Pyramids and Promises (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 2) (9 page)

“I
met Rick in college, second semester of my freshman year. Our relationship moved very quickly. By the end of the year we were exclusive, and as soon as we graduated, we got married.”

Jessica turned and put her back against Conner’s side. He wished that he could still see her face, but he understood that this was going to be a difficult story for her. His arm slid around her and pulled her snuggly against him.

“I’m listening, and I’m all yours,” he said in encouragement. He wanted to make it clear that she could take her time to get it all out.

She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. They sat like that, him supporting her weight, for only a few minutes before she took a deep breath and began again.

“Rick was my one and only. I knew nothing about how relationships were supposed to work except what he told me. Sure my friends and I talked, but I don’t know, I guess I just never realized how unusual our situation was until we moved to Russia.”

Conner frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Rick was really controlling where sex was concerned. Which was strange, because he wasn’t in many other aspects of our relationship. Every day of our marriage and even before that, we had sex at least twice every day. When we woke up and when we went to bed. And if he got frisky in the afternoon, we did it then too. It didn’t matter if I wanted to or not.”

Conner clenched his hands into fists. “You mean he forced himself on you?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing that extreme, but he told me that was what married people did, and if I didn’t like it, then we shouldn’t be married. He said that it was how I proved I loved him. It was the center of every argument he had.”

The catch in her voice nearly drove him to call his friends in Russia to look this guy up.

“And you didn’t see anything wrong with this? Being a therapist, you weren’t concerned?”

“I had blinders on. I didn’t do a lot of family and marriage therapy. I had more experience in youth counseling until we moved to Russia. Of course, I had a feeling that things weren’t normal, but I loved him, and I believed him.”

Conner kissed her hair, above her ear. Maybe it wasn’t the right time, but he couldn’t help himself.

“The embassy in Moscow is so large that they have two therapists. They have that here too, but I still don’t really know my colleague yet. But there, Tara and I hit right off. We agreed to be each other’s therapists. We both needed that. For the first time in my life I told someone about how our marriage worked. She expressed concerns that it wasn’t normal, but didn’t really counsel me to change things.

“Then my mom got sick, and I had to go home for a few days. Rick and I hadn’t spent a night away from each other since we’d gotten married. He argued with me for hours before my plane took off. He told me it wasn’t right for us to be apart, but there was a chance my mom wouldn’t make it, and so there was no way I wasn’t going home. He didn’t call me once while I was in the States. Of course I called him a gazillion times. I was worried that he’d never speak to me again. He never answered his phone. As soon as my mom was in the clear, I was in the air again on my way back. Three days earlier than planned.”

The scheming bastard had really gotten into her head. Conner kept his comments to himself though. He didn’t want her to stop talking. It was good for her to get it all out in one hit, like ripping off a bandage.

She paused and took several deep breaths. “When I got home, I found him in bed with Tara. I was stupid enough to believe that it was my fault, because I’d left.”

“Like hell!” Conner couldn’t bite that one back. Jessica turned to face him. He was worried he’d see tears in her eyes, but those gorgeous blues were shining with anger. She reached for his hand and cradled it in her lap.

“I know that now. Back then, though, I begged him to forgive me for leaving him. He told me I could make it up to him. I had to screw him four times a day for two weeks, and then maybe he’d forgive me.

“A lightbulb went off then. Something about how detached he was from the situation. Everything became clear. I agreed for that moment. As soon as he left for work the next morning, I called my lawyer and filed the papers. I got my clothes and things out of my apartment and went to the housing office demanding a temporary apartment until more permanent arrangements could be made. Then I put in for the transfer. I didn’t expect Cairo, but it wasn’t Russia. Rick was livid. He came to my office almost every day until I left and told me I was making a huge mistake and that I’d be nothing without him.”

“Were you ever tempted to go back to him?” Conner asked calmly, despite the seething anger under his skin. Anger not just at her ex-husband, but at Jessica too, for not seeing through all his crap and getting away sooner.

“At first, yes. But when I told him that I’d only come home if he ended things with Tara, he told me I was in no place to make bargains, and that he’d sleep with any woman he damned well pleased.”

“Okay, Russian mafia is definitely getting a call from me tomorrow. I know a guy.”

“Of course you know a guy.” She gave him a weak smile and a small roll of her eyes.

“I didn’t expect your story to be that bad. I just thought it would be a typical man cheats on wife thing. When I saw that picture though, I knew we were dealing with something more serious.”

“You must think I’m so messed up.” She lowered her head, letting her hair fall in her face.

He pushed through the curtain of hair, the armor she created around her face, and cupped her chin. He raised her face so that he could look in her eyes.

“I think you were in a terrible situation, and you found a way to free yourself. I don’t think you’re messed up. I think you’re amazing and strong.” He ran his thumb along her jawbone.

Her eyes filled with tears. This Rick guy better hope he never crossed paths with Conner.

“Jessica, I don’t know where our relationship is heading, but I promise you this. I will never use affection or sex as a weapon. If the time ever comes, it will be your decision and your decision alone.”

“Do I still get my kiss on top of the Great Pyramid?” She sniffed and blinked back her tears.

“You brat.” He laughed. “I’m working on figuring that out.”

He kissed her forehead as his phone buzzed in his pocket.

“Dinner’s here, and so is Tommy. His timing is impeccable.”

Ahmed and Tommy didn’t typically mix, so Tommy came up alone carrying both his package and the take out.

“I had to call in a few favors.” Tommy flounced in looking windblown and out of breath like he’d procured the Mona Lisa. Conner winked at Jessica and made the introductions.

Tommy narrowed his eyes at Jessica, but still shook her hand rather politely. Hopefully, she didn’t pick up on the subtle dislike that emanated off him. Tommy didn’t like any female that captured Conner’s attention, and one that looked so similar to Nour was really going to draw his ire. Competition, real or not, irritated Tommy.

“I’ve heard a lot about you. Conner says he couldn’t survive without you.” Jessica threw out a million-watt smile. Conner ducked his head. He was pretty sure he’d never said anything like that. Smart girl.

“Well, that is sweet of him.” Tommy looked down in a fit of the fakest modesty Conner had ever seen. “I haven’t heard all that much about you, but he asked me to pick this up. It must be for you.”

He handed her the tissue-wrapped package. While she unwrapped it, Conner gave Tommy a look that promised pain and torture. He’d make him do filing or some other menial task that would mess up his manicure. Tommy grinned in return.

“Oh, Conner you shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.” Jessica breathed out her surprise at the alabaster vase in her hands. It wasn’t quite the same as hers, but Tommy had good taste. A little bit smaller, the curves more delicate, he’d made a decent choice. “And, Tommy, thank you for going to get it.”

Tommy beamed with pride. He loved praise.

“Yes, thank you. Now go home.” Conner softened the order with a smile.

“Of course.” Tommy rolled his eyes and wiggled his fingers in a small wave at Jessica. “You kids have fun.”

“Really, Tommy, thank you.” Jessica gave him a full smile again, and Conner could have sworn that a little of the ice around Tommy’s girl-hating heart melted.

Jessica changed into some yoga pants and a t-shirt and put on some classic rock while Conner got out the plates. They kept the conversation light, and after dinner, Conner stretched out on the couch. She didn’t hesitate to get in right beside him, and he was more than content to hold her. Very innocently. He didn’t try to win a kiss or push things forward. When she fell asleep on his chest, he let her stay there until his phone buzzed again.

He sent Ahmed a text to go on home for the evening. He was staying there for the night, but he wanted Ahmed to come back early with one of his suits. Scooping Jessica up, he carried her into the bedroom. Once he tucked her in and was sure she was still asleep, he grabbed an extra blanket and headed to the couch. No way was he leaving her alone tonight.

Nour never once crossed his mind.

J
essica woke with a start.

She rolled over and looked at the clock. It was only 5:30. She didn’t remember going to bed. Her alarm wasn’t set.

Conner.

He must have brought her in here before he left. That was sweet of him. In fact, everything about him had been pretty perfect last night. She’d expected him to run screaming from her apartment when he heard her story. He didn’t. Not only did he not, he cleaned up, and stayed with her till she fell asleep. He sure had a sweet side. That was dangerous to know.

She kicked off the covers. Coffee. That was her first goal. She shuffled into her kitchen and froze. Conner’s phone was on the counter.

Curiosity almost made her pick it up and turn it on. Just to see whom he was getting texts from. That wasn’t right though. She had no claim on him. It was none of her business if other women texted him.

Coffee was brewing when the phone went off.

Nope. She wasn’t going to look.

She walked into the living room to pick up after last night and found the phone’s owner asleep on her couch.

A gasp of surprise escaped her.

He must have slept on her couch all night. His phone buzzed again. She went to the kitchen and grabbed it. Knowing him and the fact that he was probably late for work, he’d want it first thing.

She walked back and sat on the coffee table beside him. His dress shirt and slacks were tossed on the floor. He did still have a t-shirt on. Small mercies. A bare chested Conner would be hard to resist this morning.

“Conner,” she said softly to not startle him.

He threw his arm over his eyes and turned his back on her.

She couldn’t help it. She giggled. He looked so boyish with his hair all spikey and his white tee.

“Conner.” She laid a hand on his arm and gave him a gentle shake.

That didn’t work either. His phone’s text sound in her hand did though. He sat straight up and looked around, obviously confused where he was for a moment. The blanket pooled around his waist, and Jessica couldn’t quite discern exactly what he was wearing on that end.

“Morning.” She smiled when he grinned at her, and held out his phone.

“Ahmed. Always punctual,” he murmured and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Is there coffee?”

“It’s brewing,” she said.

“Good. Mind if I grab a shower?”

“Why did you stay?” she asked at the same time.

“I wasn’t leaving you alone.”

That was sweet of him. She blushed. He chuckled.

“Now, your shower?”

“Depends.” She shrugged.

“On?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

“What all you’ve got on?”

He laughed. Her face was on fire.

“I didn’t sleep in just my t-shirt, love. I promise I have boxers on.” He stood up before she could say anything else. Thankfully he was truthful. He had on black boxers, but still, if Jessica blushed anymore, she could light a roman candle with her cheeks.

“I assume there are towels in the bathroom.”

He walked on in without waiting for an answer.

Ahmed delivered his suit while Conner was in the shower. Jessica looked through the peephole and opened the door for him.

“In the bedroom,” she said.

Ahmed dipped his head. “Sabah al khayr.”

She smiled. “Good morning to you too. Thank you again for checking the place out last night.”

“Afwon.” He headed into the bedroom.

“And for dinner as well.” Jessica called after him. For some reason, she really wanted him to like her. She hadn’t really met anyone else close to Conner so his staff were the only ones she had to really make an impression on.

He returned a moment later.

“Can I offer you coffee?” she asked, holding out a cup. An empty cup. “Well, I could put some coffee in it.”

She giggled nervously.

“No, thank you, Miss. Tell the mister I will be waiting downstairs.”

“I sure will. Have a lovely day.” Jessica smiled brightly. Never mind that she probably didn’t look her best as six a.m.