The Eternal Engagement (23 page)

CHAPTER 57

Steven

 

 

H
olding on to her morals to not disrespect another woman's home, Katherine refused to sex him in any room of his house. He didn't know if he should believe she was telling the truth about setting standards or if she was using her principles as a way of getting out of having sex with him. Today he was eradicating all obstacles.

“Hey, you were great as usual,” he said, handing her a dozen pink roses. He kissed her cheek. “I have a huge surprise for you.”

“Thanks, let me put these in water. I'll be right back,” she said as she walked away.

From the back, her body was beautiful. Toned calves, smooth silky legs that would feel amazing wrapped around his waist, and shiny dark hair that he longed to run his fingers through.

He could've picked up a few bounty-hunting contracts while in Selma to help keep his mind off of her, but his pursuit of passion took precedence. Luring her in with his lethal tongue was necessary before the inevitable. Eventually she'd have to fuck him or make a choice to either cover up his wrongdoings or report his scandals on the news.

Katherine returned to the green room smiling. “You are unbelievable. Please don't stop spoiling me, but I don't know how many more surprises I can handle.”

This surprise might be his if she didn't accept his gift and later follow through with having sex with him. “Let's go.” They walked out to the parking lot.

No, she didn't have to sex him because he'd given her an SUV she couldn't afford, paid her son's tuition in full for the remainder of the school year, and gave her enough cash to keep her comfortable. But he was determined to discover why she accepted all he had to offer but wouldn't suck his dick. That was the least she should've done.

“I'll bring you back to your car,” he said, opening his passenger door. He got in on the driver's side, leaned over. “I have to blindfold you.”

Katherine held up her hands, blocking his. “Oh, no. I'm not letting you do that. Knowing you, your surprise might be a house.”

He wasn't ready to be that generous. “Trust me. It's not,” he said. After placing the blindfold over her eyes, he drove in the direction of their destination.

The money he'd spent on Katherine, thanks to Katherine giving him that check Mona had given her, was siphoned from Mona Lisa Ellington's bank account, not his. There was more than enough left in Mona's account to buy Katherine a half-million-dollar home on the Alabama River, but if he'd done that, what would there be left to do? She wouldn't need him.

Mona's check had all the information he needed—routing and account numbers as well as her P.O. box—to wire funds to his account. He'd ordered checks from Mona's account, had them mailed to his house, then slowly started depleting her financial resources. Even if Mona discovered the debits, he had a backup plan to achieve his ultimate goal of making his wife penniless.

“We're almost there,” he said, driving twenty miles per hour.

“I can't stand it! I want to take this off so bad, Steven. Please, can I?”

He liked the way she begged. “I'll let you know when.”

The upside of knowing the banker was that the guy had graduated from Selma High the same year as Steven. Initiating casual conversation, he talked about Mona Lisa as though they were the happiest couple. Steven had asked the banker questions about his family, complimented him on his success, then slipped in the request to reorder checks on Mona's account. “Oh, and update the mailing address too,” he said, giving the banker his address. If the banker lost his job for being too trusting and casual, that was his problem.

They arrived at Capitol Hill in nearby Prattville. He valet parked, gave the attendant the keys, then hurried to Katherine's side. “Okay, I'm going to take off your blindfold.”

She checked out her surroundings. Frowned at him. “A hotel, Steven? For real? What kind of Christian woman do you think I am?”

“Chill out. We're having lunch. Then I'll take you to your car.”

Steven escorted Katherine to the Presidential Cottage, opened the door.

She stood in the hallway staring at him. “Lunch? In a hotel room? Really?”

Exhaling, he said, “I ordered room service. I'll call and let them know we're here. I thought you'd appreciate the privacy since you're a celebrity of sorts.”

“I must say this is impressive and a slick move on your part. So I guess this is the part where my panties are supposed to be on the floor and over there?” she said, then laughed.

“Take your time, but that would be nice,” he said. She was kidding. He was not.

The spacious suite had a king-sized bed suitable for a queen like Katherine. The comforter, decorative pillows, and old-fashioned wooden headboard faced the fireplace.

Knock, knock.
“Room service.”

Katherine headed toward the door, opened it. “That was fast.”

“You can place the tray in the living area,” Steven said.

Everything had been prearranged, including payment for the bill. Two hours tops was all he had before he'd have to take Katherine back to Selma to pick up Jeremiah from school. One solid hour of sex was all he needed.

“We don't have much time. What would you like to do first?” he asked. “Eat or relax in the tub?”

CHAPTER 58

Mona

 

H
er heart was filled with secrets. Some she'd cherish. Others she'd buried.

They'd made their way to the football game. Lincoln was so excited one would've thought he'd bought the tickets.

“You're sure you're okay with this crowd?” she asked, worrying about him embarrassing her. They should've watched the game at home on television.

“Baby, I feel great!” he said, sitting in his seat. “I've never been to a professional football game.”

Perhaps she should relax. Some of the things she'd taken for granted were big deals for Lincoln.

The announcer said, “Please rise for the national anthem.”

Lincoln stood tall, proudly faced the flag, placed his right hand over his heart. She clamped her hands behind her back, faced the field. She hadn't given much thought to the words she'd listened to innumerable times.

The crowd belted, “O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

“Land of the free,” she thought.
Really?
“And the home of the brave.”
Seriously?
Yeah, Lincoln was brave to serve his country, but what had his country done for him? The military was one step above free labor. That was what “the free” meant to her. What would happen if all servicemen protested, demanding higher wages?

She was glad to pay for his treatments. Accompanying Lincoln to his first therapy session two days ago made her consider getting help for the murders she'd witnessed. Her mind wasn't right either. Her coping mechanism was to escape her reality by suppressing images of what happened. It was almost like she'd never met Davis. Like her time with him was all a dream. If she stayed far from Steven, maybe no one would associate her with his killings. If she could push the horrible memories all the way to the back of her mind, maybe they'd stay there.

“Mona Lisa, will you marry me?”

The shocking words he spoke lingered beneath the cheering crowd. It was two minutes until the end of the second quarter. The fans created a wave—one section at a time. They stood, tossed their arms in the air, then sat in their seats. Her could-be-fiancé pointed to the heavens. The banner flying behind the airplane above the field was printed with the same proposal.

The chill bumps on her body traveled from her head to her toes as the crowd gave them another rolling wave. The stadium was packed, the Seahawks were down, and at that very moment the sky grew darker. Rain would be welcomed right now.

Her answer should've been obvious. But it wasn't. He didn't know.

Mona's head hung. Facing her lap, she whispered, “I'm not the marrying kind,” as she stared at the pink polish on her fingernails. The troll genie was in her purse. Was the crowd waving again? The roaring sounds of excitement, the standing ovation in her peripheral vision, gave her relief. Sounded like the home team had tied the game. She prayed the cheers weren't for her.

Make the extra point good,
she thought, hoping to keep the attention off of her. Why was love so damn unpredictable? How long had he planned his proposal? How much did he spend on the ring he was holding in front of her face? When did he have time to buy a ring? The plane flying the banner must have cost more than he could afford. Where did the money come from? How could she say no?

Rain was always expected from the Seattle clouds, and misery was what she'd grown to expect from marriage. From childhood to adulthood, the unknown lurked in her shadow. One step forward, two steps back. That was the waltz she'd danced all her life until she'd reunited with the man sitting next to her.

If she said yes, would this be the one time she could take a step forward and not get pushed back or knocked down? Mona picked a popcorn crumb from her thigh, then twirled it between her fingers.

Lincoln tilted her chin upward, then kissed her lips. Gazing into her eyes, he said, “I know I've had it hard, baby. Thank you for being here for me. Say you'll be my wife and I promise to love and protect you, always.”

She knew he could keep her safe, but she wasn't the person he'd have to protect if he slid his ring over her knuckle and left it there. Her life was more than complicated, it was cursed.

Mona glanced at the banner waving in the air and prayed the bounty hunter she'd left in Bakersfield wasn't watching the game. Then she prayed Steven wasn't in the stadium. No matter how far she traveled to get away from Steven, she always felt he'd eventually find her.

Looking over her left, then right shoulder, Mona said, “Baby, we need to go. I promise I'll give you an answer when we get home.”

The man she loved sat beside her holding a diamond ring in front of her awaiting a response. The plane circled the stadium again with the banner whipping the wind.

Why hadn't he taken her up in a hot air balloon, decorated it with her favorite colors—pink and purple? He could've had a chilled bottle of champagne, got on one knee, and no one would've known except the two of them and God. That's the only witnesses she wanted.

The ring. Surely she couldn't miss the sparkling solitaire in his hand or the fading gleam in his eyes.

He asked again. “Mona Lisa Ellington, will you marry me?”

Mona's silence lingered until halftime was over. Most of the fans resumed watching the game. The ones closest to them mumbled, “If it don't fit, don't force it, dude.” “What's wrong with her?” “See, that's why I'm proposing before spending my money on all that other shit like buying a ring.”

Softly she said, “I heard you the first time, Lincoln. Give me a moment.”

To do what? Let him down easy. Maybe she should tell him about Steven and let Lincoln decide if marrying her was a chance he wanted to take. Things between them weren't perfect, but they were good. She enjoyed using her money to help him recover from his trauma.

Mona Lisa married the wrong man. Her only way out of their marriage was death. That's why she hadn't bothered filing for a divorce. If she said yes to the man she wanted to share the rest of her life with, she knew her husband would kill him too.

CHAPTER 59

Katherine

 

“W
here'd you get the money?”

“What difference does that make? I gave you what you wanted, now I want to see my son. I'll be in Selma tomorrow.”

“Did you get it from Mona?”

She knew Lincoln didn't have that kind of money. Sending her a cashier's check for fifty-five thousand dollars in his name eliminated their court date. What if he filed for custody? Or visitation?

“Who's that on the phone?” Steven asked, kissing her lips.

“It's Lincoln. He's coming to Selma tomorrow.”

Steven smiled. It wasn't his normal happy-to-have-pleased-me-first smile. This smile grew like the Grinch's and didn't stop until his lips could spread no wider.

“Ask him if Mona is coming with him.”

Katherine asked, “Will you be by yourself?”

“Tell that nigga in the background I said none of his fucking business. You'd better not have another man raising my son.”

Stepping a few feet from Steven, she said, “Are you serious? You've never seen your son.”

“Exactly.”

“Well, you'd better not bring Mona around my son,” Katherine lamented.

“So what's this conversation really about?” Lincoln questioned. “Money or control? I gave you what you asked for. Now give me what I deserve.”

Steven moved closer to her, then whispered, “Ask him again about Mona.”

“Is Mona coming with you?”

“Put that nigga on the phone! Why is he worried about Mona?”

The conversation grew more complicated by the second. Katherine muted the phone. “Steven, please. This is my situation. Please let me handle this.” She unmuted her cell, walked away from Steven, then whispered to Lincoln, “Are you going to marry her?”

“Katherine, where is all this coming from?”

“Answer the question, Lincoln.”

“Let's just say she's coming. Whether she's with me or not is irrelevant.”

“Call me when you get in. Oh, and just in case you didn't know, if you do plan on marrying Mona Lisa Cunningham, you might be engaged to her for an eternity. She's already got a husband,” Katherine said, ending the call.

“Whew! I don't know what to do about this one. Mona is coming too, and I don't want her anywhere near my son.”

Katherine collapsed on the king-sized bed in the Presidential Cottage in Prattville. The suite had become their getaway.

Steven pulled her up. “Why did you tell him that Mona was married?”

“Because I don't think he knows. She's stringing him along.”

“Don't lie to me, Katherine. Are you still in love with him?”

She nodded. “A part of me will always love William Lincoln. I can't change my past, but I can have a change of heart. Besides, he is Jeremiah's father. I don't want to have this conversation,” she said, standing.

“It's okay, baby. So Mona is coming?” Steven asked, guiding her back to the bed.

“You're questioning me about Lincoln, but why are you so obsessed with whether or not she'll be here? Do you still love her?”

Steven leaned his head back, laughed loud, then seriously said, “No.”

He wasn't avoiding answering her question. Katherine crossed her legs, folded her arms across her breasts, sat on the edge of the bed, and became silent.

“I said no. I asked because I can call a lawyer and have the divorce papers prepared and have Mona served while she's here. That way I can do right by you and ask you to marry me.”

Was marriage sweeter than the icing on the wedding cake?

From what Katherine Clinton had witnessed of her mother never having been married, her mother's life didn't seem too bad. Sure she struggled as a single mother, but she was at peace with her decision. The incidents Katherine had experienced between couples around her made her question whether married people were happier than those who chose to be single. Married people going through a divorce were some of the most vindictive people she knew.

Would marrying Steven complement or complicate her life?

Steven kneeled beside the bed, opened her legs, slid her hips to the edge, then buried his lips in hers. His tongue fluttered on her pearl. He smothered her pussy with passionate kisses. No man had made her feel so good.

She still hadn't broken her morals. They never had sex in his house. But were her standards correct since she was technically still sexing a married man? She had womanly needs that deserved to be fulfilled. Having her needs met by a man she might like half as much or not at all would still be fornication. Was one sin greater than the other? She'd pray for answers the next time she knelt at the altar.

Her mother loved Steven. Her son was crazy about him. Did they like Steven because of his elaborate gifts or because he was a man who spent lots of money on them?

Katherine's body trembled with womanly pleasure. After she'd finished cuming in his mouth, she returned the favor.

Easing his dick in her mouth, she enjoyed the way his erection felt inside of her. She sucked hard, stroked slow. She sandwiched his manhood between her breasts while sucking his head.

Steven rolled her over, spread her legs, then penetrated. “Baby, I have to feel you raw. Please don't say no. I promise I'll pull out before I cum.”

She knew she should've denied him access. Made him put on a condom like they'd done each time before. Her mind said no. Her body rolled him over, straddled his dick, then mounted him. Her body, her hips, her pussy devoured his dick with each stroke.

A lustful, greedy sensation she'd never felt before deep inside her womb had a mind of its own. Grinding. Winding. Thrusting. She found herself moving more than him. She rolled her hips harder.

“That's right, baby. Get it. Get your dick. Ride it, Katherine. That's my girl,” Steven said, pushing his dick deep inside her.

“Oh, my God!” she screamed, clawing, his chest.

She felt his throbbing penis releasing sperm so deep inside of her. She doubted the semen had far to travel before breaking through one of her eggs.

In a matter of ten minutes, Katherine prayed she hadn't made another bad decision.