In Pursuit of His Wife

  They married for convenience. Will they stay together for the baby...or for love?

  Nasira Edwards has come to Royal, Texas, to escape her past and stop her brother from making a terrible mistake. But her own marital mistake has tracked her down. Her husband, shipping magnate Sebastian Edwards, has followed her across the ocean and he refuses to leave Texas without his wife.

  Sebastian knows their convenient marriage isn’t about love. That’s the way it has to be. But the passion between them is as hot as ever. And he’s come west to coax the beauty back into his bed—while keeping his emotions in check. Then Nasira reveals she’s pregnant...

  “I suppose we should get this over with so I might get a good night’s sleep.”

  Without warning, Sebastian hoisted her up on the edge of the gate, causing her dress’s hem to ride up her thighs. And while she made the appropriate adjustments, he climbed into the truck bed and had the nerve to position himself behind her, his long legs dangling on either side of hers. “Are you comfortable?” he asked as he circled his arms around her middle.

  “No, I am not. I cannot have a decent conversation when I cannot see your face.”

  “You only have to listen to my voice.”

  Oh, that voice. That low, grainy bedroom voice that had enticed her on so many nights. And days. No matter how deep their conflicts had run, he had always been able to seduce her into submission.

  Nasira found herself leaning back against him, and turning her thoughts to the danger in succumbing to his power. “This is wrong, Sebastian,” she said with little conviction.

  “This is right, sweetheart. You’re my wife.”

  * * *

  In Pursuit of His Wife is part of the Texas Cattleman’s Club: Lies and Lullabies series—Baby secrets and a scheming sheikh rock Royal, Texas

  Dear Reader,

  It’s been a while since I’ve visited Royal, but I’m sure glad to be back. A lot of things have changed with the legendary Texas Cattleman’s Club, yet some aspects remain the same—dashing heroes and strong heroines populate the town in their quest for love.

  I do have to admit that I’ve wondered about past characters I’ve had the pleasure to write, including one of my favorite TCC members, Darin Shakir, from Fit for a Sheikh. For that reason I grabbed the opportunity to reconnect with the mysterious military tracker and his feisty lover, Fiona. I’ll only say they’ve been mighty busy during the past decade, and they’ve proven to be the perfect example of a happily married couple.

  Nasira and Sebastian Edwards, whose convenient marriage is in crisis, need all the help they can get. Their journey won’t be easy, but Royal is a magical place where miracles occur when least expected. I’d bet the ranch that this husband and wife just might be lucky enough to claim one of their own.

  Happy reading and happy trails!

  Kristi

  IN PURSUIT OF HIS WIFE

  Kristi Gold

  Kristi Gold has a fondness for beaches, baseball and bridal reality shows. She firmly believes that love has remarkable healing powers, and she feels very fortunate to be able to weave stories of love and commitment. As a bestselling author, a National Readers’ Choice Award winner and a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Kristi has learned that although accolades are wonderful, the most cherished rewards come from networking with readers. She can be reached through her website at kristigold.com, or through Facebook.

  Books by Kristi Gold

  HARLEQUIN DESIRE

  The Return of the Sheikh

  One Night with the Sheikh

  From Single Mom to Secret Heiress

  The Sheikh’s Son

  One Hot Desert Night

  The Sheikh’s Secret Heir

  Texas Extreme

  The Rancher’s Marriage Pact

  Texas Cattleman’s Club: Lies and Lullabies

  In Pursuit of His WIfe

  Visit her Author Profile page at Harlequin.com, or kristigold.com, for more titles.

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  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Excerpt from Secret Baby Scandal by Joanne Rock

  One

  Seated in a wicker glider on the mansion’s stately porch, Nasira Edwards admired the beauty of the Wild Aces, the ranch her brother, Rafiq, had bought his beloved bride-to-be, Violet. Nasira appreciated the way landscaped lawns gave way to green pastureland. She relished the warm May breeze, the climate so different from London this time of year. When she had originally traveled to Royal, Texas—home to the legendary Texas Cattleman’s Club—she had done so to prevent Rafe from exacting revenge on his friend, Mac, for a mistake she had made over a decade ago. She had come to clear the air, right past wrongs, and fortunately she had succeeded. Yet that had not been the only reason behind the journey. She yearned for the peace this place could provide, yet peace had not come. The lingering pain of loss was simply too overwhelming.

  In response to the memories, she withdrew the bracelet from the pocket of her dress and studied the tiny silver rattle charm she had received upon confirming her pregnancy. A surprising gift from a husband who had not embraced fatherhood. Still, she had viewed the welcome gesture as a symbol of hope for a bright future, until the day all hope had been splintered like shards of fragile glass.

  Her palm automatically came to rest on her abdomen, now as barren as her life had been for a while. The baby she had so desperately wanted, and tragically miscarried, had changed her completely. Odd how she could miss someone she had known for such a brief time. And strange how badly she missed Sebastian, though he had been emotionally absent for the past six months. She had had no choice but to continue to put physical distance between them in an effort to reassess their future.

  When the door opened to her left, Nasira expected to find her brother, Rafiq, checking on her welfare. Instead, Rafe’s friend, Mac McCallum, stepped outside and gave her a pleasant smile. “Are you doing okay?”

  She did not deserve his good humor or respect after what she had done to him in the distant past. “I’ve been enjoying the Texas sunset.”

  “Looks to me like that old sun has been gone a while,” he said. “My sister sent me out here to tell you dinner will be ready in a few.”

  Food held little appeal in recent days. “I appreciate Violet’s hospitality, but I am not very hungry.”

  “Suit yourself, but if you keep going this way, you’ll be blown to New Mexico if the wind picks up steam.”

  She smiled reluctantly and stood. “I suppose if that is a possibility, I should attempt to eat something. Are you staying for dinner?”

  “Not tonight. I’m meeting up with Andrea.”

  Nasira suspected Mac had feelings for his personal assistant that went beyond the boardroom, even if he could not admit it to himself, according to her future sister-in-law, Violet. “Is this business or pleasure?”

  He frowned. “Business, of course.”

  “It’s rather late in the day for that, is it not?”

  “Unfortunately it comes with the territory of McCallum Enterprises.�
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  When the discussion lulled, Nasira saw her chance to verbally make amends for past mistakes. She studied the wooden planks beneath her feet for a moment before regarding him again. “I wanted to extend another apology for what I did to you all those years ago. The guilt has been unbearable.”

  Mac lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Hey, you were young. We were both young. You were just trying to get out of an arranged marriage to a man twice your age.”

  That ill-fated visit to the university to stay with her brother had set a horrible course that had led to Rafe’s need for revenge. “Yet I was wrong to use you to achieve that goal, especially when I climbed into your bed for the sole purpose of having my father discover us. And because our father blamed Rafe for not looking after me, that led to his determination to seek revenge on you. I shudder to think what might have happened had I not come here to intervene.”

  “It all turned out okay,” Mac said. “He’s no longer trying to buy up the town to get back at me, he’s going to marry my sister, and we’re going to be one big happy family.”

  Nasira was happy for them all, but still... “Even after Rafe’s torture and confinement for years due to my errors in judgment, he has forgiven me. I suppose I need to know if you will forgive me as well, though I would understand if you would not.”

  “Consider it done, Nasira. That’s old water under the bridge now that Rafe knows I didn’t really sleep with you. And since he’s marrying my sister, I consider us all one big happy family.”

  Relief washed over her, though she couldn’t claim to be happy over the state of her own marriage. “I so appreciate your understanding.”

  “No problem. Mind if I ask you something?”

  “Not at all.”

  He raked a hand through his dark blond hair. “Don’t take this wrong, but I’m wondering what the hell your husband was thinking when he let you get away?”

  The course of the conversation made her somewhat uncomfortable. “It is rather complicated. Sebastian is complicated. After ten years of marriage, at times I wonder if I know him at all.”

  “One thing I do know. When a man doesn’t realize the value of his wife, that’s borrowing trouble. I just hope he comes around soon and realizes what he’d be giving up.”

  If only she could believe Sebastian had the capacity to be transformed into someone who would fight for their relationship. “I truly appreciate your concern and understanding, Mac.”

  “You’re welcome. Guess I’ll be heading home to the Double M now.” He started toward the steps but paused and faced her again. “Before I leave, I’d just like to say it’s fairly clear you don’t need another big brother, but if you ever want a sounding board, you know where to find me.”

  How nice to come upon such a benevolent man. She certainly had not received so much compassion from her own husband in quite some time. “Thank you.”

  Mac returned to her and rested his palms on her shoulders. “Keep your chin up and keep standing your ground. You deserve the best.”

  Until six months ago, she had believed she had been blessed with the best of everything. Almost. “For the sake of clarification, Sebastian is not mean or cruel. He is simply too controlled and at times, distant. I have often wished he would lower his guard and demonstrate some sort of emotion, but I’ve accepted that it will most likely never happen—”

  “Unhand my wife, you bloody bastard!”

  Nasira barely had time to comprehend what she had heard before her estranged husband rushed onto the porch, drew back his fist and hit Mac in the chin, knocking the rancher backward against the brick wall.

  When Mac gave Sebastian a menacing look, Nasira returned to reality in time to step between the men. “What are you doing, Sebastian?”

  He pointed at Mac and sent him a menacing glare. “I’ll not allow another man to grope my wife.”

  Never had she’d seen Sebastian act this way, and as much as she deplored violence, and despite her shock over his sudden appearance, she was pleasantly surprised, albeit somewhat mortified. “Oh, for goodness’ sake. He is only a friend and he was not groping me.”

  Mac pushed away from the wall, rubbed his chin and glared at Sebastian. “If I didn’t think so highly of your wife and her brother, I’d invite you to take this out into the yard and finish it, you jackass.”

  Sebastian balled his fists at his sides. “I would be glad to finish this.”

  Nasira spun on her husband. “Stop this right now, Sebastian. No one will be fighting if I have any say in the matter, and I do.” She turned back to her friend and sent him an apologetic look. “Mac, I am so very sorry for my husband’s behavior. I assure you he’s not normally so impulsive with total strangers. And if you would not mind, I would like a few moments alone with him.”

  “No problem,” Mac said before turning an acrid look on Sebastian. “I’m going to give you a pass, Edwards, and only because you’re Nasira’s husband. But don’t push your luck by trying something like that again.”

  Sebastian straightened his tie and smirked. “If I find you touching Nasira again, I cannot promise there won’t be a repeat performance.”

  “Just take better care of your wife and you won’t have to worry about me.”

  After Mac disappeared into the darkness, Nasira prepared for a confrontation. “What were you thinking, and why on earth are you here?”

  Sebastian opened and closed his fist. “I wasn’t thinking, only reacting to a man with his hands on my wife. A man from her past, no less. And I have come to escort that wife back to London.”

  Her fury began to escalate. “First of all, nothing ever existed between myself and Mac, other than he was attempting to assist me in fooling my father into believing I’d been compromised.”

  “He looked as if he would like to compromise you in earnest a few moments ago.”

  She refused to give credence to his suspicions. “Your imagination is evidently running wild. And most important, I am not your property, Sebastian. I will return when I decide to return. If I decide to return.”

  “You’re my wife. You belong with me.”

  At least he hadn’t said she belonged to him, as if that were any consolation. “I came here to gain some perspective and I am going to stay until that is accomplished. You might as well climb back on the jet and wait at home for word from me.”

  “I refuse to go until this issue is resolved.”

  Despite his stubborn attitude, Nasira began to notice how handsome he looked and knew immediately she would lose her determination if he stayed. Too much time had passed since they had made love—the one thing that had always been right with their convenient marriage. Yet that had been his decision, not hers. “At the very least I will be here until Rafe and Violet’s wedding at the end of the month.”

  “I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

  She brought out the best argument to convince him to go—the shipping business he owned and ran. “I cannot believe you would ignore your duties and abandon the company for any length of time.”

  “I own the company. I can do what I please.”

  Such a frustrating man. “Do you have an answer for everything?”

  He sent her a slow, easy smile. The smile he had given her all those years ago from across a very crowded ballroom, as if they had been thrust into a storybook scene. The smile that had convinced her to enter into an arrangement to escape her father’s clutches. “Have you had dinner?”

  No, and she had begun to feel the effects. “I have not, although Violet has prepared a meal.”

  “I’m certain she will understand if you would rather dine with your husband. We could continue our discussion then.”

  While Nasira took a moment to consider her options, the door swung open again and out walked Rafe, her tall, dark, handsome overly-protective brother.

>   He immediately eyed Sebastian with disapproval. “I see you did not follow my advice and remain in London, brother-in-law.”

  Sebastian looked equally miffed. “And when we spoke by phone two days ago, I made it quite clear I would make that decision without your interference.”

  Nasira stared at her husband before returning her attention to her sibling. “Rafiq bin Saleed, why did you not tell me you spoke with Sebastian?”

  Rafe did not appear the least bit contrite. “You mentioned on numerous occasions you did not want to be disturbed by him.”

  “And he refused to allow me to speak with you when you ignored my calls to your cell,” Sebastian added.

  She despised it when men insisted she could not look after herself. “You had no right to take the choice out of my hands, Rafe.”

  “It makes little difference now,” Sebastian said. “I’m here and I intend to make the best of the situation.”

  She only wished she knew what else he intended. That information would only be gained if she accepted his invitation to dine with him tonight. “I’m going to accompany Sebastian to dinner. I will be gone an hour or so.”

  “Do you believe that is wise, Nasira?” Rafe asked.

  “We bloody believe that is none—”

  “I can speak for myself, Sebastian. I am no longer your charge, Rafe. I can take care of myself. Tell Violet I truly appreciate her hospitality. We should go now, Sebastian, before I change my mind.”

  With that, Nasira followed Sebastian down the porch steps and when she didn’t immediately spot a sedan, she paused on the pavement. “How did you arrive here?”

  He nodded toward a shiny black truck at the end of the drive. “This is all they had available to rent at the airport.”

  Nasira covered her mouth to keep from laughing. “Oh, my. Can you handle that?”

  He looked somewhat incensed over what he apparently considered an insult to his masculinity. “Of course I can handle it. I made it here, did I not?”

 
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