Pyramids and Promises (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 2) (11 page)

O
nce the Ms heard Jessica was free for dinner on Friday night, she didn’t stand a chance. They drug Jessica out to a street café, much to Ahmed’s concern. Once again, they wore very similar sundresses in varying shades of blue, pink, and yellow. How did they manage to coordinate it? Did they have a daily phone call?

“You are going to love this place.” Molly dropped into a chair while Melinda and Marcy shared a look before sitting more daintily. Jessica bit back a smile. Poor Molly, she hadn’t quite fit into the perfect lady circle yet.

Jessica was careful to use her most ladylike manners when she shook out her napkin and placed it in her lap.

She hadn’t had many girlfriends in Russia, and she had been spending so much time with Conner since she arrived here that she hadn’t really made the time to go out with the girls. It felt so good to smile and laugh at little things.

“So tell us how has the first week was at work?” asked Melinda after she sipped her water. “Are you settling in nicely?”

“I really like Dr. Michaels. He has the office across the hall from me.” So far, he was completely different from Tara. He was distantly polite, didn’t ask too many questions, and didn’t pry. He was exactly what Jessica needed.

“I know a couple people that see him and like him.” Marcy nodded, then dropped her voice. “Though I have heard he could be called a little cold. Aloof.”

“Professional,” Jessica corrected.

“Oh.” Marcy’s eyes grew wide, and she nodded again. Jessica would like to see her explaining that to whichever friend had complained.

“So what’s this about?” Molly waved her hand in Ahmed’s direction. He sat at a nearby table, diligently watching the street. The girls had been all a-tizzy about him. They were impressed that she had private security. When Jessica announced he’d be going with them, Melinda had called Conner an overprotective boyfriend. While Molly made swoony eyes at Ahmed and said it was super romantic. Jessica simply shook her head at the absurdity of it all.

“An extra precaution.” Jessica shrugged.

“Have you had any more troubles?” Marcy asked, her eyes wide with concern.

Jessica squirmed in her chair. The last thing she wanted to do was give them the impression that she had brought trouble into their building or that she couldn’t handle her business. Then again, she also didn’t want them thinking she was a flake that fell into the arms of the nearest man who walked by her and now was being chauffeured around like his arm candy.

Once again, Melinda saw through her distress.

“We’re only worried about you,” she said, and the frown that creased her forehead made Jessica believe her.

Maybe that was why she never really had girl friends. She never trusted them. These girls, though they dressed ridiculously, might be worth that risk. She’d never know till she found out.

Jessica drew in a deep breath and told them about the flowers and the picture. They gasped in the right places, and before her story was over, Molly was holding her hand.

“Well, I like this Conner guy. I don’t think he’s obsessive at all.” Marcy glanced at Melinda. That was the first time, she’d ever said anything contrary to a Melinda opinion.

“Me too. Thank you, Ahmed,” Molly called to him. He raised an eyebrow at Jessica in return.

“Did you call to get your locks changed?” Melinda leaned in and spoke low. “If they give you any trouble, tell them you had to fire your housekeeper, or that your keys were stolen. They shouldn’t balk, but if they do, let me know. Jeff might be able to help.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy?” Jessica asked. “Or that I’m trouble...or wish I hadn’t moved in?”

“Well, honey, you’ve only been here a week. We can’t judge crazy yet,” said Melinda. “Molly surprises me every day, but trouble, no. I think you might be in trouble with your ex. You though, are a sweetheart.”

“How do I surprise you?” Molly grinned.

“We’re always waiting for what fool thing will come out of your mouth next,” Marcy answered with a laugh, and Jessica was sure Melinda kicked her under the table.

“Let’s eat.” Melinda shook her head and winked at Jessica.

The Ms were fun, but exhausting. She was ready to find her blankets by the time Ahmed walked her to the door.

“Remember, I’ll be downstairs,” he said after he was satisfied that no one was hiding in her closet. “You have my number.”

“Yes, Conner put it in my phone this morning.”

“Text or call if you need anything.” He dipped his head in his super polite way and left. Jessica was sure he would be waiting in the hall until he heard the door lock, which she did immediately.

Safe and secure, she took a long hot shower and changed into her pajamas. The blanket Conner had slept with was still on the couch. She curled up with it and her laptop. She wanted to catch up on a few emails. First, though, Facebook. There were a dozen messages from her sister. A new one popped up when she logged in.

It’s about time. Where have you been, and who is the guy in all your pictures?
Julia bombarded her. Jessica had been ignoring her emails, so she wasn’t in the least surprised.

Hello to you too.
She rolled her eyes, even though her sister couldn’t see her. A little love to start off would be nice.

Seriously, girl, who is the guy?
No such luck. She couldn’t shame Julia into being polite.

Just a friend.

He looks like more than a friend.

Jessica wondered how much to tell her. She loved her sister, but anything she fed Julia would go right back to her parents.

Maybe. I don’t know. Nothing’s happened, but I like him. The pictures are more for Rick’s benefit than yours.

Did they make that bastard jealous?

I have no idea. But that was the plan.

Are you sure that’s the route you want to go?

Jessica chewed on her bottom lip. She had been at first. After the picture and the flowers and Conner being so worried, maybe it hadn’t been the best move.

I don’t know. Rick said I’d be nothing without him. I just wanted him to see how wrong he was.

Sometimes, it’s best not to poke the bear. You don’t have to prove anything to that freak.
Julia was always so blunt. If it went through her head, it came out her mouth.
How is Egypt? Other than the hot guy on your arm? I wish you’d tell me who he is?

It’s very brown. I’m learning to look past that to the beauty.
Jessica didn’t comment on Conner.

I miss you.

Miss you too.

I gotta go. Cassie is crying.

Of course, love you.

Love you too, sis.

She spent the next hour responding to emails. Including one from her lawyer who said that Rick had filed some ridiculous motion to try and get half of Jessica’s pension with the State Department. Not to worry though. Her lawyer already shot it down.

A knock sounded on her door. She checked the clock. It was ten to midnight. Probably Ahmed making sure she was going to bed at a decent hour. Conner stood there in jeans and a t-shirt with a massive smile on his face.

“Conner, it’s almost midnight.” She opened the door with a sigh. If he was drunk, she was calling Ahmed to take him home.

His eyebrows went up. “I know. Can we come in?”

“We?”

He nodded, and she opened the door farther to let him in.

A large black dog peeked out from behind Conner’s legs.

“Oh!” She bent down for a better look. “Who is this?”

“I can’t believe this shy act he’s putting on. He’s never been shy in his life.” Conner stepped aside, but the dog followed him.

“Octo.” He groaned. “I’m being punished for not being home more. You’ve made my dog mad at me.”

“Octo?” Jessica asked with a glance up at Conner. His hair had fallen into his beautiful green eyes, and he had a slight grin on his lips. If he was drunk, he wore it well. He nodded.

“Octo, I’m sorry if I’m keeping your daddy out too much.”

The dog stuck his whole head past Conner’s thighs. A big dog, a Doberman.

“You’re gorgeous.” She held out her hand for him to smell.

“Look there, she’s never said that to me.” Conner laughed and nudged Octo with his knee. “I know she thinks it, but she keeps the words locked up tight.”

If dogs could look exasperated with their owners, Octo did. He glanced up at Conner with big black eyes and then stepped forward for Jessica to pet. It was the sweetest thing she’d ever seen.

“Shyness over.” Conner came on in, and Octo followed, rubbing along Jessica’s legs. “I think I need to come over here at midnight more often. You wear sexy pj’s.” His gaze traveled up and down her body.

She blushed. They were nice. Satin shorts and camisole. They made her feel beautiful. She figured she could play this one of two ways. Confident or bashful. She went with confident.

“So you like what you see?” She tousled her hair up, going for the seductress look.

He sucked in a breath and narrowed his eyes. For once it was his cheeks that flushed red. Mission accomplished.

“Oh yes. And as much as I’d like to explore this avenue further, you and I and pooch have an appointment. You’re going to need to put on some real clothes. Jeans would be good. You should probably wear tennis shoes too. Good ones.”

“Where’re we going?” She hid her disappointment by raising her eyebrow and crossing her arms. Really, she was covering herself up. She’d grab a robe the first chance she got.

“Surprise.”

“Not fair.”

He pulled her close to him. He held her tight against his body and whispered into her ear. “No, what’s not fair is you looking so unbelievably hot and me not being able to do anything about that.”

She backed away just enough so that she could look up into his face. “Who said you can’t do anything about it?”

His eyes bore into hers, and she thought for sure he would kiss her, and whatever this surprise he had for her would be long forgotten.

He let go of her and took a step back. “We don’t have much time. You need to get dressed before I change my mind, and we never make it out the door.”

Her face turned red from embarrassment. She’d just thrown herself at him, and he pushed her away. Whatever scheme he was working on was more entertaining than getting her out of her pj’s. She obviously wasn’t doing this right. Either that or he didn’t really like her like that. She thought for sure she wasn’t misreading his signals. Then again, she didn’t exactly have the best radar. Rick had been cheating on her for months before she even suspected something was wrong.

Her hand shook a little as she pulled on her jeans and threw on an old t-shirt. She didn’t even glance in the mirror. At this point she didn’t give a damn how she looked or what he thought.

She was thoroughly pissed when she went out into the living room to put on her shoes. Conner and Octo had made themselves comfortable on her couch, with her blanket, and for some reason that irritated her ever more. She stalked out of the apartment without even looking at either one of them. He shut the door behind her, and then she locked it.

In the elevator, she crossed her arms and bounced on the balls of her feet. She blinked her eyes and willed the tears not to come. Octo bumped his head into her shin. He really had gotten over his bashfulness. Conner watched her. She could feel his gaze burning her skin, but she avoided his eyes. They hadn’t spoken since she came out of her bedroom.

Ahmed held the door open for her at the car.

“Good to see you, Miss. You are doing fine, yes?”

“I’m tired. But thank you for asking.”

Conner climbed in the other side. Jessica kept her eyes locked on the scenery outside her window. Everything was lit up. The people here never slept. It amazed her how much more alive the city was at night.

Octo sat between them. Jessica tried to give him as much space as possible. However, he was a big dog, and he didn’t appear to like the tension. He lay down with his feet pushing on Conner and his head in Jessica’s lap. His deep, soulful eyes looked up at her, and she melted. At the very least, she couldn’t stay mad at Octo. She scratched behind his ears, and he let out a hefty sigh.

“Lazy beast,” muttered Conner.

They drove down the corniche and over a bridge. They hit some traffic on the other side, and Ahmed laid on his horn and drove five miles an hour, inching around other cars, muttering darkly in rapid Arabic. Jessica closed her eyes and wondered what on earth she was doing.

Conner laid a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t bother to acknowledge it. She felt the seat shift as he scooted closer to her.

“Hey, I’m sorry if I upset you.”

She sighed and finally turned to look at him. “I’m just embarrassed.”

He creased his eyebrows. “Why?”

She snorted. “Why? Really? Conner, I just threw myself at you, and you turned me down. That’s a little humiliating.”

She looked up to the driver’s seat to see if Ahmed would react to that, but he seemed more concerned with the cars around him.