Pride and Consequence (10 page)

“Yeah,” Malik said, shrugging slightly.

Zakira tilted her head slightly. “You okay?” she asked, unaware how enticing she appeared to her husband.

Malik shut his eyes briefly. “Fine,” he said with a smile.

Zakira returned the smile. “So what's next?” she asked, slapping her hands to her sides.

“That's all for today,” he told her, knowing they wouldn't get anything more accomplished.

“Okay. Well, I'm gonna go home and study for a bit before dinner. Try and get in the holiday spirit.”

Zakira tucked the folder beneath her arm and pulled her coat off the back of the sofa. Then, she bent down and pressed a soft kiss to Malik's cheek.

The instant Zakira's lips touched his cheek, Malik grabbed her arms and pulled her into his lap. Cupping his large hand beneath her chin, he tilted her head back and kissed her deeply.

Zakira gasped softly as the kiss intensified. Malik's tongue caressed the dark cavern of her mouth with fiery possessiveness. His hands moved from her arms and slid to the hemline of the short dress she wore. Effortlessly, he lifted her to sit astride his lap. Malik's rigid arousal nudged the most sensitive area of her body. In response, Zakira arched her back, bringing her breasts within inches of his mouth.

Malik began to push the dress higher over her thighs and she helped. Pulling the garment over her head, her thick hair cascaded down her back. Malik's sexy, dark gaze followed her every movement before they roamed her scantily clad body. Instantly, his fingers massaged her bare skin and slid up to unhook the clasp of her satiny bra.

He cupped the bare, dark chocolate mounds for his mouth. His tongue suckled the hardened tip, and Zakira threw her head back to enjoy the sweet sensations. Her slender fingers delved into his dreads and she pulled his head closer.

Malik didn't bother to remove his clothes. He did, however, undo his belt, the fastening of his stylish black trousers and the zipper. Zakira helped him free himself of the boxers he wore as he practically ripped away her panties.

“Malik,” she breathed, when his strong hands took her hips in an unbreakable hold. Smoothly he eased her down over the impressive length of his rock-solid maleness. As he throbbed deep within her, Zakira moved in the most erotic manner. She succeeded in drawing deep groans from the sexy giant beneath her.

Malik rested his head against the high back of the sofa and closed his eyes. “Damn, Zaki,” he whispered, all the while praying that she didn't make him lose control. He wanted the moment to last as long as possible.

As Zakira braced her hands on either side of his head and added more speed to her movements, their sounds of pleasure became more verbal. Aching for the closeness, they relished the steamy, erotic moment.

Christmas Eve

“W
hat'd I miss? What'd I miss?” Edwina yelled, as she ran back into the den.

Cecil Furches had just relayed another one of his outrageous, entertaining stories. Everyone in the room was rolling with laughter.

“Eddie, please don't make Cec repeat his corny stories,” Melinda begged.

Cecil waved a hand toward his wife. “That girl has no appreciation for talent.”

“Is that what you call it?” Melinda challenged.

“Was everything okay, Eddie?” Zakira asked from the bar where she was mixing drinks.

“Yeah, just a patient,” Eddie explained, gesturing toward her cell phone. “Someone wanting to squeeze in before the New Year, can you believe that?”

“Sex therapy must be a really interesting field,” Melinda observed.

Eddie folded her arms across the bodice of the burgundy V-neck cotton dress. “Well, it gets more interesting each year I practice. I've probably heard some things that would even shock Cecil,” she teased, joining in when everyone laughed.

Melinda wiped a tear from her eye. “Now I know it definitely must be an interesting field.”

“Anyway,” Eddie continued, clicking off the phone, “I'm gonna go toss this thing in my car because I really don't want to be disturbed during one of Malik's great dinners.”

“Why don't you just turn it off and put it upstairs somewhere?” Zakira suggested as she handed Melinda a frosty margarita.

Eddie was already headed out of the den. “Because I don't want to be tempted to use it.”

It didn't take long to jog outside to her chocolate Mercedes parked next to the Furches' SUV. Eddie was about to place the phone in its holder when she decided to activate the voice service in the event someone called. That done she locked the car, turned around and almost bumped into Trekel Grisani.

“Hey, hey…” Tree soothed when Edwina screamed. He took her upper arms in a light grasp and gave them a reassuring squeeze. “Shh…I'm sorry. You okay?” He asked.

Eddie closed her eyes and nodded. She brought one shaking hand to the base of her throat and took several deep breaths.

“What are you doing here?”

Tree's deep voice brought a smile to Eddie's lovely face. “Zakira…she invited me to a little holiday dinner with some friends of hers and Malik's.”

Tree's dark eyes narrowed as he looked toward the Badu home. “That's what I'm here for.”

After a moment of silence, they began to laugh. “I think we've been set up,” Eddie guessed amidst their chuckling.

Once the laughter died, tension set in. Eddie couldn't bear to look up into the sinfully gorgeous face so close to her own. She wanted to explain why she had not called, but couldn't bring herself to form the words. When Tree suggested they head inside, her smile was a mixture of relief and sadness.

“Mmm, mmm! It smells good in here!” Zakira complimented upon walking into the kitchen.

“Thank you,” Malik replied, though he was far from sounding modest. “Come taste this sauce I made for the fried catfish.”

Zakira opened her mouth for the sample. She moaned when the light, creamy texture of the pearly white sauce settled against her tongue. It was spicy, but with a faint sweetness that she adored. “Fantastic, but you know at least one of those black people out there is gonna ask where the hot sauce is.”

Malik burst into laughter. “Give 'em a little credit, Zaki,” he said, reaching for the wooden spoon.

“Uh-uh.” Zakira resisted, handing her husband a different spoon while she licked the remnants of the sauce from the other.

Malik leaned against the stove and watched her. When she kissed his cheek and complimented the sauce again, he wanted to hold her close. The intensity of his gaze encouraged Zakira to kiss him again. When her mouth touched his, Malik groaned and gave in to his need. The kiss turned steamy at once. Malik's hands caressed her hips before he locked her in a steely embrace. Zakira arched into his tall, chiseled form, her fingers disappearing into his dreadlocks. Malik's savage growls added more fire to the erotic kiss that deepened with every stroke of his tongue.

“Damn,” he muttered suddenly and set Zakira away just as Tree walked in. Leaving her husband, Zakira went to greet him.

“Did you meet Cecil and Melinda?” she asked after they had hugged.

Tree fixed her with a knowing grin. “Eddie introduced us. I know what you're trying to do,” he whispered, leaning close.

Zakira leaned back. “Do?”

“Setting me up with Eddie.”

“Why Tree, I have no idea what you're talking about,” Zakira replied, patting his cheek. “I need to go check the dining room.” She left Malik with one last look before she walked away.

“Your wife is somethin' else, my man,” Tree noted when Zakira was gone.

“Yeah, she is,” Malik replied, busy with dinner.

“Malik, man, I'm sorry about that mess the other day in your office,” Tree said softly, as he walked across the kitchen.

After a moment, Malik recalled the fight. He had been so consumed by other things that he had forgotten it. “Don't worry about it,” he said, turning back to the stove. “You're only trying to help.”

Tree folded his arms across the stylish mushroom-colored silk shirt and leaned against the kitchen island. “I don't suppose anything I said made you reconsider?”

Malik bowed his head and smiled. “Tree, man, give it a rest and help me carry out this food.”

The dinner was set out on the buffet so everyone could serve themselves. There was golden fried catfish, stuffed baked potatoes, huge cheese biscuits and steamed broccoli.

“Hey, Malik, where's the hot sauce?” Eddie asked while everyone else raved over the homemade sauce.

Zakira, who was pouring wine, nudged Malik's shoulder. “Told ya,” she whispered. “Look in the hutch, Eddie!”

Eventually, everyone took their places at the dining room table. The cozy, romantic setting was further enhanced by the soft jazz and candlelight. For a while, the group concentrated on the food and it wasn't long before the compliments began to roll in.

“So, Melinda are you and Cecil touring the East Coast or something?” Zakira asked in the middle of the meal.

Melinda giggled. “Actually, we're putting the finishing touches on our house,” she announced, smoothing one hand across her shiny bobbed hair.

“House?” Zakira parroted.

“We just bought a place in Maine. Glou-Gloucester, is that right, Cec?”

“Gloucester,” Cecil replied, using the correct pronunciation. “It's not really in Gloucester, but a few miles away.”

“Damn. Maine.” Tree was as impressed as everyone else.

Cecil waved his hand. “Please, y'all, that place has taken a lot of work. It was one of those handyman specials.”

“Still, Maine,” Edwina marveled.

“So when's the housewarming?” Malik asked.

Cecil snapped his fingers. “Glad you asked. We're having a housewarming weekend, inviting a few friends up to enjoy the place.”

“And we want you and Zakira there, Malik,” Melinda ordered. “Tree, you and Eddie are welcome, too. We'd love to see both of you.”

Zakira smiled, noticing the soft looks exchanged between her stepsister and Tree. “So, when is this thing gonna be?”

“Have your schedules clear in two weeks,” Cecil instructed.

“What's the weather like up there this time of year?” Malik asked.

“Honey, be prepared for anything,” Melinda warned, and the conversation centered on the climate in that part of the country.

The annoying beep of the alarm clock stopped immediately when Zakira slammed her fist against the Sleep button. She snuggled against Malik and started pressing kisses to his wide muscular back. After a second or two, he turned and pulled her across his body. He ravaged the soft skin of her throat with his lips and tongue. His hands tightened on her waist when he moved to bring her breasts closer to his mouth. She and Malik had spent Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after making love. She showed no shame in wanting the same turn of events that day as well.

Zakira played in his dreads and then let her head fall back. “Please, please make love to me,” she whispered.

The instant the words were uttered, his entire body tensed. Zakira bolted up when he pushed her away.

“I got an early meeting,” he said as he left the bed.

“Are we still going to meet at your office later to talk about the business?” she tentatively asked, watching him curiously.

Malik stopped and massaged his neck. “It'll be better to meet out somewhere. Let's try that new Chinese café downtown. Just meet me there,” he instructed, leaving her alone in the bedroom.

“All right,” Zakira whispered, her voice cracking.

“I'll have Carrie fax the affidavits this afternoon,” Tree was saying into his cell as he caught sight of Edwina at the bar in the sports restaurant. “I'll catch you later,” he finished, already heading to the bar where he could hear her haggling with a man behind the counter.

“Lightly toasted, not burned like it was before,” Eddie was saying.

“Woman, haven't you ever heard of Cajun-style?”

Eddie burst into laughter. “Not when it comes to toast!”

The man was shaking his head as he scribbled on the pad he held. “Damn, you sex doctors are so picky,” he complained.

“Eddie?”

When she turned and saw Tree, her smile grew even more dazzling. “Hi,” she called, her eyes caressing every inch of his gorgeous face.

Tree glanced at his watch. “Is it so bad you have to spend your lunchtime at the bar?” he teased.

“Funny,” Eddie replied, even as she giggled. “Actually, I'm waiting for a tuna on toast if Gordy would get the molasses out! Why are you here?”

“I met a client here.” He explained, gesturing to the stools. “You got time for a glass of tea or somethin'?” He asked her.

Edwina set her leather carryall on a vacant bar stool. “Well, since it looks like I'll be here a while!” she said for Gordy's benefit. When the lanky, older man looked her way, she waved. “Could we get two iced teas over here if it's not a problem?”

Tree was laughing uncontrollably while Eddie and the bar's owner haggled mercilessly. After a while, she sobered and turned to face him.

“So, you seemed to enjoy yourself at dinner the other night,” she noted.

Tree nodded, loosening the navy blue and gray tie he wore. “It's been a long time since I've had such a good meal,” he admitted.

“Mmm-hmm, Malik can surely get down in the kitchen,” Eddie remarked, her expression displaying a bit of unease. “I, um, didn't have the chance to tell you on Christmas Eve that I was sorry.”

Tree frowned and shook his head slightly. “Sorry?”

Edwina looked down at the bar's polished cherry wood surface. “I told you after I, um, turned down your date, that I'd call and…”

Tree waved his hand. “Eddie you don't have to apologize. Really, there's no need.”

“Yes, there is. Thanks, Gordy,” she said when their teas arrived. “I like to keep my promises and you were so nice about it, you deserve an explanation.” She toyed with the mouth of her glass.

“Nice?” Tree said, with a laugh. “Eddie, you told me you didn't want to go out. I had to accept that. I mean, what was I gonna do? Hound you? Force you to go?”

Eddie smiled, her sparkling brown gaze relaying the intense attraction she felt for him. “I only wanted you to know that I—I've been dealing with a lot of stuff. A recent breakup,” she explained. “It was pretty dramatic and I guess I just get a little spooked about seeing men right now. Even if it is just one date.”

Tree nodded and took a quick sip of the cold tea. Eddie watched him closely, looking for some sign of aggravation in his gorgeous profile.

“Do you understand where I'm coming from, or do I sound like a total idiot?” she asked.

Tree turned and placed his hand across hers. “I know where you're comin' from. But I think you should know that I'm still determined to know you and I hope you won't have a problem with that.”

The confident, straightforward response brought a smile to Edwina's face. “I wouldn't have any problem with that.”

Tree smiled. “So, are you gonna take the Furches up on their offer?” he asked, setting the lemon slice on the napkin next to his glass.

“The Maine weekend?” Eddie asked, squeezing the juice from her lemon slice. “My schedule's already clear. What about you?”

“Hey, it is Maine,” Tree retorted.

“The coast,” Eddie clarified.

“A
house
on the coast,” Tree added, joining in when Eddie laughed. “So what would you say to us saving some gas and driving up together?”