His Stand In Read online

  The speaker phone clicked on and a woman’s voice blared. “Christian, I don’t understand why you’re doing this to me, to us. What does this woman have that I don’t?” Next message. “Christian I’m not going to give up.” Next message. “You’ll regret dumping me…”

  He turned the phone off. “You have to believe me. I love you.” He held out his arms for her to come to him.

  “I used to believe that. Please go. I need time to think.” The messages made her head swim. She’d jumped to conclusions, or did she? Maybe he paid someone to leave those. Her heart told her that she was reaching.

  He slowly rose off the couch. “I’ll give you some space, but I didn’t do anything and you will not ever say you’ll divorce me again.”

  His lips grazed her check. She resisted the urge to pull him closer, annoyed her body wanted to react to him. Christian was a liar and a cheater. He left Egypt standing there and stormed out the front door.

  She collapsed on the couch in tears and finished off a fitful night of rest. Morning came, and she groaned as Tasha messed around in her kitchen. Her apartment was so tiny Egypt could hear and see almost everything she did.

  A fresh pot of coffee finally drew her from the couch.

  “What are you going to do?” She handed her a cup.

  “I’m going to go home and wash my ass and then go to work. Too many woman let their lives stop because of a man. I won’t be one of them.”

  Tasha rolled her eyes. “I mean about your husband. You guys need to talk.”

  “We did. I don’t believe him.”

  “He’s the love of your life.” Tasha said with a grin.

  “So?” She dumped two scoops of sugar in her mug and stirred. “Since when do you believe in love?”

  “Since he gave up five thousand dollars without batting an eye just to find out where you were. No man does that unless he loves you or you’re a witness to a crime. I don’t take him for the committing a crime type.”

  “Thank you Bootleg Doctor Phil. No one said I didn’t love him.” She stared into the brown hot substance before taking a sip. It tasted nothing like the coffee her housekeeper made.

  “Then act like it and find out the truth first. If you don’t believe him, I don’t know. Talk to the Natasha woman or something?” Tasha pulled on her suit jacket in preparation for her day as a paralegal. If Egypt wasn’t so upset she’d congratulate her on the small changes she’d made with her life—outside of just adding five stacks to her bank account.

  Egypt narrowed her eyes at Tasha. “As if she’d tell the truth or worse, what if she told me way more than I wanted to hear.” She gasped at the notion and her mind raced towards darkness. What if Christian had Natasha the same way he’d had her? Did he lick her inner thighs until she begged for mercy? What if she’d allowed him to do something they’d never done—anal? He’d never asked for it but still. What if she were a woman who begged for it? What if he liked it?

  Tasha snapped a finger. “Egypt? Okay, let’s say he did cheat. Are you just going to let some hussy come and take your husband?”

  She hadn’t thought of it that way. Was she willing to give up everything and let another woman step in and take over her life? Natasha radiated in the essence of gold digging. Hell no that woman would not get her husband. Not without a fight.

  Egypt finished her coffee, and headed out. Her body reeked of liquor. She required a shower and good tooth brushing well before stepping in the office.

  The garage door creaked open, and she held her breath. She let it out when she realized his truck didn’t sit on the right side. In all her boldness about putting up a fight, she still hadn’t prepared herself for facing him just yet. Christian would not get off easy. Hell could freeze over, and she still wouldn’t let him have sex with her again.

  Now that the gig was up, she doubted he’d continue to sneak around with her. From now on, he was on a short leash and had lots of making up to do.

  She went inside the house and warmed up the shower while giving herself the once over in the mirror. Her brown skin and brown eyes had many of men giving her the second glance. She kept her body in shape, which was a plus. Christian better pray she never had the urge to step out on him. She’d have no problem pulling an attractive man.

  Egypt shook the thought from her mind. She didn’t want another man. Christian had her heart. He just needed to put in work in order to keep it that way.

  The water warmed her skin as she stepped in. It beat away her woes. She scrubbed away the funk and stepped out. Her assistant hadn’t called yet, but she would. Any time she came late, it normally was on her calendar. Today she didn’t have a reason.

  Egypt dressed and made the short commute to her office. Arriving after ten made the drive all the more bearable due to the lessened traffic.

  “Morning, Lisa.” Not in the mood for idle chit chatter, she continued to her desk.

  “Mrs. Bradley.”

  “We’ll talk later,” she said over her shoulder.

  “There something…”

  She ignored her and opened the door to her office. Piercing hazel eyes gazed up at her. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Natasha stood and walked toward her with a smile plastered to her face. “Egypt. Hi. I decided to come in early for my appointment.”

  This was her office. How dare she? Egypt maintained her composure, not wanting her to see she’d gotten the best of her. “How did you get on my schedule you two bit man stealing whore?”

  “Excuse me?” Her eyes widened. The appearance gave off the oh-no-she-didn’t look. Well, you man-stealing heifer, yes, she did. “You’re the one who did the stealing. Christian was mine first.”

  “And you left him. He’s my husband and not yours.”

  “I didn’t come here for this.” The woman’s boldness slipped away. “I came to tell you I give up and you no longer have to worry about me.”

  “Oh honey I’m not worried.”

  Natasha cocked her head to the side in doubt.

  “From now on, if you dare come close to Christian, I will carve those light bright eyes right out your pretty little skull.”

  “I already said you don’t have to worry. But, I can see you’re clearly upset.” She picked up her purse and stood.

  Egypt’s frame blocked the doorway. “Upset? Hardly. I’m mad as hell. Christian is my husband whom I built a life with. I will not let him go for the likes of you.”

  “I’m not going to take much more of your insults. If you’ll excuse me.” She brushed by Egypt and covered the distance from her office to the front door in no time.

  Egypt closed her door and slumped down in one of her oversized chairs, burying her face in her hands. Her body shook. She willed herself to calm down before she truly lost it. Where did those words come from? She came off like a sadistic lunatic. No matter. Egypt saw it in her eyes. She knew better than to cross her again.

  Not for one second did Egypt buy her coming to say she wouldn’t pursue Christian any more. After all the trouble she went through. No, the woman only wanted her to drop her guard. Well, she found out first hand it wasn’t happening.

  A slight tapping sounded at her door.

  “Yes.”

  Lisa poked her head in. “Are you okay? That woman ran out of here as if she’s seen a ghost.”

  “Everything’s fine.”

  The sideways glance she gave said she didn’t believe Egypt. “Okay.” She backed out the office.

  She counted down from ten and got to work. Hours passed, and she buried herself in work. Christian called several times, and she ignored him. If they spoke, she’d break down and she needed to concentrate. The only thing she was worried about was is if he decided to come over to her office. Thankfully, he didn’t and gave her space like he promised.

  Six o’clock came around, and she finally called it a day. Lisa had ventured off an hour earlier. Egypt logged off the computer and went to play in traffic. The ride home would help clear her mind,
or at least lesson her thoughts on committing murder.

  *****

  Christian paced the room. He’d just hung up the phone with Natasha and as promised, due to his threat of pressing stalking charges and having the man she paid to be him expose her to the world, she talked to Egypt. What he didn’t expect was for Egypt to threaten the woman as well.

  Carving out the woman’s eyes. Wow. Christian couldn’t imagine her small hands doing anything more than driving his body insane with her touch. Her words did prove his point though. She loved him and he loved her. In a few hours he’d know if they’d be able to weather the storm. No matter what he wasn’t going anywhere but the rest was up to her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Fridays in Atlanta were hectic. At six thirty-five, she’d barely moved four miles. She’d had enough of the celebrity gossip and turned off her radio. Who cares what Kanye and Kim K. were up to? She had her own drama.

  How in the world could she pretend everything would be okay between Christian and her? Two months of marriage had boiled down to this. Her marriage didn’t fare any better than anyone else’s. He was a good man and she knew it. But cheating. The tears fell again.

  She dabbed her eyes. In all her effort to put on the most expensive and complimenting outfit she owned, it couldn’t hide her pain.

  The phone rang, interrupting her pity party.

  “Yes, Tasha.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In traffic. Where else?” It came out more curt than it should have. To her credit, she was stressed out and darn near sitting in a parking lot on I85 didn’t help.

  “You need to get to the downtown hotel ASAP!”

  “What’s going on?” She didn’t feel like playing the guessing game.

  “Christian and that Natasha chick are here. I’m sitting outside and saw it with my own two eyes.”

  All the air in her car sucked out. Egypt couldn’t breathe. Her fingers fumbled across the panel in desperation until the window rolled down. “What?”

  “Get here. I’m going inside to see where they’re headed.” She hung up.

  Pains stung her chest. Damn him. Here she was, ready to work through his infidelity, and he gets a room with her. No wonder he didn’t bother coming to her office. He wasn’t even in the same building.

  Egypt whipped her car over to the shoulder and bypassed the other vehicles to get to the nearest exit. If it hadn’t been for the traffic, she’d have been at home and have to back track. From her location, she would be at the hotel in a few minutes.

  Her head throbbed, and she found it hard to concentrate on the road, but her anger got her through. Screw finding a parking in the spot reserved for her. She pulled up to the valet. He barely had a chance to hand her the ticket before she made a mad dash into the lobby.

  No sign of anyone but the employees. They made eye contact and smiled. She ignored the pleasantries and called Tasha. The phone rang several times and then went to voicemail. She hung up, and a text came through.

  They’re in the bar.

  She dropped her phone in her purse and changed her course. She’d planned on shaking the hotel clerk down for answers. If she had to she was prepared to threaten their job for the room number. Her legs grew wobbly as she neared the door. Egypt knew once she walked through, her life would change. The fear of actually seeing them two together set in. She hesitated. No. They would see her and Christian would know without a shadow of a doubt that she was leaving his no good ass. She forced her legs forward.

  They did the deed, and now it was time to pay. She burst through the doors.

  “Happy Anniversary!” a room full of people shouted.

  She flinched, and her eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights. Her hands flew to her face. Tasha stood next to Christian. Both held huge grins on their face.

  “What’s going on?” Her words came out barely above a whisper.

  Christian pulled her into his arms. “It’s been three months since the day I met you. I wanted to prove to you I love you and ask you to renew our vows. I don’t just want a contract holding us together.”

  “I thought…”

  “That I’d actually cheat on the woman I love?” His eyes twinkled.

  Egypt glanced from him to Tasha. She held a sheepish grin. “So, I didn’t bother telling you what all the money was for.”

  “You…” her words were silenced.

  Christian’s lips found hers, and she accepted them willingly. She’d been silly to think the man who held her in his warm embrace would ever do anything to hurt her.

  “Get a room,” Tasha said behind them.

  Christian freed her lips. Egypt turned to face her. “I can’t believe you.”

  “Yes, I was in on it.” She gave Egypt a hug. “You’ll get over it.”

  She glanced around the room. Ramona waved from a corner. So many familiar faces mingled about as the hotel staff passed about trays filled with finger foods. Her heart warmed, and she found herself overwhelmed. She laughed to herself. Too busy being caught up in the hussy who wanted her man and scared she was only a stand in.

  Christian’s arms wrapped around her from behind. “Go ahead and mingle.”

  “You sure?” Now that she knew for a hundred percent he wasn’t cheating, she didn’t want to leave his side.

  “Yes. We have plans later.”

  She cocked her head to the side.

  “Tasha said get a room. I did, just in another state.” One side of his mouth curved up into a sly grin.

  They both laughed. He gave her another small peck on the lips before ushering her along.

  She mingled about, but her eyes never straying too long from the love of her life.

  The End

  Also by Rebecca K. Watts

  Mr. Right.com

  Fire and Desire

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