Pride and Consequence
Page 22
Zakira’s large brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why? Not that long ago, you and Tree were trying to sell me on the idea of giving you equal control. Or was I just imagining that?”
Malik’s shoulder rose in a lazy shrug. “This is what you want. It’s what you worked for. I think I knew it was for the best, but of course, I couldn’t admit it at the time. Aside from all that, I love you and I’ll do anything to get you back.”
Zakira still appeared unsure. “Malik, I…thank you…but why do I get the feeling you’re not really sold on the idea?”
Malik raised his hands. “I am. I mean everything I just said. It’s just…”
“What?”
“I should probably know the answer to this question already.”
“Will you please just tell me what you’re talking about?”
Malik pushed himself off the island. “I’ve been gone a long time and even though we’ve been close since I came back, I know a lot has changed.”
Zakira took a seat on one of the stools skirting the counter. “Like…what?”
“Your feelings,” he clarified, turning to face her.
“I don’t know how you can ask me that,” she whispered. “We’ve slept together more than once since you’ve been back, remember?”
Malik’s slow strides brought him close to Zakira. He trailed one finger down her cheek and smiled. “I’m not talking about sex, Zaki. As fine as you are, you can’t tell me that a ton of men weren’t trying to break down your door.”
Zakira couldn’t stop the tiny chuckle that escaped her. She was very pleased by the compliment, though a little embarrassed. “There haven’t been a ton.”
“But some.”
“Business dinners, mostly. They could’ve escalated into something more had I taken a few of those offers. Despite my anger at you, in all honesty you weren’t gone that long. There was nothing that got serious.”
“Not even Michael Renner?”
“It may have become serious, had there not been another man involved,” she announced, her words barely audible.
“Another man? What…other man?”
Zakira shook her head, enjoying his aggravation as she strolled out of the kitchen.
Malik uttered a short, humorless laugh and followed. Stopping her at the desk just inside the living room he braced his hands on either side of her. “Who is he?”
“You. Idiot.”
“Don’t tease me,” he whispered, tilting back her chin with his finger.
“I’m not,” she assured him, wrapping her hand around his finger. “I missed you so much. Not being able to feel you against me in bed at night, or in the middle of the day,” she teased, her heart melting at the gorgeous smile he flashed. “There wasn’t enough time for me to get over you—never would’ve been. I still love you.” She ran the back of her hand across his smooth, dark cheek.
“So, where does this leave us now?” Malik asked, pressing his forehead against hers as relief washed over him.
“I don’t want to argue anymore, but I can’t go through this again.”
Malik nodded. “I can’t go through this again, either, Zaki. I talk about my pride getting in the way of my doing the right thing. But it was really my fear. You say you were afraid of my seeing you as weak. It’s ironic, because that was my fear, too.”
Zakira’s brown eyes narrowed. “Malik…” she whispered.
He turned his face into her hand and kissed her palm. “As much as I love you, I never let you see that part of myself. I always wanted you to think of me as invincible. I did a good job of pulling it off, too, until this cancer took me down a peg. I can’t promise you calm waters, Zaki, but whatever happens we’ll deal with it. Together. I made a mistake, a big one, and I learned from it. It’ll take you a long time to trust me again, I know that, but if you give me a chance, you won’t be sorry.”
“I think we can work together, but we have to share everything. Everything, Malik. Don’t keep anything from me for my own good. I don’t care how bad you think it is,” she warned, her gaze steady and serious. “It’s going to take a lot of talks like this, if you think you can handle it.”
Malik rose to his full height and gazed down at her. “I can handle it. It’ll be one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do—learning how not to be overprotective—but there’s no way I’ll give up. I love you, Zaki. I love you with everything in me.”
The happiness Zakira felt was intoxicating, and she hoped the feeling would never end. She was finally able to let down her guard. Her arms encircled his waist, and she smiled up at him. “At least there’s one part of our relationship that won’t need any work.”
Malik’s long, dark brows rose. “What part?”
“This part,” she whispered, pulling his head down to hers.
Their lips met under a feverish kiss. Malik moaned, his tongue thrusting into Zakira’s mouth. It felt incredible to have her willing in his arms. His hands wrapped around her hips, and he lifted her atop the kitchen island. He pulled her thighs apart and stepped between them to bury his head in the cleft of her breasts. One hand reached inside her blouse and freed one of the dark mounds from the confines of the lacy plum bra. His mouth sought the firm nipples, and he suckled it passionately.
Zakira threw her head back and let him have his way. She reached beneath his white T-shirt and raked her nails across the muscles that rippled in his strong back.
Their cries of arousal and desire filled the house. They reveled in the love they discovered still existed. Their every fantasy was fulfilled. Malik and Zakira held each other tightly as they lay together in their living room and watched the twinkling white lights on the tree. They each savored the journey that had brought them back into each other’s arms.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0838-8
PRIDE AND CONSEQUENCE
Copyright © 2007 by AlTonya Washington
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