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let the cover fall and realized why the room was so bright. The blinds were open and Anna stood next to the bed.
    “ Good morning, Ms. Egypt.”
    “ Morning. Is something wrong?” Why was this woman in her room? And why this early? After the night she had, she deserved every ounce of sleep she could muster. “What time is it?”
    “ No, nothing is wrong. It’s almost noon and Mr. Christian wants to take you out for the day.” The woman smiled and proceeded to pull the covers all the way back. “He wants you to dress casual.”
    Egypt briefly wondered if this is what kings and queens endured, people constantly invading their privacy and hovering over them. “Thank you Anna.”
    The woman paused for a moment. Egypt could see the wheels in her head turning.
    “ I’m glad you are here. Mr. Christian smiles more. He needs you in his life.” She gave Egypt a quick hug then scurried from the room.
    The older woman left behind the faint scent of food. Egypt’s stomach let out a soft growl. No way she can go back to sleep now. She stepped out the bed and padded across the angel soft carpet to the bathroom.
    Within minutes she was showered, dressed in Capri pants and cute blouse, and seated herself downstairs at the kitchen nook. Anna had outdone herself with array of fruit, variety of meats, breakfast pastries and juice. Who in the world did the woman think she was cooking for?
    Christian strolled through the entry way. Egypt watched his confident stride. It wasn’t a Denzel Washington walk but one that was lighter, yet still with a purpose. He moved as if he had the best night’s sleep of his life before joining her at the table.
    “ Everything looks amazing Anna,” he said while taking a seat.
    She gave him a nod while ducking out the kitchen, leaving Egypt to deal with the freshly showered sexy man all on her own. Even in cargo shorts and a t-shirt the man looked amazing.
    “ Good morning.” He flashed her a smile, one that hid something behind it.
    “ Morning.” She waited for him to spill the beans on what this was all about. Why was it so important for her to be up and out of bed?
    Christian filled his plate and paused for a moment, closing his eyes.
    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