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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