His Stand In Read online

  Egypt slid on her blouse and pulled the pants over her lace underwear clad body. Man, her hair was in bad need of a stylist. She ran her fingers through her long tendrils and contemplated. No, French role today. She already had the job. With a few quick movements she pinned up once side and let the rest flow freely. Her reflection showed her it wasn’t a bad job for needing a good trimming.

  The chime on her phone sounded.

  Time to go make this money. She slid on her heels and made her way out. The stale smell of cigarettes and baby diapers smacked her in the face as she maneuvered down the hall. She definitely wouldn’t miss that place.

  Almost an hour later she pulled her Honda Accord into the garage and searched for a spot. This was a factor she didn’t anticipate. That time of the morning there were no up close parking spaces. She circled back around in hopes she missed a spot. The only ones available were the reserved spaces. Whose ass you have to kiss to get those?

  A silver signage plate caught her attention. In disbelief she read it out loud, “Egypt James.”

  How in the world and why did Mr. Bradley move so fast? Since when did assistants get reserved spacing? Time was ticking and she didn’t have the moments to think on it too long or she’d be late.

  Egypt rolled her car in between a Mercedes and an Aston Martin and parked. She made her exit and did a double take at the cars. They made her feel as if she’d just stepped out of a Pinto. She shrugged it off and continued towards the elevators. At least hers was all paid off.

  Today is a new day. She repeated on the ride up to their floor and up to the moment she strolled into the office. This time she allowed herself to glance into the cubicles as she walked down the hall.

  Customer service employees went about their duties oblivious to her passing by. From the looks on their faces they seemed happy enough. At least she didn’t need to worry about working for an ogre, or married to one. The thought almost stopped her in her tracks. What in the world was she doing? She knew nothing of this man. The monthly stipend and million dollars at the end of the rainbow jolted her forward.

  She didn’t have a choice. Her money was way too low and even if she did find another job the pay wouldn’t come to three weeks or more. By then she’d be on the street.

  “Ms. James,” Patricia beamed from her Cherry Oak desk as she stood. “Great to see you again. You’re right on time.”

  “Good morning.”

  “Mr. Bradley wants to speak with you first and then I need to take you down to human resources to fill out some paperwork.” She paused and placed a hand on her stomach. “The baby’s very active these days. I’m so grateful you’re here.”

  At the mention of Mr. Bradley Egypt’s legs turned to noodles. She recalled his promise of having the contract ready. Patricia no doubt didn’t have a clue as to the arrangement. Egypt half listened as the woman expressed her excitement about having to train her for the position and how she’d be a perfect fit. Her mind was on the other side of the double doors.

  Patricia placed her hand on the handle and as the wood swung back the air left Egypt’s lungs. She had to force herself to breathe and follow the woman inside.

  Mr. Bradley sat behind his desk with his hand on his chin, gazing down at a file. His broad frame almost completely filled the leather chair behind him.

  “Mr. Bradley,” Patricia spoke.

  Green eyes glanced up in their direction. He gave Patricia a nod and she left them with the soft click of the door.

  “Egypt James.” His eyes were glued to her. “Please have a seat.”

  Her feet moved as if twenty pound weights had been affixed to her shoes. Just do it and get it over with. She forced her body to comply. Once the papers were signed she’d be out of the hell hole she now resided. With a little online research she’d located his mansion. It dwarfed the mini mansion she and her ex lived in. With luck she can get by with living with this man and having minimal contact.

  “Good morning, Mr. Bradley.” She took the same seat as the day before.

  “I’m Christian.” He smiled.

  “Excuse me?” What in the world did religion have to do with anything? He could be an atheist for all she cared. This was just business.

  “I prefer for you to call me Christian. It would be rather odd for my fiancé to call me Mr. Bradley don’t you think?”

  “Oh, of course.” Yes, that was his first name. The situation had her brain on the fritz. Christian Bradley was one of the most eligible bachelors in Atlanta…but not for long.

  “That’s a nice suit you have on.” He gave her a nod of approval.

  And just think, the other day she was ready to bag up all her pricey clothing and send it to a thrift store to see what she could make off them. Not before the taking the wedding set to the pawn shop though. Something inside her held back. By no means did she still want the man but a pawn shop just seemed to lesson everything she felt she went into the marriage for.

  Christian adjusted in his seat and rose. Egypt had to catch her mouth from flying open. She had no idea of his height. He stood well over six foot and have mercy at his frame. Those broad shoulders led to a narrow waist. Olympian Gods couldn’t have designed him better.

  He gazed at her a moment and then took the seat next to her. “I’m practicing being less formal with you if you don’t mind.” He handed her the papers. “You do understand that once those are signed we are a couple.”

  She swallowed the large amount of moisture that formed in her throat. “Yes.” She stole her eyes away from him and began reading. Her reading halted at a clause. Neither party will have outside relationships. That was a relief to her. Yes, this was a business arrangement but could she really be with another man who had women coming and going as if she didn’t exist? She held in a laugh. The clause wasn’t for her benefit, it were for his. He wanted control of her completely. If he were paying she’d be all his.

  With no sex then he better not mind the pink vibrator she’d grown accustomed to. She held back the smile that threatened to escape her lips at her thoughts in front of this sexy man. She cleared her throat and scanned the page a moment longer. “It seems as if everything is in order.”

  “You’re more than welcome to get your own lawyer if you like.” His words came out with a hint of uncertainty. Was it her or did he seem just as nervous as she?

  “I’m more than capable of deciding what’s in my best interest.” What was in her best interest wasn’t living in some dive and worrying about her safety. She leaned forward and grabbed her purse for a pen. A cool refreshing scent rose into her nostrils. Sexy and he smelled amazing. She fumbled around in her purse a moment before retrieving a pen.

  In one swift motion she placed her signature on the appropriate line and followed with the date. With a confident smile on her face she handed the legal document over to Christian.

  He grabbed a pen out of his pen holder on the desk. The insignia caught her eye. His name and company logo were engraved on the side. When finished he placed the document on the desk.

  “You’ll have your copy by this afternoon.” He rose and leaned against his desk. “I’ll have movers at your place this evening to move you in.”

  Her place? Panic set in. No way in the world would she allow anyone at that dump. “I only just moved to town. My belongings are still in Indiana. All I have are my clothes. I’m sure the other items won’t be needed.”

  “Very well.” He moved from the desk and toward his door. “Patricia will get you all trained.”

  She walked to the door he held open. Egypt spoke once again before heading out, “Thank you for the opportunity…”

  His lips found hers. It was a simple peck but enough to set a blaze from her chest down to her toes.

  “See you for lunch, sweetheart.” He gave her a wink then turned to his desk.

  “I’m sorry. I needed Mr. Bradley to review these,” a woman spoke. Her chubby fingers clutched a file and her cheeks were rose colored with embarrassment. “I didn�
��t realize he had a meeting.”

  “Everything’s fine Ramona,” he called out.

  Egypt was in shock and couldn’t speak. His words spun around her head. “Once you sign the documents we are a couple.” She made a quick adjustment to the bottom of her blouse and smiled at the woman. Game on.

  Chapter Three

  Christian pretended to scrutinize the documents but in reality his insides were in knots. What in the world had prompted him to kiss her right then and there? The plan was to have her move in and then get her comfortable around him. Not put on the full court press. He simply couldn’t resist the fullness of her lips so close to his. When his lips touched hers the response was immediate. She didn’t back away, but leaned in.

  The icing on the cake was for someone to be a witness. Now the gossip mill will do the job for him in convincing the world their relationship was true.

  “Thank you Ramona.” He handed the office manager the file.

  “Sir.” She slowly rolled her eyes up to meet his. “I know it’s none of my business…”

  “It isn’t.” He cut her off with the wave of his hand. “However. You’ll be seeing a lot more of Egypt James. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a conference call getting ready to start.”

  She gave him a nod and made a quick exit. No doubt off to tell the closest person in earshot what she’d witnessed. Providing her with no information would lead to speculation, which in this instance was great.

  With his office manager out the way Christian went back to his daily routine of ensuring all his hotels were performing at the highest capacity and placing a call to his housekeeper.

  Anna answered on the first ring. “Hello Mr. Christian.” Her Peruvian accent was thick but one he’d grown accustomed to.

  He laughed at the Mr. in front of his last name but the woman refused to drop the title.

  “Good morning. I’ll be having a long term guest. I need you to prepare one of the guest rooms. It’s a woman so please make special accommodations with what you deem fit for her needs.”

  “Mr. Christian. It will be so nice to have someone in the house.” He could sense her smile through the phone.

  He had to admit that it would. With no siblings and a mother content with traveling the world since the passing of his father, there were no family gatherings. His ex, Natasha had been the only one who’d been inside his home and it had been well over a year. After her removal he felt no need to allow anyone else inside.

  “Yes it will.” He paused. “She’ll be there this evening.”

  “Okay, Mr. Christian I will make sure everything is in order.”

  He hung up the phone and went back to work. Moments later he was focused back on his work. The Ohio deal should be sealed any day now.

  “Excuse me, Christian,” the soft voice pulled him from his computer. He looked up to see Egypt’s smiling face.

  He gave her a quizzical look.

  “It’s lunch time. Paula informed me that you rarely take a lunch, so being your girlfriend and soon to be fiancé I decided to take the initiative. After all you did say you’d see me at lunch.”

  He glanced at the time. In another minute his cell phone would have sent him an alert informing him of an appointment. “Yes, I did. One moment.” He finished typing out the last sentence on an email and clicked send. “We have somewhere to be.”

  He walked around the desk and grabbed her hand as if he’d done it a million times and guided her out his office. Egypt said nothing as he led her to the hallway and to the elevators.

  It wasn’t until they were seated inside his Aston Martin that she spoke.

  “I know kissing is needed to sell this thing. A little warning would have been nice though.” She leaned into the soft Italian leather as he pulled out the garage.

  “I figured the spontaneity would be more realistic. From the look on Ramona’s face, I was right.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  If he weren’t driving he could get a good look at her to see if she were being sarcastic or not. No matter, they’d be at their destination soon enough and she’ll be singing a different tune. He opted for a change in subject over turning on the XM radio. “How’s your first day going?”

  He caught the hint of a smile from out his peripheral.

  “Patricia is very nice and good at her job. She seems to adore you and assured me I’d have no problem working for you.”

  “She is a great judge of character.” He turned on the left blinker and moved into the turning lane. “Be sure to absorb everything. She’s my right hand woman and I need you to take over.”

  “I’m more than capable.” Pride and confidence reflected in her tone.

  “Of that I have no doubt.”

  The issue was no longer of Egypt’s ability but more so of his restraint at the moment. The small touch of her lips opened something up inside of him. He pushed thoughts of how soft they were to the side and pulled up in front of an elaborate apartment complex. A valet ran out and greeted them.

  *****

  If Christian was making it a point to surprise her then he was doing a great job. A doormen led them upstairs and then to an apartment. Egypt held her breath not knowing what to expect.

  The door opened and a smiling man with olive skin and jet black hair ushered them in. “Mr. Bradley, welcome. I see your fiancé is as beautiful as you described.”

  “Hello Anton.” Christian replied.

  When in the world had Christian spoken to this man? And what was with all the flattery. He held the cheesy grin and led them into a white room with custom built shelving into the walls. In the middle sat and all white square coffee table.

  “Please have a seat.” He motioned towards the white leather ottoman with a black glass top.

  Christian held out his hand and waited until Egypt was seated before easing into the seat himself. She took a mental note of his gentlemanly behavior just as she did when he opened his car door for her.

  “Mr. Bradley I’ve selected some fine pieces that I know Ms. James will enjoy.” He smiled and tapped on the black glass. In seconds it went from blacked out to visible.

  Beautiful handcrafted diamond rings were on full display. Egypt had never seen such expensive items in her life. Sure she’d seen bling but this was classy. The variety of colors ranged from light pink to black.

  “Please…Ms. James. Pick them up and look at them. See which ones speak to you.”

  She glanced at Christian. He nodded his approval. Egypt hesitated a moment. Engagement rings. She’d just met this man yesterday and now they were looking at case full of jewelry priced higher than what most people made in a year. Was this going to be her life now? Nothing but the best? Well, she let out a small breath. She better get used to it.

  Her eyes moved passed the tradition single diamond rings and to the enchanted pink Lotus band. With delicate hands she reached in and picked it up. This was her. Simple, yet unique.

  “Ah. A beautiful piece.” Anton beamed. “The band design is based off the Victorian era. Try it on.”

  Egypt did as instructed. The ring was so different than the large rock she’d worn for her ex-husband. Everything with David had to be flashy. She held out her hand and was blown away. It was a perfect fit. To be fair to the other pieces she glanced back in the case, but none of the others called out to her.

  “I think this is perfect.” She gazed at Christian for his reaction. At the moment their eyes connected she wondered if she done something wrong. He had an indescribable look on his face.

  Christian paused and then a wide smile crossed his face. “Anton, the lady has spoken.”

  Anton clasped his hands. “Great. One moment and I’ll get it ready for you.” He took the ring from her and stepped into another room.

  Egypt leaned back on the couch and placed her hands in her lap. “Did I do something wrong,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

  He turned towards her. She refused to meet his gaze for fear of what she might see.
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  “No. You surprised me is all. With all the large ice in the case, you picked something elegant. Expensive, but not flashy.”

  “If it’s too much I can pick something else,” she quickly replied.

  “No, the price isn’t the issue. Actually there is no issue. You picked what matched your personality.”

  What? What did he know of her personality? She’d yet to be around him more than a few hours. “How can you be so sure of it?”

  Christian laughed. “From your reaction now. You’re small but far from delicate and you don’t try to stand out in a crowd but yet you do.”

  The words caught her off guard. They weren’t what she expected by far. She didn’t have long to contemplate because Anton returned.

  “Here you are.” He handed the ring to Christian instead of her. “I think it’s only right that he be the one to put it on your finger my dear.”

  Egypt held her breath as Christian took her hand in his. The soft charge from the contact caught her off guard. She held her hand steady and allowed him to slide it on with ease.

  “Jewelry fit for a queen!” Anton clapped his hands.

  Christian released her hand but she still held it out and marveled at it.

  “Once again you’ve outdone yourself Anton.”

  Egypt tried not to dwell on the ‘once again’ comment but it was hard not to. How many others had there been?

  “Not yet, but I’m working on it. I have the other thing for you Mr. Bradley.” He waited until Christian stood. “I think it will be best if she stood as well.” His wide toothy grin landed on Egypt.

  Her mind raced with what else could it be as Anton handed Christian a small velvet box.

  “I thought these would go perfect with it.” Anton whispered.

  Christian opened it and looked inside. His eyes widened. “Indeed. Egypt can you turn around and hold your hair up?”

  Her heart raced but she did as instructed. A platinum necklace with a matching pink diamond pennant found its way around her neck. In her excitement Egypt spun around in her heels, grabbed Christian’s neck and planted a kiss on him. She lost balance and on instinct wrapped her arm around him tighter and clamped her leg to him.