by Nina Singh
* * *
R.J. paid the cabbie and turned to join Angeline and the other couple already at the entrance of the expansive shopping bazaar.
He’d learned about the place when he’d been doing research after the meeting in Angel’s office back in Boston. It was one of the biggest indoor bazaars in the world.
He wasn’t sure why he was doing this, why he’d even brought it up. But the past few days had just been so tense. They definitely needed the time away. He certainly did, anyway. At least they’d be able to relax a little, away from Tavov and Mila’s all-too-observant stares.
He looked up to see a wide smile on Angel’s face. With a wave of her hand, she gestured him over to where she stood with Reid and Kaya. He knew when he looked at her what his motivation had been; the joy that was in her eyes right now. He’d been able to put it there quite effortlessly years ago. This little jaunt was a small price to pay to see it there again.
Reid and Kaya were smiling, too, their hands clasped. They couldn’t have been older than early twenties. Kaya had the same coloring Angel did, her hair slightly less wavy than Angel’s unruly curls. Reid was one of the few blond men he’d seen in this part of the world. He had a small frame and was only slightly taller than his average-height fiancée.
R.J. approached the small group. “Is everyone ready?”
Three happy voices answered him in unison.
“Then let’s go spend some money,” he said as he placed his palm on the small of Angel’s back. It occurred to him that such displays were not necessary now that they were away from the orchard, but it was becoming more and more natural to touch her this way.
Chaos descended as soon as they entered the arched doorway. Hundreds of people bustled past them, and the noise of intense bartering filled the air. Even the decorative artwork on the walls and high arched ceiling seemed busy and detailed.
Kaya turned excitedly to Angel. “We have to look at the jewelry first,” she urged. “I bet you’ve never seen so much shiny gold in one place before.”
“I was afraid this would happen,” Reid said, his voice suffering. “R.J., we’ll never get out of here if the ladies start in on the jewelry. Do you know how many gold stores there are in here?”
“The shine in this part of the bazaar alone is giving me a good indication,” he answered.
A teenager breezed past them carrying a dangling tray with small glasses of hot tea swinging to and fro. Miraculously, not a drop seemed to spill.
“I think starting with the gold is a terrific idea,” Angel said, smiling wide.
“Hold on to your wallet, my good man.” Reid winked at him over Kaya’s head. “You’re about to buy your wife some baubles.”
He felt Angel stiffen slightly next to him. It was natural for Reid to assume that R.J. would be the one making the purchases for her. In reality, aside from her wedding ring, he’d never actually bought her any piece of jewelry. He’d never been able to afford anything worthy of her back then, though he’d always known that someday... And he’d been right. He finally could afford such things. Now that it was too late.
“Well, then. Shall we get started?” Angel offered. “Kaya, lead the way.” She gestured in front of her.
“Oh, she knows the way all right,” Reid teased.
Kaya pulled her hand out of her fiancé’s hand long enough to give him a mock slap on the wrist.
“You really don’t want to make me too upset with you in here, do you?” She was giving as good as she got.
Reid gave an exaggerated shudder. “Not on your life. Lead the way, my darling.” He stepped aside and bowed.
Angel’s throaty laugh shook through R.J. The young couple had such an easy manner between them. He couldn’t remember sharing that with any woman. Only Angel had come close, and he hadn’t really let it happen. He’d never allowed such camaraderie to occur. He’d never allowed it. Despite Angel’s warmth, despite her sense of humor. He’d never really let his guard down long enough. It was hard not to feel sorry for that now. He took a deep breath. There was no use questioning any of it.
She’d thanked him for being straight with her. Only there was so much more he didn’t ever want her to find out.
The three of them followed Kaya as she made a beeline to one of the merchant booths on the other side. The whole window seemed to glisten like one big treasure chest of gold. He turned to catch a glimpse of Angel. In the dark lighting of the hall, bright yellow from the gold reflected in her eyes, accentuating their distinctive hazel color. He tried not to let the sight take his breath away.
The women were immediately approached by two clerks on the other side of the displays. Neither wasted anytime picking out what she wanted to try on. He couldn’t believe he was actually enjoying himself. For all practical purposes, he was being made to shop for jewelry. For the life of him, he knew that should bore him to tears. But quite the opposite, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed himself so much. Tom, his longtime friend and current business partner, would have a field day if he could see him now. Tom would have to see this to believe it.
Close to twenty minutes later, they were finally out of the store. It was hard to tell which woman had done more damage.
“Did you save any money for the ride home?” he teased Angel. The other couple was walking ahead, immersed in their own world.
“This—” Angel lifted the parcel in her hand “—is a wise investment.”
He gave her his best smirk. “Is that what you think?”
“I know it for a fact,” she said. “This is high-quality fourteen-and twenty-two-karat gold. You can’t find it in the States at these prices.”
“What I heard,” he began, not ready to stop teasing her, “is that everything in this place is marked up a couple hundred percent.”
“Oh, please.” She gave him a disdainful look. “What kind of businesswoman do you think I am? I know that. I bartered and negotiated my heart out for these deals.”
“I noticed the clerk looked a little exhausted by the time he rang you up.”
“I think he was glad to get rid of me.”
“It was wonderful,” Kaya chimed in as they caught up. “I’ve never seen anyone haggle so hard. These are some of the best prices I’ve ever paid.”
“Must be hard to be married to a woman who drives such a hard bargain,” Reid taunted good-naturedly.
“Absolutely,” R.J. agreed quickly. “But it also has its advantages.”
“Next store, you can help me seal some bargains, then,” Reid said as he stopped to assist his fiancée in putting on one of her recent purchases.
“Be glad to,” Angel said. “Actually, R.J., they had some great watches and men’s rings. I think a lot of them would have appealed to you.”
He lifted a curl of hair that had strayed out of her chignon.
“I’m not much for wearing jewelry, but thanks anyway.”
Her expression suddenly turned serious. “Is that why you didn’t hold on to your wedding ring?” she asked low enough for only him to hear.
That wasn’t a question he’d been expecting. He searched for an answer, something that wouldn’t tell her too much.
She suddenly raised a hand to her mouth. “I—I’m sorry,” she stammered. “I don’t know where that came from.”
She appeared as shocked by what she’d said as he was.
“It’s all right,” he said lamely, still unsure how to respond. What was he supposed to say? Tell her truth? That he had held on to it? That he had it on him even now, and every day since it had been given to him? He couldn’t do that.
“Come on, you two.” Kaya’s excited voice interrupted their mutual discomfort. “We haven’t even covered a fraction of territory in here yet.”
He gently cupped Angel’s elbow and guided her forward. Thank
the stars for Reid and Kaya. Asking them to come along had been a good idea after all.
A few stops later, they were at the door of a large rug and afghan store. This time, the men decided to hover outside while the ladies ogled the merchandise.
“We’re really glad you’re here to share in our wedding,” Reid said.
The wedding. Reid and Kaya had talked about it constantly since the four of them had left the orchard. The more time he’d spent with the other couple, the harder it was to remain jaded or cynical about their upcoming nuptials.
Hell, he’d realized two stores ago that was Angel’s intent all along. R.J. suspected she’d invited the other couple along for that very reason. She’d known damn well that he’d have second thoughts about raining on their parade in any way once he got to know Reid and Kaya. And damned if Angel hadn’t been right. Damned if he hadn’t fallen for it.
He peeked inside the store at her. Angel was traipsing barefoot on a thick, ornate rug. The appealing scene made him feel barbaric enough to want to wrap her neatly up in the carpet, throw the bundle over his shoulder and carry her outside. Then he could wrap himself around her and kiss her with all the want and desperation these past few days had evoked.
He tried to curb his frustration by reminding himself it was almost over. Just a few more days. Once they got through the distraction of the wedding, they could get a signed contract for Angel and head back to Massachusetts. After that, he and his ex-wife would finally go their separate ways. For some reason, that thought didn’t have the calming effect it should have.
“R.J., did you hear me?” He looked up to find Reid watching him curiously.
R.J. tried to shake out the cobwebs. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
The other man let out a small laugh. “You seem a little preoccupied.”
“Just admiring the vastness of this place,” he lied.
Reid looked at him, then shrugged. “I said it looks like the ladies are about done. What do you say we all grab some dinner?”
“That sounds like a great idea. Any longer with the two of them in here and even this place might run out of merchandise.”
Angel and Kaya chose that moment to step outside. “Angeline, I don’t know how you do it,” Kaya was saying.
She turned to the two men. “Angeline got that man to go down seven hundred dollars on a handwoven silk rug.”
“Don’t be too impressed,” Angel insisted. “He must have marked it up at least twice that amount when he saw an American approach.”
“Still,” the other woman insisted, “they’re usually much more stubborn than that.”
“Well, even watching all this haggling from a safe distance gave Reid and me a huge appetite,” R.J. joked. “Are you ladies through tormenting these poor merchants yet?”
Angel laughed. “Just giving them a taste of their own medicine. It’s good for them once in a while.”
“Well, we men are worn out. What do you say to some dinner?”
She stepped closer to him. “I, for one, would love to have dinner with said men.” She turned back to Kaya. “What about you, partner?”
R.J. noticed Reid’s arm go affectionately around his fiancée’s midriff. The two of them looked so happy, and so right together. The excitement practically shone from both of them. Excitement about their upcoming nuptials no doubt.
Kaya nodded her agreement. “I know exactly where we can go. This place has the tastiest doner. It’s a Middle Eastern dish. The perfect combination of lamb and beef, seasoned just right. And on Thursdays and Fridays they have an elaborate show. Both male and female belly dancers.”
“Sounds like my kind of place,” Angel said. R.J. couldn’t help but give her a wary look. Why did she want to watch male dancers? The only one he could picture doing an erotic dance was her.
“Be sure to pay close attention to the dancing, Angeline,” Kaya said as the four of them walked out of the bazaar and hailed a taxi.
“Why?” Angel asked.
“Because I’m going to show you how to do it at our wedding,” Kaya beamed. “I’m going to show you how to belly dance for your husband.”
R.J. didn’t bother to suppress his groan.
CHAPTER TEN
“COME ON, ANGELINE. Curve your hips a little more,” Kaya ordered with a laugh. The young bride was teaching her a basic belly dancing move. At least she was trying to.
The marriage ceremony performed earlier had been breathtakingly touching, even though part of it had been recited in a dialect Angel hadn’t understood. But it had sounded sacred and poetic.
Now the reception was fully under way, with loud pounding music, lively dancing and a lot of food and drink.
“Kaya, I would have to be double-jointed to curve it any more than this.”
“All right.” The other woman laughed. “I suppose that’s good enough.”
“It will have to be, unless I want to throw my back out.”
“Look, there’s your husband. We will start now. Remember what I told you.” Kaya winked at her.
“Got it.” Angeline quickly lifted the veils up to cover her face. The fluttering in her stomach wasn’t nervousness. She was just playing a game.
Still, it was a risky game. She and R.J. had been nothing more than civil toward each other the last couple of days, ever since the evening they’d spent in the city. They behaved like lovers during the day, then he quietly settled himself down on the floor to sleep at night. She’d offered to share the bed, purely platonically. But he’d refused each time. Still, the friendliness was much better than the cold distance he’d insisted when they’d first gotten here. She didn’t want to jeopardize that.
But what was the harm in a little flirting? They still had to be convincing for Mila and Tavov, didn’t they?
She turned to look for him in the crowd. Her heart fluttered as she laid eyes on him. He was so striking and handsome. He was at least half a head taller than anyone else there. He looked the epitome of dashing. He looked so darn sexy. He looked dangerous, he looked...downright preoccupied.
Her heart did a little flip when she realized he was looking for her.
Finally, their eyes caught. For one small moment, the world between them seemed to shift. She couldn’t turn away from his stare, and the expression on his face held her spellbound. It was broken when he broke eye contact and started making his way toward her.
“What’s this?” R.J. reached her just as the last scarf was securely fastened.
“It’s the bridal rites.”
He lifted one eyebrow, a smile creasing the corners of his mouth.
“The bridal rites, huh?”
“That’s right. It’s a way to honor the wedding. All the couples are supposed to kiss at the sound of the chime.” As soon as the words left her mouth, the ringing of a nearby bell sounded.
“There it is. You’re supposed to kiss me now.”
“Yeah?” He lifted an eyebrow and rubbed his chin. “How do I know it’s really you under there?”
“You’ll know as soon as you kiss me,” she couldn’t help but taunt him.
R.J.’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in his eyes, and the fluttering in her stomach increased.
“In that case...” He slowly removed the scarf.
She knew her breath had just stopped as she watched him lean closer. Some magnetic force lifted her arms to link her fingers behind his head.
Soft at first, gentle and sweet. His mouth slanted over hers comfortably. He paused long enough to give her a smile, then returned. She ventured to touch his lips with her tongue.
Then fire quickly took over. It molded them together, branding them. His hand splayed at the small of her back, and desire rocketed through her whole being.
He was kissing her the
way he had during all those heat-filled needful moments years ago. In an instant, she was back to being the young college student who had fallen so deeply in love with him.
Finally, R.J. broke away. It was hard to tell which one of them was breathing faster. The crowd had gone past the ceremony. Everyone but the two of them had resumed celebrating.
Kaya’s joyous peal of laughter brought Angel’s attention back to the dance floor.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Angel asked. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful bride,” Angel whispered as she watched the younger woman swirl around the installed wooden dance floor.
R.J. didn’t respond right away. She looked up to catch him watching her. Something in his eyes took her breath away.
“I have,” he said in a heated whisper.
He reached out to touch her, his fingers stroking her jaw. The noise of the loud reception around them turned to a faint humming in her ears.
“My bride,” he added, his tone possessing.
His words shattered her emotions. She lifted shaky fingers to his face. “I—I can’t help but think how excited I was the day we were married,” she confessed. “Every time those two kiss, I remember how in love we were.”
“I’ve never forgotten.” He seemed surprised that the words had left his mouth.
His thumb continued to rub her jaw gently. Her eyes loaded heavy with tears. Tears of regret at what they’d once had and lost.
She searched his eyes for answers. “How did it happen, R.J.? How did we let it slip out of our hands?”
“I wish I knew, darling, but I don’t.”
Did that mean he was as sorry as she was that it had? Or was this just sentimental rambling brought on by memories forced to the surface.
The emotion in his eyes looked genuine, but she wished she knew for sure. One thing she did know, she’d been fooling herself for years. Her feelings for R.J. went way beyond the physical, way beyond mere attraction.
“There you two are.”
Angel jumped back as if stung. She’d forgotten where they were. Tavov and Mila we’re walking toward them. Mila had the smile of a royal queen on her face.