She rolled over on her back pulling him along with her. “Then shut-up and make love to me again…Dr. Polaris.”
“No way; it’s almost four in the morning. I had better get you home before the old man, along with Eric, has the entire NYPD on my trail.”
“Eric and my father are the last things on my mind.”
“I know, but I had better get you dressed and home anyway.”
Her arms encircled him. “Sure you want to do that? I can make getting dressed awfully difficult.”
“Brandi…!”
They left the house an hour later. She proved to him just how hard getting dressed could be.
She watched from the screen door as Tim drove off. Her parents’ comfortable old house was still in the quietness of dawn. She was sure her father was snoring away; however as sound a sleeper she knew her father to be, he could still hear a floorboard crack in the basement. Brandi knew she would be in for it because she had failed to tell anyone where she was going that night. She could have used her cell, but she was having so much fun with Tim and his friends, she simply forgot. It was nice to see Tim having so much fun, and knowing she brought out that side of him made her happy.
Not being quite in the mood for reprimand from her father, she stepped back into the cool night air. A light snowfall had covered the lawns, making everything seem new and clear. That was what her relationship with Tim was now, new and clear—a time for complete honesty and love. She loved the idea that she would have him as a whole, not bits an pieces.
Out of nowhere, she heard her name being called; she reached for the screen door. It was Eric standing in front of his car across the street. She met him halfway. “Eric, what are you doing here at five-thirty in the morning?”
“I should be asking you the same thing. I called last night to see if you were doing anything, but no one could find you. They said you were probably out with Tiffany.”
“I did go out, but not with Tiffany.”
“Then who were you with?”
“A friend.”
“Really? Just a friend?”
“Look, Eric, had I known you wanted to do something, we could have made plans. Why did you wait until the last minute to call me?”
“I had things to do, and I figured…”
“You figured me to be home anyway, right? People make plans in advance on New Years Eve. Don’t assume I’ll be home waiting for you. Someone called before you did, so I took advantage of the offer.”
“You didn’t answer me. Who were you with?”
She shook her head, realizing the old Eric was back, and uglier than ever. “I was out, plain and simple. Satisfied?”
“Were you with him?”
“Maybe I was, maybe I wasn’t. Who’s to say? Who are you anyway, the next Jeffrey Miles? Funny, you don’t look like him.”
“Don’t be cute, Brandi.”
“Look, Eric, it’s too cold and dark out here to be arguing with you about what I do with my time. If I needed a lecture from my father, I’d go inside and get one. You are not my father or my man any more, so lay off.”
He took her hand, rubbing her chilled fingertips. “Baby, now don’t get defensive. I care about you; I want you to be safe. I know I should have called you earlier, but you know how I am. I’m a last minute kind of guy.”
She withdrew her hand. “I’m not a last minute kind of girl. I like notice. You didn’t give me any, so I left with the first, and best, I might add—invitation.”
“Meaning what?”
“Figure it out, smart boy.”
He smiled a snarky smile. “You know who you’re sounding like?”
“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
“I will tell you. You’re sounding like that silly chick who was dating her college professor. Are you her again?”
“I didn’t date him while he was at Madison, Eric.”
“I think I see where this is going, and it’s about to stop. You are my girl. Remember that.”
“Buzz off, Eric. I’m tired.”
She turned to leave, but he grabbed her hand.
“Let me go.”
“No! Where was he when you needed a man, huh? I was around when he dumped you, and now you’re about to leave me because Joe White Boy is back in the picture. No way!”
She jerked away. “You son of a bitch! Do you think you own me? This conversation is so finished.” She tried opening the screen door but he pushed it shut. At that moment she knew Tim had been right about Eric. Her voice remained calm. “Eric, I am tired and want to go to bed.”
“We need to talk.”
“It’s too late for talk; now move so I can go inside.”
“Not until you hear me out. Take a drive with me. We can go and get pancakes, your favorite.”
“Do I need to call Dad out here?” She held up her cell phone, but he knocked it from her hand. “Are you nuts or something?”
He picked up the phone. “Maybe I’ll call him and tell him who you were with. Wouldn’t that be a cool idea?” He started dialing the number.
“Eric, stop!”
He handed her the phone and called to her father at the top of his voice.
Neighborhood porch lights started coming on, hers being one of them. Her only recourse was to run to her car and lock all the doors until she could find her ignition key and start the car.
More lights came on. She finally found the key. As she drove away, she could see Eric racing to his car to follow her.
It seemed as though she had been driving for hours before she pulled into Tim’s circular driveway. When she came to a stop, she looked around to see if Eric had followed. He hadn’t—not yet. She sat there looking at Tim’s house, all dark and quiet. Not even Myrrh was in his heated doghouse in the back. She knew Tim was fast asleep, and hated to disturb him. But she had little choice in the matter. It was only a matter of time before Eric came around, causing trouble for Tim to finish, and he would finish it!
She pressed hard on his buzzer. It felt like forever before he answered it. When he came to the door, she ran into his arms, barely able to speak. “Can I stay the rest of the morning with you? Eric is after me.”
“He’s what?” He flung the door wide open, but saw nothing but Brandi’s car tracks across part of his lawn. “What happened?”
“Eric was waiting for me when I got home.”
“You were inside when I left you.”
“I went back out, trying to think of an excuse to tell my father about where I was.”
“An excuse.” He locked the door and led her into the living room. “Why do you need an excuse? Tell him the truth, that you were with me.”
“You know how my father is. Besides, he’ll get on me more over not calling, as opposed to being with you. Eric wouldn’t let me in the house. He blocked my way and started waking up the neighborhood. I didn’t know where else to go, Tim.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You’re safe here, and no one will hurt you. Come on, let me warm you up and get you into bed. You’re tired and cold.”
He helped her undress, giving her an old pajama top to sleep in. He buttoned it and kissed her neck. “You still smell so good—like you’ve just made love to your man.”
“Gee, where could that scent have come from? I could tell you, but I’d rather show.”
“No. Sleep is on the menu now.” He pulled the covers back on the bed. “Slide in and get cozy.”
Before he returned to bed, he walked into the living room, and peeked through the curtains, but saw no sign of Eric. Moments later, he snuggled next to her, feeling her back pressed firmly against his stomach. His arms encircled her. “Nothing will hurt you, I promise.” For the first time since his marriage ended, he wanted a woman to share his bed with him the entire night.
For Brandi, nothing existed in the world other than the man at her side. Tim’s calm breathing soothed her, the feel of his body next to hers relaxed her; it was like being married, it was so familiar, so sensual. “I love you, Timothy Edward.”
His body pressed closer to her. “I love you, too.” He smoothed the blanket across her frame, falling asleep with her wrapped around him.
Eric pulled in front of Tim’s house and saw Brandi’s car in the driveway. Skid marks left in the snow testified that she had been on the run from something—from him. What angered him was the overwhelming feeling that Tim had won the battle. He smiled, thinking that the war had not yet been won.
CHAPTER 18
Tiffany walked in with the last of the decorations, dropping them into Brandi’s lap. “It was real clever of your mother and her sister to plan a Valentine’s Day party, then skip out on decorating this joint.”
“Why should they do that when they have us? Besides, my parents married on Valentine’s Day. They plan to be together before the party, shopping or something. I think it’s very romantic that they’re still hot for one another.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever; I still don’t want to decorate this house. This is a big house, Brandi!”
“I know, but there are a lot of people coming over, and mom wants the house to look great! Come on, help me with this stuff before Tim comes over. I don’t want him to have to decorate Dad’s house, knowing they’re still not on the best of terms. They’re getting there, though.”