For Tim, his problem wasn’t that Brandi was African-American—she was desirable to him no matter what, but he had to avoid her. He would not go out of his way to see her, but her in his presence every Tuesday and Thursday caused him to treasure those days. She always sat in one of the last rows in the lecture hall. He knew why—avoidance. He had to live with it, and given his history with relationships, he wasn’t about to subject her, or anyone else he cared about, to the kind of life he had led for so long. He had to see her, though, and on that day.
Time was up and Brandi, as usual, tried rushing past him to get away, but she had a test to turn in. Eric was headed her way and she quickly got in line despite the dread she felt. Eric caught up with her. “Did you pass the test on your own, or did your Mr. Tim help?”
“Take a hike, Eric. How well did you do, since you’ve been in here only a week?”
“I can handle pretty boy’s tests. Let’s get something to eat. I’m hungry.”
“Go alone. I’ve got things to do.”
“Like what, him?”
“Could be.” She walked off and caught up with Tiffany, leaving Eric at the back of the line.
That day, she was destined to see him because no way was he going to take that exam from her without saying something to her; she knew him too well for that.
Others were ahead of her. She could see him calculating how long it would take her to get to him. She had always been one to face up to reality. She couldn’t survive the remainder of the course without speaking to him. He would surely notice if she gave her exam to someone else to turn in. He would get to her later no matter what. That’s how professional he was.
Before Tiffany turned in her exam, she glanced at Brandi. “I know what you’re doing by letting everyone ahead of you. It’s about time you faced him.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“In a word, yes; even he knows it.”
“Just turn around and give him the paper, Tiffany. You see his hand reaching around whoever that is in front of you.”
“Should I wait in the hall for you, or do you plan on spending the honeymoon in here with him?”
“I swear, if you embarrass me…”
Tiffany turned away from her, smiling into Tim’s face. “And how are you today, Dr. Polaris?”
“I’m great, thanks. Yourself?”
She looked back at Brandi then answered, “Peachy, just peachy; glad the exam is finished, though. I’m sure I didn’t do as well as others,” casting a glance at her cringing friend.
Brandi rolled her eyes. I hate her!
“I’m sure you did quite well, Miss Jackson.” He reached around for Brandi’s exam. Tiffany moved on, winking at her as she left the room.
Brandi placed the two-page written exam on 17th century authors into his hand, and glanced around the room. “Hello, Dr. Polaris.”
“Hello yourself, stranger. How are things?”
“Busy.”
“I’ve noticed you haven’t taken time to say anything to me after class. Is everything all right?”
“Sure.”
He looked at her, clearly not believing her.
“Really, I’m fine; just lots of work to do.”
“Madison will keep you busy, and now with the Seymour, you really have to stay on top of your class load.”
“Right, an A-B average is hard to maintain.”
“Exactly! That’s why I wasn’t happy with that C paper you turned in last week.” He took the last few papers and waited for them to leave.
“Tell me about it. I wasn’t happy, either.”
“I think you could benefit from tutoring, at least temporarily.”
She put her books on his table. “I am being tutored.”
“By whom?”
“One of the student teachers working in Crosby Hall.”
“There’s a great tutorial lab in the Mathaei building. Brian Douglas runs it. Miss Shang helps at times. He would be glad to help. Why didn’t you come to me about this before writing the paper?”
Because the very idea of you puts me in meltdown. “You’ve got your own stuff to deal with.”
“Yes, but I told you to come to me if you needed help. I think there are other reasons you didn’t come to me. Am I right?”
That was the truth, but she wasn’t in the mood to deal with it, so she lied. “Really, I’ve just been so bogged down with other things that I…”
“You can’t let that C stay on your record.”
Passing his class was a must, and she needed him to help her do it. Tim had won awards for his writing, and getting his help would be a small price to pay. Sitting next to him and concentrating on things other than sex would be her cross to bear.
“I’m just not interested in 17th century literature. Do you think you could give me some pointers?”
“You’ve got me; I’ve told you that before. I also know that you’d rather not be around me.”
“No, the problem is that I do want to be around you. I need the help, though, and you can give it. I don’t know how to write a good paper on that subject.”
“Your problem is focus, maybe a little lack of interest. You picked a good subject, but you didn’t fully explore it, manipulate it, make it work for you. I can show you how to do that despite how boring you may think it is.”
Indeed, you can, Timothy. Even his words were provocative to her. He managed to use the very words that made everything on her stand to attention. She needed his help, but wanted his passion. “I’m good with punctuation and all.”
“And you’ll become good with the rest of it. Trust yourself. Trust me.”
“That’s also hard to do.” In more ways than one.
“You have to do this and do it well. It’s a core minor that you had to select in order to pass into the advanced lit department. Do you want my help?”
“Do you think we can…should?”
He moved closer to her, lowering his voice even though the door was closed. “Brandi, listen to me. Both you and I know that we can’t let anything get in the way of my career or your education. Yes, I still like you, and I still remember what we did. That will never be forgotten because it was incredible. It’s over, though, and I know you have self-control because you’ve shown it to me the last three weeks.”
“I know, but…
“There are no buts, Brandi. Either we do this or we don’t. I would like to help you. That grade can’t stay there. You’re too smart, and I know you can do the work. The Seymour is not easy to get, and it’s not easy to keep. I would hate to see you lose it when I can prevent that…if you’ll let me.”
She looked sincerely into his eyes. “You’re right.”
“I’m free this afternoon. Thursdays are my light days, if you can call four classes a light day.” He smiled, crossed his arms across his chest. “So, how ’bout it?”
“I would like that. But I already have the bad grade. What about that?”
“We’ll start from this point just this once.”
“And you’ll drop the C?”
“Yes. You’ll redo it with my help and go from there. Is today good for you?”
“What time? I have a lecture at three.”
“Then come after that. Say at five?”
“That’s workable. I have such a heavy load, and it’s hard to juggle everything.”
“You can do the paper; you’re smart enough to redo it in a timely fashion. That C was just a lapse. For the most part your paper was okay. Fine-tuning and a little more interest will help you a great deal.” He walked her to the door. “Bring the thesis statement. We can work with that. Come to my office in Fischer, and Brandi, don’t get into a jam again and not tell anyone. If I can help you, you know I will.”
“I sure need it, in more ways than one.”
After letting her out, he leaned against the door. God! Tutoring her. How deep into this mess am I going to sink? He wiped the perspiration off his forehead and tried to get the most beautiful woma
n he had ever seen off his mind. He knew it would be hard, and would be until she graduated. He didn’t know if he could take putting her off for that long. A relationship was out of the question, but he knew he had to have her—somehow!
* * *
Tim’s last lecture for the day was across from his office in the Fischer complex. She arrived early and decided to wait at the door near his office. But the heat was stifling in the hallway. So she decided to find in an empty chair in his lecture room and wait there. She looked inside; he still hadn’t dismissed his English theory class. The heat from the inside of the room hit her. It was fierce, despite the air conditioning, which apparently was not working at peak capacity. She braved it like the rest did and took a seat in a corner to wait out the last ten minutes.
Tim was working at the board when he saw her from the corner of his eye. She had kept her word, but he was uncomfortable with fact that he would be alone with her. The last thing he needed was temptation. He knew he was weak…weak for her, but he had stay at a safe distance matter what was put in front of him.
He watched briefly as she relaxed in her seat. Her tight-fitting ivory skirt was just above her knee. With each move she made, the skirt rose higher, exposing some of what he had witnessed. He was losing it. His eyes darted from the clock to her. She was a walking dream that he needed to be near—but a dream with a mind that intrigued him even more because he loved smart women. A white silk blouse clung to her; her sleeves were rolled up, exposing more of her skin. The things a smoldering autumn did to a woman’s clothing.
For Brandi, time moved just as slowly. The more she looked at how the hot breeze ruffled his shirt, the more she wanted him. His shirt had only two buttons undone as he tried to look as professional as possible in that heat. It was the kind of heat that would be followed by rain at any given moment.
Finally, class dismissed.
Once the last student had gone and the door closed, they stood facing each other in silence, trying to muster the strength and the nerve to be with one another.
“Sorry the session lasted longer than expected.”
“No, I was early.”
“Give me a minute to erase everything. I try to leave the lecture hall clean for the next instructor. Take a seat; I’ll be right with you.” Her head dropped slightly. “Brandi, are you okay? You look a little out of it.”
“I’m fine. It’s this heat.”
“I’ve never seen it this hot here in October. It’s crazy. Can I get you some water or a Coke, something to cool you off?”
She walked to the chair near his desk. “Really, I’m okay.”
“Let me just get this stuff off here, and we can go to my office. It’s cooler there. By the way, did you remember to bring the thesis question?”
There was no response. He turned in time to see Brandi falling against the chair. He grabbed her and put her arm around his neck to steady her. “Brandi! Brandi! Come on, snap out of it.”
She looked into his eyes; eyes that made her feel even more lightheaded.
“I should take you home. You can’t drive like this. Here, sit down and let me get you something to drink.”
“No, no, I’m fine. It’s this heat. Besides, we have my paper to go over.”
“Not today. You’re not well. You need to go home.”
Her body was limp; her head rested on her shoulder. He eased her into the chair, the scent of her hair filling his nostrils. Her body felt so good next to his, making him yearn for her. Once she was in the chair and appeared more, steady he took a bottle of water from his briefcase, handing it to her.
“Thank you. Can I just sit here for a moment?”
“As long as it takes; don’t rush.”
“I don’t know what happened. I just felt so weak.”
“Relax, and don’t think about anything. Sometimes things like that happen, especially in this heat.”
“I need to go. I’ll take the water with me in case I feel weak again.” She stood but stumbled back into his arms. Her eyes searched his as she stood erect. She felt his hands tighten around her waist, helping her to stand. Their faces were inches apart; her hand reached to stroke his cheek. His strong hand grasped hers. She could feel his heat, his strength, and wanted nothing less at that point than all of him.
He became a willing participant, moving closer to her, wanting to kiss her so badly he could actually taste her. Reality knocked. “Brandi, don’t. We can’t do this here, and you’re weak from this heat anyway.” He held her hand tighter, staring into her dark almond shaped eyes. A knock on the door shattered the moment.
Thank God! He backed away from her and managed a breathy, “Come in.”
Eric came in waving a paper in his hand. “I forgot to give this to you, Dr. Polaris.”
“I shouldn’t take it. The test was due earlier today, Mr. Fontaine.”
Eric smiled smugly, looking at Brandi as he handed the test to Tim. “Hey, Brandi. What’s shakin’?”
“Hello, Eric.”
Eric took his eyes off Brandi long enough to ask Tim about the test. “I’ve had so many things on my mind. I didn’t mean to walk out with the test. Will you still grade it?”
“This time.” He walked over to Brandi. “Drink the rest of the water, then maybe in a few minutes I can take you home.”
Eric heard the exchange. “Did I interrupt something?”
“No, you didn’t. We all need to get out of here.”
Ignoring Tim, Eric walked over to Brandi. “Are you okay?”
She walked over to the door, Eric on her heels. “Yes, I’m fine. Dr. Polaris, thanks again for the water.”
Tim followed behind her. “Are you sure you’re okay to be leaving now?”
“Yes, the water helped. I think I was just really tired.”
“I’m sorry about all of this, Miss Miles, but we can reschedule for tomorrow, same time.”
“Could we?”
“Sure. What’s another day? But you should go home and lie down. This heat is bad right now; you could get really sick. Have you had anything to eat?”
“Lunch earlier.”
“You need more than that. It’s almost five.”
“He’s right. I can walk you to your car, Brandi.”
“I can do it alone, Eric. Thank you just the same.”
“Maybe it’s a good idea to let him walk you; if he doesn’t, I will.”
“I can do it, Dr. Polaris, thanks.”
He watched Brandi walk out with Eric still on her heels. He sensed tension between them, but didn’t know what it was all about. He grabbed his briefcase as Monica Shang came in.
“Tim, do you have time today to look over the book request form? We really need those for the writers retreat this spring.”
“I know.” He walked towards her. “I can look over it as we walk.”
“Was…was that Brandi Miles I just saw?”
He answered without looking at her. “Yes. Why?”
“How’s she doing with the Seymour?”
“Fine, as far as I can tell.”
“I wasn’t aware that she had this class.”
He looked up from the paper he was scanning. “She doesn’t. She’s in trouble in my writers comp and asked for some suggestions.”
“I could tutor her, since I oversee the tutorial lab. I would hate to see her fail.”
“She’s too smart to let that happen.” He and Monica were walking down the corridor leading to the parking lot when they heard bickering. Normally the halls were filled with student chatter, but it was past four o’clock and he knew just about everyone was gone. He stopped dead in his tracks, thinking he had heard Brandi’s voice.
“What’s wrong, Tim?”
“Shhh…Something’s going on. I had better see about it.”
He and Monica turned the corner to see Brandi pressed against the wall; Eric was blocking her way. Tim cleared his voice.
They turned and saw Tim and Monica staring at them.
Tim eyed Br
andi suspiciously. “Is everything okay, Miss Miles?”
At that, Eric dropped his hands and let her pass.
“Thank you. I’m fine now.” She gave Eric a smug look and walked off.
He kept his eye on Brandi as she passed and headed for the parking lot. He glanced at Eric, who was giving Tim a hateful stare. Then he walked off.
Tim walked on with Monica at his side. “I should make sure she gets to her car. She was sick just moments ago.”
“Good idea. Not many men would do that.”
“I only want to make sure she doesn’t have a relapse. Can I sign the papers in the morning?”
“Sure, we have a few more days, but I do want to get those in as soon as possible.” Tim followed Brandi into the student parking lot, and saw her get into her car. He tapped on the window. “Brandi, I think I should follow you home.”
“I’m not sick anymore. I can make it.”
“Okay, if you’re sure you can.”
“I think I can.”
“You think so? That’s not good enough. Let me get in on the other side. You can take me to my truck in the faculty parking lot.”
“That’s really not necessary.” She didn’t want Timothy Polaris in her car, in a closed-up place, a tight-fitting place. It would be too tempting, but she could see he wasn’t taking no for an answer and she reluctantly pulled the lock up on the other side.
He got in, fastened his seat belt. “I know this is highly irregular for a student to be driving a teacher around, but I’m concerned about you. Suppose you pass out while driving?”
“It won’t happen.”
“It could, and that’s why I’m going to trail you home.”
There was no bucking him. She did as told, and waited until he started his truck and pulled up behind her.
Brandi turned into her driveway and got out; he parked and walked her to the door. “I feel better now that you’re home safely. You need to go in and rest. Take the rest of the evening off.”
“What about going over my paper?”
“You can do that with me tomorrow. Now, will you go in and take it easy?”
This is not fair! He cares for me; he’s polite, sensitive and gorgeous. Why can’t I have him? She forced a smile for his benefit. “Sure, I’ll go in and take it easy, but it’ll be hard. I’m used to working on something, not lying in bed waiting for my parents or my brother to cater to me.”
A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) Page 4