he might do if he knew about Sebastian’s attitude toward fatherhood.”
The thought made Nasira even more anxious. “Promise me you will not tell him.”
“I promise,” Violet said. “And you promise me you’ll call as soon as Sebastian knows. If he throws a fit, get in the car and come here so he can cool down.”
Nasira sincerely wanted to believe that would not be necessary, yet she found comfort in the offer. At least she would not be alone should Sebastian decide to walk out on their marriage. “I will, and thank you for being such a grand friend. I suppose I should go now and face the music.”
“Nasira, in my heart of hearts,” Violet began, “I believe everything will work out well. Sebastian might be snake-bit in the baby department, but it’s obvious he loves you very much.”
Nasira wanted to have faith in that as well, but her concerns only increased as they walked out the door into the warm May night.
“One more thing, Nasira,” Violet said when they reached the sedan. “Every child is a gift and if Sebastian can’t see that, then he’s a fool. Don’t let him allow you to think this is all your fault.”
