A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) (12 page)

They continued walking away. “How can you say that? You know he cares. Maybe he’s just been busy Christmas shopping and getting adjusted to his new job. Besides, how will you know anything if you don’t call him?”

“Naturally, you’re right. Maybe I’ll call him tonight when we get back.” Brandi saw the red BMW parked across the street. “That darn thing’s been here off and on for days. I think it’s Eric trying to get into my business again, and I’m tired of it. I need to tell Dad. He’ll make him buzz off.”

Later that night before drifting off to sleep, Brandi awaited Tiffany’s late-night chat. This was a nightly ritual for them.

As she waited, her mind went back to that weekend she and Tim were stuck in the motel together…but not really together. He never touched her. She smiled as her hand traveled beneath the sheets, stroking her thighs and inching up to where she was most potent. Thoughts of him crowded her mind. She soon climaxed at the very thought of him being inside of her.

She picked up the phone after one ring, knowing it was Tiffany. “I can’t talk right now, Tiff. I want to call Tim before it’s…”

“I don’t think you have to call now; you’re speaking to him.”

She sat up quickly. “Tim?”

“Who else?”

“I was just thinking about you.”

“Really? What kind of mind-blowing things were we doing in that imagination of yours?”

“You really want to know?”

“Sure.”

“I was imagining you in my arms, and that’s all you get for the night.”

“Poor me; I guess I just have to suffer for a little while longer.”

“What took you so long to call me?”

“Lack of nerve. You know how I am.”

“I’m so glad you finally called. I miss you so much.”

“I miss you, too. I was thinking…maybe I had better take you out before I lose my mind from not seeing you.”

“A real date?”

“A real date, not a hot night at some club.”

“You have to admit that was a cool night.”

“I beg your pardon, it was a
HOT
night. Seriously, though, I would like to take you out, treat you like a real woman—now that I can do that. I won’t have Derrick Moore breathing fire down my back.”

“I can’t believe how much I’ve missed you. When can I see you?”

“How about tomorrow night? It’s Saturday evening, and we won’t have to be home early.”

“Are you suggesting we really spend some time together?”

“Brandi, I think we should just make it a date, not rush anything.”

She lay back on her pillow. “I think you’re right. You want to pick me up here?”

“Don’t you want to decide where to go first?”

“I don’t care, as long as I’m with you. Dinner would be nice.”

“Great. I know an incredible seafood place. I remember you saying how much you love seafood.”

“You remembered that?”

“I remember everything about you. I remember looking out at my class at Madison and seeing you, wishing I could be right next to you.”

“Now you can. Tomorrow night. I know something else we can do after dinner, but it’s a surprise.”

“I love surprises; your surprises; like the one you gave me the night we met.”

“Really? What was that?”

“You went home with me.”

“What woman in her right mind wouldn’t have?”

“I can’t wait to see you. Is 7:00 okay?”

“It’s perfect, Tim.” They said their good-byes, and she fell asleep that evening hugging her pillow, savoring the thought of finally being in his arms—again.

“Is my hair okay, Mom?”

Mrs. Miles studied Brandi’s image in the mirror. “You look beautiful. He’s a lucky man.”

“What about my make-up and this dress? Do you think…”

“Brandi, one look and he’ll drop to his knees.”

“I sure hope so. It seems as if I’ve waited a lifetime for this night.”

Mrs. Miles adjusted the strap on Brandi’s shoulder. “Tim is very important to you, isn’t he?”

Brandi dabbed at her lipstick. “More than you know. When I first met him, I didn’t know that he was a professor at Madison—my instructor. You remember me mentioning someone that I wanted a relationship with, but couldn’t because he was scared of them?”

“Yes. Is he the same Tim? I thought you were over him in nothing flat!”

“Nope! We just couldn’t be together because of Madison. Now is different. Imagine the look on my face when he strode into lecture.”

“I can’t imagine that. He must really think a lot of you to transfer to another university to be with you.”

“He’s always liked Columbia. I was the push he needed. At least that’s what he told me.”

“Good for you, but do you think he’s really ready now?”

“Mom!”

“Brandi, I just want you to be sure. Your father and I don’t want to see you hurt over an man who has had bad relationships in the past.”

“The only way to get over bad ones is to get into a better one and nourish it, help it grow. I know he can do it.”

“I sure hope so for your sake. Just take things slowly with him. Talk to one another, get to know who each other is before you get too deep into anything.”

“Mom. Come on. I am twenty years old.” She couldn’t find her watch. “Mom, what time is it?”

“Almost 7:00, and again, you’re perfect, so stop fretting.”

“God, I’m so nervous. I can’t believe I actually have a date with the legend. Wait until I tell Tiffany. She’ll freak!”

“The legend? What are you talking about?”

“That’s what he’s called at Madison. The girls will miss him like crazy.”

“He is pretty. Don’t tell your father I said that again.”

She kissed her mother’s cheek. “Your secret’s safe with me. Where’s the jacket to my dress?”

“It’s downstairs. I ironed it for you.”

“Good. I’ll get it. If he comes before I get back, tell him to…”

“I know what to do. My mother did the same things for Theresa and me. Although she did it way more times for Theresa. Besides, it’s good to let him wait for a minute. It builds a man’s anticipation.”

“What about mine?”

“You’re anxious enough! Go and get the rest of that dress.”

Tim rang the doorbell at 7:05. Brandi remembered what her mother said, and waited upstairs in her room. Mrs. Miles let him inside, taking him by the hand. “Dr. Polaris; how nice to see you again. I take it these flowers are not for me.”

He smiled embarrassed. “Sorry, maybe next time.”

“I’m only kidding, but I do love lilies.” She watched as he casually looked around for Brandi.

“I’m probably the last guy you expected to see picking up your daughter. Surely she has talked about me since I last saw you.”

“You’re all she talks about lately.”

“I’m not there anymore.”

“Brandi told me.”

Mr. Miles came in from the den. Seeing Timothy Polaris there to take his daughter out wasn’t sitting well with him, but he said nothing other than calling Brandi down.

At the top of the balcony stood a very nervous, very beautiful young woman going on the date of her lifetime. Nothing else existed but the young man standing next to her mother—the man in the khaki pants, navy shirt and black peacoat. She watched as his honey colored eyes sparkled after seeing her. She carefully descended the staircase toward him. “I hope I’m not over-dressed.”

He could hardly speak. “You look beautiful.”

Mrs. Miles interrupted sounding nervous. “Brandi, he brought flowers.”

She took the bouquet from her mother. “They smell so wonderful. Thank you.”

Mr. Miles eyed them until his wife spoke up. “Jeff, Brandi’s coat is on the chair. Will you hand it to her? I’ll put the flowers in a vase.”

“I’ll get her coat, Mr. Miles.” Tim took the coat from the chair and held it open for Brandi. “Button up; it’s getting cold out there.”

She did what he said, and picked up her bag. “Northern Lakes Seafood, right?”

“Anything you want. This is your night.” He looked at her parents: her mother was smiling broadly; her father was trying not to have a coronary. “Nice seeing you both again. Ready, Brandi?”

More than you know.
“See you two later.” She took Tim’s hand and they left.

The minute the door closed, Mr. Miles’s snide comments started. “She’s not supposed to be dating her professor.”

“He left Madison, Jeff. We told you that.”

“It’s still…”

“Jeff, Brandi is insane over him, and there’s nothing you or I can do about it. She’s grown.”

“He’s a criminal. I finally remember where I saw him. He was a little punk who was tossed into my precinct more than a few times when he was a teen.”

“That was then. He apparently got his life together. He’s a sweetheart, now drop it.”

* * *

Before Tim opened the passenger-side door, he took her into his arms. He could barely control himself as he pressed her back against the truck, kissing her as if he had just come from the wild. His arms wrapped her tightly as he pressed his body hard against hers. His mouth gently pulled and sucked hers, barely able to catch his breath. She felt warm against him despite the cold. And she felt utterly fantastic.

Brandi held on to him for dear life, not remembering if ever she had felt that wonderful before. Her kisses were as feverish as his, matching him tempo for tempo. Having him so close to her ignited memories of their first night together. She slowly broke the kiss and stared into his flushed face and listened to his heavy breathing. “I can’t believe I’m in your arms again.”

“I can’t believe I kissed you out here. I couldn’t wait for us to get inside the truck. I hope your parents didn’t see us.”

“Mom understands. Dad seems to have forgotten what passion is, except when it comes to my mother.” Her hand grazed his cheek. “It feels like a lifetime ago since I’ve touched you.”

His hands moved up and down the sleeves of her coat. “Let’s get you inside. I can’t have my lady freezing out here.”

His lady.
That was exactly what she had wanted to hear.
Tiffany will die when I tell her about this tomorrow.
She breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Thank God this man is finally here with me.

* * *

Sitting across from Tim seemed almost surreal to her. He looked different somehow, different from Tim the professor. His almost perfect features, deep-set hazel eyes took her back to The Entrapment. He was, once again, Jacob Anthony Wells. “I almost don’t know what to say to you?”

“Why is that?”

“It’s as if I start talking to you, my dream will end, and you’ll go back to being my professor at Madison.”

“It won’t happen. I’m at Columbia to stay.”

“I’m just relieved you’re happy there. I can now get off my guilt trip.”

“I’m happy here. I was so nervous turning into your street, that my hands began perspiring. That’s some feat, since its twenty-five-degrees outside.”

“I can’t imagine you nervous over anyone.”

“Well, I am sometimes.”

“We’re all like that sometimes, even the famous Timothy Polaris. Anyway, remember I told you I had something special for you?”

“It doesn’t get any more special than what I’m looking at right now, Miss Miles.”

She leaned over the table and gently kissed him. “I really do have something for you, but not what I originally planned. I tried to get tickets to Jeff Lorber. He’s at the Garden tonight, but it was sold out by the time I called.”

“You were going to do that for me?”

“I know you like him.”

“Yes, very much, but I’m having more fun where I am right now.”

“You’re so sweet, but I did get something else—movie tickets. We both like horror films, so I got tickets to
The Demon Dead
.”

“Another movie where some maniac is running around town slicing up young virgins?”

“That’s it. I know it’s silly, but that’s what makes them fun.”

“Cool. We can sit in the back and make out.”

“Exactly my plan. How did you get to be so special? Someone did a good job raising you.”

“Not really. I told you I was a troubled teen.”

“Yes. I remember, but you still turned out perfect.”

“I did manage to get an education. I’m not perfect, though. That’s what saved me from the streets.”

“I know you were at Huntington College before Madison.”

“Yes, for two years.”

“That’s a good college—hard to get into.”

“That’s the one.”

“No wonder they had you teaching there. You have to have brains on top of brains to get in there.”

“I’m not as smart as I should be.”

“The smartest man I know. How many of your female students were checking you out? I know they were, so don’t deny it.”

He lowered his eyes, smiling faintly. “I used to get pinched in the halls. I never actually caught anyone doing it because the halls were so crowded. I suppose I had a fan club of sorts. It was rather annoying, to tell you the truth.”

“Then you shouldn’t be so damn gorgeous.”

“I don’t see it.”

“Of course you don’t.”

“I moved to Bronx College, same thing over there. I made the girls keep their distance. They were not there to drool over me, but to learn, and they did. I had the top honor classes.”

“Good for you because you have a lot to offer students. I should know because I got an A from you. It wasn’t easy, though.”

“You had the brains. All I gave you was the motivation. You’re a smart young woman, Brandi, and I feel so lucky to be in your presence.” He took her hand, kissing it. “I get to taste you—tasting temptation; sounds like a romance novel.”

“Maybe it can be, Tim.”

“There is no maybe. You’re smart, beautiful and everything I’ve ever wanted.”

He saw a glimmer in her eyes, one that she couldn’t control. He commented, “What has got those wheels turning around in your brain now?”

“My other surprise.”

“Two surprises?” His eyes leered into hers. “What have you done?”

She pulled a book from her duffle bag. “I also remember you telling me about your high school days.”

“Really? When?”

“Conversation during one of my tutoring sessions.”

“Right. Those were some tough years.”

“I found your year book.” She opened the book to his graduation picture. “You were the cutest damn guy in the school. Look at you.”