His Stand In Read online

  Egypt frowned as a sinking feeling set it. Now that she’d married the boss people were showing their true colors. This didn’t sit well with her at all. “Jessica, just because Christian and I are married doesn’t change anything.”

  “If you say so.” The woman shrugged her shoulders but a hint of amusement still lingered behind her lips.

  “Egypt,” a voice said from behind.

  She glanced over her shoulder to see Ramona standing in the doorway to her office.

  She rang her hands together as she spoke. “Can I please speak to you for a moment?”

  Egypt started to protest and finish setting Jessica straight but the pleading in Ramona’s eyes told her this was important.

  “Sure.” Egypt followed her inside. “What’s this all about?”

  “Please take a seat.”

  Egypt debated. Sitting in one of the chairs the opposite of Ramona’s desk would appear as if Ramona were her superior and that simply wasn’t the case. The only person higher than Egypt was Christian, and with their commencement she surmised that was even debatable.

  “No thank you. I’ll stand.”

  “Suit yourself.” Ramona clicked on the flat screen display. “I take it you haven’t seen today’s celebrity hot topic.” She let out a sigh.

  A feeling of apprehension caused a knot to form in the pit of Egypt’s stomach.

  “No, should I care?”

  Before the woman could respond the commentator spoke and flashed a picture on the screen. “What’s going on?” The images on the monitor couldn’t be right.

  “I think you need to sit down.”

  Egypt instantly fell into her chair but her eyes remained glued to the T.V. Her fully nude body was on display while in the hotel room. The angle of the picture caught her perfectly as she stepped out of the bathroom, just before allowing Christian to have his way with her. Another image flashed and it was of her being hosted on the large rock by Christian. The look on her face was full of passion as she glanced over his shoulder.

  Her stomach bottomed out. Their honeymoon had made the top news story. She anticipated the wedding but not this. She shook her head as if doing so would make the images go away.

  “I’m so sorry to be the one to show you but I thought you should know.” Ramona’s eyes darted from the screen to Egypt.

  The room felt like the Vortex ride at a carnival. It started to spin and pick up speed. Egypt dropped her head into her hands. Everything was a mess. The marriage wasn’t even real and now she was front page news like one of the Kardashians. Before she had time to get a grip that this was her new reality her phone rang.

  Egypt pulled it from her purse and looked at the name. As if things couldn’t get worse.

  Ramona must have seen the look of despair on Egypt’s face because she backed up to her own office door. “I’ll give you a moment.” She stepped out and closed it behind her.

  Egypt was left alone to face the music.

  Trembling fingers pushed the green headset icon on the phone. “Hello,” her voice reverted to that of a teen as she answered.

  “Egypt Denise James,” came her mother’s reply.

  She swallowed hard. This is not how she anticipated her morning going.

  “What the hell is going on Egypt?”

  Egypt glanced out the window. They were up thirty flights. If she jumped out the fall would kill her on impact, right?

  “I take it you saw the news?”

  “Hump I saw it and heard about it from all my friends. Who the hell is this man? And more importantly why didn’t you tell me? Why in Jesus name must I hear of my daughter getting married to some white man from someone else?”

  Great maybe she hadn’t see the photos.

  “Married and now you doing porn? I didn’t raise you like this.”

  “Mom, it’s not porn,” she croaked out.

  “My child is naked on T.V. what else do you call it? Do I need to worry about some sex tape now? I know David did you wrong, but this.” Egypt had no doubt her mother was clutching the two inch gold cross on her necklace she always wore.

  Egypt’s decision on not informing her mother was coming back to bite her. It wasn’t that she didn’t want her family to know, but more so of not really wanting to lie to them. Telling them would get them all involved in the farce. She couldn’t do that to the warm and kind parents who raised her.

  As her mother continued fussing she knew her dad would remain the silent man he was. He was probably sitting out in the garden tending to the vegetables while leaving his wife to have her say in the matter. Her father rarely got into what he deemed “womanly” matters.

  What could she say? Her head was about to explode. So many thoughts. Confusion. It all pressed down on her. She couldn't do this right now. She needed to talk to Christian.

  “Mom I’m at work and can’t talk right now.” Her stomach twisted and turned, tightening the knot in his stomach.

  “You can’t run from this Egypt…” her mom continued on ignoring Egypt’s comment.

  “Mom,” Egypt raised her voice. “I can’t do this right now. I will call you back.”

  “Fine, but you make sure you call me back.”

  No sooner than she pushed the end button it rang again. It was her cousin Tasha. That was the last person she needed to speak to right now. She declined the call and sent her to voicemail.

  She couldn't breathe. She stood up from the chair and took huge gulps of air. How could this have happened? How could she have let this happen? This is what she had wanted to avoid at all costs. Now it all made sense. The stares people had given her this morning. They didn’t care about her wedding. They were too busy laughing at her for all of her business being splashed on T.V. How could any of them take her serious after seeing her naked?

  Christian was probably getting high fives from his male counterparts. The hypocrisy of the matter was absurd.

  “Ugh,” she sighed.

  She needed to talk to Christian.

  Egypt practically ran from the office, cursing the four inch high heels she chosen to match her outfit. Dammit she had been such a fool. She had changed her life for him just to save her own ass from being on the street. And this is what it had gotten her. Money can’t buy you happiness, but it sure as hell could get your ass splattered all over the media.

  She ignored the stares and whispers as she rushed down the hall. By now she was the butt of several memes on social media. The whole world would see her goods, even though they were blurred for TV it still was an eyeful.

  One of the heels wobbled causing her to stumble and slowed her pace. She was only a few steps from Christian’s office and his door was closed, meaning he was in a meeting.

  “Oh, come on.” She limped the last few steps. Whoever it was would just have to wait.

  She reached for the handle and the door whisked open. Egypt collided with a hard frame.

  “Excuse me,” she said glancing up into the concerned green gaze of the man she’d been on her way to see.

  “Anytime you’d like to bump into me is my pleasure.” He gave her a wide toothy grin.

  Egypt didn’t find the humor.

  “I was on my way to see you. Have you noticed that we’re all over TMZ?” Her anger over the situation coming to the forefront now that she had someone to direct it at. “Pictures of the wedding is what I planned on not my ass.”

  Christian pulled her into his office and closed the door back behind them. She glanced around and realized he hadn’t been in a meeting. The flat screen was still on but muted. An image of Justin Bieber flashed by and then there was her naked body again.

  “Yes I saw it. That’s why I was on my way to see you. I wanted to see how you were doing.”

  How she was doing? Egypt wanted to yell at the top of her lungs that she wasn’t doing well at all. Gazing up at him she didn’t see the same concern that was coursing through her. Why wasn’t he as upset about this as she was? Then it hit her. He was used to his face bei
ng plastered all over TMZ, YouTube, and any other form of social media. It was no big deal for him. Plus all that could be seen of him was his back. The cameraman conveniently panned up on that shot.

  “How am I doing Christian? Well, let’s see.” She stormed across the room and pointed at the screen. “My naked body is on TV. Every client we deal with is now watching me. My family and friends are looking at that this morning. The people in this office have obviously already seen it.” She glanced through the blinds and caught peering eyes watching them.

  Christian’s gaze darkened as he took in the lingering near his office window. He opened the door back up and spoke. “Doesn’t anyone have any work to do?”

  The crowd immediately dispersed. The site of the employees scurrying away almost brought a smile to her face, but the reality was still there. She was now married to her boss. Her boss.

  Christian closed his blinds and faced her again. “Egypt I’m so sorry about this. It isn’t like it shows you in a bad light. You’re a married woman not some whore. Tomorrow someone else will do something and the world will be looking at them. So you see it’ll blow over shortly.” He reached to pull her into his arms.

  She pulled away from him. The last thing she wanted him to do was touch her.

  “You don’t understand. My mother didn’t know about us and what will all of your employees think?”

  “What? Why didn’t you tell your parents yet?”

  Right now her mother’s concerns weren’t the top priority. She instantly regretted letting it slip that she failed to inform her. Hot tears burned the backs of her eyes. It was happening again. She was played for a fool. This time she’d walked right into it with her eyes wide open. How could she have been so stupid? Marrying him wasn’t one of her brightest ideas.

  She needed to get away. Her bank account already had a nice sum in it. She could leave and just start over. Maybe she’d start using her middle name and with a hairstyle change she can apply for jobs elsewhere.

  Her shoulders slumped. “I can’t do this. Christian, I don’t’ think it’s a good idea for us to continue this rouse.”

  *****

  Christian couldn’t believe his ears. He reached for her hands. “Egypt don’t do this. Take some off and think about it.”

  She lifted up tear stained eyes to him. “I’m not just talking about the job.”

  He reached for her again. She couldn’t be serious. He held her close, ignoring her trying to push away from him. So what there were pictures of her on the news? They were a married couple. Yes, he never planned on being intimate with her but now he’s glad and can’t get enough of her. There was no need for them to pretend. He wanted her and she him or so he thought.

  “Egypt, it will blow over I promise.”

  She broke free of him.

  “How can you guarantee that?” she challenged.

  “Because that’s what media is all about. You can’t just run away from this.” His heart threatened to burst from his chest as it pounded hard against is rib cage. “You can’t run away from us.”

  She trembled before him and sucked in a breath. He could see the wheels turning in her head as she mulled over his words.

  “We may not have started out right, but I believe this…we can work.” His mind flashed back to how great he felt when their bodies were one. It wasn’t just the sex it was so much more. He felt her energy. She was a powerful woman yet fragile at the same time. Egypt stood before him scared and exposed and it made him want her more.

  He pulled him to her once again and wrapped his arms around her. He gave her a shield of protection. Her breathing slowed and she finally relaxed against him. “It’s going to be okay.”

  Reality set in for him. What was it in her past that made her so afraid? Was she ready to lace up her track shoes and leave him the dust? He pushed the thoughts away because now wasn’t the time, but he would get to the bottom of things later.

  “Will you stay and allow us to work through this?” He had to hear the words. In the short amount of time he gotten used to her being in his home. And, on their return last night she didn’t retreat to her room. He couldn’t bear to walk in the door and she not be there.

  “Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  Christian released a breath. “Good.” He planted a kiss on her lip gloss tinted lips. He didn’t care if his lips would now be shimmery as well. “Now my darling. I need you to be strong because you are a Bradley and walk back out there with your head high.”

  Egypt straightened her clothes and nodded. Christian held her hand and opened his door. To his surprise, she turned and planted another kiss on his lips for all the office to see before walking confidently down the hall.

  Chapter Ten

  Egypt adjusted her body in her chair and stretched her stiff limbs. The numbers on the spreadsheet in front of her began to blur but not before she clicked send. She’d been at it for the past three hours straight trying to ensure everything was all set for Christian’s next meeting.

  She smiled into the empty room, knowing he was in his office probably doing the same thing. He was right. After a week the media was on to the next and she became old news. The first day after was rough but Christian made a brief announcement to halt the gossip and hinted to suspending employees if they didn’t comply.

  Her mother finally calmed down after an extensive conversation. In the end she only wanted Egypt to be happy. Her cousin Tasha was another issue. Christian looked like a bag of money to her and she demanded to know when Egypt planned on taking her on a shopping spree. Egypt was grateful for the conversation being cut short with Tasha having another call from her once again incarcerated boyfriend.

  Egypt shook her head at how Tasha held on to a man who’d never amount to anything and thanked her lucky stars for finding someone as kind and giving as Christian. He’d been nothing but the man of her dreams since the beginning. Her mind drifted their last lovemaking session. She closed her eyes and relished in how his strong embrace made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world. Then he slid his rod into her folds and made her scream his name upon her release.

  “You ready for the conference call?” Ramona leaned against her doorframe.

  Egypt shook her head and snapped out of it. Thankfully, the computer screen hid her face. Surely her brown skin lit up with red undertones of embarrassment.

  “Yes,” she croaked out. Egypt glanced at the time and realized if Ramona hadn’t stopped by she would have daydreamed her way through the call.

  Ramona gave her a nod and continued on her way. Egypt dialed the conference number and was the first one to enter the call. Even though she had another few minutes she’d rather be early than risk time getting away from her again.

  Moments later the chime sounded one by one until everyone who needed to be was on the line. The entire time she was on the line, she squirmed in my seat, barely listening. Egypt’s thoughts drifted back to Christian and had her hot and bothered. As soon as it ended, she rushed out her office.

  Ramona walked back in her direction, no doubt to discuss the call but Egypt was on another mission.

  “We can catch up later. I have to speak to the boss about something.”

  Egypt didn’t stick around for a response. She picked up the pace rushed down the few doors. Her heart fluttered at the idea of what she was about to do. She tapped on the open door.

  Christian sat in his leather chair, on the phone with his back turned. He raised a hand, signaling to give him a moment. She gently closed the door and strolled across the room to him. She tapped his shoulder. The moment his eyes connect with hers, his lips curled upright and a huge grin spread across his face.

  “One moment,” he mouthed.

  Ignoring him, she undid his pants. Excitement flowed through her as she pushed his rod through the opening of his boxers and stroked him slow at first then with more vigor as it stiffened. Once his shaft returned to the swollen state she’d been daydreaming of she took him
in her mouth.

  “Jon, I have to call you back.” He hung up the phone. “You little devil you.”

  Christian let out a low moan and leaned back in the chair.

  She felt the heat of his eyes on her while she licked down his shaft. He rubbed her back, encouraging her on. Egypt wrapped her mouth around him, taking him all in.

  “That feels amazing,” he growled.

  The faster her mouth moved the hotter the crease between her thighs became. She wanted…no she needed him inside of her. Egypt’s body was ablaze and it was only one person to put out the inferno. She slid up her skirt and pushed her thong to the side before easing her firm ass down on his hard shaft. Moisture threatened to drip out her mound, there was no need to be gentle. His dick filled her to capacity and she rode him right there.

  She tossed her head back and rocked against him. His hands wrapped around her waist and he thrust back into her. Electricity flowed through her on contact. The long curve of his shaft moved within her, hitting the perfect spot. It took everything in her power not to cry out in pleasure when the tugging started at the base of her stomach.

  Her inner walls pulsed and Christian gripped her tighter. He knew she was on the verge of exploding. She refused to go alone and rolled her hips in a circular motion, pushing and swirling against him until he tensed. With one final thrust, they reached their peak in unison.

  Egypt collapsed against his large frame. She enjoyed the safety of his embrace as her breathing settled.

  “What has gotten into you?” He didn’t hide the elation on his face. His eyes sparkled in awe as if he were experiencing the power of electricity for the first time.

  She handed him a moist wipe from his desk. “I wanted my husband, and I didn’t want to wait for it.”

  “You have no complaints here. You did catch me at an awkward time though. I have a meeting, and I am about to be late.” He adjusted his clothes as he spoke. “Can we finish this tonight?”

  “Don’t forget about our interview with the online magazine.”