Pride and Consequence

by Altonya Washington

  A sympathetic look touched Tree’s face. “Honey, I’m sure that’s not true.”

  Before Zakira could disagree, the phone rang. It was the private line, so she answered immediately.

  “How are you doin’ over there?”

  Zakira felt small shivers wiggle up her spine at the sound of Malik’s soothing, deep voice. “I’m fine. Everything’s smooth so far.”

  “Good, I’m calling to tell you Tree is supposed to stop by to see me.”

  Zakira smiled, glancing at Tree. “He’s already here. Did you want to talk to him?”

  Tree stood and took the phone. “Yeah, man?”

  The strong tone Malik used with Zakira vanished the instant he heard Tree’s voice. “How soon can you get here?” he asked.

  Tree frowned at the uncharacteristically weak sound of his friend’s voice. “Why?” he asked.

  “I need you to get over here fast.”

  Zakira looked up when Tree slammed down the receiver. Before she could ask what the problem was, Tree was already headed out the door.

  “Does Zakira know how bad off you are?”

  Malik gave Tree a sour look. “Do you think she’d be at the restaurant if she did?”

  Tree ran one large hand over his wavy hair and sighed. “You need her here with you, man.”

  “I don’t need to hear this now.”

  “I think you do.”

  Malik raised his hand. “I need to talk to you about this party.”

  Tree’s head tilted slightly as he blinked. “’Scuse me? Did I just hear you say party?”

  Grimacing, Malik pushed himself off the sofa and walked over to the fireplace. He closed his eyes against the heat from the glowing flames. “I need this, Tree.”

  After a moment the confused scowl on Tree’s face became one of understanding. “So, it’s time, huh?”

  Malik nodded. “It’s time.” He pushed his hands through the shoulder-length dreads as he turned. “You still with me?”

  After a few moments of silence, Tree nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, you know I am,” he said wearily. “What do you need?”

  Malik went over the details for his “party” and Tree dutifully noted each request. As soon as Malik was done with the list, Tree left.

  When the front door slammed behind him, Malik groaned. He gave a silent prayer of thanks that his old friend was there. Tree knew him too well not to know what the party was all about. It was time to say goodbye to family, friends…and Zakira.

  “All right, what have we got here?” Zakira whispered to herself as she inspected the refrigerator. She had gotten home about 7:00 p.m. and headed to the kitchen to start dinner.

  She chose long-grain white rice, crisp greens, a mixture of frozen vegetables and two thick sirloin steaks. While the rice was cooking, she chopped the greens and put them on to steam. Meanwhile, the frozen vegetables boiled as she prepared a sauce of butter, black and cayenne pepper and roasted peanuts. The steaks baked in the oven. They would be sliced, sautéed in an onion gravy and poured over the rice.

  While everything simmered and baked, Zakira began taking off her work clothes. Too tired to even climb the stairway, she let each garment drop to the shiny, hardwood floor.

  Malik had been in the den napping on the sofa when he heard what sounded like the clamoring of pots and pans. He decided to investigate and headed to the kitchen. When he walked in and saw Zakira removing her clothes, his heart ached for her.

  Zakira whirled around when she heard the low groan behind her. She spotted Malik leaning against the doorjamb and rushed towards him. “You should be in bed,” she softly chastised.

  “I know,” he absently replied, his gray stare trained on her barely clothed body. “I was on the, uh, den sofa.”

  “Well, let’s get you back in there,” Zakira murmured, placing her arm about his waist.

  Zakira helped Malik back to the sofa, pulling a heavy afghan across him. When she made a move to leave, he grabbed her arms.

  “Stay with me?” he softly asked, his grip tightening just slightly.

  Happy that he needed her, Zakira smiled at the boyish expression on her husband’s gorgeous dark face. “Okay,” she said, slipping beneath the soft afghan.

  The moment Malik had Zakira lying over him, his hands began to roam her seminude body with persuasive strokes. He massaged her back, his fingers dipping beneath the clasp of her bra to unhook the back.

  Zakira shifted her position on top of Malik and gasped when she felt the extent of his arousal against her belly. She looked up, and her lips immediately parted for the deep kiss. Malik’s tongue thrust smoothly into her mouth and they both moaned. Zakira cupped Malik’s face in her hands and began to slide herself over his iron length.

  Malik’s hands slipped from Zakira’s back, down her waist to the delicate lace panties. His long fingers dipped in to find her hot and very moist. He smiled, hearing her gasp. He deepened the kiss and the intimate caress below.

  “Malik? Malik?”

  “Hmm?”

  Zakira broke the kiss and placed her hands flat on his chest. “I need to go check the food.”

  Malik’s lips found the base of her throat to be irresistible. “The pots are fine,” he assured her.

  “I can’t take a chance,” Zakira replied, trying to move away.

  Malik suddenly flipped Zakira beneath him. He continued the deep, slow caress between her thighs while his mouth feasted on her bare breasts.

  The sensuous, double caress was her undoing. Zakira closed her eyes and arched her back, seeking more of his touch. Her soft cries filled the air, becoming louder until Malik pulled away.

  “What’s wrong?” she whispered, seeing him raise his head and look across the room.

  “Something might be burning. You better go check.” His gorgeous eyes were full of mischief.

  Zakira slammed her fist against his chest. “You…jerk.” She pushed him away so she could leave the sofa.

  Malik’s deep chuckle filled the room as he watched her race out of the room.

  Thirty minutes later, Zakira emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray loaded with food and drink and wearing a short robe. Malik selected a steamy, erotic thriller to put in the DVD. In comfortable silence, they enjoyed the delicious meal. The movie proved to be as good as they’d heard it was and held their attention.

  “Come over here.” Malik called, watching from the sofa.

  Zakira smiled, but kept her brown eyes on the television screen. “I want to finish the movie, Malik.”

  “I just want you close to me,” he told her, his voice calm and very sexy.

  Zakira finally looked at him. There was no way she could ignore the softly spoken words. Setting her plate to the coffee table, she joined him on the couch. Malik held her tightly as Zakira rested her head on his chest. With the sound of his heart beating beneath her ear and his large, strong hands stroking her skin, Zakira cursed her fate. Why was this being taken away?

  “Malik! Malik?! Where are you? Malik!”

  Zakira ran though the lower level of the house, frantically shouting and searching every room. Malik had called her at the restaurant and told her he needed her home…as soon as possible. Racing upstairs, she finally found him in the bedroom.

  “Malik!” she called, gasping at the sight of her husband. He was standing near the bed running a thick towel over his glistening body. “What’s wrong?” she asked, unable to take her eyes off his dark muscular frame.

  “Get in the shower,” he ordered, grinning at the look on her face.

  Zakira was completely confused. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” he assured her, tossing the towel to his dresser and choosing cologne. “But we got a party to attend, so we better hustle.”

  “A party?” Zakira repeated, now confused and suspicious. Fortunately, the wicked smile on Malik’s gorgeous face put her at ease. “I’ll be ready in a few,” she promised, beginning to undress.

  “I thought we were going to a party.
What are we doing back here?” Zakira asked, as Malik parked the SUV in Badu’s parking lot.

  “This is it,” he revealed, getting out of the truck to come around and open her door.

  Stunned amazement cast its glow on Zakira’s face when she saw the grand transformation that had taken place. The restaurant appeared more exquisite than usual. Glowing candelabra were the main light source, and a long table was filled with every specialty on the menu.

  Zakira racked her brain trying to recall a special date she may have overlooked. Of course, she wasn’t the only one who didn’t know what the occasion was. All the guests were in the dark.

  Deciding not to worry herself over it, Zakira mingled through the crowd. There were old friends as well as family members in attendance. The evening promised to be something very special.

  A light mist had just begun to fall as Eddie hurried inside the restaurant for the party. She took a moment to catch her breath, smoothing one hand across her stylish, short cut. She started to remove her coat. Just as she eased the garment over her shoulders, someone took over the task. Eddie gasped and turned to find Tree standing behind her.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, allowing him to finish the task.

  Tree’s dark eyes followed as the coat fell away to reveal a black, sleeveless double-strapped dress. “You’re welcome,” he assured her in a deep, slightly raspy voice.

  She carried her cashmere coat to the cloakroom and waited for the attendant to hand her a claim stub. The next instant, Tree’s hand curled firmly beneath her arm and he pulled her away with him. Eddie was sure she would have protested had she not been so fevered by his touch.

  Tree wasn’t about to let anyone infringe on his time with Eddie. He kept her by his side for most of the evening. They were dancing when Eddie squeezed her eyes shut, praying the annoying beep she heard wasn’t for her, wishing she’d thought to leave the beeper in the car with her cell. She tried to ward off the aggravating sound by losing herself in Tree’s arms again.

  “Eddie?”

  “Hmm?”

  Tree smiled, loving the relaxed, trusting tone in the simple sound. Smoothing his hand across her back, he lowered his mouth to her ear. “You’re beeping,” he playfully noted.

  Eddie gave a disappointed sigh and pulled away from Tree. He watched in utter fascination, his dark eyes narrowing as he waited to see where she had the beeper hidden beneath the skintight, short black dress. Edwina could easily read the look in Tree’s eyes and was embarrassed.

  “’Scuse me,” she muttered and turned to walk away. As she headed to the pay phones near the restrooms, she gave a silent prayer of thanks that her weak legs supported her.

  “So, was this your idea?”

  Malik smiled down at Zakira as they swayed to the seductive rhythm of the music. “I had a hand in it.”

  Zakira smoothed her hands across the wide expanse of his back. “Well, what’s the occasion?”

  “Does there have to be one?”

  Arching herself into the reassuring plane of his chest, Zakira sighed. “No, we can do this every night.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Malik whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her hair.

  They tightened their embrace and wished the song and the dance could last forever.

  Eddie stood by the wall for a moment clutching the phone to her chest. It made her so happy when her patients began to make progress, even if it cut into her profits.

  With a sigh, she replaced the receiver and turned. “Oh!” she cried, pressing a hand against her chest when she saw Tree.

  He didn’t apologize for startling her. Instead, he pushed her against the wall. Eddie moaned softly and her thighs trembled as he pressed her into the secluded corner and kissed her deeply. His tongue slid smoothly past her full lips to stroke the sweet inside of her mouth. Eddie curled her hands over his massive shoulders and clung to him for support.

  Tree was like a man starved for the taste of her. His kiss grew deeper and more forceful. Meanwhile, his large hands easily spanned her tiny waist before moving down to cup her full bottom.

  Eddie gave in to her attraction for him as her tongue pushed past his and she kissed him back. With a will of its own, her leg rose to stroke the side of his huge thigh and long leg. She groaned in response as the grip he had on her derriere tightened and he lifted her closer to feel the extent of his thrusting ability.

  Eddie tore her mouth away and leaned her head back against the wall. Tree’s lips immediately sought the smooth column of her neck and feasted there. His strong perfect teeth tugged upon the delicate chain around her throat as he inhaled her soft, feminine scent.

  The passionate episode was brought to an end when they heard deafening applause coming from the dining area.

  Tree’s head fell to Eddie’s shoulder as he struggled to catch his breath, but he only succeeded in becoming more aroused by the feel of her breasts heaving rapidly against his chest. Placing his hand at her hip, he pushed away and closed his eyes.

  Eddie’s long lashes fluttered closed over her eyes as she took a deep breath. She settled shaky fingers to her bruised lips and pressed her thighs together in hopes of warding off the persistent tingling in her lower regions.

  “We, um, better go see what’s up,” Tree whispered, his bass-filled voice rough with desire.

  With effort, Eddie raised her light hazel gaze to his burning dark one. At her minute nod, Tree slid his arm around her waist and took them back into the party.

  Toward the side of the dining room, next to the bar, stood Malik. Zakira was beside him, looking radiant, with just a hint of unease in her large brown eyes.

  Malik raised his hands, immediately drawing silence from the crowd. “I know you people are wondering what the occasion is.”

  A low rumbling sounded among the guests as they all agreed.

  A grim smile cast a rueful look to Malik’s magnificent dark features. Taking a deep sigh, he clasped Zakira’s hand in his. “The reason this beautiful lady here by my side has been in the restaurant so much is because I’m sick. I’ve…been diagnosed with cancer.”

  The low murmuring amongst the crowd grew louder. Zakira looked up at him in disbelief. Malik could feel her grip on his hand slacken. He knew she was confused and shocked, but there was no stopping.

  “The reason for the party,” Malik continued once the noise had ceased, “is to say goodbye to you all. I’ve talked to my doctors about surgery, but the chances that I’d experience some mental loss during the procedure even if it helped the cancer are too great. I’d rather not go that way, you know?” he said with a short laugh.

  The gasps of shock and surprised responses from the crowd continued as Malik dropped his news. The moment became so sad, Zakira could not stand it. Wrenching her hand from his, she ran from the room.

  “Z!” Eddie called. She was about to rushed after Zakira, when she felt Tree’s arms close around her.

  “Eddie, let her go,” he whispered against her ear, rocking her against his massive frame. Edwina’s eyes blurred with tears, and she turned in Tree’s embrace. She allowed him to comfort her, crying softly against his wide chest.

  “Shh…shh,” he soothed, pressing soft kisses against the top of her head. “I think Malik and Zakira just need some time alone.”

  Eddie nodded and looked up at him. “I can understand that. I don’t think I can take any more of this, either. I just want to go home,” she said, her voice soft and shaking.

  Tree brought his powerful hands to her face and cupped her cheeks. “Will you be okay by yourself?” he asked.

  Eddie searched the obsidian pools of his eyes and shook her head. “No.”

  Sighing as though he were relieved, Tree pressed another kiss to her forehead. Then, he looked around the room at the other guests still reeling from the news. He knew Malik and Zakira needed to be alone. Giving Eddie one last reassuring squeeze, he went to the head of the room and brought an end to the party.

  Zakira’s hair had fall
en from the thick chignon she wore. The black mass flew behind her as she raced to Malik’s office in tears. They flowed out of control and her heart threatened to beat out of her chest.

  She stopped before the huge mahogany desk and pounded her fists against the polished surface. “Damn him!” she cried as more tears spilled down her cheeks.

  Malik had followed Zakira to his office and now stood watching her from the doorway. His stomach churned painfully at the sound of her crying. Dammit, he raged. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her that way. But he knew that in the long run, it was for the best.

  Zakira must have sensed his presence in the room, for she whispered, “I can’t believe you just threw a party to announce your death.”

  Malik stood speechless for a moment longer. “I had to let people know, Zaki,” he finally replied.

  “You could’ve at least told me what you were going to do.”

  “Would you have still come?”

  Zakira turned, the look on her face a mixture of confusion and surprise.

  “Do you think your dying is something to be celebrated?” she asked, her tone furious.

  Malik sighed and pushed his big hands through his dreads as he stepped into the office. “I thought it was the best way…considering it’s time to leave.”

  Zakira’s tears had flowed consistently from the moment she ran from the dining room. When she heard Malik’s words, she dried her eyes and tried to pull herself together.

  “When do we go?” she asked, frowning at the uneasy look she glimpsed in Malik’s eyes before he turned away. “Malik?…Malik!”

  He covered his face in his hands and groaned.

  “Baby, what is it?” Zakira softly inquired, walking closer.

  “You’re not going with me,” he said, his firm voice brooking no argument.

  Zakira blinked as though he had slapped her. If her heart hadn’t burst before, she was sure it was about to now. “So you’d just leave for treatment or…to—to die—and not let me be there?” she asked in disbelief.