Free A Gentleman's Agreement by Joy Avery Page A

eyes
sought her out again. This time, Eunice’s eyes met his. The feelings swirling
around inside him were dangerous, but he was powerless against them. Something
had changed between them. He felt it and was convinced Eunice felt it, too.
    “Did something bad
happen, son?”
    Refocusing on his
mother, he nodded. “Yes, it did.”
    “You care about her
deeply, don’t you?”
    More than he wanted to
admit. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded. He hadn’t realized just how
much until he’d held her trembling body in his arms.
    “Of course, we can.”
    “Thank you.”
    “She’s crazy about you,
too, you know. That fills my heart with so much joy.”
    How had his mother come
to such a conclusion? “And how do you know she’s crazy about me, beautiful?”
    “By the way she looks
at you. With such admiration. Plus, a mother knows when a woman really cares
for her son. Just like a mother knows when a woman is only interested in her
son’s money.” Her face contorted. “Like that Sandy girl you used to date.”
    “Sasha, Mom.”
    “That’s what I said,
dear.” She patted him softly on the chest. “You know I never make it a habit to
get into you boys’ business, but I’m so glad you’re no longer dating that awful
woman.”
    Blake chuckled. For
kicks, he asked, “What was so wrong with her?”
    His mother scoffed.
“Other than the fact that she came into my home and preceded to tell me how I
should prepare dinner. And when I suggested she prepare the meal to her liking,
her telling me she’d just had her nails done.”
    He laughed as the memories
of the previous year filled his thoughts.
    “It’s not funny, Prat. You
and that girl were not suited for one another. She was too immature and needy.”
    He agreed with his
mother on that, but didn’t share it with her.
    “But Eunice...” A smiled
stretched her lips. “Never mind. I’m meddling in your love life. You’re a grown
man.”
    “You know your opinion
has always been important to me.”
    “I know, but I don’t
want my opinion to ever influence your decisions. I’ve always wanted my boys to
do what makes them happy, not what makes me happy. My one hope was that you’d
find love. True love. And I think you have.”
    At that moment, he felt
like a complete asshole. He was starting to believe Tucker had been right. This
deception had been a bad idea. Especially since his mother seemed to adore
Eunice. The truth would surely break her heart.
    His mother patted his
chest. “Thank you for the dance, son. I have to find your father. He owes me a
dance.” She kissed him, then wiped the pink lip color from his cheek. “I love
you.”
    “I love you, too, Mom.”
His mother strolled away. “Mom?” She turned to face him. “I need to tell you
something.”
    She rejoined him. “What
is it?”
    His lips parted. How
did he tell her everything she thought she’d witnessed between him and Eunice
had been orchestrated? How did he break her heart during her anniversary party?
He couldn’t. “I haven’t told you how gorgeous you look tonight.”
    She patted the side of
his face. “You’re so kind. Thank you.”
    “Go find dad. I’m sure
he’s waiting to dance with his beautiful bride.” His mother moved away again. There
was no way he could ruin her night. Tomorrow. He’d tell her everything
tomorrow.
    “May I have this
dance?”
    When he turned, Eunice’s
smiling face greeted him. Oh, this was going to be tough. “Of course.” She took
her place in his arms, and they tightened around her as if he was afraid she’d
change her mind and sprint away.
    Just as he expected,
his body reacted to their closeness. The heated sensation in his chest gave way
to the throbbing in his boxers. He willed an erection away and struck up a
conversation to derail the thoughts of how wonderful she felt in his arms. “Did
Bobby talk your ear off?”
    Eunice pulled at her
lobe. “Not completely. He really thinks highly of himself, huh?”
    “That’s