“You’re leaving, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. It’s hard telling you this.”
“Just answer this, when?”
“The end of the semester,. Dr. Moore knows, and is already searching for my replacement.”
Tim’s replacement. Sounded so awful. No one could truly replace him. Everyone at Madison would hate her if they found out she could be the reason he was leaving. “What about the trip to Niagara Falls? If you’re not at Madison…”
“That’s still on; both schools are going.”
“That’s good, at least. What about this hands-on we were headed for? Is it cancelled?”
“For now it is. I spoke with Dr. Moore about that last night too, once the phone lines cleared. He’s going to reschedule it for the week before the semester ends.”
“That’s good. What about the bus?”
“The bus parked, and everyone slept on it. They are en route back to New York.”
“I’m glad they’re okay. So, is this what you want, moving to another university?”
“It’s what I need.”
“You are doing this for me, then.”
He didn’t quite know how to answer her. If he said yes, he ran the risk of taking the easy way out for them. If he said no, her feelings would be hurt. He was fleeing, not from love but maybe for love. “I’m doing this for many reasons. Columbia is a great school, and I’m lucky to get on its staff. I’ve always liked Columbia, but Madison took me first, and I gladly went. It’s actually harder to get a teaching position at Madison than it is at Columbia.”
“Level with me. I know you love Madison. I see your enthusiasm when you’re in front of us, teaching your guts out. Every other word out of your mouth is about Madison. Now, are you leaving because of me? Tell me.”
A heavy sigh escaped him. “Yes.”
“I didn’t want that to happen.”
“I’ll love Columbia just as much. I’m in my element wherever I teach. It could be Princeton or Yale, just as long as I’m teaching. Besides, I’m connected to Columbia in a way after all.”
“How?”
“Every other semester, I give a speech on the life of literacy program. I encourage reading and writing programs at both schools. I gave one at Madison last summer. Next month, it’ll be at Columbia. But, Brandi, I want to be with you. I can’t do that at Madison, and I can’t expect you to leave there. You have more at stake than I do with the Seymour scholarship, and I can’t let you put that at risk when I could make the change.”
“You really did it for me, huh?”
“First time I’ve ever really wanted to do something for a woman other than take her to bed.”
“When do you leave?”
“The end of the semester. December eleventh is my last day.”
“The minute you can, will you call me?”
“That’s my plan.”
“Good. I have something to look forward to. I’m flattered that you would do this for me, and maybe a little—in love.”
“Don’t fall for me so soon. I don’t know about relationships, Brandi. You know they’ve never…”
“I know, never worked for you. One will, and I hope it’s with me.”
“Just hang in there with me. We only have a few more weeks before the end of the class and I promise to call you.”
“I can’t wait.”
Brandi passed Tim’s final exam with flying colors and turned in an excellent paper on Nathaniel Hawthorne, but one thing almost clouded her happiness about her grade—Tim’s leaving. In a much bigger way, however, she was happy about his move. It would allow them to be together, spend some much needed time in one another’s arms. Yes, that was the spark that put an instant smile on her face. She would be able to see him more than just in lecture. She could see him in life and love.
Two days after the final exam in Tim’s class, Tiffany visited Brandi. The first thing she said: “Have you visited your dear Timothy Polaris over there at Columbia yet? He’s there setting up his office before the Christmas break.”
“How do you know? Oops, sorry, you are the voice of New York. Of course you know where he is.”
“I did go by and say good-bye to him, since I was absent his last day of lecture. I gave him a really big hug, one big enough to melt a hole right through me, and it felt so damn good.”
“Did it make your day?”
“Sarcasm is hideous on you and you know it, especially with those shoes.”
Brandi looked down at her beige pumps. “What are you talking about?”
“It was a joke, girl! The point is, Brandi, you need to go see him.”
“Tiffany, I’m sure the man has been busy getting his classes arranged and adjusting to a new environment. Besides, I’ve been busy myself.”
“I thought by now you would have sprouted wings and flown over there.”
“I don’t want to seem pushy. I may just go over and say hi.”
“Just hi? You can do more than that now, he’s not your professor anymore.”
“I know that.” Brandi had wondered why Tim hadn’t called her since leaving Madison. She wanted to believe he was too busy settling in, but something told her it might be a little more than that.
“I know a way you can see him.”
“Give it a rest, Tiff.”
“No, I’m serious. You haven’t had the courage to see him, but I sure have. He’s giving that speech on the literacy programs before Columbia closes for the break. Wanna go?”
“I know he’ll be there. He told me about the program a few weeks ago. I have to go, anyway. I tutor adults one night a week in reading, my boss thinks it’ll be good for me to go.”
“Cool, we can go and see Timothy. Maybe after the lecture, he’ll take us to dinner—or to bed. The bed thing sounds enticing.”
Brandi laughed at her friend’s sly suggestion. “Where do you get these ideas, your older brother?”
“Who better? He’s been around; that’s for sure.”
“Tiffany, Tim is more to me than just someone who’s great in bed. He’s a sweet guy, smart, and the fact that he loves helping people makes him that much more attractive.”
“I know this already. I just love to fantasize about him.”
Brandi and Tiffany sat in the back of one of Columbia’s lecture halls watching Tim speak on the importance of adult literacy programs. Brandi missed him so much; he looked great up there speaking to a large crowd. He seemed relaxed, happy. But Brandi was lonely for him, needing contact with him—any contact. She was determined to see him at the end of the session, to find out what was up with him, what was up with them.
Tiffany followed her to the podium at the end of his speech. They waited for the crowd to thin out before squeezing in.
Tim had spotted them at the back of the crowd and could barely keep his eyes off Brandi. He knew why they had waited in the back to get the chance to speak with him alone, and he was glad. He had missed Brandi terribly, but time hadn’t been his of late. Getting settled at Columbia was more involved than he had anticipated, but he was still happy with his decision.
Tim shook hands with the last of the attendees, then turned to Brandi and Tiffany. “Funny seeing you two here; how are things?”
Tiffany spoke up first. “Not too well without you. You really had to leave us, huh?”
“I have more flexibility here.” His eyes met Brandi’s. “How are you doing, Brandi?”
“Good.”
“I’m glad. You look well.”
Tiffany noted the awkward exchange and decided to come to the rescue. “Brandi, I want to look at some materials on the back table. Take your time; I’m in no hurry. Dr. Polaris, it’s really great seeing you. We’ll miss you at Madison. I’ll pay you if you come back.”
“Can’t do it, Miss Jackson; Columbia is it for now. I’m glad you came tonight.”
Brandi waited for her friend to be a good distance away. “Are you going to be happy here?”
“Yes, very hap
py. I miss Madison, but I expect to love my new classes.” He moved closer, lowering his voice. “I haven’t had the chance to call…”
“It’s okay Tim. You must be very busy.”
“I’ve been under pressure to get set up. It’s been hectic, leaving Madison and rushing over here to get my office together all before the break. There hasn’t been any time in between to do anything other than fall into bed when I get home. I hope you understand.”
“No need to explain. I know you will call me when you can.”
“I’ve missed you more than I had imagined possible, but I will call. You know that.”
“Is it okay if I call you?”
“Sure. I’m hardly ever home, though.”
“I’ll take my chances. Just relax. We can take it slowly, work ourselves into a relationship…if you still want one.”
“I do.”
“Then go easy on yourself. I wanted to see you, Tim. That’s the main reason I’m here, that and my adult tutoring job.”
He was close enough to smell her perfume, something floral and sensual, and she looked so sensational in her designer baby pink and silver suit. He suppressed the urge to take her into his arms right then and there. “God, I’ve missed you, Brandi.”
Security walked in before she could respond. “It’s late, Tim and I need to get going.”
He caressed her baby-soft skin on the back of her hand. “Give me a few days.”
“I’ve waited this long. What’s a few more days?”
They slowly parted, hands lightly touching. He watched as Brandi joined Tiffany. He had been so glad to see her he could barely think straight enough to pack up his briefcase. No woman before had excited him quite the same way. He would not rest well until he made that call to her.
Tiffany could hardly wait to get the low-down on Brandi and the professor. “So, what did you two talk about for so long?”
“I wasn’t up there that long. I wanted to know if he liked Columbia.”
“Hell, you could have asked him that with me standing there.”
“Then why did you leave?”
“Brandi, I know that look in your eyes. You love the guy, so admit it. I think he feels the same way.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybe. Look, it’s okay now. He is not your professor anymore. Don’t you know what that means?”
“Why not enlighten me, Tiff?”
“Act snotty all you want, but it means you can get into that bed with him, girl! You can get down and dirty with the one man women on both campuses are drooling over.”
“Both campuses?”
“Yeah, dummy! Didn’t you see how he captivated the women at the lecture?”
“He was interesting. The men enjoyed it, too.”
“But for different reasons. The women were checking out his fly butt!”
“I know.”
“All I’m saying is that the man makes your head swim. Go with the flow of the tide, girl!”
“We’ll see.” She hoped he would call; prayed he would call.
* * *
Tiffany sat on Brandi’s bed and watched her finish dressing. “I’m glad you decided to go skating with me. You need to do something to get out of this funk you’ve been in for the past few days. What’s wrong with you, anyway? You haven’t done a thing during Christmas break. All you do is go to that part-time job then come back home. What’s the deal?”
“I can’t deal with this weather. It was too hot for too long, then the storm, now this snow.”
“It is the middle of December! There should be snow in New York by now.”
“I know that, Tiff. I’m sick of the changing weather.” She took her ice skates from the closet and slung them across her shoulders.
“That’s a cop-out, Brandi. Something else is wrong, and you’re not telling me. Come on, I’m your best friend. You can tell me.”
“I can’t talk about it right now. I will soon.”
“Must be bad. You’re not sick, are you?”
“I’m not sick.”
“Then what?”
“I can’t talk about it now, okay? Let’s go. The rink at Rockefeller Plaza gets crowded fast.”
“Yeah, with dudes.”
“Yeah…dudes.”
Tiffany stopped in her tracks. “Why did you say it like that?”
“No particular reason.”
“I know what’s wrong with you. You’ve been in this depression since you saw Dr. Polaris at Columbia.”
“Will you drop it? I don’t want to talk about him, either. Now come on, before the rink fills up.”
“Wait one damn minute! Did I hear you say you didn’t want to talk about Tim?”
“Yeah, so?”
“Yeah, so? Girl, what’s really going on here? Have you two fallen out?”
“How can you fall-out with someone who hasn’t spoken to you or called you like he said he would?”
“He hasn’t called?”
“No.”
“Have you called him?”
“He said he would call, Tiffany, and I don’t want to seem needy.”
“The hell with that. Call him and find out what the deal is.”
“That might be the only solution. But suppose he doesn’t care anymore?”
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.”
A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) Page 13