His Stand In Read Free Page A

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