Pride and Consequence Read Online Free Page A

help any way I can,” Zakira offered, folding her arms over the square bodice of her black evening gown.
    Jessica and Lydia were overcome with gratefulness.
    â€œYou can’t know what this means for us,” Lydia whispered as she squeezed Zakira’s hands. “We’re hoping to schedule the event two weeks before Christmas—hopefully folks will be a bit more charitable.”
    â€œWe can’t pay a lot,” Jessica warned, “but we promise to come up with a suitable figure.”
    Zakira waved her hand. “Let’s not discuss all that now,” she said, searching her black clutch purse. “I’ll need to speak with my husband, but I know he’ll be eager to help. Here, hold on to our card and give me a call when you get back to Richmond.”
    Jessica’s almond-brown face softened with gratitude. “This means so much, Zakira. Bless you.”
    â€œMy goodness,” Lydia suddenly breathed, her green eyes riveted on the tall, gorgeous man who had just entered the ballroom.
    Jessica and Zakira turned in time to see Malik make his appearance. Zakira felt her heart flip at the sight of him in the stylish tux. He wore his long dreads in a ponytail and the style only emphasized his rugged, magnificent features.
    â€œWho is that?” Jessica whispered, her dark eyes feasting on Malik who had stopped to speak with two gentlemen.
    Zakira smiled and turned to face her new acquaintances. “Ladies, that’s my husband,” she announced, laughing at the friendly envy they allowed her to see. She glanced across her shoulder, her expression rueful. She had managed to forgive Malik’s unexpected nap, but promised that she would not forget to ask him about it.
    â€œAll right, you two, please don’t forget to call. I’ll discuss this with Malik and we should be ready to start planning right away.”
    Again, Lydia and Jessica reached out to shake her hand.
    â€œThank you so much, Zakira!”
    â€œWe’ll definitely be calling.”
    Zakira waved off the two women, grabbed her plate and went in search of her husband. By the time she reached Malik, he was shaking hands with the two men he had been speaking with.
    â€œDid you have a good nap?” she asked, waiting for him to turn around.
    Malik let his head fall back and he closed his eyes for a moment. “Zaki,” he sighed, finally turning to face her. “Baby, I’m sorry about that.”
    Zakira nodded and focused her smoky brown eyes on her full plate. “I wish I could remember how many times I’ve heard ‘I’m sorry’ over the last two days.”
    â€œIt’s about all I can say,” he whispered, bringing his arms around her waist. “That, and I hope you’ll let me make this up to you.”
    Zakira selected a plump pink shrimp from her plate and popped it into her mouth. “Make it up to me, hmm? You’ll probably fall asleep before you can get halfway through it.”
    Malik’s low laughter rumbled forth. “That’s not the only way I know how to make up, Zaki.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear that.”
    â€œYou gonna give me a chance here, or what?”
    Zakira decided to let up a little and raised her eyes to his. “So, what do you have in mind?”
    Malik took the plate from Zakira’s hands and set it on the tray of a passing server. “I’d rather show you,” he said, pulling her close.
    Zakira began to sway to the rhythm of the sultry Latin groove. “This had better be good,” she warned him.

    And it was. Malik was true to his word. At 6 a.m. Sunday morning, he was rousing Zakira from her sleep and telling her to hurry and get dressed. They hopped into a rented convertible and began their day.
    Zakira thought the view of the ocean from her fifth-floor balcony was exquisite, but it didn’t compare with the view from the passenger seat of their car. When the sun rose, Malik