Then suddenly awareness dawned of what they were doing, and what they hadn't done. "Sebastian," she said in a harsh whisper. "We have to stop."
When Sebastian tensed and shuddered, she recognized she had been too late with the warning.
After he finally rolled away, Nasira waited for his reaction and wondered if he was even aware of what had transpired. She received her answer when he sighed, sat up and muttered, "Bloody hell, what have we done?"
She snapped the light on and studied his profile. "Apparently we had unprotected sex."
He shot her a borderline distressed look. "Apparently."
"This is not all my fault, Sebastian. I told you to sleep on the rug."
"You offered me the bed."
"You did not have to accept."
"You shouldn't be so sexy."
"You should have foregone the liquor."
He raked a hand through his tousled hair. "It's clearly futile to blame each other or concern ourselves with the consequences. What's done is done."
"If you are concerned about pregnancy, I was off the pill for almost a year before I conceived the last time. It is highly unlikely that would happen again after only one time."
He appeared skeptical. "Unlikely but not impossible."
Normally Nasira would be happy to know she might finally have a baby, but not with such serious problems still looming over them. "Would it be so horrible if I happened to be pregnant?"
After punching his pillow twice, Sebastian shifted onto his side, keeping his back to her. "That's a discussion for another day."
"A discussion we need to have very soon, Sebastian."
"Would you prefer I move to the floor?" he asked after a few seconds of silence, reverting back to the man who refused to have any semblance of a meaningful conversation.
She preferred he stop clamming up. "It's too late to concern ourselves about that now."
"Then good night, Sira."
"Good night, Sebastian."
As she stared at the ceiling, Nasira wondered how she could feel so bereft after making love with her husband. It was as if they'd returned to the days before she had left London-she was suspended in a state of emotional gridlock with a spouse who constantly erected emotional walls. Could they get past the standoff? In the morning she would decide once and for all if finding out would be worth the potential heartache.
Three
Nasira awoke to an empty space beside her and a strong sense of regret. She could only imagine what Sebastian was thinking. She wouldn't be surprised if he had already summoned the pilot of his posh corporate jet and flown back to London.
After showering and seeing to her morning routine, she dressed in white slacks and a sleeveless blue blouse, slid her feet into silver sandals and started downstairs to see if he had indeed left. When she heard the sound of two familiar male voices, she acknowledged she had been wrong in her assumptions, at least for the moment.
She reached the bottom landing, crossed the parlor and headed into the kitchen to find her husband and brother seated at the built-in banquette, having coffee together. They both quickly stood, looking as if they were errant schoolboys caught in a prank.
"Good morning, darling," Sebastian said, taking her aback with his friendly tone. "Sleep well?"
She didn't know if he was playing at being clueless or he didn't remember what had happened between them. "I slept well enough."
"Good because we have a busy day planned, thanks to Rafe."
Nasira leveled her gaze on her brother. "What does that mean?"
"I will let Sebastian explain," Rafe said as he started toward the parlor. "At the moment, I have to accompany Violet to speak with the caterer."
With that, he rushed away, leaving Nasira alone with her husband. "I find it difficult to believe my brother would involve you in the wedding plans, so I assume we're not expected to meet with the caterer."
"You would be correct. I asked Rafe to find us suitable lodging and he has the perfect place."
"Us?"
"Yes."
"I never agreed to that."
He gestured toward the chair Rafe had vacated. "Please sit so we can discuss this."
"Yes, let's." She settled in to the seat and waited for him to continue.
"Would you like coffee? Or perhaps tea?" he asked.
"I would like orange juice." And an explanation for why he clearly believed she would want to cohabitate with him, especially after his attitude last night.
He rose from the chair and walked to the refrigerator to retrieve the orange juice, poured her a glass and set it on the wooden table. He then took the chair opposite her and folded his hands before him. "I realize you left London to escape me, or perhaps our problems, but I am not willing to toss in the towel until we have explored all alternatives to remaining apart indefinitely."
Neither was she, though she understood they might never be able to compromise on the issue of having children. They never would unless he decided to actually discuss it. "You believe the only way we can do that would be to live under the same roof?"
"Yes, I do."
She had her doubts. "I know you, Sebastian. You will not tolerate a simple hotel room, and I do not believe you'll find a penthouse suite anywhere near Royal. If I decide to do this, I refuse to reside too far away from Rafiq and Violet."
"You're right, but there are houses available."
She suffered the second shock of the morning. "You purchased a house?"
He shook his head. "No. Rafe knows a man who is willing to open his home to us while he and the family travel abroad."
Living in a stranger's house did not seem like a favorable option. "What man?"
"His name is Sheikh Darin Shakir. I believe he hails from a country close to your homeland."
She had heard the name bandied about by Mac. "I know of him. In fact, his reputation precedes him."
Sebastian frowned. "In what way?"
"He killed a man several years ago."
"He's a bloody murderer?"
She gained some satisfaction from shocking her husband this time. "Actually, it is my understanding his love interest was being held captive by this criminal, forcing him to shoot the evildoer to save her life. Although I despise violence, I find the concept of coming to a woman's rescue somewhat romantic."
"I find resorting to murder somewhat disturbing." Sebastian sat back and sighed. "Perhaps we should explore other avenues."
"It's past history, Sebastian. He is very well respected and in fact married to the woman he saved. They have several children."
"Are you absolutely certain the man is safe? I refuse to put you in harm's way."
"As I've said, he is a hero in the town's eyes. I also know my brother would never send me into a dangerous situation."
Sebastian slapped his palms on the table and stood. "Then it's settled. We shall go meet this knight in tainted armor and see if the house passes muster. We need to hurry since they will be leaving shortly after lunch for the trip."
She refused to rush into the decision to join him. "I still have qualms about living together at this point in time."
"What qualms?"
"First of all, although I came here to confront Rafe, I also intended to have time away from you to think."
"On the contrary, last night you wanted to talk."
He did present a valid point. "Yes, but I'm not certain you would be willing to do that."
He rested his hand on the back of her chair. "If we decide the accommodations are suitable, I will strike a bargain with you."
Always the negotiator. "Go on."
"If you will give me one week and the arrangement doesn't suit you, or if I don't meet your expectations, then you are free to leave and I will return to the UK."
She mulled the proposition over a moment and decided that it did seem fair. After all, she truly wanted to attempt to mend the relationship if at all possible. "All right. I will agree to your terms."
"Great. Our chariot awaits."
She pushed back from the table and came to her feet. "I wouldn't consider that truck a chariot."
"I had another vehicle delivered this morning from Dallas. One that is more suitable. You'll see when I bring it around."
"Believe it or not, I find that somewhat disappointing."
He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, a habit he had established from the first night they had met. "Why is that?"
"Sedans do not have beds."
Noting the look of sheer surprise on Sebastian's handsome face, she turned to retrieve her purse and sunglasses, smiling all the way upstairs and back down again. Perhaps she should not be encouraging her husband in a sexual sense, yet she could not seem to resist the desire his presence had resurrected. The ever present need.