His Stand In (15 page)

He covered the distance of the room and extended his arms for their usual embrace. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s always fine for you to be here.”

No. She needed to look into his eyes. They would show her the truth. She snatched away. “Why was Natasha here?”

One arm dropped to his side, and the other ran fingers through the soft tendrils on his head. His gaze never wavered. “What?”

“
Do you have amnesia or something? Your ex-girlfriend, fiancé or whatever she claims you were it doesn’t matter. Why was she here?”

“
Egypt I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She didn’t care how gentle those green eyes willed her to believe him. She wasn’t convinced. “So it just happens that she shows up to the grand opening of your hotel and now I see her walking out the building?” Her nostrils flared, and the raging bull inside of her huffed.

“
You saw her in the building?” His face scrunched. “Hold on. You don’t think that I…that we…no. Never.” He pulled her into his arms for a second try.

The warmth of his arms around Egypt gave her pause. His phone rang.

“
I’m sorry give me one moment.” He crossed the room and answered. “Hello, yes. Okay thank you.” He hung up the phone with a smile on his face.

Egypt didn’t see anything to smile about. “Who was that?”

“
My assistant.” He crossed the room to her once again.

“
And?”

“
And…” His head lowered, resting comfortably at the base of her collar bone. “Natasha did show up and my assistant sent her away. She told her if I were expecting her that I’d have her on my schedule.”

The boiling of Egypt’s blood gradually simmered. She should have known better. “I’m sorry.”

His hands traced the outline of her arms, sending a tingling sensation down her spine. “It’s okay. Seeing you upset is actually a turn on. You came in guns blazing.” Christian’s tongue trailed the nape of her neck. “Now I ask again. Why are you here?”

His mouth found hers. The kiss wasn’t gentle, but aggressive. He lifted her off the ground and carried her to the wall. Egypt’s back rammed hard against it, shaking the clock. Hurried hands pushed her skirt back and moved her thong to the side.

Her fingers tugged at his zipper and belt buckle until his slacks fell to the floor. His manhood stood out, large and proud.

With one of her legs wrapped around his waist, he entered her.

“
Ah,” she moaned at is abruptness. Palming his ass, she pushed him in, urging him in deeper.

He rocked her against the wall. Christian attacked her mound, putting an end to the battle she started. He drilled inside her, pushing her over the edge.

“
Oh my! I’m about to come!” she cried.

“
That’s right. Come for me. Does this dick feel like it’s been in someone else?” His eyes darkened in lust.

“
What?” He’d never spoken to her that way.

He pulled out slow then came back at her hard.

“
Answer me.” Christian grabbed her hands and held them above her head.

“
No. I know you haven’t been with anyone else.”

One arm around Egypt and he carried her to his desk. Her back adjusted to the hardwood beneath her as he spread her legs wide. His eyes gleamed as he licked his lips before diving in face first.

Christian nipped and tugged on her bud. Her juices spilled over. “Oh.” Her body tensed.

He lapped faster. “This is my pussy. All my pussy!”

“
Yes, baby, it’s yours!”

“
Raise your leg.” He didn’t wait for her to comply. Her husband tossed the left one over his shoulder and stood to enter her again.

His thumb massaged her clit while he thrust in her. She couldn’t hold back any longer. Her body quivered and pulsated beneath him.

He grabbed her shoulders and pushed in as far as he could. Harder and faster, he pumped inside. “Aargh!” His body tensed.

Her vaginal walls gripped him, thrusting as his hot liquid spilled out and her body released its own. Spent, Christian collapsed on top of her.

Heartbeat to heartbeat, their bodies calmed. Pants echoed around the room.

“
What was that?” She smiled at him.

“
Make up sex.”

“
Sheesh. If I’d had known it would be like that, I would have started a fight a long time ago.” She gave him a coy grin.

They had another long passionate kiss before cleaning up and heading out. They only had a short while to get him to the airport.

Chapter Seventeen

Egypt woke up from one of the best nights rests she’d had, especially one with Christian being away. She smiled at their Skyped conversation just before she went to bed. He loved her and couldn’t wait to see her again.

For weeks she’d waited for him to finally expound more on his feelings of love for her and he finally did. Her heart was full. She glanced at the time, even being married to the boss didn’t stop her from having to be at work.

An hour later she was dressed and at work but thoughts of her husband were never far from her mind.

“
Ramona he’ll be excited to see these numbers once he returns.” She smiled at the woman and handed her back the file.

Ramona lingered.

“
Is there something else I can help you with?” her eyebrows rose in question.

“
I’m just glad you’re here. You’re so different than I expected you to be.”

The office manager had Egypt’s undivided attention now. “What were you expecting?”

“
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have used the word expecting because Mr. Bradley is such a private man. We didn’t know anything about you until…well until I saw you kissing on your first day.” She averted her eyes from making direct contact. “I just assumed that because you’re married to the boss that you’d be…” she lowered her voice. “A bitch.”

Egypt burst out laughing. “I’m used to working with people Ramona. You don’t have to put your throat on a person’s neck to prove you’re in charge.”

“
I know but that other woman used to walk in like she owned the place,” she blurted out.

“
You mean Natasha?” Now she was getting somewhere. Christian really didn’t speak on her and to be honest, Egypt wanted to know how she stacked up to a model.

Ramona nodded. “We were all beneath her and she didn’t work here. Most of us learned to scatter when she entered the building. Of course she never behaved this way in front of Mr. Bradley.”

The alert on Egypt’s phone went off. “I’m sure she didn’t. Thank you so much for your vote of confidence and to know that I’m not in the bitch category. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to handle my husband’s business for the day.” She waved her phone.

“
See you later.” Ramona walked out of the office.

Egypt tapped on her phone, anxious to see what message Christian sent. Her phone lit up and a Google Alert flashed on her phone. The one guilty pleasure she hadn’t corrected.

“
What celebrity gossip do we have today?” She clicked the alert and a picture popped up. Egypt’s stomach turned as she read the photo underneath.
Billionaire marriage on the rocks. Christian Bradley caught in the act with another woman
. Tears welled up in her eyes as the photo of Christian holding hands with another woman flashed on her screen. Only part of his face could be seen but it was him and his ex, Natasha—the model.

So much for being in love.

*****

Christian dialed Egypt’s number again. Still no answer. He’d called earlier to let her know he was on his way back and now that he was back at the Atlanta airport he’d expected to see her. He waited around for a half hour before giving up. He’d just see her at home.

The limo ride home did nothing to relax his mind. What in the world was his wife doing? She’d never ignored his call and surely if she missed a call she’d return it. This time around she didn’t even bother sending a text.

His mood deepened when he opened the door and realized Egypt wasn’t home. The meeting went as planned and all he wanted to do was celebrate with his wife. Christian dialed her number again.

“
You have reached the voicemail box of…”

He pressed the end button. This was no longer funny.

Footsteps neared the room and his spirits lifted. “I was beginning to worry.” The person entering the room wasn’t Egypt but his Anna, the housekeeper. She had a strained look on her face. “What are you still doing here?”

“
I’m sorry Mr. Christian.” She kept her eyes on the ground.

His heart pounded against his ribcage. “For?”

“
She’s gone…”

“
I can see that.” He cut her off.

Her soft brown eyes finally rose to match his. “No. She left and is not returning.”

“
What?” The gut punch he felt at her words knocked the wind from him and then a heavy weight fell upon him.

“
I’m so sorry.” She stood watching him. “She came home from work on Friday and just packed up her bags and left. The only thing she said between tears was she could not be with a liar. Mr. Christian, what did you do? She’s a good woman.”

“
I didn’t do anything, but love her.” He made his way to a seat before his legs gave out from the shock.

He remained there for moments saying nothing. Then it dawned on him to look at the celebrity news.

Chapter Eighteen

Egypt regretted coming to her cousin’s house just moments after she got there. She should have just gotten a room, but couldn’t bring herself to being alone.

“
I mean I don’t see what the big deal is. So what he has a woman on the side? All men do. Now, you know and it’s time to get him for everything he has. Don’t be stupid.”

Egypt focused on the glass of vodka she sipped on. Not even the strong taste helped to soothe her nerves or take away the imagery of Christian hugged up on Natasha. She surmised that she’d been the one calling from the unknown numbers late at night. He’d probably been waiting for his moment to get back with the woman. Then why put the infidelity clause in the contract? If he cheated then she’d get the money whether she made it a year or not.

“
What’s a million to a billionaire anyway?” she muttered.

“
What?” Tasha’s eyes lit up with dollar signs. “What did you say?”

“
Nothing.” She took another sip out the glass.

“
No, I heard billions. Girl we can live it up. Why you still driving that Honda? What happened to that Range Rover I saw you roll up to the mall in?”

Egypt had left the truck in the garage and left with the car she’d met him in. She no longer wanted anything from him, not if it came with heartbreak. She couldn’t sit home and pretend to be the happy wife while Christian was away with the woman he truly wanted. And, she didn’t want the money he’d give her for catching him either. Her head throbbed.

“
I need to lie down.”

Tasha looked at her and laughed. “Well you’re on your bed. I don’t have a spare bedroom like what you’ve gotten used to. Get some sleep and in the morning we can go look for another place to stay. I’m tired of this dump anyway.”

All the ‘we’ talk from Tasha grated Egypt’s nerves further. Her cousin didn’t care that she was hurting. She only saw a payday. Her heart had been ripped out and she’d run to the next person who didn’t give a damn. If she wasn’t tipsy she’d leave. Her lids grew heavy. Only one of the ‘we’ would be looking for a place tomorrow.

Egypt took the cover offered by her cousin and drifted off…never again. She wouldn’t be used, not again.