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  Egypt’s heart fluttered. He was praying.

  Feeling eyes on him, he glanced up at her with a smile. “Can I help you love?”

  Love? His terms of endearment never got old. Even as a rouse she’d began to look forward to them. No other man had bothered. Their choice was baby, babe, bae or worse wifey. “I didn’t realize you were a praying man.”

  “I’m not as adamant about it as I should be but I try my best to at least get one in to start my day.”

  Her insides warmed at his admission. He wasn’t perfect and didn’t pretend to be. Christian also had no problem showing that he could submit to a higher power—exposing a vulnerability that most men would be too proud to ever show.

  She said nothing but smiled while taking a sip of the fresh squeezed juice.

  He finished chewing a piece of bacon and swallowed. “I bet you’re wondering why I wanted you up and dressed.”

  “The thought did cross my mind.”

  “Well, I figured we needed some us time.”

  “We have that every time we walk through the doors.”

  His green eyes flickered in amusement. “No, we go our separate ways once we’re behind these doors.”

  “Entertaining you wasn’t part of the agreement.” The way he gazed at her caused her to blush and look away.

  “Getting to know me is. Now, finish up and then we can head out.”

  Egypt finished cleaning her plate and her mind whirled with what the day had in store for her. On Saturday’s she preferred to sleep in. After their engagement party she prepared to be in a coma, but Christian erased her plans and added his own.

  *****

  “Why didn’t you tell me about your mother?” Egypt’s voice was soft yet direct.

  Christian gave Egypt a kick glance before putting his eyes back on the road. It was the first time she’d spoken since they’d left the house. His mind reeled. With his mom being out the country and never showing up for anything else in his life since he became an adult it was the last thing he expected as well.

  “I’m sorry about that.”

  “Did you think we wouldn’t run into each other for an entire year?” Her words hurled at him.

  It was the first time he’d seen her upset, and it was kind of cute. Even a bit of a turn on. Her brown bottom lip poked out giving him a flash of pink. His large hands gripped the steering wheel and his foot pressed down on the gas pedal. The car accelerated. He needed to get to their destination and out of the close confines of the vehicle.

  She adjusted to the right of him, giving him a good view of her lips. Lips that he recalled yearning for him only a few days prior. His rod stiffened in response. He wanted to reach down and adjust his package for comfort but doing so would bring attention to his current state.

  He shrugged. “That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen her so, yeah.”

  “Oh.” Her arms uncrossed and fell down to her lap. “I can’t imagine not seeing my mom for that long.” He noticed the change in her tone.

  “Speaking of. Your parents weren’t there. Do you plan on telling them?”

  “How do you know I haven’t?”

  He waited until he brought the car to a stop in a parking space before looking at her. “Have you?”

  She avoided eye contact and glanced out the window. “A park?”

  “Yes, fresh air in the great outdoors. Now, answer the question.”

  “No, I haven’t.” She paused. “My last relationship wasn’t the best and I’m not ready to drop another bombshell on them.”

  There was a hint of hurt in her words. Christian hadn’t bothered to think past his own needs. How long had she been with this mystery man? When did it end? And was she over him? The questioned swirled in his head but went no further. Doing so would invite her to probe deeper into his past. A past he wasn’t ready to unload on her.

  He wanted and needed her there with him now and that’s all that mattered. “Let’s get this day started.” He maneuvered out the car and to the trunk.

  Anna had not only made breakfast but lunch. He pulled out a dark brown picnic basket.

  The passenger side door closed and soft steps found their way to the back of the car. Egypt glanced up at him with a look of curiosity. “I didn’t take you for the strolling in the park hand in hand type of guy.”

  He let out a gentle laugh. “I didn’t factor in holding hands.” With one swift move he closed the trunk and grabbed her left hand. “Shall we.” He motioned to a path.

  Egypt smiled and complied.

  Christian took in a deep breath, inhaling the greenery of their surroundings. This was the first time he’d brought anyone along with him to his place of serenity. He led them down the path into a clearing, close enough to the pond but on the other side away from where the main traffic went.

  He walked a few feet into the grass and lay down the blanket. A smile threatened to burst free as Egypt stood patiently by. A picnic is something that never crossed his mind to do with a woman, but for her he wanted things to be different. As his wife he needed to know her inner makings. No one from the outside could know they are only pretending.

  The blanket in place, he patted a spot for her to sit while he placed the basket on top and began pulling out the contents.

  “Anna has outdone herself.” Egypt glanced at the deli sandwiches, fruit, cheese, crackers, and bottle of wine.

  He had to agree. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. I’ve never been on a picnic.”

  “Really? What made you want one today?”

  “You, my dear. I want you away from the workplace and the cameras. You’ll have enough of the spotlight in the weeks to come.”

  “So I gathered. I was nearly blinded by the cameras flashing at our party. I’ll get used to it…eventually.” She let out a sigh and leaned on her right hip. Her legs spread out and she balanced on one of her palms.

  Christian’s mouth watered at the sight. Though it was meant for comfort, Egypt looked hot and ready for him. Her long brown legs and exposed neck leading to her soft chin, full kissed with lip gloss lips, and almond shaped eyes beckoned to him. He hid his desire by filling a plate with the light snacks and handing it to her.

  “Thank you.”

  She picked up a strawberry. When her full lips wrapped around it Christian nearly lost it. Her mouth was exactly the image he imagined that night, but instead of fruit it stretched across his stiff loin.

  Egypt took a bite and looked at him. “You okay?”

  “Yes.” He concentrated on filling his own plate. “Why do you ask?”

  “You just had a strange look on your face is all.”

  He shrugged. “It’s peaceful out here isn’t it?” He did his best to deflect from the current issue in his pants.

  “Yes. You come here often?”

  “Every chance I get.”

  “Oh.” He couldn’t quit decipher the look as she quickly glanced away.

  “It’s where I come to free my mind.”

  The brown eyes were back on him with a flash of glimmer behind them. “I thought you meant with another woman…” her words trailed. “Not that I have any right.”

  “No, I understand. You just don’t want to have to visit my usual dating spots.” He set his plate down and took her hand in his. “Egypt. I can promise you that everything we do will be new.”

  The response was a wide toothy grin.

  “I didn’t expect you to be like this.”

  Now, she had his interest. “Like what?”

  “When I first met you I just saw you as the uptight expensive suit wearing type.”

  “And now?” More than anything he needed to know what she thought of him. He held a slight breath while awaiting her response.

  “You’re not uptight, but did you have to wear Armani to the park?”

  “What? This is casual.” He glanced down at his clothing.

  “True, very expensive clothing.” She laughed. “It’s okay it’s you.”

>   Christian didn’t know what to say. Yes, he loved expensive things but did most of his shopping online. Walking into a mall or department store wasn’t his thing unless it was for a suit. But, even then he had a tailor and went to a boutique. He’d leave his soon to be wife to the malls and enjoyment of the crowd.

  Laughter in the distance caught his attention and his eyes drifted to the path looping around the pond. A woman and man held hands and casually strolled along. Both smiles were bright and eyes wide but that wasn’t what appealed to him. As youthful as the laughter had been, the couple was far from it. The wrinkles and gray hair had them to be well over their sixties.

  He glanced back at Egypt. What would she be like forty plus years from now? Would she still have that magnificent glow she had her face now and would he still be glad to be in her presence? Whoa! The last part of the question caught him off guard.

  When did the idea of her being around longer than the agreed arrangement set in? This trip to the park was about getting to know her better not about delving into his feelings. He pushed the idea of their future to the side and chided himself. Remember this is business and nothing more

  “Would you like some wine?” He grabbed the bottle and focused on uncorking the top.

  She nodded and he filled her glass. His rod slowly returned to its resting state. For the rest of the day he simply focused on getting to know her and staved off thoughts of bedding her.

  Chapter Six

  Egypt held her breath. This was her big day. Too bad it was all a farce. All the planning for it in the world wouldn’t make it real. Even with Christian being the perfect gentleman for the last two weeks and making sure they got to know one another for comfort, it didn’t change a thing.

  She closed her eyes and reflected on the first marriage to David while the hired makeup artist worked her magic. Less than a year earlier she was naïve and believed her prince charming had come along. She would have been better off with the frog. They had a small wedding, at his urging. Egypt realized the reasoning all too late… no tabloids meant the want-to-be big time producer could still pretend to be single.

  “Look up please.” The woman pulled Egypt from the past as she applied the eyeliner to her lower lids.

  Christian Bradley was the exact opposite. He was getting married and wanted the world to know. To prove it a woman stood a few feet away from her with a camera posed in Egypt’s direction. Every few minutes she could hear the sound of the click.

  In the beginning the woman annoyed Egypt, but after being followed the last three days she’d gotten used to it. Even if she didn’t it wasn’t like Christian would fire the woman anyway. She was there to capture the rouse from beginning to end.

  Egypt forced a smile to her face. If any of the photos were to end up in the hands of the media she’d at least look pretty and not as if she was going to her death sentence. She glanced at the beautiful ensemble hanging up in the reflection in the mirror. Never in her life had she imagined wearing such an expensive gown. That’s what she got for allowing Christian to help her chose from her online picks.

  *****

  Christian adjusted is bow tie in the mirror.

  “You okay man?” his friend Scott asked. Scott wore a similar tux but with a gold cumber bun instead of the teal color Christian wore.

  “Couldn’t be better.”

  “You’re better than me. At this hour I was debating on calling the whole thing off with Debbie.”

  Christian laughed. “I recall. I was the one who convinced you to go through with it. How do you feel now?”

  “You were right man. These have been the best three years of my life.”

  “That’s what friends are for.”

  The door opened and a woman with red hair swept up into a bun stepped inside the room. “Ten minutes.”

  “Thank you.” Christian nodded at the wedding planner.

  She smiled and left them be.

  “Speaking of friends. I wouldn’t be one if I didn’t ask. Are you sure you’re ready to go through with this? You haven’t known each other long and…” his words trailed as if contemplating the right words to say. “What is it about her that makes her special? I’ve never seen you like this about anyone and we’ve been friends for over a decade.”

  Christian’s arms dropped from the bow tie and he glanced at himself and his friend in the reflection of the mirror. “I knew from the moment I saw her that I didn’t want anyone else. She gives me everything I need and I hope I’m the same for her.” He had no idea where the words came from but at that moment he knew them to be true and they felt right.

  Scott gave him a pat on the shoulder and laughed. “Yes, man. She’s the one. You sound like a hallmark card. Come on before we’re late.”

  Christian couldn’t agree more. He picked up his tuxedo jacked from off the chair and put it on. Egypt James was waiting on him and he didn’t want to be late.

  Chapter Seven

  Egypt had been on fire from the moment she lay eyes on him as he came down the aisle. As he carried her into the hotel suite none of that had changed. She was on fire for this man and she wanted him bad.

  Christian gently lowered her to the floor but kept his arms around her. Her body yearned for him and his touch. She laughed on the inside of how her ex described her pussy as a freezer. Well, something has happened and all her parts were working because from the onset of Christian in her life the appliance had thawed out.

  His mouth lowered and was merely inches from hers. “I can leave you here and go to my adjoining room and let this feeling pass,” his voice grew deeper, “or I can take off this gown and we’re going to fuck until neither of us can walk.”

  At the possibility of him filling her pulsating womanhood with his hardness her mind went clear. She wanted him like she’d never wanted no other. This black woman was going to screw her first white man…her husband. She’d rationalize and work out the other details later. For now she wanted him inside of her.

  “I want you,” came her sultry reply.

  He lowered his ear to hers. “What? Tell me what you want. I need to hear it.”

  “I want you inside of me.” She ran her hands down his chest.

  He’d ditched his tuxedo jacket and accessories, but the sight of him in his white top with the top three buttons undone was hotness walking. Christian made everything he wore look sexy and she had first-hand knowledge of his muscular runners legs from the many times she’d caught him walking around in his boxers. Sex oozed off the man.

  Her body tingled in anticipation of his response. She was a virgin in matters of being with someone outside of her race. The mere thought of being with him for the first time sent chills down her spine. She knew by far the myth of white men wasn’t true. Egypt had not only seen but felt the girth of his package next to her body. She wanted him and everything that came along with their farce of a marriage.

  “Are you sure?” his heated gaze locked unto hers.

  “Yes.”

  With no further warning his mouth clasped onto hers, taking her breath away. She moaned relishing in his kiss and the heat of his hands as they cupped her breasts. Before she had time to think he spun her around and unzipped her gown, letting it fall to the floor.

  “One moment.” She pulled away from him and rushed to her bags. She pulled out a smaller bag and rushed to the bathroom. “I need to freshen up.”

  The thought of his mouth being all over hers alerted her to the fact that she’d perspired profusely most of the day in nervous anticipation of their wedding.

  *****

  Christian’s body screamed out in agony at the loss of her body next to his. “Be patient he told himself. We have all night.”

  He moved to the bed and glanced around the room. How familiar yet strange it was to him. He’d designed it yet rarely ever felt the need to step inside of one. With an arm behind his head he glanced up at the ceiling. What in the world was going on with him? This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. He wa
s supposed to be in his own room, letting her get the much needed rest she knew her body craved.

  His rod stiffened in protest. No, her body craved him. He’d known it before he felt the heat emanating off her body. What in the world was taking her so long? He jumped off the bed prepared to take her in the bathroom.

  “Hi.” She stepped out catching him in mid stride.

  Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of her naked. His eyes roamed her body, converting every curve, her full breasts, and shaved glory to memory in a matter of seconds. “My goodness you are breath taking.”

  She smiled. “I know most women normally have some sexy lingerie or something for their wedding night. I didn’t bother to think any was needed…” her words trailed.

  He understood where her line of thinking ventured but it didn’t matter. Naked was much more of a gift. Christian pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. He slid his tongue inside and she accepted. His rod hardened at her willingness.

  His hands found their way to her soft mounds and the urgency to suck them hit him. He broke free of their kiss and lowered his mouth to them. At first he took the nipple gently, then a fever took over. He devoured one then the other.

  Her body arched and she squealed in delight. Her moans nearly pushed him over the edge. He wanted to bend her over the bed and shove his dick as far as he could inside of her but he caught himself. This was their wedding night and he’d give her something to remember. Especially if he’d never get it again.

  He picked her up and carried her small frame to the bed and lowered her in the center. He climbed on top and returned to her breasts. Christian licked one nipple then blew on the wetness while trailing a hand down between her legs. Her moisture caught him by surprise. Her body was ready and willing for him.

  He trailed kisses down her navel and then spread her legs to bask in the glory of her glistening center. Her body on full display he marveled at her toned hips leading down to the slender trail of trimmed hair just above her open slit.

  His tongue snaked out and grazed his lips. He needed a taste.