A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) (17 page)

CHAPTER 17

New Year’s Eve night was killing him. Brandi called again during the day and the night before. It took all of his willpower to not call her. But after her last call, his defenses began to break down. Her sweet, sexy voice was stirring his emotions. He loved her so very much, and the idea of not being with her was maddening, especially on this particular night—the night for lovers.

An hour later, he found himself parked in front of Brandi’s house looking up at her window. He could see her shadow moving along the window. Even her shadow electrified him, and he began to hate himself for not returning her calls. He still thought he wasn’t worthy of her, but having her at his side clouded out any and all emotions other than being together. His cell phone shook in his hand. He debated whether to call her or go up to the house. Knowing her father, Tim knew he could get killed on the spot if he entered the house. After all, wasn’t he the
monster
who tore poor Brandi’s heart to shreds? That would be his mark for life, at least in the Miles household.

He looked at the phone again. If he did call, he didn’t know what to say to her, or how to say it. How would he explain not calling her back? He had no answers, but one thing was for sure, he needed to be with her that night, despite how he felt about himself.

He pressed the speed dial and her phone rang. Anticipation built as he awaited her voice. He almost disconnected the call, not knowing what response he could get, but he kept clutching the phone. Finally, her perfect voice. “Tiff, is this you? My caller ID is still screwed. Anyway, I think I’ll just stay home tonight. I don’t want to be the third wheel with you and Stuart…”

“Brandi. It’s me.”

Silence.

“Brandi, talk to me. It’s Tim.”

“Oh, my God! Tim, is it really you?”

“I got your calls, baby, and I’m so sorry.” He could hear her crying. “Baby, don’t cry…”

“Tim! Are you actually calling me, or am I crazy?”

“I’m here, Brandi. I’m parked in front of your house. I got all your messages and I was a fool not to…”

“Stop! I was the fool, Tim. I was so stupid to let you go. I knew for sure that you’d never want to see me again.” She looked from her window and the flashing lights. “I’m coming down. I have to see you, Tim. I miss you so much. Please, say that I can see you tonight.”

“I’m in front of your house. Of course you can see me. What about your dad, though?”

“I don’t care what he says. I’m coming down to be with you.” She laughed, “Besides, he’s probably snoring with a box of Cheese Puffs in his hand. You stay right there, Tim. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“I’ll be here, and I can’t wait to see you. I love you so much, girl.”

“I thought I’d never hear you say that to me again.”

Tim’s hands were still shaking. He anxiously awaited Brandi, stepping outside the truck as cold as it was, just to see her run to him.

Moments later, Brandi ran across the snow towards his truck. They both stopped just inches away from one another and stared, stared as if they had just seen the most miraculous thing on the planet. Tim spoke first. “Are you real? Are you actually here with me?” He took her frosty hands in his, bringing her fingertips to his lips kissing them. He then wrapped his arms around her. Their lips met, and it was like electricity charging through them both.

Brandi cried against his warm flesh. “I love you so much, Tim.”

He broke their kiss, opened his passenger door and helped her inside. Before she could breathe, he was in the driver’s seat, pulling her into his lap. They kissed again and again, hating that they had been apart. He stared into her eyes in the darkness. “I’ve darn near gone crazy without you, Brandi.”

“Same here. I was a mess until you called a minute ago. Tiffany and my mother tried consoling me, but nothing worked…until tonight.”

She handed him his gifts. “I’ve wanted to give you these since the afternoon you left me, but I was so bull-headed that day. I didn’t even think about the gifts until you left.”

“Gifts were the last thing I was concerned about.” He looked at the gifts Brandi placed in his lap. “These are the only ones I’ve gotten, well, other than this truck.”

“I’ve noticed. What is it?”

“An F-150.” He slowly opened the smaller package and took out a silver and crystal pie key chain. The back was inscribed, “Two halves always make a better whole.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. I have one for you; the same one from the other day.” He reached in back and retrieved a small silver and red box. “Here, open this.”

“What is it?”

“Open it and see.”

She kissed his cheek then tore off the silver wrapping. She lifted the lid and saw a platinum tennis bracelet.

“I know how you love playing tennis, and I…”

“I love it, and I’m wearing it tonight. I can’t believe you’ve spent this kind of money on a crazy girl like me.”

“Crazy is a matter of opinion.”

“So you say. Open your other gift.”

“I will, but later. Tonight is New Year’s Eve. Big C and the gang have invited me to an all night bowl-a-thon; want to go with me?”

“Who the heck is Big C?”

“A college buddy of mine who weighs about 250 pounds.”

“I can imagine the power he has behind one of those bowling balls.”

He kissed her cheek. “He’s a great bowler, but not as good as me.”

“I know your power…and I miss it.”

“I’ll take care of that after we leave Lightening Lanes. How ’bout it? Will you go with me?”

“I’ll go anywhere with you, but I can’t bowl.”

“You don’t have to. All I want is the kiss at midnight.”

“That’s a given.”

“Let’s go somewhere else first. I know of a little jazz club that has the best slow music slow enough to make out to in a tucked away corner.”

“Sounds juicy; let’s go.”

* * *

They entered a darkened little 1940s-style jazz club and sat at a table in the back. The nightclub had great ambiance, with many pictures of all the jazz greats on the walls. He ordered a Black Russian for himself and a non-alcoholic drink for her to toast their reunion.

Brandi saw the pictures on the back wall. “I’m sure you know who all these musicians are.”

“Every single one. We have Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis. My personal favorite is the one to the far left.”

“Billie Holiday?”

“Good girl. You remembered.”

“How can I not? I want to remember everything that makes my man happy.”

“You make me happy. That’s all I need in life, Brandi. I’m so tired of doubting myself.”

“Then don’t do it anymore. You have me, Tim. That’s all that matters.”

The background music changed to one of his favorites, bringing a smile to his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I haven’t heard this in years, though I have it at home.”

“What is it?”

“The one and only Quincy Jones; this track is ‘Walking in Space.
’
” His eyes closed to the melody, his senses taking in each note. “Listen to the way Hubert Laws plays the sax.”

She watched as Tim relaxed to the song; drinking in everything it offered. The sound was smooth, mellow and exciting at the same time. Her hand covered his. “You look so damn sexy when you’re like this, Tim.”

“Just when I listen to Quincy Jones?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Tell me again. I can’t hear enough of your sweet voice.”

She moved in closer to him, whispering in his ear. “Every time I look at you, I get chills. You sitting in here in this darkened room listening to exactly what excites you, well, there are no words for it, other than saying you that I can’t wait to make love to you.” Her hand slipped under the covered table, massaging his inner thigh, working her way up to everything she had dreamed about.

“You keep that up, darling, and I won’t be able to give a damn whether Eric Gale is playing the heck out of that electric guitar of his or not.”

“That’s exactly my plan, Dr. Polaris.”

“I may have to skip Big C’s party on account of you.”

“Another one of my plans.” Her lips met his again, taking everything she could from him. “I can’t imagine a night any more perfect than this one. I’m with the love of my life…nothing else matters.”

“I know exactly what will make it more perfect.” He excused himself and approached the band getting ready to play and whispered something to the lead musician. He ducked back into the corner with Brandi.

“What did you tell that guy?”

“I requested something…another song that drives me crazy; it reminds me of you.”

“What is it?”

“
‘Satin Doll’ by Art Blakey.”

“I’m hardly a satin doll.”

“When you’re in my arms, satin is all I think about, that and other things.”

“You’re too much, Tim, and I love every inch of you.”

They listened to the piano intro, getting a feel and flavor for the smooth sound. Tim took her hand. “Dance with me?”

“We’ll be the only ones on the floor.”

“So what? It will inspire others. I want you as near to me as possible in this place.”

They walked hand in hand to the middle of the floor, embracing one another as if they had been lovers for years. She delicately wrapped around his neck, fingering the feather-light hair on his neck. Her body moved into his, feeling his manhood pressing against her tight slacks. “You feel so good to me. I could just move right through you.”

His arms tightened around her slender hips and waistline. “If you keep making these delicious dance moves against me, we may not make it anywhere else but back to my place.”

“You know that’s what I’m aching for.”

“Naah, C will kill me if I don’t show. He knows I’ve been a wreck lately.”

“Not anymore.”

He nibbled her earlobe. “No, not anymore. I do want to show you off; make all those ladies jealous.”

“Screw them for now. Move closer me, make me beg for you. You know I like torture.”

His lips met hers once again, not letting go until after the music had stopped.

They pulled up to his house around one in the morning; Tim put the truck in park and leaned into Brandi, taking her hand. “I hope you had a good time tonight.”

“I did. Your friends are really cool, especially Big C.”

“Casey told me to deliver you a message once we were away from the bowling alley.”

“What’s that?”

“He told me to tell you that you were hot. I licked my lips and told him I knew that already.”

“You were on fire tonight yourself. You really slammed that ball down the lane. It was like you owned the joint; you were so fast and smooth. The pins just burst into the air after you rolled. You won all three games against everyone.”

“Were you impressed?”

“Extremely, but it made my lousy forty-five points look ridiculous.”

“That’s okay. You looked really hot rolling those gutter balls, baby.”

“You’re about to get hot as well, the minute we step through that door, Dr. Polaris. Don’t tell Big C that—it’s our little secret.”

“I won’t tell. Casey’s a cool dude; gotten me out of a lot of jams.”

“Got you out of a lot of jams, did he? That Donielle would love to get into a jam with you, as would a lot of women. Stay away from her.”

“She saw how I kissed you at midnight, and knows she hasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell with me.”

“Speaking of kisses, why don’t we go inside and finish saluting the New Year.”

“Best damn plan I’ve heard all night. You know, the last time I touched you the way I’m going to tonight was last summer after we left The Entrapment.”

“I know, and I’ve been on fire ever since.”

The minute they entered the house, they were all over each another. Tim felt so good in her arms, something she had missed desperately. He nourished her with every touch, taking in and giving back in return.

Coats fell to the floor. Her fingers feverishly unbuttoned his shirt, then traveled to his muscles, contours, and every part of him that intensified her senses.

Tim watched her eagerly descend to his zipper; arching his back to her advances. He savored her expertise: taking him between her lips, stroking, fondling until he almost crashed. He took her face between his palms, pulling her away from him temporarily. “The bedroom or the fireplace; your choice.”

“Why not both? We can christen one room at a time.”

“I’ll get the champagne. When I return, you had better be ready, willing…and nude.”

“I have that down to a science already.”

He made a quick fire and put on a Quincy Jones CD,
Walking in Space
. When he left the room, she walked over to the fire; feeling its gentle heat warmed her face and hands. She removed her blouse and jeans and let the fire warm other parts of her. Her hands moved to her juncture, spreading the lace panties aside, envisioning Tim taking her, stoking her fire. She lay against the carpeting, giving into the pleasures her mind allowed. Sweet nectar saturated her fingers as she shuddered from her own pleasure.

Tim came back in time to catch her show. “My God, girl! What are you trying to do? Drive me completely out of my mind?”

She looked up, startled. “Tim, I…”

“Don’t stop the show on my account; watching a beautiful woman do that is a guy’s dream come true.” He sat the champagne goblets on the table. “The only thing missing is me.” He unzipped his pants again, motioning her to help him slide the elastic around his erection. She took him in her palms, squeezing, stroking until they could barely stand it.

After having clad himself with proper protection, he moved the lacy red bra straps down from her shoulders. He loved how the lace felt between his fingers. “Where in the world did you get this lingerie?”

“Believe it or not, Eric gave it to me. I think it came from Frederick’s of Hollywood. That’s where his mind usually spends the night.”

“I’ll give it to him; he has damn good taste. The sight of you in lace does things to me.”

A smile lit her face. “I can tell. Now, show me exactly what this red lace does to you.”

He pulled his undershirt over his head, dropping it to the floor, and met her face to face. “I’ve been dying for you, Brandi. I could scarcely look at you in class at Madison without picturing this moment.” He leaned her back against the shag carpeting, her thick, dark hair flowing freely across its thickness. He marveled at how gorgeous she was; she looked even sexier than he remembered. He slid her bra down he torso before unhooking it. His fingers slid the hooks as his tongue made a trail between her breasts.