His Stand In Read online

  His Stand In

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  His Stand In

  by

  Rebecca K. Watts

  Smashwords Ebook Edition

  * * * * *

  PUBLISHED BY:

  PWP Romance

  Passionate Writer Publishing

  www.passionatewriterpublishing.com

  in association with PWP Media

  His Stand In

  Copyright © 2014 by Rebecca K. Watts

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

  Also by Rebecca K. Watts

  Mr. Right.com

  Fire and Desire

  ********

  PWP Romance

  Christian Bradley was at his wits end. Even with a net worth in the billions he couldn’t buy a peace of mind. What he needed was a filler—someone to pretend to be his other half and put a halt to all the gold diggers vying for his time. One look at the exotic features on the brown beauty and Christian knew she held the answers to all his problems.

  Egypt James was so broke she was merely days away from being evicted. It was a broke she’d gladly accept as long as it rid her of her cheating ex-husband. A fresh start is all she needed. The offer she received from her white dripping hot employer was something she never bargained for.

  Passion’s fly when Christian moves this enticing unknown woman into his home with the proposition of marriage. Though it was supposed to be for a short while, he starts to realize he can’t be without her.

  His Stand In

  Rebecca K. Watts

  Chapter One

  Christian Bradley’s mouth dropped at the images of TMZ’s top story. He and an unknown woman stood outside of a restaurant with the caption, “Most eligible bachelor has women around the globe.”

  He racked his brain trying to recall the blonde tanned beauty he’d allowed a photograph with. The memory came back to him. A model approached him for a selfie while he was attending to business in Chicago. She stopped him coming outside of a restaurant from a business meeting.

  This debacle was the main reason he loathed going anywhere without his cousin Trish Ann. A beautiful woman already on his arms to keep the ones looking for a quick buck at bay. But, as of three weeks ago she could no longer help. The reporters did their diligence and broke the story on Trish Ann being a relative. In no time women were back to throwing themselves at him.

  He regretted the day he ever agreed to the interview with Forbes a year prior. Yes, he’d become a billionaire but what did his relationship status have to do with it? By no means was he disinterested in women, but he just couldn’t find the one to challenge him mentally as well as peek his sexual interest. In all the dates he went on all the women had been concerned with how much he made and using him to elevate their status.

  His ex, Natasha was the perfect example. She was a model and who best for a model to date than someone rich. Natasha’s number one priority was moving in and running up his credit cards. When it came to actually spending time with him, she was never available. So, he made himself unavailable by working longer hours and eventually having the movers come in and remove her from the premises. With the nice check he cut her she didn’t put up a fuss.

  Christian clicked off the flat screen and ran his fingers through his dark brown perfectly trimmed hair. He slumped in his seat in thought that was soon interrupted by footsteps entering his office. His very pregnant administrative assistant padded across the wooden tiles of the floor and over to him.

  “Mr. Bradley, your 1:00 o’clock interview is here.”

  He glanced at the digital numbers on his computer. Where had the time gone? He’d been so busy with paperwork that he’d lost track of the time and even lunch. Expanding his hotel chain to the north consumed majority of his time.

  “Thank you, Patricia. Please offer them some water and send them in.”

  She nodded and turned towards the door, then stopped and spoke over her shoulder. “It’s not the end of the world you know.”

  He let out a grunt and she continued out.

  Easy for her to say. Patricia had been his right hand and from the moment his father passed away five years earlier. Upon his death he’d inherited a fledgling chain of hotels. Christian took the challenge head on and soon pushed the hotels from a two star rating to five star luxury suites in Atlanta to include resorts down in Florida.

  Through it all Patricia had become his confidant and friend. Now, she had to go ahead and decide to start a family. Don’t get him wrong he isn’t insensitive but the timing was all wrong. He just sealed the deal with Chicago but New York still needed a lot of work. And, it was still the matter of the paparazzi hounding him.

  Christian shook off his frustrations. He’d go through the motions with this next interviewee but there was no way he was hiring them. He’d just have to work out an offer so good that Patricia and her husband couldn’t refuse. Hell, he’d let her work from home if need be.

  *****

  Egypt James switched from wringing her hands to smoothing out the pants to her business suite. It was her third interview that week and she was at her wits end. The cousin who promised her a place to stay decided to back out once her boyfriend got out of jail. As of that morning Egypt moved into an Extended Stay and only had enough money for two weeks. If this job didn’t fall through she didn’t know what she’d do. At twenty-four she’d find herself on the street. Her degree couldn’t save her.

  She never saw herself as a stripper but it looked like Magic City would be her next stop if one of the businesses didn’t contact her soon.

  “Ms. James.” The pregnant woman smiled at her. “Would you like some water?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Though the woman looked to be only in her thirties, Egypt was always taught to respect her elders.

  “Coming right up.” The woman waddled off down the hall.

  Egypt felt sorry for her. The baby looked to be due at any moment. Sadness almost enveloped her as her mind drifted to the child she lost. Six months earlier she’d left the clinic one
of the happiest women in the world. She took off work early and couldn’t wait to tell her husband. What she got was a surprise of her own. David’s car was in their garage, and he and a woman Egypt recognized from the video shoot the day before was in her bed.

  She woke up in the hospital to find out she passed out from the stress of catching the cheater in the act, and she lost the baby. When she was discharged she went straight home and packed up most of her belongs from their mini mansion in the Indiana Geist area and moved into the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.

  David became enraged and cut off all her income and caused problems at her job. His excuse for cheating was because he was a music producer and it was part of the game. That maybe, but it was a game she refused to partake in. She was an educated woman with a degree in business not some groupie. And, until he got her fired she was the manager for one of the largest insurance companies in the city.

  The bastard had the nerve to give her an ultimatum. “Come home and he’ll forgive her for leaving or make it on her own.”

  She opted for the latter and went for an annulment being they were married less than two months. David tried dragging it out but even with all his money he didn’t have a case, especially since Egypt didn’t want anything from him.

  As soon as the ink was dry she packed up her Honda, the one she paid for on her own income and drove down south to Atlanta. She wasn’t even at her cousin’s house a full week before her baby daddy made an appearance fresh out the state prison.

  “Here you go Ms. James.” The woman reappeared and handed her a bottled water.

  Egypt cracked it open and took a long swallow. “Thank you. I really needed it.”

  “There’s no need to worry. Mr. Bradley is all bark. You’ll be fine. Follow me please.” The woman moved towards a large double wooden door and Egypt followed.

  She gave herself a silent pep talk before entering the room. One glance around the office and Egypt could tell this man had money, lots of it. Unlike her ex this man had a refined taste with his décor and nothing flashy. She laughed on the inside at the comparison—Mr. Bradley’s Cherryman Verde Modern White Executive desk to David’s Gucci leather one. Both expensive but one had way more class.

  Mr. Bradley cleared his throat and she had a hard time looking at him. The man was gorgeous and seemed all too young for his position. She had no doubt he was only in his late twenties. He gazed at her with his green eyes and square jawline. A familiarity washed over her. She’d seen him somewhere but couldn’t put her finger on it.

  “Please have a seat Ms. James.” He clasped his hands in front of his broad frame and placed them neatly on the desk.

  “Thank you.” She positioned herself in one of the oversized luxury chairs.

  “I see you were previously a manager. If so, why do you want to be an administrative assistant?” He jumped right in.

  Because I want a freaking job! “I’m currently looking for a change of pace from the insurance industry.”

  “Did something happen at your last position to warrant a change?” he asked.

  Ugh, why was he looking at her like that? She knew better than to fall for that trap of a question. “No. I decided to relocate.”

  His hand went to his chin and for a long moment he didn’t say anything.

  Oh lord she blew it. Her stomach churned. Magic City here she comes. Just come on and get this over with so I can get back to looking on the job posting sites.

  “Do you have a family at home? Are you married?” he blurted out.

  “Excuse me?” Her voice went up an octave. She made a face and quickly adjusted. What did a family have to do with her job performance?

  “I need to know if you’re up to the job. It requires long hours and sometimes working on the weekend.” He smiled, flashing Egypt a set of perfectly straight and white teeth.

  She would place money, if she had any that Mr. Bradley kept up with whitening treatments. “I can assure you I’m up to the job. To answer your question, no family. Not even a dog.”

  “Good then I have a position for you, though not the one you applied for.”

  She raised her brow.

  “I’ve reviewed your resume and know you’re a business woman. What would you say about a personal business arrangement?”

  Oh hell no. What did she walk into? “My body isn’t for sale. Just because you’re rich don’t think you can insult my character.” She narrowed her eyes at him and gripped her purse. Stripping was one thing but prostitution was one level she wouldn’t cross.

  Mr. Bradley shook his head and laughed. “I don’t want to sleep with you.”

  “Oh.” Well didn’t she feel stupid?

  “I want to marry you.”

  Her jaw dropped. “What?”

  “It will be strictly for business purposes. Marry me for a year and I’ll pay you one million dollars. While you are my wife you will receive a nice spending allowance.”

  Egypt’s ears rang. Did she hear him correctly? Marry her? This man didn’t even know her. This had to be some crazy mess only white people did.

  “May I ask why?”

  He smiled. “Because I knew you had no idea who I was when you walked through the door.”

  He had her there but still. Who the heck was he? Before she could ask the monitor on the wall turned on. He clicked play on a recording.

  She watched a news story about him. Recognition hit her. Yes, she did remember something about him being an eligible bachelor. She and a coworker joked about it. He should go on the TV show and his problem would be solved.

  He pressed pause. “So you see, I’m in need of a wife. Your duty would be to keep the wolves at bay. I have no desire to be in a relationship any time soon and women throwing themselves at me all the time does nothing but causes problems with my business associates.”

  “And you’re willing to give me a million dollars?” she repeated the proposition as if saying it to someone foreign to the English language.

  “At the end of a year, but all your needs will be taken care of as long as you are with me.”

  Egypt thought for a moment. Five minutes earlier she wondered where she’d next lay her head. Now she was about to be rich. “And you expect me to do?”

  “Exactly as I said. Be there to ward off the other women. Of course we’ll have to be seen in public from time to time and you’ll have to move into my home. But, you’ll have your own wing and can come and go as you please. So if you’ll agree I will have my lawyer draw up a contract.”

  “Long as you don’t expect me not to work.” She crossed her arms.

  “Fine. I need an assistant and really don’t feel like sitting through another interview. You can start tomorrow with the salary that was posted plus a five thousand dollar bonus per month. That way you don’t feel like I’m just handing you anything.”

  Egypt sat for a moment. She was dumbfounded.

  “Ms. James.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Is there anything else?”

  She shook her head no.

  “Good expect the contract to be here when you arrive as well. Have a good day.” He picked up his phone and spun around in his chair, giving her his back.

  What an arrogant ass, but who cares. I’m about to be rich! Egypt grabbed her purse and leather case. Her goodbye was the sound of her heels confidently walking out his office.

  Chapter Two

  Christian waited a few more moments after Egypt left then put down his phone. Egypt, what type of name is that? The name didn’t match the person who entered the office, nor the impressive resume.

  When she first sat down he saw the determination and fire behind her brown almond shaped eyes. He knew the moment he reviewed her resume that she wanted a job. The market was bad but how bad for a manager of one of the largest insurance companies in the nation, one he personally used, to want to become an administrative assistant?

  Her smooth brown and flawless skin, expressive eyes, and high cheek bones could compete with any of t
he models he’d dated. Her outfit, Michael Kors, showed she had fashion sense. Yes, she’d be the one to alleviate him of his problems.

  Christian was a business man and so was she. Of course she’d take the offer, and she did. Now that she was gone he only needed to call his lawyer. He’d leave the fake wedding planning up to her. He’d gladly take her to any exotic place she wanted to go and that will be that.

  He inhaled at his triumph. A hint of Jasmine danced around his nostrils. The scent left over from Egypt, one that he didn’t mind growing accustomed to.

  Soft footsteps headed in his direction.

  “Are you ready for the next person?” Patricia’s gray eyes scanned him.

  “Actually, I’ve made my decision. Ms. Egypt James will start tomorrow. Please thank the other person for coming and give them one of those gift certificates left over from the Christmas party.”

  “Mr. Bradley?” A quizzical eyebrow rose in his direction.

  “You heard me. I expect you to teach her everything you know. If not, you and that baby will have a computer surgically attached to you.”

  Patricia smiled. “I’ll make sure you won’t know the difference between us.” She excused herself.

  “I doubt that,” he mumbled under his breath. Patricia’s womanly curves never called out to him the way Egypt’s had when she walked in.

  *****

  Egypt dug through her clothes, many still had the dry cleaning label on them. All night long she replayed the interview over and over. Was that man nuts? Rich folks and their money. She’d take him up on the offer, heck with her own pay she’d be financially well off. If things didn’t work out she could just save that up and leave him.

  The black with pink trimmed suit or the cream? She opted for the cream. She’d be more subtle for the first day.