59. The Magus and the Artist

{Zayn}

Zayn Naim checked on his reflection for the one hundredth time. Today he made a conscious effort to dress as casual as possible without coming off as thoughtless. He decided to forgo anything with buttons, collars, or ties because he didn't want to give himself a reason to constantly fidget and obsess over the placement of these minor details.

The middle aged magus paced before his full length mirror in dark jeans, a white t-shirt and a faux leather jacket equipped with a heather gray hood. He was still barefoot because he wasn't quite sure if this was going to be his final look. He had taken the time to straighten his normally curly hair, but it wasn't styled. His dark waves spilled over his eyes and dusted his shoulders. Zayn took a moment to drag most of it into a low bun, not paying any mind to the shorter, looser strands.

Yes, he looked good – there was no doubt about that. Still, he couldn't help but wonder if this was the appropriate attire for the occasion. Zayn glanced at the clock. Time was running out.

I need a second opinion.

"Sinbad!" He called, having no idea if the ex-pirate would be anywhere in the nearest vicinity. To be honest, he just needed an excuse to shout.

"Mr. Naim? Did you call?"

A storybook handsome head poked itself inside Zayn's study. The magus exhaled a breath of relief, frustration, and self-consciousness. He turned away from the mirror and forced the tension to leave his shoulders.

"Come in. Nadine will be arriving soon and I need to know if this is an appropriate way to receive her."

Sinbad opened the door enough to inch his way in and thoughtfully scanned his employer's garments. Before he could share his opinion, something bulldozed its way into the study with him.

"Hey there, Mr. Naim!"

Zayn blinked. "Portia?"

Naya's best friend smiled as she looped an arm around Sinbad's waist. Zayn chuckled. Now he understood why she was here.

Portia looked up at Sinbad and asked, "I was in town so I thought I'd stop by and say hey. You don't mind that Sin invited me over, do you?"

Zayn shook his head. "Of course not. Stay as long as you'd like. I should tell you that Naya and Uriel –"

Portia waved her hand. "Oh, I already know about their little vacation to Oman. Sin told me."

Zayn shot Sinbad a private, grateful glance.

"Damn, Mr. Naim!" Portia whistled. "You got a hot date this morning?"

"Uh . . ." Zayn debated whether he should reveal to Portia exactly who would be arriving at the estate any minute.

This might be my chance to learn about Nadine's preferences.

"Actually, I am," he admitted under a mild blush. "A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet Naya's mother. For the short time she was here, we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company and decided that we would meet again when we could."

Portia's eyes widened. "Naya's mom? Whoa, Mr. Naim, that's . . . that's awesome. So, that's what you're wearing?"

Zayn subconsciously tugged the hem of his shirt. "That's what I was worried about. Do you think Nadine would find my attire acceptable?"

Portia nodded vigorously. "Totally. I mean, I only met Miss Nadine a few times when I was really young, but she's a lot like Naya. She doesn't strike me as a woman who needs a whole lot to be impressed. I think she would want you to be yourself and comfortable in your own skin."

Zayn walked up and placed a hand on Portia's shoulder. "Thank you, child. I needed to hear that."

Portia smiled. "No problem, Mr. Naim. I guess Sin and I will get going so that we're not in your way when she shows up."

Portia took Sinbad's hand and led him out of the study. Zayn glanced at himself one last time before leaving and returning to his own chambers. While he was slipping on his shoes, he heard the limo pull up in the driveway.

Already?

Zayn tied his laces and got up to greet his guest. As he descended the steps through the levels of his manor, he thought of all the possible first things he could say to Nadine.

She's had a long flight from Bali. She must be tired, he thought, wondering if she might like a nap. Then he dismissed the idea. As he passed through his kitchen, he considered greeting her with a glass of wine, but then nixed that idea as well, remembering what happened the last time alcohol was involved.

I'm going to court her properly this time, he insisted, turning his back on the wine cabinet.

"Mr. Naim," his doormen greeted gently in unison as he approached the entrance. They pulled the great doors open just in time so he wouldn't have to slow down. It was then that Zayn realized that he was practically jogging to get outside. He forced his legs into an easier stride.

The door of the limo opened. Zayn held his breath.

The limo driver had come around to help the passenger out of the backseat. Zayn reached the final step and remained frozen on the spot.

Out of the shadows of the limo extended two long, brown legs that flashed between the slit of a vibrantly printed dress. Nadine emerged like a bird of paradise and took Zayn's breath away with her trailing sundress, wedges that put her at a solid six inches taller than him, and eyes that were accentuated with mascara, liner, and bronze eyeshadow.

The magus felt his jaw drop, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Nadine took one step towards him and let out a soft, "Oh." She glanced down her elegant frame and then back at Zayn.

"Looks like I overdressed. Whoops."

Zayn ignored the signals going off in his brain to take things slowly. He erased the space between them and secured Nadine's waist.

"No. I wouldn't change a single thing about the way you look right now. I missed you, Nadine."

The embarrassment melted from Nadine's expression. She folded her fingers around the base of his neck and bent down to meet his lips. "Oh Zayn, I missed you too."

Zayn felt the tension crumble from his shoulders and let the sensation of Nadine's mouth consume him until he felt warmth even in his toes. They held each other as if they had been going strong as a couple for months. Zayn didn't know what it was about Nadine that made him so vulnerable and comfortable at the same time.

Reluctantly, he pulled away. "You must tell me if I'm being too forward."

Nadine shook her head and kissed him once more, lightly this time. "Not at all. Am I?"

Zayn giggled like a teenage boy. "Of course not. Come on, I want to show you something."

Zayn's people took care of Nadine's luggage while he led her up to the front door. Together they ascended the levels of the expansive estate. Zayn guided Nadine through the breezy, open corridors. Passing by a set of oak doors, he announced casually, "Those are your rooms."

"Um . . ." Nadine glanced back at the shrinking image of the doors.

Zayn followed her curious eye. "My staff will drop your things off. What I wanted to show you is down this way."

"Another surprise, Mr. Naim?" Nadine probed.

Zayn squeezed her arm. "Think of it as a gift." They had reached their destination: an isolated loft that lived atop a single iron-wrought staircase. When they reached the top, Nadine let go of her host's arm.

"Zayn . . . please don't say that this is for me."

The magus remained standing near the opening in the floor where the stairs began, letting Nadine explore her private space on her own.

"An art studio with a panoramic view of the grounds? Who else would it be for? From now on, whenever you visit, you have a place to practice your craft."

Nadine was still half speechless, dragging her fingers along the concave surface of the wall. The waist-high depression in the wall contained everything a muralist or sculptor could need or want.

Zayn filled the silence. "I know it's rather empty save for the tools, but that's only because I wanted to leave you some space to display whatever art you might produce while you're here. Not only would this be your private studio, but your own personal gallery as well."

As if Nadine had finally awakened from a dream, she gathered the folds of her dress and crossed the room. She stopped before him and fought to find the right words.

"Zayn, this is . . ." she was breathless. Nadine took another moment to scan the room. She laughed, and then it turned into a sound much closer to a sob.

Nadine refocused on the magus in front of her and inhaled deeply. "No man has ever done anything like this for me. Thank you."

Zayn wanted to tell her that he would give her the world if she merely asked for it, but he backpedaled on his tendency to be overly generous. Instead, he chose to incline his head and extend his hand towards her.

"You're welcome. I would love for you to join me for dinner, but only when you are ready."

"Zayn." Nadine stepped past the hand and into the magus's personal space. Because her heels put her above her average height, Zayn had to tilt his head back to keep his eyes on her face. But that no longer mattered when she dipped her long sculptor's fingers into his hair and stretched them across his skull. It was Zayn's turn to catch his breath as she covered his face with hers.

Zayn's skin heated and cooled erratically under Nadine's touch. This kiss rivaled their reunion in passion now that no one was around. The air passing through the open loft was so still, as if the oxygen molecules were simply pausing to watch them.

Somewhere in between the parting of lips, Zayn heard, "I'm ready."

The shivers were back, skating down his spine. Something in Nadine's voice told him that she had given him the answer to his question from before, as well as ones unspoken.