Always an Eaton: Sweet Dreams. Rochelle Alers

no relationship.”

      He smiled. “Are you amenable to something that goes beyond platonic?”

      Chandra blinked. “I am, but only—”

      “If you can trust me,” he said, completing her sentence.

      “Yes.”

      Preston angled his head, pressing his mouth to Chandra’s, reveling in the velvety warmth of her parted lips. It had been years since he’d sat in a car kissing a woman but there was something about Chandra Eaton that made him feel like an adolescent boy. First it was the unexpected erection after reading her erotic dreams and now it was having her close.

      “You have my solemn vow that I will never give you cause to mistrust me.”

      Chandra quivered at the gentle tenderness of the kiss, and in that instant she wanted to trust Preston not because she wanted to but needed to. Every man she’d met after Laurence had become a victim of her acerbic tongue and negative attitude whenever they’d expressed an interest in her.

      She’d loved Laurence, expecting to spend the rest of her life with him, but when he caved under pressure from his family, her faith in the opposite sex was shattered—almost beyond repair. However, Preston Tucker was offering a second chance. She didn’t expect marriage, not because he was a confirmed bachelor, but because it didn’t figure into her short-term plans.

      Chandra wanted to secure a teaching position, settle into her new residence, and dating Preston would become an added bonus. “I believe you,” she whispered, succumbing to the forceful, drugging possession of his lips. It was with supreme reluctance that she ended the kiss. “Let’s stop before one of the kids see us. I don’t want to send my nieces the wrong message, that it’s okay to make out in a car.”

      Preston’s lids lowered, he successfully concealed his innermost feelings from the woman he wanted to make love to with a need that bordered on desperation. He knew it was her beauty, poise, intelligence and sensuality that fueled his obsession.

      “The curtain just came down on the first act.”

      Chandra smiled up at him through her lashes. “When do we begin act two?”

      “Tonight.”

      Chapter 8

      Tonight. The single word reverberated in Chandra’s head as she led the way toward the rear of the house where her sister lived with her husband and their nieces. The sound of voices raised in laughter greeted her and Preston when they walked into an expansive patio overlooking an inground pool. Her parents were holding court with their granddaughters and grandson, Myles and Zabrina lay together on a webbed lounger by the pool and Griffin stood at the stove in the outdoor kitchen with an arm around Belinda’s waist. A long rectangular table with seating for twelve and a smaller table with half that amount were set up under a white tent.

      Chandra stopped short, causing Preston to plow into her back; she saw someone she hadn’t expected to see. Sitting under an umbrella with Denise was Xavier Eaton. The last time she’d seen her cousin was days before he was to begin his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

      “I’ll introduce you to everyone after I talk to someone,” she whispered to Preston.

      Arms outstretched and grinning from ear to ear, she walked into Xavier’s embrace when he stood up. She found herself crushed against a rock-hard chest. “Welcome home, Captain Eaton.”

      “It’s now Major Eaton. I’d pick you up, but I have a bum leg.”

      Pulling back, Chandra saw that he was supporting himself with a cane. She hadn’t realized her cousin, dressed in civilian clothes and looking more like a male model than a professional soldier, had sustained an injury. She’d lost count of the number of women who’d asked her to introduce them to Xavier. He was always polite to them, while smoothly rejecting further advances. He had also earned the reputation of remaining friends with his former girlfriends.

      What they didn’t know was that he had a mistress. Xavier Phillip Eaton ate, breathed and slept military. He’d attended military prep school, graduated and then enrolled at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He continued his military education when he was accepted into the Marine Corps War College. After 9/11 he was deployed to Iraq. He completed one tour of duty before he was sent to Afghanistan.

      “Is it serious?”

      “It will heal.”

      “That’s not what I asked, Xavier.”

      Xavier leaned in closer. “If you’re asking if I’m going to be a cripple, then the answer is no.”

      Narrowing her gaze, Chandra decided to drop the subject. Tiptoeing, she kissed his smooth cheek. “We’ll talk later.” Shifting slightly, Chandra beckoned Preston closer, reaching for his hand as he approached. “Preston, I’d like for you to meet my cousin, Xavier Eaton. Xavier, Preston Tucker.”

      Xavier offered his hand. “Why does your name sound so familiar?”

      Denise Eaton stood up, looping her arm around her brother’s waist. “That’s because he’s Preston Tucker, the playwright.”

      Xavier pumped Preston’s hand vigorously. “I’m honored to meet you.” He gave him a rough embrace, while slapping him on the back with his free hand.

      Chandra caught Denise’s look of expectation. “Preston, this is Xavier’s sister, Denise.”