Pure Desire [Pure 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) (48 page)

“And you seem like a gentleman, so let’s dispense with the mistake your man has assumed. I’m not for sale. Not only is the notion ridiculous, for god’s sake, I have a child with me…my husband would be greatly displeased to learn my whereabouts.”

“I tend to be a reasonable man, Mrs.…” Mr. Cowl suspected but had to be sure. The missing Mrs. Rynoir was broadcast all over the frequencies he monitored.

Allura lifted her chin a notch. “Mrs. Noor Rynoir.”

“I see. Come this way, Mrs. Rynoir.” Mr. Cowl, accustomed to having people follow orders without question, seemed surprised when she didn’t immediately follow. He glanced over his shoulder. “I assure you there is no cause for alarm. Unfortunately, my man Willis made a grievous mistake. The evening is getting late. You will stay aboard my vessel, safe and secure until your husband comes for you.”

Allura looked skeptical.

Mr. Cowl smiled. “Even importers have a conscience. Besides, I like my head on my shoulders.”

“Why are you rambling about, sir?”

“Your husband and I are acquaintances.”

“Oh, then you understand you should release me immediately.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. As I said, I’m as fond of my fair looks as the women are. Noor would be furious if I sent you and his son out into the night to fend for yourself. My duties as a gentleman would be remiss as well.” He perceptively appraised Allura. “How did you come to be here, anyway?”

“That’s the question I would like answered also.”

Allura flinched and spun around, hearing Noor’s voice. He looked inflexible, to put it mildly. He looked at combustible level. One prick and she feared he might pop.

Mr. Cowl stepped forward and extended his hand, which Noor accepted. “It’s been a long time. Unfortunately, the circumstances of our meeting aren’t as pleasant as one might wish, Noor. Willis made a mistake, and I will deal with him accordingly.” He glanced at Willis, who dropped his head and studied his feet, scrunching his hat between his fingers. Mr. Cowl addressed Noor. “No harm. No foul.”

Noor nodded. “You aren’t to blame for this, Migen.” His stare was unwavering and focused on Allura.

Migen stepped back and motioned toward the entryway. “If you like, you are welcome to enjoy my hospitality for the evening. With the downpour starting, this weather isn’t conducive to travel and transport or otherwise. Once I made an unwise decision to transport through a vicious storm and a flash of lightning caused a glitch. The experience was more than unpleasant, suspended in thousands of pieces for an undetermined amount of time. It took a week to regain my equilibrium.”

Finally feeling comfortable enough to speak without exploding, Noor said, “Thank you, Migen.”

“My pleasure.”

* * * *

With the way Noor felt—seriously wanting to strangle Allura for increasing his heart rate to dangerous levels by pulling the childish antic—he knew it wasn’t wise to be in close proximity to her in private quarters behind a locked door. In his current state, his level of control might be tested. He would fail the examination with flying colors.

He decided the best course of action was to see Allura and Zephyr to their chambers and ensure all their needs were met. He didn’t doubt Migen’s hospitality, the man was inherently accommodating, but it was his responsibility to take care of his family.

After leaving Zephyr asleep peacefully in an adjoining room to where he settled Allura, he left her steaming and furious in the spacious and grandiose cabin that Migen had provided for the night without so much as an adieu. And he had locked the door. Remembering Allura’s habit of doing the insensible, he knew she couldn’t be trusted.

Noor strolled into the parlor, a fair-sized room with one wall made of glass that offered a panoramic view of the ocean just beyond the deck railing, an awe-inspiring sight of twilight and mist of atmospheric pressure that cast a faint lavender hue over aqua water. A light drizzle of rain left the picturesque scene unmolested.

On one wall was a mahogany bookshelf with numerous reading materials for every discriminate taste. A Persian rug cushioned his footsteps. There was a well-stocked bar, leather and wood furniture, and a mosaic array of artwork and figurines, which he knew were not only rare, but also priceless. They completed the fashionable signature of affluent décor.

He took a seat across from Migen, who had removed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was nursing a drink. He was holding a diamond and gold goblet that held rich claret liquor that even he would have had a difficult time obtaining. Nothing having to do with cost, though the price was astronomical to obtain a vintage 2020. One had to be a resourceful contender in the black-market.

Without saying a word, Migen poured Noor a drink.

“Thanks,” he said, raising his glass. He relaxed back in the oversized, cushioned chair, stretched out his legs, and met Migen’s inquisitive stare. “You have come a long way from the waterfront hustler I arrested ten years ago.”

He knew that because of their long-standing friendship, Migen understood his comment was a compliment and not an insult. “If it weren’t for you, I’d still be picking pockets and running cons on unsuspecting tourists. Is it ironic that an agent would persuade me to set my sights higher?” He smiled politely.

“I’m not sure when I offered my opinion on your choice of career there was an indication to remain in your type of business.”

Migen chuckled softly. “Apparently, it’s in my blood.” He spoke of his illustrious forge into the market of dealing in marketable goods and selling to the highest bidders, which included some of the most prominent and influential people on the galaxy who enjoyed historic relics that weren’t easily acquired without substantial risk. He preferred to call himself a broker.

“Thank you for seeing to Allura’s welfare until I arrived.”

“Even in my trade, there are those that have scruples. Once I recognized and validated who she was, no consideration was given to not contacting you. A man doesn’t rise to this level of aspiration without having a good head on his shoulders. One I prefer to keep intact.” Migen paused to sip his wine. “Though, my position offers a wide spectrum of lovelies’ availability, boredom had settled in for the selection on the cove. Traveling to this location was actually a last minute decision, or I would have ensured to bring a suitable woman, or two, along to entertain me for the duration. When my man brought Allura to me, I was convinced the Immaculate Providence deigned to smile on me. Respectfully, your wife is lovely and very tempting.”

In Migen’s line of business, one required the knack for not asking questions. Noor answered his unspoken inquiry, saying, “She ran away from me.” Migen lifted an eyebrow. “I did something utterly stupid,” he confessed simply.

“Ah, affairs of the heart,” Migen murmured, knowingly.

Noor sipped his drink and digressed to the mistake in judgment that landed him in the damnable position. He knew better. And was profusely contrite, something he would tell Allura when he was calm enough to handle the matter eloquently. Surprisingly, the term “grovel” surfaced. He smirked, thinking of the implications of again allowing Allura to believe she controlled anything.

Migen broke through the silence, as if he read his mind. “You must love her. This sense of guilt about your impropriety and consideration for a female’s forbearance is highly unprecedented.”

Noor’s lips curled slightly. “Allura has that effect on me. She is extraordinary.”

Amusement twinkled in Migen’s eyes. “So, your wife has managed the unmanageable. She has you dancing to her tune.”

Noor accepted when Migen refilled his glass. “Something like that. But not in every situation, perhaps in matters of the heart, as you said.”

“Many women will be sorely heartbroken to hear you have succumbed to matrimonial bliss. Congratulations.”

They tapped glasses in a toast.

“Having newly reached this phenomenal position, do you think it is wise to keep Allura simmering?”

“Not wise, but necessary. Remember, she ran away from me and took my son Zephyr into the unknown, and unprotected. Sometimes she is illogical in her thinking. I’m trying to temper my fury at her immature act. My anger is directed mostly at me…what I did was undisciplined, but that allowance aside, Allura should understand her actions are equally not acceptable.”

“Ah, you are teaching her a lesson.”

“You don’t lecture a woman like Allura lightly. She carries a weapon.” He grinned. “But I can’t afford to have her believe she is capable of turning me into a henpecked husband. A line must be drawn somewhere—in Allura’s case, quickly.” He swallowed the last of his drink and didn’t protest when Migen immediately replenished the contents. He didn’t overly indulge in drinking, but felt the need for fortification to deal with Allura.

A tap on the door sounded, and Willis stepped in. He removed his hat, shuffled over, and stood beside the table. “My apologies, Mr. Rynoir, had I known—”

“You didn’t know, Willis. The offense already forgotten and isn’t worth a second thought. My name is Noor.”

Willis nodded. He looked over his shoulder at the statuesque beauty that graced the doorway. Tall, voluptuous, and clearly enticing, the woman leaned casually on the frame. She removed her hooded wrap, revealing sheens of golden hair and bright blue tempting eyes.

Migen stood and focused on the lovely. “Willis, I do believe you have rectified your mistake.” He looked at Noor unrepentant, smiling. “Well, I wish you success on your quest to reestablish the joys of matrimony this evening. Please enjoy the arrangements. Everything is at your disposal.” Migen walked over, took the woman’s arm, and disappeared.

“If there is anything you be needin’, Mr.—ah, Noor, you just give me a holler. With my boss being busy fer the rest of the evening, you understand, he will be expecting me to attend to you and the misses.”

At present, he required the will power and stamina to sustain Allura’s temperament. He said instead, “I appreciate it, Willis. Thank you. Please excuse me.” Noor finished off his drink and went to seek out Allura to gain her acquiescence. Hopefully, in a calmer manner than the fierce thunder that rumbled in the distance.

Chapter Forty-eight

Allura awakened immediately, hearing the lock on the door unlatched. She sat straight up, secured her pistol, readied it, and aimed at Noor when he entered.

In mock surrender, Noor raised his hands. His smile pacifying and said, “Don’t shoot me.”

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t,” she said sharply.

Feeling slightly inebriated, maybe just foolishly giddy, without caution, Noor strolled into the room and stood in front of the bed facing Allura. His eyes roved over the expanse of caramel loveliness revealed when the authentic silk kimono—compliments of Migen—Allura wore slipped down her shoulder. “There are a multitude of reasons, beginning with I love you. I miss you. How is that for starters?”

Allura eyed him skeptically. She kept her gun pointed. “Do not think endearments will placate me easily. Unlike what I imagine is an endless line of tarts who succumb easily to your charm, I don’t care to be so convenient.”

He wisely chose to ignore her reference to tarts and didn’t take the bait. “I married you and gave you a son. Does that add sufficient advantage to having you disarm?”

“I’m not sure.”

“What can I do to convince you otherwise? I’m feeling considerably indulgent,” he said.

“You are drunk and probably would offer anything to gain your way.”

Noor shrugged. He started unbuttoning his shirt. Pulling the hem from his waistband, he glanced at Allura. “I assure you, sobriety or lack thereof doesn’t come into play here.” He worked on the zipper, glided his pants down, and then shoved the trousers past his sinewy hips before locking her gaze. “My faculties are sound, if you must know. I don’t intend to beg, darling. Truce?” Sitting on the bed, he removed his boots and tossed each one aside.

“You hurt me.”

“And you are killing me softly by refusing to accept my profuse apology,” he murmured.

“I don’t believe I heard you say you were repentant.” She remained determined.

“Do you want me on my knees?”

“If you wish, it is not required.” Her voice faltered when Noor went down on his knees, spread her legs, and kneeled between her thighs.

Softly, he kissed her inner thigh and nibbled her skin. “I apologize.”

“How long were you in a relationship with her? Did she mean anything to you? Do you love her?”

He disregarded the fact he’d had previous interludes with Denny, a fact he considered a void point. “Our encounter was brief. No and no.”

“Do you intend to see her again?”

Denny was dead. That would be a definite negative. “No—not ever.”

Allura lowered the weapon and placed it aside. “I’m satisfied—for now.”

“Darling, I know the expression on your face when you are satisfied. We will get to that in a moment.” He winked at her.

Allura’s heart did a flip-flop.

Retrieving blue velvet and white satin boxes from his pocket, he said, “I obtained these for you. I thought you might like them.” Silently thanking Migen’s endless access to whatever one required in any circumstances, he handed the items to Allura.