Read Pyramids and Promises (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 2) for Free Online Page B

It was magical up in the morning sky, floating over statues and monuments thousands of years old. Pharaohs had walked here.
    “Alright.” She sighed.
    He signaled their guide with a chuckle. The balloon dropped a few feet, and she stumbled into Conner. Her stomach flip-flopped, and she started laughing.
    His arms had been around her way too much for one balloon ride, but she wasn’t going to complain.
    “What changed?” Conner asked.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Last night, and even this morning, you’d been nervous and distant. A few pictures and a little turbulence, and suddenly you’re giggling and happy. Not that I’m complaining.” He grinned an impossibly sexy smile. Those green eyes of his were to die for.
    “I don’t know. There is something about being up in the air, in Egypt of all places, and seeing the sun come up. Realizing this might not be such a bad assignment after all. I haven’t been giving it enough of a chance.” She pulled free of his grasp and tucked her escaped hair behind her ears.
    “Just like that you changed your mind about the whole country?”
    “Just like that.” She shoved him playfully, and he grinned again. Damn, if this one didn’t have a girlfriend, he had a string of broken hearts all over Cairo.
    Conner grabbed her hand. “We’re getting closer to landing. We need to crouch down.”
    He sat on his haunches and pulled her down with him.
    “The basket will probably bounce a little bit, but it could also fall over and drag for a few feet. It’s not very windy here, so we’ll probably be fine, but I want you to be aware.”
    She nodded.
    They hit the ground and bounced. Jessica gripped Conner’s arm.
    “No worries. That should be the worst of it,” he said with a soft smile.
    “We’re going over!” yelled the driver.
    “Or not.” Conner wrapped both his arms around her. “Hold on, princess.”
    Jessica threw herself into Conner’s lap and held on for dear life. She didn’t want to be thrown out of the basket. It wasn’t one of her best moments, but she wasn’t worried about that just then.
    The basket toppled over and landed on its side. Jessica was on her back, and Conner leaned over her. All his weight on his hands next to her head. He frowned at her, and she started laughing. She hoped he would too, but he continued to stare at her. Not even a grin. Maybe life and death situations were easy for him. However, she needed the release of adrenaline. Her therapist mind locked away that tidbit.
    Their guide, along with three others trying to tether the balloon, offered hands to help them up. Conner stood on his own and helped Jessica.
    She scrambled out of the basket and dusted off her capris. He followed her, still looking somber.
    “You know,” she said. “I think you liked me better when I was grumpy Jessica.”
    He ran his hand through his hair, ruffling his golden waves into the most haphazardly handsome mess. “It’s not that. I’m not quite sure what to do with happy Jessica. My whole goal when you were grumpy was to cheer you up. I don’t know what to do now.”
    “Well, you succeeded at goal number one. Pick a new one. Now take me to Valley of the Kings.”
    That got a smile out of him.

W hen Jessica was reserved and anxious, she reminded him a lot more of Nour than she did now. Nour could be happy at times, but only when they were utterly alone could she take off her hijab and talk about the future. He never realized that for her it was just a dream. She knew from the beginning that they couldn’t be together. He wished she’d told him before he fell.
    Jessica. Happy Jessica made him a tad bit nervous. It was like his private time with Nour exploded all over the place for everyone to see, leaving him exposed and open. He’d wanted to pick a fight to see her cheeks color and her eyes flash. Instead, he made her laugh and got this gorgeous girl who was suddenly so full of light and life it overwhelmed him.
    He wished he were showing her some