His Stand In (2 page)

“
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 the 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.

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.