Chapter 14
Nari.
“Are you sure she’ll be okay?”
I watched the city pass as we traveled to Kincaid’s beach house. The trip was last minute, and although he mentioned he had a few business things to handle, he insisted that most of our two-day stay would be focused on us.
“There will be guards on the property until we return and Abisai has promised to keep her close. She will be fine.”
I smiled briefly at the thought of my mother and Abisai.
Turns out he had proven to be just how Kincaid described him: a good guy.
He adored my mother based on my conversations with her, and she was feeling partial to him as well, even though she pretended there was nothing between them but a budding friendship.
As much as she attempted to downplay what was between them, the way her entire spirit lit up when she spoke of Abisai and the smile planted on her face when he was around was proof of something more between them.
“And what about us?”
He frowned slightly. It was a subtle shift, but it didn’t get past me. “What about us?”
“You didn’t travel with security, not even Cast?”
He arched his brow, delivering a barely-there smile. It was cocky but teasing at the same time. “Am I not enough? You don’t feel safe with me, Nari?”
“I do, but you’re here on business.” I shrugged at the thought.
“Not all of my business ventures pose a threat that requires the presence of security. Sometimes, it’s simply an exchange of signatures. No one needs to watch my back while I’m negotiating terms of an acquisition.”
“So this is that type of business?” This time, I was the one offering a cocky grin. I knew better, and so did he, but if Kincaid felt secure being our sole protector for this trip, then so did I.
“You focus on our time once business is done. Let me worry about the rest.”
Diversion!
“I can do that.”
“Good.” He offered a slight nod then changed the subject. “I’ve had Annalise pull a few properties. If she hasn’t already, she’ll be emailing you a list. I know you’re ready to move forward.”
I wasn’t able to contain my smile. With everything going on in his life, I had no idea how Kincaid possessed the ability to be still in tune with the things going on in mine, but he was.
“I have it already. I just haven’t had a chance to go through the listings.”
“Make sure you do as soon as possible. Many of those properties are in high demand and will move quickly.”
“I will.”
“So, what would you like to do while we’re here?
” The question felt odd. I wasn’t sure why he was asking me.
Kincaid never asked much of anything from anyone.
He was the type who was well organized and moved with specific plans.
From the time I’d known him, I’d learned he wasn’t a wing-it type of person.
“This was your idea, so I’ll leave that up to you. Besides, I don’t know much about the city. Since you’re the one with a residence here, I’m sure you would have a better handle on what our plans should be.”
He stared at me introspectively. Those beautiful brown eyes of his communicated the complexity of his thoughts, but I couldn’t quite determine what currently plagued him. After a few additional moments of silence, he offered a nod. That was it.
I frowned while he focused his attention back on his phone. “Is something wrong?”
“No, sweetheart. Why would there be?” He didn’t give me his eyes, but he didn’t have to in order to let me know that something was off between us.
Just that quickly, we’d transitioned from a place of happiness to one of those weird spaces I hated.
I did not know what the hell I had done to upset this man.
Instead of pushing the issue, I removed my iPad from my purse and began a superficial surf of the properties Annalise sent.
I decided to use my time wisely while Kincaid had settled into yet another one of his moods.
I was still learning to navigate his complex personality.
Regardless of the connection we shared, there were still some gray areas I was working my way through.
By the time we reached the beach house, the sun was setting.
I couldn’t wait to strip out my clothes and relax on the beach for a few hours.
There was something so serene and peaceful about the sound of waves creeping toward the shore and the gentle breeze misted with saltwater, prickling my skin.
As much as I loved our home, I’d have to say the beach house was a close second and possibly even a tie for my favorite space simply because of the location.
While Kincaid removed our luggage from the car and gave instructions to the driver, I keyed the security code to let us in.
I was in such a rush to disarm the security system that it took me a moment to take in the space.
First, there was silence, then a sweep of emotions .
. . then the floodgates opened. I felt him behind me, his cologne soothing my emotional state seconds before his arms created a cocoon of security.
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.” His voice was just as soft as his lips when they brushed my temple and landed in a gentle kiss.
“You did this?”
“I arranged it, yes. I hope no one else is as invested as I am in ensuring that today was special.” I heard the smile in his tone, even though his voice rumbled in a low murmur.
It all made sense for some reason and I turned quickly into his embrace. “Is this why you were upset on the ride over?”
“Not upset, just a little confused about why you hadn’t mentioned what today was. I have been waiting for you to at least acknowledge the day, but you never did, so I took a chance, praying there wasn’t an underlying issue that created bad memories.”
My eyes closed briefly, allowing me a minute to regroup. “I hadn’t really thought much about my birthday. However, I should have known you’d make a big deal out of it.”
“You’re my wife. Your milestones are just as important to me as they should be for you.
Why haven’t you given much thought to today?
” His eyes narrowed a little, and his expression was filled with concern.
I knew Kincaid. He assumed the worst, that some tragedy had possibly happened on my birthday.
I was positive he was already plotting the downfall of anyone in my past who had ruined the occasion.
Exhaling a short sigh, I prolonged the conversation he wouldn’t let me bypass. I hated to explain the reasoning. It wasn’t anything detrimental; truthfully, it felt childish to hold onto things I couldn’t change.
“I’ve never once celebrated a birthday.”
His face twisted in surprise before slipping into what could only be translated as anger. “Never?”
My head shook lightly as the weight of embarrassment behind my confession felt even heavier.
“Nope, not once. In my world, birthdays were more of a nuisance than a luxury. A luxury I was never granted. I moved from family to family, and no one had ever been invested enough to remember or care when my birthday was. Some even made clear that I wasn’t allowed to celebrate because that’s for ‘families.’ I wasn’t their family.
I was a paycheck and an obligation. I sort of got used to it, and birthdays eventually became just another day. ”
He pulled me in closer and kissed my forehead, mumbling his apologies as he held me in only the way he could.
That started another round of tears that threatened to fall, but I pushed them away and refused to be that person, the sad little girl nobody loved.
I wasn’t her anymore. I had my mother and my husband. No need for tears, right?
“This is beautiful. Thank you.” I turned, moving deeper into the room.
My first stop was the three massive crystal vases holding exotic red flowers.
They had six to eight petals that looked soft as silk and opened into a blossom that mirrored a small bowl.
The delectable scent of rich chocolate tickled my nose when I leaned in closer.
“Oh, wow. These smell amazing. Like chocolate.” I grinned over my shoulder, where I found Kincaid a few steps behind me, his hands submerged in the pockets of his track pants. His beautiful smile was on display while he watched my every move.
“Good because they’re supposed to. It took me a lot to get those here. Cosmos Atrosanguineus or Chocolate Cosmos. It is one of the most beautiful, rare flowers in the world. Their fragrance only adds to their mystique.”
“Well, I love them. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and there’s more.” He pointed his forehead toward the table where two black leather boxes were waiting.
I could tell right away they held jewelry.
I lifted the first, about three inches in height and a foot in length, pressing the small gold button on the front.
I gasped when I noticed a delicate platinum chain with a pendant hanging from it.
A plethora of small, strategically placed rubies surrounded an oval diamond.
It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Before I could turn and face Kincaid, his chest was at my back while he peered over my shoulder. “I pray that smile on your face means you like it.”
“I do. This is beautiful.”
He kissed the top of my head. “The bracelet is in that one. You have no idea how frustrating it is to have access to just about everything in the world but still have no idea what to purchase my wife for her birthday.”
I rolled my eyes, turning to face him. “I’m not that complicated.”
“Oh, indeed you are, sweetheart. You’re not impressed by much, regardless of your humble beginnings. I’ve quickly learned that you don’t give a damn about price tags or labels.”
“You make me sound unappreciative. I like nice things.”
He grinned and lifted my chin, delivering a kiss. “Quite the opposite. You’re not impressed by things, making it much harder to surprise or impress you.”
“Well, you most certainly delivered.” My eyes lowered to the necklace.