Hearts Afire Read online

  Maitlyn shook her head vehemently. “I bet you didn’t bargain on any of this when you ran into my brother, did you?”

  Zak laughed heartily. “Actually, with your brother I have to be ready for almost anything.”

  “You never told me how you two actually became acquainted.”

  “A business deal brought us together.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  “A very lucrative one.”

  Maitlyn paused, eyeing the smirk on Zak’s handsome face. “You aren’t going to give me any details, are you?”

  Zak looked down at the gold watch on his wrist. “I need to head to the casino. Will you be joining me?”

  Maitlyn laughed. “You must drive your wife crazy,” she said, the statement more inquisitive than a comment.

  “I’ve never been married, actually.”

  “Your girlfriend, then.”

  Zak shrugged. “No, I don’t have one of those, either. And no time, or desire, to drive anyone crazy.” He leaned forward in his seat. “Now, will you be joining me?” he asked a second time, his eyes piercing hers.

  “I’d like that,” Maitlyn answered. “As long as I won’t be in the way.”

  Zak came to his feet, dropping the cloth napkin in his lap onto the table. “If you were going to be in the way, Ms. Boudreaux, I would never have invited you.”

  * * *

  Maitlyn’s eyes were wide with wonder as she and Zak entered the ship’s casino. The crowd that had gathered moved out of the way to make a path for Zakaria. Without blinking an eye, he slid his arm around her waist and guided her through the throng of people toward the casino manager, who greeted him warmly.

  “Mr. Sayed, sir, what an honor it is to have you back with us!”

  “It’s a pleasure to be back, Mr. Turner.”

  The man cut an easy eye toward Maitlyn and smiled. Zak introduced her. “This is Ms. Boudreaux, and she’ll be my personal guest for the duration of the cruise. Will you please ensure that she’s comfortable?”

  “Most certainly, sir,” Mr. Turner said as he gestured toward Maitlyn. “Ms. Boudreaux, if you’ll follow me, please.”

  Zak caught her eye and nodded, saying nothing as he turned and moved in the direction of the gaming table.

  Maitlyn followed Mr. Turner to a booth that sat one level above the center of the room. She had a front-row view of the tables and the games below. He pulled out the chair for her to sit, his smile still wide in his round face. “Would you like a drink?” he questioned. “The bar is complimentary for players and their guests.”

  She shook her head. “No. Thank you. But if I can, a cup of coffee, please?”

  Mr. Turner nodded. “I’ll have that brought right over,” he said.

  Maitlyn nodded her appreciation as the man turned and headed in the opposite direction. She focused her attention on the activity in the center of the room. The players were just beginning to take their seats. There were six tables with six players each. Zak stood beside a table with Gerard, three other men and a woman Maitlyn recognized from the ship’s jewelry store days earlier. He eased his suit jacket off his shoulders and claimed his chair, tossing his jacket over the chair’s back.

  Gerard’s friend Frank was seated at another table and Alexander Lloyd at a third. Both Gerard and Frank waved in her direction. Alexander barely lifted an eye to acknowledge her, instead looking past her as if she weren’t even in the room. A petite young woman who looked half his age was hanging on his arm, intent on keeping his full and undivided attention.

  A tall redhead brought over Maitlyn’s coffee. “Ms. Boudreaux, your beverage,” the young woman said as she set a silver tray down onto the table and proceeded to pour Maitlyn’s coffee into a ceramic mug. “Cream and sugar, ma’am?”

  “Thank you,” Maitlyn said, her eyes still skating around the room.

  “Is this your first tournament?” the woman asked.

  Maitlyn nodded, lifting her gaze to the woman who was eyeing her curiously. The name tag on the woman’s uniform read Lourdes.

  “Is it that obvious?” Maitlyn asked.

  Lourdes smiled. “Usually the women who sit in the players’ boxes all look bored to death. You look excited.”

  Maitlyn laughed. “I guess I am. I didn’t realize it was going to be this big. Or this involved.” She looked back to all the activity on the level below.

  “The World Series of Poker tour is the most prestigious series of poker tournaments. But this is the tournament above all other tournaments,” Lourdes noted. “These are the top players and winners from all over the world. It’s by invitation only and they still have to pay ten million dollars to buy into the game. They’re playing Texas Hold’em, with no limit. The pots will be extremely big and the winner will take home two hundred and fifty million dollars when it’s all done.”

  “Ten million dollars just to play?” Maitlyn’s head snapped back as she turned to stare at the woman, her eyes blinking rapidly. Her expression was incredulous. “Are you kidding me?”

  Lourdes shook her head. “I’m dead serious. It cost your boyfriend a pretty penny to have a seat in this game. But if he wins, he gets that back and then some!”

  “Oh, he’s not my—” she started, when the two were suddenly interrupted by Zak, who had eased to her side.

  “Am I interrupting?” he asked as he sat down beside her.

  “No, not at all,” Maitlyn answered. She cut an eye at Lourdes, who was still smiling brightly, unfazed by the man’s presence.

  “Is there anything I can get you, Mr. Sayed?” Lourdes questioned. The silver tray was perched easily in her left hand while her right was pulled back against the small of her back.

  He nodded. “I’m drinking Scotch tonight, Lourdes. Neat. Please make sure my glass stays full at all times. When I’ve had enough I’ll let you know. You won’t need to ask me about refills.”

  “Yes, sir.” Lourdes nodded. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

  He shook his head. “Please make sure Ms. Boudreaux has anything her heart desires.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Sayed.”

  With a nod of his head, Zak dismissed the woman. She waved an easy hand at Maitlyn, then turned and headed in the direction of the bar.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were well before we started,” he said, turning his attention toward her.

  “Actually, I’m a little overwhelmed,” she said.

  Zak smiled. “I can understand that. Hopefully you’ll find it entertaining.”

  “I already do,” Maitlyn said, smiling back.

  He got back to his feet. “We break periodically, so I’ll check on you when I can,” he said as he pulled his suit jacket closed around his torso and moved to leave.

  Maitlyn called after him.

  “Yes?”

  “Good luck,” she said, her smile a mile wide.

  Zak smiled back, tossing her an easy nod as he turned and sauntered back to his seat at the gaming table.

  An hour later, as Maitlyn watched she couldn’t help but think that luck would have absolutely nothing to do with his success. Clearly, this game was going to take some serious skill.

  Although she had never played poker before, Maitlyn understood the mechanics of the game enough to quickly catch on. Unlike other card games, Texas Hold’em was a game of risk that forced players to rely on strategy, skill and patience.

  She was impressed with Zakaria’s acumen. The man’s nonchalant demeanor made for the perfect game face. He never once broke a sweat, even when Maitlyn sensed that the play wasn’t going in his favor. With the impressive amounts of money being waged, Maitlyn knew that if she were playing she would have broken a sweat and then some.

  Occasionally Zak lifted his eyes to look in her direction, but his facial expression
never changed. He always seemed fully focused on the cards in his hand and very little else. A few of his opponents were far less reserved; one even jumped up and down and screamed like a banshee when he lost his hand and, apparently, his life savings.

  It was shortly after midnight when the first round of play was done, and twenty-four of the original players had advanced to the next round. Zak bypassed the congratulatory handshaking and made his way back to her side. He eased into the seat across from her and reached for the fresh drink Lourdes has deposited on the table seconds earlier. Without realizing it, Maitlyn had kept track, noting that he’d actually only had one drink the entire evening, having sipped it slowly while he played. The one in his hand was his second, and he downed it quickly. Lourdes was there with a refill before either of them could blink. She winked at Maitlyn before she moved away.

  “I overheard someone talking, and they said you won this tournament last year,” Maitlyn said, breaking the silence between them.

  Zak nodded, his gaze skating around the room. “I did.”

  “Wow! I just can’t imagine risking that kind of money on a card game.”

  He cut a quick eye in her direction. “You take a risk when you get up in the morning and walk out your door. Life is a risk. I choose to live well and have been fortunate to be able to pick and choose my challenges. This card game is about much more than the money for me. And I only gamble what I can easily afford to just give away.”

  Maitlyn sensed that she had struck a nerve. His tone indicated that her comment might have offended him, and she immediately apologized.

  “I’ve always been very prudent about everything in my life, particularly my money. I could never be that daring. I admire your boldness.”

  Zak turned to stare at her. “To be honest, I didn’t take you for being an overly cautious woman. You’re traveling alone. I think it takes a very daring spirit to do something like that, especially outside the United States. Other countries are not so approving of such a thing.”

  Maitlyn laughed. “I didn’t have much say in the matter,” she said, telling him about her divorce and explaining how she’d come to be on the ship by her lonesome.

  When she was done telling her story, Zak nodded. “Well hopefully,” he said as he leaned in toward her, lifting his glass in salute, “this trip will be everything you want it to be.”

  Maitlyn lifted her coffee cup. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” she said.

  The two sat together in deep conversation for another hour. The ease of it surprised Maitlyn. She was surprised that she was enjoying his company as much as she was and also that Zak seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her.

  Suddenly, they were interrupted by a woman calling Zak’s name. Both turned at the same time to see who was quickly moving toward them. The young woman was stunning, tall and sleek with skin the color of dark mahogany, eyes like saucers and a full, red-lipped pout. Moving to his feet, Zak smiled brightly as he pulled her into a deep hug.

  “Zakaria Sayed!” the girl gushed. “What a surprise!”

  Zak brilliant smile was as wide as the ocean. “Izabella! It’s good to see you!”

  “You’re here to keep your title, I see.”

  He chuckled softly, not bothering to answer.

  She nodded and then shifted her eye toward Maitlyn. Her smile was curious as she introduced herself. “Hello, my name is Izabella. Zak and I are old friends.”

  Maitlyn recognized the world-famous Brazilian supermodel. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Maitlyn Boudreaux. Zak and I are new friends.”

  Izabella tilted her head slightly. “Are you by chance related to Kendrick and Guy Boudreaux?”

  Maitlyn nodded. “You know my brothers?”

  Izabella giggled, her smile widening. “Guy and I did a fashion shoot together for Giorgio Armani last year. His wife and your brother Kendrick were in Naples with him. We all had a wonderful time together!”

  “It’s a small world,” Maitlyn said.

  Zak gestured for Izabella to take a seat and join them. “So what brings you on this cruise, Izabella?” he asked as she slid into the seat beside him.

  Izabella paused as Lourdes suddenly appeared with a refill for Zak and a glass of champagne for her. She continued once the waitress had returned to her station. “I’ve been traveling with my father. He thought this would be a nice break for the two of us. Plus, you know how much he loves the casinos. He keeps hoping he’ll strike it big at the blackjack table.” Izabella rolled her eyes. She took a breath before continuing. “I’ll be getting off in Greece, though. I have a photo shoot there, and right after that I fly to London to prep for Fashion Week.”

  Maitlyn sat back as the two old friends caught up with each other. She was amazed at Izabella’s bubbly enthusiasm. The young woman talked nonstop, and her exuberance had a childlike quality. Izabella actually reminded her of her baby sister, Tarah. Maitlyn found herself curious to know more about her and Kendrick because Izabella Barros seemed very smitten with her brother’s friend Zak.

  Maitlyn watched as the woman’s hands danced across Zak’s chest and caressed his arms. Her touchy-feely manner shifted Maitlyn out of the quiet ambiance she’d been enjoying with Zak and she suddenly felt like the third wheel. When it became too much for her, she feigned a yawn, drawing a palm to cover her mouth. “Excuse me,” she exclaimed, color rising to her cheeks.

  Zak smiled that generous smile of his. “I imagine you’re tired. Maybe you should go get some rest?”

  Maitlyn nodded. “I am, and I should,” she said as she came to her feet and extended a hand in Zak’s direction. “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

  Zak nodded. “I can walk you—”

  She shook her head. “That’s not necessary, but I appreciate the offer.” She turned toward Izabella. “It was very nice to meet you.”

  “Let’s plan on spending time together,” Izabella said. “I’d love to talk to you more.”

  Maitlyn nodded. “Definitely! Well, enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  At the entrance to the casino, Maitlyn turned back to take one last look. The room was clouded. Cigarette smoke had formed a veiled screen throughout the space. Across the way Zak and Izabella were huddled comfortably together, lost in conversation. Jealousy suddenly rippled with a vengeance as she turned and headed from the room.

  * * *

  Minutes later Maitlyn stood in front of her cabin’s door, looking completely lost. She couldn’t begin to remember where she’d left the key card that gained her entry. She looked down the hallway—the corridor was empty. As she pondered her options, she realized that even if she did get into her own room all her personal possessions were still in Zak’s suite. She shook her head at the conundrum.

  This can’t be happening to me, Maitlyn thought, feeling completely out of control. Okay, she thought, as she reasoned what to do. It really isn’t a problem, is it? Obviously she was going to have to disturb Zak. If he was still in the casino, she could just make her way back there and ask for help. But what if he wasn’t? What if he and his old friend Izabella were together someplace else?

  Maitlyn sighed deeply. She couldn’t begin to explain why it bothered her that Zak might still be with that woman. But it did, and if he was, she really didn’t want to know. Taking a deep breath, Maitlyn crossed her fingers and wished a prayer skyward. With any luck Zak was still right where she’d left him. And maybe if luck was on her side, Izabella would be gone.

  Chapter 5

  “You always get the best accommodations!” Izabella gushed as she explored Zak’s suite.

  Zak laughed, pulling at his necktie as he dropped down onto the living room sofa. The young woman moved to his side, then stood in front of him. She leaned forward, undid his necktie completely and tossed it on the floor behind
him. Standing tall, she gave him a teasing smile. Zak watched as she slowly undid the halter top of the jumpsuit she wore. The garment fell to the floor. She struck a pose in nothing but her lace G-string and her five-inch pumps. Her breasts were small, the size of tennis balls, and she was so thin that she appeared almost fragile. But she had just enough curve to her hips and ass to capture a man’s attention, and her legs were miles long.

  But she didn’t have Zak’s attention, and if she had not been so self-absorbed, she would have seen it in the look he was giving her. If Izabella had been paying an ounce of attention, she would have seen that Zak was still thinking of Maitlyn; thoughts of the beautiful woman had consumed him ever since she had left his side.

  “What are you doing, Izabella?” he finally asked as he leaned back in his seat and stretched his arms out across the sofa’s cushioned top.

  She smiled. “Making myself comfortable,” she giggled as she stepped out of the lace fabric. She did a quick pirouette, then moved toward the stairs and headed to the second floor. “This is too sweet!” she called down to the level below.

  Zak shook his head. He and Izabella had history. They’d been friends since he’d met her ten years ago when her modeling career was just beginning to take off. She’d gotten herself tangled up with an unsavory photographer, and her father had employed him to retrieve some compromising photographs of the girl.

  Occasionally, when she didn’t have a boyfriend, she warmed his bed. But Izabella liked having a boyfriend, most especially one she could manipulate. She had never been able to manipulate Zak, and he appreciated that she never expected more from him than what he was willing to offer. Izabella was not a woman he could ever take seriously, and so he’d given her very little of himself. Their relationship had been purely physical, and Zak preferred it that way. It worked for the two of them even when it shouldn’t have.

  Izabella had insisted on following him back to his room, and he’d let her. But once he’d closed the door, he found himself wishing he’d told her no. He had no desire to spend the night with the girl, and letting her in had given her reason to think that he did. He could only think of one woman he was interested in sharing his bed, and she wasn’t there. He couldn’t help but wonder if Maitlyn was thinking of him, too.