Forever an Eaton: Bittersweet LoveSweet Deception

by Rochelle Alers

  Layla picked colorful candies off her sundae. “My favorite is Gummi Bears.”

  Griffin smiled at his mother. “Didn’t you join a gym?”

  “I did, but the question should be, do I go.”

  Lucas stared at his ex-wife. “I’ll go with you when I’m not working.”

  Sabrina patted her grandfather’s arm. “Do you still work at the hospital, Grandpa?”

  “No, sweetheart. I retired from the hospital pharmacy and now work part-time.”

  “Is that good?”

  He nodded. “It’s very good. I have a lot more time to do all the things I’ve always wanted to do.”

  Layla took a sip of water. “Grandpa, can you take Breena and me with you when you go to Europe again?”

  “That depends on your aunt and uncle. We can’t take you anywhere unless they say it’s okay.”

  “Is it okay?” the girls asked in unison.

  Belinda looked directly at Griffin. “We have to talk about it.”

  “And it all depends,” Griffin added.

  “On what?” they chorused.

  “On your grades and how well you do your chores.”

  Layla rolled her eyes. “Now you sound like Aunt Lindy.”

  Griffin lowered his eyebrows. “You didn’t know your Aunt Lindy and I are a team?”

  Sabrina sucked her teeth. “I knew that. I heard you talking to Grandma and you told her that you love Aunt Lindy.”

  A silence descended on the table so thick it was palpable as the six people in the booth exchanged glances. “Did I say something I wasn’t supposed to say?” Sabrina whispered, as if telling a secret.

  Gloria glared across the table at her granddaughter. “You’re not supposed to listen in on other people’s conversations. And if you do, then you’re not supposed to repeat it.”

  “I wasn’t listening in, Grandma. I just happened to walk in the kitchen while he was talking to you. Besides, he was talking loud. If it was a secret, then he should’ve been whispering.”

  Belinda’s heart beat rapidly against her ribs with Sabrina’s revelation. Griffin had told his mother that he loved her and he hadn’t told her.

  The nerve of him! The absolute nerve of him!

  Gloria touched a napkin to her mouth. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m ready to turn in. Belinda, would you mind if the girls stayed with me tonight? After all, there’s no school tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Mom, they can stay.” Griffin had answered for Belinda. He knew she wanted answers, answers only he could give her. And, if she went off on him he didn’t want the girls around to hear them arguing. He didn’t want to subject them to what he and Grant had gone through as children.

  “I asked Belinda, Griffin,” Gloria admonished softly.

  “I’m sorry, Mom.”

  Belinda blinked as if shocked back to reality. “Yes, Mrs. Rice, they can stay over.”

  Gloria gave her a saccharine smile. “I think it’s time you either call me Mom or Gloria. It’s up to you.”

  Belinda returned her smile. “Thank you—Mom.”

  Sliding out of the booth, Griffin reached into his pocket and tossed a bill on the table. Extending his hand, he gently helped Gloria out of the booth. “We’ll bring over a change of clothes when we come to pick them up tomorrow.”

  “Don’t rush, son. I’ll give them something to wear. It may not be their style, but it’ll keep them clothed.” Tiptoeing to reach him, Gloria kissed Griffin’s cheek. “Good luck with Lindy.”

  “Thank you.”

  Griffin had thought he was alone when he’d told his mother that he was in love with Belinda and wanted to marry her. He was waiting for the end of the school year to tell her, but his niece had let the cat out of the bag. He had to deal with it now—not later.

  * * *

  Not a word passed between them during the drive from the ice-cream parlor to Griffin’s house in Paoli. He had wanted to tell Belinda that he loved her—loved anything and everything about her. It wasn’t just her passion, that she held nothing back when offering herself, but it was also her strength, intelligence, determination, dedication and devotion to her students and to their daughters. There was also the playfulness and wit, the way she shed her inhibitions when she was rolling on the floor with Cecil and Nigel. He loved her even when they didn’t agree on child rearing, because they were totally committed to the twins’ well-being.

  Griffin closed his eyes rather than watch Belinda pace the length of the patio in Paoli. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d ordered him to meet her on the porch at Donna and Grant’s house so they could talk. That time it’d been about his buying gifts for their nieces, and now it was about them.

  He opened his eyes at the same time a frown furrowed his smooth brow. “Lindy, please sit down and talk to me.”

  “Why, Griffin, did you have to tell your mother before you told me?”

  “I planned to tell you, but I wanted to wait.”

  She stopped long enough to give him a hostile stare. “When? Eleven years from now?”

  “No, darling. First, I wanted to wait until the school year was over. I didn’t want any distractions when we sat down to plan our future. Then, I changed my mind and wanted to tell you on your birthday.”

  “You can’t plan a future with me if you don’t tell me how you feel about me, Griffin Rice. You told your mother that you loved me. Don’t you think it’s time you tell me to my face?”

  Griffin went to Belinda, pulling her gently into his embrace. “I love you, Belinda Jacqueline Eaton. I’ve loved you for a very long time, but you wouldn’t let me get close to you. It took a tragedy—when I realized I’d lost my only sibling—to shake me to the core. But I will fight like hell to hold on to the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

  Belinda couldn’t stop the tears that were welling up in her eyes from flowing. Her lower lip trembled. “I should kick your behind, Griffin Rice, for waiting all these years to tell me this. What happened to the big-shot, hard-nosed lawyer who will go to the mat for his clients, but can’t tell a woman that he likes her?”

  Cradling her face in his palms, Griffin wiped away her tears with his thumbs.

  “I don’t like you, Belinda. You like me. I love you!”

  “No, Griffin. I don’t like you.”

  “What!”

  A trembling smile found its way over her face. “I love you, Griffin Rice. I love you,” she repeated it over and over as he picked her up and swung her around.

  Griffin stopped, lowering her feet to the patio floor. “I’m going to ask you to do something for me, not tonight, but soon.”

  Easing back, Belinda stared up into the eyes of the man she’d loved for so long that she couldn’t remember when she didn’t love him. “What is it?”

  “Call Sunshine, and tell him that if he ever comes within ten feet of my fiancée again I’m going to hurt him real bad,” he said, emphasizing the last four words.

  Belinda smiled through the tears that were turning her eyes into pools of smoky quartz. “I told Raymond about you, and he says that exchanging Christmas cards will be the extent of our friendship. He didn’t think he would be as understanding if you were my friend, and I was sleeping with him.”

  “I’ve changed my mind about Sunshine. I think I like him. And I’m sorry that I called him a chump and a con man.”

  Moving closer, Belinda kissed the cleft in his sexy chin. “You were jealous, when you had no need to be. It was you I was sleeping with, not Raymond.”

  “Lucky me. I’m the one who gets the nasty girl.”

  “You turned me into a nasty girl, Griffin Rice.”

  “Guilty as charged.” Bending slightly, he swept her up in his arms. “Let’s go inside and test the nasty meter again. But, before we do that we
should talk about a few other things.”

  “What other things?”

  “When do you want to get married? Do you want to live closer to Philly or here in Paoli? Do you want to increase our family—”

  Belinda placed her hand over his mouth. “Stop talking, counselor. I can answer all those questions for you right now. I’d like to get married sometime this summer, preferably before the end of July. I’d prefer living in Paoli, but of course that means our daughters will have to change school districts. And yes, I’d like to begin increasing our family as soon as possible. Are there any other questions?”

  He shook his head. “That’s enough for now.”

  Griffin locked the door and carried Belinda up the staircase to what would become their bedroom. There was only the sound of measured breathing as she and the man holding her to his heart placed her on the bed. Leaning over, he brushed a kiss over her parted lips.

  “Don’t move. I know your birthday is a couple of days away, but I’d like to give you your gift now.” Belinda leaned over on her elbows, her chin resting on her hands as she watched Griffin walk to the triple dresser and open a drawer.

  He returned to the bed and sat down next to Belinda. Reaching for her left hand, he slipped the ring on her third finger, exhaling audibly. It was a perfect fit.

  Belinda couldn’t stop shaking. The brilliant emerald-cut diamond ring surrounded by baguette diamonds was magnificent. For the second time in a matter of minutes her eyes filled with tears. “I... I don’t...”

  “If you don’t like it, then I’ll take it back and you can pick out one that—”

  “I love it, Griffin. I love you,” she said, interrupting him. Putting her arms around his neck, she pressed her face to his warm throat. “When did you buy the ring?”

  “I don’t remember.”

  Belinda gave him a skeptical look. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I bought it almost two weeks ago.”

  “You were that certain I’d marry you that you bought me a ring?”

  “No. I bought it, hoping and praying that one day you’d accept it.”

  “Before you told me that you loved me?”

  “I was going to do that—eventually.”

  “What am I going to do with you, Griffin Rice?”

  Leaning back against the headboard, Griffin stared directly at Belinda. “You’re going to marry me and give Sabrina and Layla a few brothers and sisters—technically they’ll be cousins. And we’ll grow more in love with each other as we grow old together.”

  “I’m never growing old, darling, and I don’t want to stop being a nasty girl.”

  He trailed a series of kisses down the column of her neck, while unbuttoning her blouse. “Even when you’re ninety-two and I’m ninety-seven you’ll still be my beautiful, precious, nasty girl.”

  Belinda’s breathing quickened as if she were panting, while Griffin stripped her of each article of clothing. She wanted him to go faster, but he seemed determined to take his time.

  Her blouse, slacks and bra lay in a pool at the foot of the large bed. Once he’d taken off her panties, she lay completely naked and vulnerable to his ravenous gaze.

  Going to her knees, she undressed her fiancé as slowly as he’d undressed her. And, when he lay on his back, all of his masculine magnificence was on display for her hungry gaze. A look of heated passion passed between them. This coming together would be different from all the others. The ring on her finger symbolized a shared commitment, a continuous bond of love that had no beginning or end. This night wasn’t hers or Griffin’s, but theirs.

  Supporting herself with her hands, she lowered her body until her breasts were molded to his broad chest. “Do you want it nasty, or do you want it nice?”

  Smiling, Griffin closed his eyes. “I’ll take it any way and any how you choose to give it to me.”

  It was Belinda’s turn to smile. “Like Tina Turner sang in ‘Proud Mary,’ I’m going to give it to you nice before it gets rough.”

  Griffin opened his eyes as an expression of unabashed carnal instinct spread across his face. “Serve it, Eaton.” His rich, deep voice had dropped an octave. “Oh!” he bellowed within seconds of issuing the challenge when Belinda’s mouth branded him her possession, swallowing back the expletive.

  Her tongue took him to a place where he’d never been, and he surrendered all he was, had been and ever hoped to be. Her hot breath seared his loins and he went still, unable to protest or think of anything except the exquisite pleasure Belinda offered him. Clamping both hands over his mouth to muffle the groans crowding his throat, Griffin arched his pelvis off the bed. His passions were building quickly and he knew it was just a matter of time before he wouldn’t be able to control where they’d be spent.

  He sat up quickly, reaching for Belinda’s hair. She emitted a small cry of surprise when he forced her to release his erection. Not giving her the opportunity to protest, he flipped her over and entered her in one, sure motion that buried his sex so deeply inside her that their bodies ceased to exist as separate entities.

  Belinda’s arms went around Griffin’s waist as rivulets of sweat bathed his back and dotted her hands. She couldn’t think of anything except the hard body atop hers as together they found a rhythm where they were in perfect harmony. The contractions began as flutters then increased in intensity until the hottest of fires swept over her, leaving tiny embers of ecstasy that lingered long after she’d returned from her free fall.

  Reaching down, Griffin cupped her hips in his hands, lifting her higher and allowing for deeper penetration, then quickening his movements and bellowing out her name as he spilled his passion inside her hot, wet body. There was only the sound of their labored breathing in the stillness of the bedroom as they lay motionless, savoring the aftermath of a shared, sweet fulfillment.

  * * *

  As they lay in bed, their sexual passions momentarily sated, Belinda thought of her sister. She wished her sister could have been there to see her exchange vows with Griffin. But she knew Donna was smiling.

  “Darling?”

  Griffin smiled. “What is it, baby?”

  “If we have a girl I want to name her Donna. But, if it’s a boy then it’ll be Grant.”

  Griffin felt a rush of tears behind his eyelids. He’d cried when told of his brother’s death, and there was no doubt he would cry again—at the birth of his and Belinda’s child. It didn’t matter whether it was a boy or a girl. It would be loved, cherished and, of course, spoiled. He would make certain of that.

  Turning his head, he fastened his mouth to the side of her neck. “Those are wonderful names.”

  Belinda smiled. “I didn’t think you had it in you, but I think I’m going to give you a passing grade in the daddy category.”

  Griffin chuckled. “Does this mean I’m going to get an A?”

  “Don’t push it, Rice,” she teased.

  “What grade will you give me?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “B-plus. If I give you an A then you’ll end up with a swelled head.”

  “You keep cranking up that nasty meter and another head will remain swollen.”

  Belinda landed a soft punch on his shoulder. “You are so nasty, Griffin Rice.”

  Lifting his head, he flashed a wide grin. “I know, and you like it, don’t you?”

  “Hell, yeah!”

  “That’s my girl!” Griffin withdrew from Belinda and pulled her against his chest. “Did I tell you that I loved you?”

  She wrinkled her nose again. “I don’t remember. But you can tell me, just to refresh my memory.”

  And Griffin knew he would tell Belinda that he loved her—every day for the rest of their lives together.

  * * * * *

  SWEET DECEPTION

  Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

  —Matthew 5:5

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 1

  The buzz of the intercom echoed throughout the spacious co-op. “I’ll get it,” Myles Eaton announced loudly from the bedroom. Pressing the button on the intercom, he spoke into the speaker. “Yes?”

  “Mr. Eaton, there’s a take-out delivery in the lobby for you.”

  “Please send it up.”

  Zabrina Mixon stepped inside the apartment from the terrace, closing the sliding-glass door behind her. She liked seeing her fiancé dressed casually in T-shirts, shorts and sandals rather than a business suit. Suits always made him appear staid, standoffish. Her gaze lingered on his muscular calves before moving up to his broad chest and finally his ruggedly handsome face. His face was symmetrical with a dark brown complexion, deep-set eyes and a lean, angular jaw that became more pronounced whenever he smiled. His gorgeous smile drew attention to his perfectly aligned white teeth.

  She couldn’t remember when she hadn’t been in love with Myles Eaton. He’d taught her to ride a bike, and whenever she fell he’d brushed off the dirt from her scraped knees and elbows, then helped her to get back on. Her infatuation began in childhood when Myles became her prince.

  “I’ve finished setting the table,” said Zabrina.

  Myles smiled at his fiancée. He hadn’t believed his luck when he’d finally opened his eyes to his sister’s best friend. He’d thought of her as a younger sister until her eighteenth birthday. It was the first time that he had kissed her. A few years before that she had kissed him before he left Philadelphia to attend Penn State. Her excuse was that she hadn’t wanted him to miss her.