Brides & Bargains

She opened the door to his bedroom without knocking, only to find him packing. A blinding fear overcame her, then resignation that perhaps she had pushed him too hard.

He afforded her only a glance while he placed a suit in the garment bag without speaking.

“Are you returning to London?” she asked, expecting an affirmative answer.

“No. I’m going to Dallas,” he said, shattering her expectations, and filling her with relief.

She moved closer to the bed, but not too close. “Why Dallas?”

He dropped a few toiletries into a small carry-on bag. “I’ve managed to secure an invitation to an importers conference.”

She folded her arms around her middle. “How long do you intend to be gone?”

He zipped the case and placed it on a bench at the end of the footboard. “I’ll return tomorrow afternoon.”

“Did it occur to you to invite me along?”

He sent her a sideways glance. “You’d be bored.”

“I have attended these functions with you before.”

He zipped the garment bag and turned. “Yes, you have, but that was before I knew you considered me a closed-off bastard who runs at the first sign of trouble.”

“You ran from me the other night. You ran after I lost the baby.”

He dropped onto the edge of the mattress and forked his hands through his hair. “Perhaps you’re right.”

It was an admission she thought she would never hear. She sat down beside him on the bed. “I am not willing to give up on us yet, Sebastian. I would like to accompany you on this trip and we will go from there.”

“Well, I’ve always enjoyed having a beautiful wife at my side.”

That ruffled her feminine feathers. “I do not want to go as your arm ornament. I want to be there as your equal. You have never viewed me as that.”

He appeared extremely confused. “Where is this coming from?”

“Well, if we want to sincerely work on our marriage, then I think it’s best to be honest. Many times I have asked about the company, and you brushed me off.”

“I never thought you were interested in that part of my life.”

“It should be part of my life as well. After all, my father was just as immersed in the shipping world. I might not have finished my degree, but I observed all aspects of the operation. I possibly know as much about it as you do.”

Now Sebastian looked skeptical. “You mean that riveting world of routes, imports and exports, and shipping containers?”

“Yes, and the importance of making connections. I am quite capable of doing that. In fact, I’ll wager I will make at least two this evening if I go with you.”

“I’ve always enjoyed a good wager. And if you succeed, I will give you whatever you desire.”

“Anything?”

“Within reason.”

That probably eliminated her request for a child. “And if I do not succeed?”

“I will only ask that you be patient with me. I’m not good at all this sharing-my-feelings rubbish.”

An odd facet of their relationship suddenly struck Nasira. “Do you realize that up until six months ago, we rarely ever argued?”

He seemed to mull that over for a minute. “You are absolutely right. Perhaps that is because you are perfect.”

He sounded strangely sincere. “Of course that is a fallacy.”

“Not to me.”

“Sebastian, I know I have some habits that must drive you batty.”

He rubbed his chin. “It is rather disconcerting when you rearrange my bureau drawers.”

“Guilty as charged. Can you not do better than that?”

“You laugh at all my randy jokes.”

“How is that an imperfection?”

“Because no one else bothers. That possibly indicates a severe lack of judgment, or perhaps bad taste.”

That made her smile. “What else?”

“You bring me a drink when I’m harried after a long day.”

“Again, I do not see the problem with that.”

“Perhaps I prefer to fetch my own drink.”

“Do you?”

He grinned. “No. The truth of the matter is, Sira, nothing you do drives me to complete distraction. Actually, that’s not the truth. I’m very distracted when you walk into the room, wearing nothing but a smile, and when you wake up beside me with your hair tousled and a sleepy look on that gorgeous face. You distracted me the other night from my goal.”

“Yes, I realized I ruined that goal, yet you have to know that was not my intent. I feel horrible we did not make love.”

He took her hand in his. “I meant my goal to convince you I care beyond making love to you. I want another opportunity to prove that.”

“I want that as well.” And she did. “And I truly want to go with you to Dallas.”

“All right, as long as you understand I only have a one-bedroom suite with a king-size bed. Of course, I suppose I could see if they have another room for you.”

She shook her head. “That isn’t necessary.”

Looking extremely pleased, he patted her thigh and stood. “The jet is waiting so you should pack. Do you have a cocktail dress for the reception?”

She came to her feet and frowned. “Do birds fly?”

He softly touched her face. “Yes, they do, and I look forward to watching you fly tonight.”

But Nasira feared that by hanging on to the marriage, she might eventually fall.

* * *

Sebastian spotted her standing across the crowded room. She wore a formfitting sleeveless black silk gown with matching heels, her wrists bedecked with diamond bracelets and her sleek hair flowing down her back. Her slender hands moved gracefully as she spoke with an older gentleman who appeared completely enthralled by the conversation, and her.

Sebastian couldn’t recall the last time Nasira looked so very beautiful. Correction. He could. The first night he’d seen her at an event much like the one tonight. Also on their wedding day when she had been dressed in white satin and looked like the exotic princess she was, albeit a somewhat wary princess due to their spontaneous decision to marry. Perhaps he had rescued her that day from the clutches of her father’s idea of a suitable spouse, but she had saved him from a life of loneliness.

“That’s one looker right there.”

Sebastian turned to his right to find a portly man with thinning hair clutching a martini and staring at Nasira with lust. “That happens to be my wife.”

“I know,” the miscreant said. “I just spent the last thirty minutes listening to her singing your praises. By the way, I’m Milt Appleton with M.A. Imports.”

Sebastian downed the rest of his scotch then eyed the man’s offered hand and reluctantly shook it. “Pleasure, I’m sure.” Or not.

“Anyway,” Milt said. “I’m looking for a shipping company that can handle my European routes. Your girl convinced me I should consider going with you.” He pulled a business card from the inside of his coat pocket. “Here’s my information. Give me a shout in the next day or two.”

Sebastian took the card and pocketed it. “I will be in touch soon.”

Milt pointed at Nasira and narrowed his eyes. “And take care of that one. She’s one in a million.”

Sebastian had begun to realize the absolute accuracy of that statement. She was graceful, intelligent, resolute and reliable to a fault. She had always been there when he needed her, and he had repaid her by not being there when she had needed him. Now that he finally got it, he had to figure out what to do about it. One idea came to mind, a simple gesture that would demonstrate how much she meant to him, even if he felt he could not give her the child she still desired.

On that thought, he crossed the massive room and came to her side. “I lost track of you for a moment, darling.”

She presented a smile. “I have been conversing with this lovely gentleman. Sebastian, this is Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker, my husband, Sebastian Edwards, owner and CEO of the shipping company I mentioned. Darling, Mr. Walker is quite interested in the services you have to offer.”

At least this one didn’t seem to be interested in the services his wife could provide. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Walker,” he said as he stuck out his hand.

“The pleasure is all mine,” the man replied. “I’ve given my information to your wife and we’ll discuss the particulars later. Speaking of wives, I should find mine. Have a good evening, you two.”

After the aged businessman hobbled away, Sebastian slid his arm around Nasira’s waist. “Clearly I have lost our two-contacts wager since I was recently confronted by your first contact, the lecherous Milt.”

“He’s harmless,” Nasira said.

“And flirtatious, I gather.”

“Slightly, yet nothing I could not handle.”

Sebastian glanced to his right. “Would you care to dance?”

She looked at him as if he had lost all reason. “This is not a cotillion, Sebastian. It’s a cocktail party.”

“I hear music coming through the speakers and I believe I spy a dance floor.”

She followed his gaze toward the bar before bringing her attention back to him. “Yes, that seems to be a dance floor. With no one using it.”

He clasped her hand. “Then perhaps it’s time to get this dance party started.” When she began to protest, he pressed her lips with a fingertip. “Let’s be bold for a change. Let’s show them the portrait of two people who do not give a tinker’s damn what anyone thinks.”

Her grin came out of hiding. “Let’s.”

* * *

After Sebastian guided her onto the modest wooden dance floor, Nasira walked into his arms. Yet when she noticed several people staring, she immediately went rigid.

“Relax,” Sebastian whispered.

“How can I when we are making a spectacle of ourselves?”

“If anyone takes exception, it’s only because they’re jealous.”

She reared back and leveled her gaze on him. “Jealous of two people who are clearly wacko?”

“Jealous of me for having such a remarkable wife. Jealous of you because you are the most beautiful woman in the room. In the world, in my opinion.”

“If you put it that way...”

Deciding to ignore the attention, Nasira rested her cheek against Sebastian’s shoulder and swayed in time to the soft sounds of a bluesy instrumental. She relished the feel of his strong arms holding her close, the aromatic scent of his cologne, his skill. She had learned that he was a great dancer the first night they had met, when he had asked her to dance at the gala, much to her father’s chagrin, whose cautions had gone unheeded. When she took inventory of her life and the decision she had made, only one regret remained. A dream she might have to disregard to keep her marriage intact.

Sebastian suddenly stopped moving and only then did she realize the music had stopped, and they were now surrounded by several other couples who had taken to the floor.

Her husband presented a proud smile. “See? We have started a trend.”

She laughed with pure joy. “Yes, we have.”

“Shall we dance again, fair lady?”

She had something else in mind. “Actually, unless you care to stay, I would rather return to our room.”

He made a show of checking his watch. “It’s still early. We could have a late dinner.”

Obviously he did not approve of her plan for some unknown reason. “I have had enough appetizers to last for several days.”

“I have not.”

“Room service is still available.”

“True. I will gladly accompany you to our quarters, as long as this does not entail heavy conversation.”

That would come later. Much later. “Agreed.”

Reclaiming her hand, Sebastian led her through the lobby to the glass elevator that would take them to the executive floor. They entered the deserted car and took in the plethora of city lights dotting the Dallas skyline as they ascended. Unfortunately the view left Nasira breathless, and not in a welcome way.

As if he sensed her trepidation, Sebastian wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her close. “I’m right here, sweetheart.”

She leaned back against him. “I know, and admittedly it is a nice panorama.”

He brushed her hair aside and kissed her cheek. “At least this time you’re keeping your eyes open to enjoy it.”

“You take good care of me, Sebastian.”

“You deserve it, Sira. You deserve everything your heart desires.”

If only he could agree to give her the most important of her heart’s desires. Nevertheless, she wanted to spend the evening in a lighthearted mood with no old recriminations to intrude on their time together. She also intended to bask in the glory of winning the wager about making connections at tonight’s party, and if good fortune prevailed, convince him to allow her to take an active role in the business. If she could not immediately become a mother, she could certainly establish a career beyond charity work.

Those plans began to fully form as they entered the penthouse suite a few moments later. She immediately crossed the suite and walked into the bedroom with Sebastian trailing behind her. Once there, she removed her jewelry then fished through her pocket and withdrew the best part of her plan.

She turned to find her husband seated in the club chair next to the sliding glass doors leading to the veranda, his hands draped on the chair arms as if he were the king of the castle.

She approached and offered him a handful of business cards. “Here are a few more contacts.”

He took the stack and looked through them before regarding her again. “You are amazing.”

She smiled. “Yes. Yes I am.”

He set the cards aside and returned her smile. “I’m glad you have finally come to that conclusion.”

She perched on the edge of the mattress opposite him. “I am teasing. I simply struck up a few conversations and that led to mentioning the company and what we have to offer.”

“We?”

She prepared to plead her case. “Yes. I assume that since I made the effort, I should be rewarded with a measure of involvement. Also, three of the contacts are women and it would only be natural that I would be the best candidate to communicate with them. Of course, I would have to be allowed access to the contracts and the shipping routes...”

He effectively cut off her thoughts when he reached over, clasped her arms, pulled her up and brought her into his lap. “You have done a superb job,” he began. “And you definitely deserve to be rewarded.”

She could not resist rolling her eyes. “Exactly what do you have in mind?”

He pressed a kiss on her cheek and suddenly looked very serious. “I want to give you what you want most.”

She clung to hope and prepared to be disappointed. “You know what I want most, yet you have been adamant about not giving it to me.”

“I’ve had a change of heart.”

Did she dare utter the word? No. She had learned not to assume. “Please end the suspense and say it.”

“I want to give you a child.”

This almost seemed too good to be true. “Are you certain?”

“Yes. As long as we adopt.”

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