Pyramids and Promises (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 2)

by Loth, Kimberly

  “What did you wish for?” she asked.

  “Can’t tell you. It won’t come true.” He winked at her.

  “Will you tell me if it does?” She dropped her head onto his shoulder as they started the walk back to their hotel.

  “I will if you will.” He smiled.

  “Deal.”

  “We’ve got to decide where we want to go next. Would you like to go up to Alexandria?”

  She yawned. “Sure.”

  “We’ll do that in two weeks.”

  “Two weeks?”

  “Yeah, this upcoming weekend I have a big party a work. I want you to be my date.”

  “How big?”

  “You’ll have to get a cocktail dress if you don’t already have one,” he said.

  “Sounds like a big deal.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “It’s not really.”

  It was, but he wasn’t going to freak her out by telling her that.

  “I’d love to go. I’ll have to go shopping though. Do you have a favorite color?”

  “You look stunning in everything you put on. Choose your favorite.” He stopped for one last kiss before they went inside. How sweet that she’d ask his favorite color. Seriously though, she could wear a potato sack and still be the hottest girl in the room.

  The next evening, Jessica and Conner made their way into Jessica’s apartment building.

  “I’m sorry about this weekend. We’ll do Europe again, I promise.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s good you took care of your friend. I hope Blake is okay.”

  “He will be. He’s probably going to come stay in a few weeks since his schedule has suddenly cleared up.”

  “What does he do for a living?”

  “He’s a chemical botanist for a drug company.”

  “A what?”

  “Basically, he goes into jungles and studies plants to make pharmaceuticals. He was a chemistry nerd in college.” Conner leaned against the doorway of her building and grinned at her.

  “That big guy?”

  “That big guy. He’s been studying some berry he found in the lower region of the Alps.”

  “I had no idea.”

  “I know. As a chemistry nerd, he got teased a lot, so he buffed up. Spent hours in the gym. No more teasing. And now one of our Mackinac brothers is a doctor. They work on projects together sometimes. A few years ago they got a big payout from a pharmaceutical company for a drug that helps with the side effects of chemo.”

  “Huh.”

  “Yeah. So, in spite of his problems, did you have a good time?”

  Jessica nodded. “Yes, and I’d invite you up, but I’m bushed, and, you know, work tomorrow.”

  Conner kissed her quickly on the lips. “Yeah, me too. I’ve been neglecting my duties, and I’ve got a new drilling project starting this week. We could fix this problem.”

  “What problem?”

  “The one where we have to go home every night. Alone.”

  “How’s that?”

  “You could move in with me.”

  Too fast. Way too fast. She stepped back and thought quickly. “The embassy has pretty strict rules on that, actually. I’m not allowed to live in non-embassy housing, and I’m not allowed to have anyone move in with me.”

  “That’s right. I forgot. We could just get married. Then they couldn’t forbid you from living with me. Also, if they gave you a hard time, you could just quit. We wouldn’t need your salary.”

  “Did you just propose to me?”

  He smiled. “Yeah, I guess I just did.”

  By now they were standing near her elevator. She pushed the button. She didn’t want to say no. But she wasn’t ready to say yes yet either. Finally, she had it. She kissed him on the lips and then escaped into the open elevator. Just before it closed, she spoke out.

  “You can do better than that.”

  She leaned against the back of the elevator and sighed. She had to think about this.

  The Ms and Tommy. What had Jessica been thinking when she agreed to let them all go dress shopping with her on Wednesday? They’d gone to a couple stores on the swanky high end side of town that Jessica had only been to once, with Conner. All they had managed to accomplish was a slap fight between Molly and Tommy over which color dress she looked better in. Not that it mattered. It had been a hideous taffeta thing that Jessica wasn’t wearing.

  So no dress and everyone was quickly losing patience. She tried on pink, red, blue, purple, and every other color of the rainbow, and nothing had suited her.

  “I don’t know why I’m being so picky. I just need a party dress.” Jessica sighed as Jeff dropped them off at another shop.

  “Cause in spite of what he said, you know this is an important night for your fella, and you wanna look good on his arm.” Melinda pulled her inside.

  “It’s not just an important night. It’s the night. If it doesn’t go well, he might get the axe.” Tommy followed.

  Jessica spun around. “He didn’t tell me that.”

  “Doesn’t want you to be nervous, I guess.” Tommy shrugged.

  Melinda explained what they were looking for to the sales girl as the rest of them picked through the racks.

  “Color?” Melinda called back to her.

  “I like her in blue,” Molly hollered.

  “Something metallic. Makes her skin glow.” Tommy held up a gold sequin number that would have been more appropriate on a stripper.

  “Hideous.” Marcy pushed the garment back to the rack. “Something neutral.”

  “I’m sick of colors,” Jessica answered.

  A moment later, Melinda appeared beside her, eyes wide with excitement.

  “I think we may have a winner. Come try it on.”

  Melinda was right. It was a definitely a winner. White with delicate black lace over the bodice, the dress belted at the waist and then wrapped around so that the front was shorter showing off Jessica’s great legs. It fit her beautifully. Hugged her waist and hips while showing just the right amount of cleavage.

  By the time they added some black heels, statement earrings, and a bracelet that Tommy said added pizzazz, Jessica was going to look killer.

  “You’ll have to pick that boy up off the floor once he sees you in this.” Melinda smiled devilishly.

  “Yeah...smoking.” Tommy winked at her. “And you won’t look bad either.”

  Molly swatted his arm. “You are terrible,” she squealed.

  “Oh, honey.” Tommy laughed. “Now that this is done. Where can we get drinks? I need a martini after this.”

  Saturday morning, she got up early. There was one last thing she wanted to do to for tonight. She’d asked Conner if Ahmed could take her on a secret mission. He was there early to pick her up.

  “Where would you like to go, Miss?” he asked as he held the car door open for her.

  “Can you take me here?” She handed him a card with an address not far from the dress shop.

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m sorry. I hate to tie you up just for a day at the salon.”

  “It is the way of women.” He smiled. Actually smiled. “I’m glad you’re going with him. Tonight is important. It’s good for you to keep him in line.”

  He shut the door. So tonight was important. She knew it. Ahmed confirmed it. Conner kept blowing it off, but his eyes crinkled at the corner whenever they talked about it. This wasn’t just some birthday party.

  Jessica had scheduled to make a day of it. She had a facial and her legs waxed. Then her makeup professionally done. It came time for her hair. This was a big deal. Her long blonde hair had been a signature of hers since high school. But the creepy way that Rick kept bringing it up got under her skin. It had to go. It was time for a new look.

  “Cut it,” she told the stylist. “I want something above my shoulders but not above my jawline.”

  “Have you thought about a color? You have the perfect hair for it.” The stylist had several differe
nt wild streaks of color in her dark hair. Her eyeliner was drawn in a fancy design, and she wore dark lipstick.

  “What would you do? I have a big event tonight. I have to look nice.” Jessica would love to do something fun, but she also wanted to look hot for Conner.

  “What are you wearing?”

  Jessica described the dress.

  “A small streak of pale pink underneath. You wouldn’t see it unless you ran your fingers through it or wore your hair up.”

  Pale pink. It looked like a color a Disney princess would have.

  “Or we could do more of a dusky rose color,” the stylist said. “That would be very pretty and understated.”

  “That sounds nice. I like that.” More grown-up at least.

  The transformation began. They stylist put Jessica’s hair in a ponytail holder and cut off just above her shoulders. Then dyed. Finally it was washed and trimmed with long layers cut in. When it was done, Jessica felt lighter than she had in years. She loved the look, which ended up grazing her jaw, and the color was subtle.

  Ahmed’s mouth dropped when she walked outside.

  “Ya, Miss. Your hair!”

  “Like it?” she asked. He might be the wrong person to ask though. She didn’t know how traditionally Muslim he was.

  “It is different. But I like it,” he said after a long pause. “Conner isn’t going to know what to say.”

  Conner adjusted his jacket and knocked on Jessica’s door. It was ridiculous that she made him wait all day to see her, and Ahmed’s curious smile on the drive over had driven him a little insane. He knew something Conner didn’t.

  Jessica answered the door, and Conner felt like a ton of bricks fell on him. She looked amazing. Incredible in a white dress with black nylons. Her legs went on forever in black heels. But her hair. He swallowed audibly. Her hair. It was gone. Well, not all of it, but most of it.

  Her beautiful locks had been chopped off to just above her shoulder. Conner panicked. She didn’t look nearly as much like Nour without her blonde hair flowing over her shoulders.

  “Have I rendered you speechless?” Her makeup was natural and flawless, but the glow from her cheeks was all her. That wasn’t artificial. Whatever had caused her to do this, she felt good about her decision.

  “I suppose you have,” he finally managed to say. “That dress is hot.”

  “And the hair?” She shook her head. It was definitely bouncy and light.

  “I loved your hair,” he said quietly.

  “I love it too.” She misheard him. “And look.”

  She ran her hands through it and lifted her fingers. The underlayer was a dusky dark pink.

  “Pink,” he whispered.

  “Rose.”

  Nour would never put pink in her hair. Conner rubbed his forehead.

  “You don’t like it.” Jessica’s face fell.

  “No, I do. I’m just so surprised. I never expected this transformation.” He reached for her, but she backed up a step. Hurt and anger written on her face.

  “Let me get my purse.” There was a black clutch on the counter that she grabbed.

  “Jessica, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind. “You are smoking hot tonight, and I’m going to be the luckiest guy in the room. I can’t believe you went to all of this trouble for me.”

  He kissed her shoulder where the lace of her dress ended. She turned in his arms. The hair still shocked him. It would take some getting used to. But it was hair. He wasn’t losing this beautiful jewel in his life because of Nour or because of some preconceived notion of how he wanted Jessica to look.

  “I wanted a change.” She brushed her hand along the shorn edge of her hair.

  “And it looks beautiful.” He slid his fingers in and lifted up to see the rose color. “I apologize for acting like a jerk. Please forgive.”

  “Do you really like it?”

  “I do.” He smiled and kissed her. This would take some getting used to, but he didn’t need her to know that.

  “Careful.” She pulled away. “You’ll smudge my makeup.”

  Ahmed winked at Jessica when he held open the car door. Of course he’d known. That’s what the smile had been for. Conner glared at him.

  “You look nice too.” She ran her hand along the edge of Conner’s tux jacket. “This is a good look for you.”

  “It’s bloody ridiculous. Who has a black tie event in the desert?” He pulled at his bowtie.

  “Don’t.” She took his hand in hers and threaded their fingers together. “Tell me more about tonight.”

  “So this old guy Cahill runs my division of the company. I’m one of his pets so to speak, but rumor is he’s announcing his retirement tonight.”

  “Are you up to be promoted into his place?” She blinked, and Conner noticed how much thicker and longer her lashes were. She really had gone full out to look good for him tonight.

  “No, his son Cahill Jr., the birthday boy, is. But he’s a pretentious blowhard who isn’t really all that fond of me.”

  “How is that possible? You can be so charming.” Jessica rolled her eyes.

  “I know, I know. There’s a jackass buried deep inside my soul.” Conner laughed. Okay, so her hair was different. It somehow made her more her. It took away the Nour aspect, and when he looked at her, he saw only Jessica. Maybe it was the change they both needed. He knew for certain now he wouldn’t be going to the hotel to see Nour.

  “So Junior doesn’t like you. Is this a threat to your position in the company?” She was an astute little thing.

  “Possibly, but probably not. I can always transfer to another division. But it’s a definite threat to my drilling teams. Guys I’ve worked with for a couple years now. Guys whose families I’ve met. I’d hate to let them down.”

  “That’s very nice of you. What can I do to help?”

  “Well.” He thought about it for a second. She was the sweet one, offering to help him. “What I really need is for you to look gorgeous on my arm, which you already do. And to have a sparkling personality, which you already have. And in general make it look like I have incredible taste, which believe me, you already do.”

  She looked down, and her cheeks flushed a glorious shade of pink.

  “Don’t be bashful,” he said. “You’re beautiful and amazing. Own it.”

  Her gaze met his, and he was going to kiss her. He didn’t care if he smudged her makeup or not. In fact, he hoped he did. He wanted everyone in the place to know that she was his.

  Ahmed brought the car to a stop before Conner got the chance though. Conner cursed and threw him a look.

  “Whoa, ya Mister. Perhaps I should install a curtain,” Ahmed said with a loud voice.

  Jessica giggled.

  “Not necessary.”

  Ahmed opened the door and helped Jessica out.

  “Best of luck. Do good, ya Mister,” he said for Conner’s ears only.

  “Inshallah,” Conner replied and Ahmed gave him a knowing smile.

  There was a string quartet playing by the entranceway of the venue.

  “Fancy,” Jessica muttered as she looped her arm through Conner’s. Everyone was dressed in their best. Tuxes and gowns. He was glad he’d given Jessica warning to buy a new dress.

  “It’s fancy now. Once the old man leaves, the DJ will come out, and this will turn into a rave.” Conner grinned at her expression. “Complete with any recreational drug you could want. Junior knows how to party.”

  “Do you party like that?” She frowned as if the thought had never occurred to her that with a high-end lifestyle came high-end perks, including designer drugs.

  “Never have. I’ve seen it ruin one too many lives. It’s hard to come back from. I drink every now and then, but no drugs.” Conner shook his head. He was known for being pretty squeaky clean in the company.

  Conner spotted Tommy and tugged Jessica in that direction.

  “Whoa.” Tommy eyes widened. “The hair. I love it
.”

  “Thanks.” Jessica beamed, and Conner felt even worse. That’s the reaction he should have had. “And look.”

  She showed him the color, and Tommy squealed. He ran his hands through her hair several times, until she was laughing.

  “Okay. That’s enough. You’re making a scene.” Conner grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and handed one to Jessica.

  “Grumpy!” Tommy rolled his eyes. “You look nice too, boss.”

  “I’m not jealous.” Conner sighed. “I just don’t want you fawning over my girlfriend.”

  “Certainly not when I usually fawn over you. Conner likes to be loved,” he said to Jessica. Did one afternoon of dress shopping make them besties? Jessica grinned and winked at him, and Connor relaxed.

  “Come on, let’s introduce her around.” Tommy said. Conner held out his arm for her, and Tommy stuck to her other side. She looked good there nestled safely on his arm. Real good. He could see her there permanently.

  “Junior is already here. Holding court.” Tommy pointed to the corner of the room near the bar.

  “That’s Junior?” Jessica asked.

  “Winston Albert Cahill Jr.” Conner grinned at her. “Daddy calls him Stone. The rest of us just call him Junior.”

  “Stone?” Jessica bit her lip to prevent the smile that was threatening to spread across her face.

  Conner leaned in close. His cologne was intoxicating, a delicious mix of him and something spicy.

  “Yeah, as in rock. Who shortens Winston into Stone?” His breath tickled her ear. She couldn’t help it. She giggled. “That’s the Junior I was telling you about.”

  “Wasn’t there a newscaster named Stone?”

  “Don’t even get me started.” Conner rolled his eyes.

  “Douchebag alert.” Tommy sing-songed quietly for just them to hear. A man in a tight tux with slicked back, oily hair walked up.

  “I didn’t realize Junior invited the competition to the party.” He smiled, but really it was more of a barely restrained sneer. “I sure am sorry you ran out of the conference call before we could finish up the other day. Junior wants to work with you. We’re all a team.”