Chapter 2 His Sincerity in Question.

Tonight was her time to have Boston Kincaid's undivided attention finally. Brenda stood in the center of the floor with all eyes on her, looking like a vision. Her green eyes were deep like the forest, and her black diamond earrings contrasted against her engagement dress. Her shoulders were small and rounded, and her chest was voluptuous. She elegantly held her glass of champagne in her hand. As she continued speaking, you couldn't hear a pin drop in the room with over five hundred guests.

"What changed, Boston? For years, you claimed you weren't ready for marriage, and then suddenly, six months ago, you popped the question. Why?"

Brenda's father, Mr. Halston, looked at Boston's father, Mr. Kincaid, wondering if his daughter was discussing something else. But, of course, it was common knowledge that the merger was why the kids were marrying one another. It was an arranged marriage that everyone agreed upon willingly or unwillingly it suppose to take place.

Boston glanced at her, nervously smiling, thinking fast on his feet. "Brenda, my dear, everyone knows that we are great together. You are the perfect partner for me. You're lovely, witty, funny, and the best business partner any man can have. You know how to work a room. Isn't that evident, everybody?" Boston said as everyone laughed with him agreeing.

"Baby, you are good for business, get along great with all my friends and family, and can handle all the necessary social functions that are required. Look at our engagement party here tonight. Everyone give Brenda a hand for how lovely everything has turned out!" Boston says as the guest cheers for Brenda.

"Everyone, when we went from friends to lovers, Brenda made it clear that she wanted to marry and have a family one day. But then, I had a change of heart. Brenda, baby, you changed me. And now, here we are, ready to start our family and life together."

"Yes! Yes, Son!" His mother shouted.

Brenda moved closer, slipped her arm through his, and rested her head against Boston's shoulder. "Those are good reasons, but you didn't include the most important thing. Love."

"I didn't think I had to mention that we wouldn't be standing here trying to convince you to accept my sincere engagement," Boston replied, smiling at Brenda.

"But you're not in love with me, Boston. I can feel it when you make love to me."

Everyone gasped! "Oh no!"

Boston hung his head and became embarrassingly quiet. What could he say? If he had to be honest with himself, she was right. There was a part of himself and his heart that no other could ever claim. But he kept telling himself it was time to move on and think about his future. Brenda continued speaking.

"Most engaged people can't keep their hands off each other. Isn't that true, everyone?" She asked all those in attendance.

They smiled. "Yes." Most replied.

"Well, that hasn't been my experience. I've been here with you for the last couple of months and these past few weeks. And what have you been doing, Boston? Tell everyone! You have been traveling, and you have been emotionally unavailable, even when you are home. So what am I supposed to think? You found every excuse to keep me at bay. Yet, I wake up thinking about you, and you're the person I think about before I fall asleep at night." Brenda sighed heavily.

"Poor girl, she's in love." Someone said aloud in the crowd.

"But I feel I'm not the one who consumes your thoughts. Boston, I need more than a polite man trying to do right by me."

After all, Boston Kincaid had been through this past year. It took him a while to feel normal again. But, with the help of his best friend Ralph, he was finally able to get back on his feet and start his own business. But he needed the capital from his father so that his company could flourish.

And his father was the only person he knew could quickly get the money he needed to keep his dream from going bankrupt. But his dad wouldn't just give him the money. No, Boston had to make a deal with his dad. And that deal meant he must be willing to marry Mr. Halston's daughter.

So, the only option was to get married; that way, everyone would have everything they wanted, except for Boston, who wished for a marriage full of love and babies created out of love. But he was willing to sacrifice being in love and settle for someone he liked. Boston thought he could pull this off.

He'd already let Brenda Halston get this close, a miracle. But Boston knew there was hesitation, and so did Brenda, despite not being ready to settle down with her and have a family. He didn't want to hurt her. It wasn't her fault. But if he goes headlong with these marriage plans, that would happen.

"Brenda, I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. You're an amazing guy Boston, and I appreciate your willingness to give up your singleness to give me the life I've dreamed of, but it won't work. But you're going to make someone a wonderful husband."

"Wait! What is she saying?" Mr. Kincaid asked, looking at Brenda's father. He only shook his head in disappointment.

She placed her hand on Boston's muscular thigh as his gaze went to that spot. But he felt nothing. No tingling. No sparks. No sensation from her touch. Nothing!

Brenda was beautiful, especially her inner person. Maybe he hadn't touched her intimately since she lived here in Chicago. But, like her, Boston recognized something had been missing. So he just chose to ignore it.

"We were good friends before we got engaged. Brenda said, interrupting his thoughts. I hope we can remain friends."

Boston said. "Always."

"No! Son! Tell her you to want to be her husband, not her friend!" His mother demanded.

"My daughter is no fool, you know! She doesn't want him!" Mrs. Halston says to Mrs. Kincaid.

Despite the two families yelling back and forth, Boston placed a lingering kiss on her forehead; he was not surprised at how well she was taking all of this. Unlike other girls he's dated, she was calm and independent, low-key. But this was very different for her to do a break-up so public.

Maybe I deserved it. Brenda reached him, the sparkling diamond ring he had given her. Boston thought, well, here goes my future.

He wanted a huge business and a house one day to fill with children with a woman he fell head over heels for, but now he will be penniless and all alone.

Boston folded her hand around the ring and pulled her to him. "I'm sorry for everything. But, if ever you need anything, you know all you have to do is call me."

"I know. But there's something Boston I have to know."

"Humm... what's that?"

"Who is she?"

Boston leaned away from her and frowned. "Who is who?"

When the crowd thought it was all over, they were shocked again! Everybody's ears perked up, and eyes expanded directly on Boston and Brenda.

"You have suppressed issues you have never dealt with, and I can't help but think they have something to do with a woman in your past. Talk to me. I can..."

"Look, Brenda." He pulled away from the light hold she had on his arm.

"The last thing I need right now is for you to try fixing me." He has been doing enough of that himself, especially over this year.

"Who is she, Boston?!" Brenda sat unfazed by his outburst and the family looking on. "Who is this woman that has your heart?"

If Boston wouldn't tell her, she was going to find out. But, even if she couldn't have Boston, he was the man she had wanted to marry, so she thought he owed her that much.

Boston stood suddenly and walked away, heading for the exit door as quickly as possible. Sure, he wasn't the man he was six months ago. But then, a stranger, a woman, entered his life like a star, making him spark, glow, and feel things he'd never felt. But then, suddenly, everything he touched was taken away against his will!

At the start of every day, Boston's first thought was always the same-her warm and naked body, soft as she sleeps in his arms. The scent of her shampoo, the expensive stuff he bought for her that she loves, surrounds him. He would recognize that scent anywhere, the smell of his woman. His body responds predictably to her nearness. Any time he's awake and naked with her, he's hard and ready to claim her. Boston moves his hand from her flat belly to cup an entire breast, toying with the nipple that awakens instantly to his touch.

Wanting to see and watch her reactions, he opens his eyes and is shocked by reality. Every painful morning. He's not in bed with her. He's alone in the room he calls home that doesn't feel like home anymore. The woman he loves beyond reason, to the point of craving and desiring to return any hour, minute, and second. To leave behind memories that torture him.

Then only three months ago, he saw her again! It stirred up all those feelings and memories, he was changed, and the night he entered her life, they both were changed forever!