Pride and Consequence Read Online Free Page B

let the top down and Zakira reveled in the feel of the fresh sea air whipping through her long hair.
    â€œThis is incredible!” she shouted, acting like a kid on a roller coaster as her wide eyes scanned the natural beauty surrounding them—entrancing blue water, tall cliffs, towering trees that filtered the gorgeous sunlight and the never-ending curved road that grew steeper as it carried them to a higher altitude.
    â€œWhen did you think of this?” Zakira asked later that afternoon. They were seated on the hood of the black convertible, with a food-filled straw basket between them.
    Malik dipped his wheat cracker into a spicy cheese spread and shrugged. “When I woke up and realized I’d fallen asleep while making love to you.”
    Zakira tugged her bottom lip between her teeth and studied his gorgeous profile. She ached to question him about his behavior…and the pills. “Malik—”
    â€œWhat was it you were wanting to discuss with me after the party? Something about a charity?” he interjected, obviously sensing that she was about to ask something he was not prepared to answer.
    â€œYeah…” Zakira sighed, deciding it was best not to bring up such a heavy subject. “I met two women from Richmond last night. They’re trying to plan a charity function and are having problems with the venue.”
    â€œMmm…financial problems?” Malik guessed.
    Zakira nodded, as she cut a portion of aged sharp cheddar from the huge block. “They’re offering to pay, but, of course, they can’t afford much. I’m hoping we can work something out. I’d really like to help them,” she said, brushing a speck of cheese from her snug pink V-neck sweater.
    â€œI don’t have a problem with it. Hell, it’ll be tax-deductible.”
    â€œMalik!” Zakira chastised.
    â€œWhat? I’m just stating a fact,” he said, chuckling at her horrified expression. “Anyway, what’s the charity?”
    Zakira nibbled the cheese and followed it with a swig of the fruitful red wine. “It’s the Richmond Children’s Cancer Research Fund. The women I spoke with are doctors’ wives, they…”
    â€œMalik? Baby? Did you hear me?” Zakira said a moment later, noticing the hard, set look on his face.
    â€œWe better bounce if we want to make the inn before dark,” he suggested quickly, jumping to the ground and repacking the basket.
    Zakira watched him closely, but she did not argue. As the car continued its trek up the gorgeous coast, she decided she would get her answers that night.

    â€œHow is it?”
    Zakira shook her head. “So good. I’ve never had clam chowder this good. I guess owning a restaurant on the ocean makes it easy to get the best seafood. And I’ve definitely had my fill of it this weekend.”
    Malik’s expression reflected concern. “You’re not eating much. Are you sick?”
    Zakira swirled her spoon in the creamy pearl-colored chowder. “No, I’m not sick. Are you?” she asked, raising her probing gaze to his face.
    He would not respond and a few minutes passed in silence. Zakira silently chastised herself for the question. She hadn’t meant to approach the subject quite that way. Besides, the day had been so wonderful, she didn’t want it to end on a sour note. Unfortunately, Malik’s mood had her more than a little suspicious.
    â€œI had an idea about the charity dinner.”
    Zakira forced a phony smile to her face. “Oh?”
    Malik ran one hand though his dreads and nodded. “I was wondering if you’d consider working with the staff on the menu and presentation?”
    Despite her reluctance to become more active with the business, Zakira discovered she was quite interested in the idea. “What do you have in mind?”
    Malik leaned against the oversized wooden high-backed chair. “Well, I was hoping