“That’s not the point.”
“You did, didn’t you?”
“No…yes, but, Brandi…”
She pressed her hand hard against his lasting erection. “Good thing your pants are dark. Here, cover up with this.” She handed him a large napkin. “I would go with you to help you change, but I’ve got work to do. Sorry you’re so mad at me.”
“Just go and get your work done.” He held the door open for her. Monica met him at the entrance, smiling as she looked at him. “How did you manage to spill that juice all over yourself?”
“It just happened is all.” He walked past her to the bank of elevators.
After the luncheon meeting, Tim was too tired to attend the festival at the park that evening. Brandi would be there, and he didn’t want to be tempted by her again, not after her little stunt at the breakfast meeting. Then he thought about it, hating himself for being mad at her. She had only been trying to help, as she had been ever since he had gotten that call from Claire.
That afternoon, he walked to the gift shops on the waterfront near Niagara Falls, looking for something nice for her to make up for his temper. In the distance, he could hear the festival music playing reggae, Carlos Santana, and Sergio Mendez. He loved the Latin sounds almost as much as he loved American jazz. Music always reminded him of Brandi dancing against him. He saw the time and realized he needed to get back to work, reviewing the papers to be presented at the end of the retreat.
But the music still playing in his ears made it hard to go back to work. Instead, after reaching the waterfront near the dorm rooms, he leaned over the railing facing the falls. The falls were breathtaking, a wondrous beauty and a magnificent place for lovers. Too bad he and Brandi couldn’t share a room or that experience. They did not need more havoc in their lives. No, he had to leave Brandi alone until the trip was over.
A gentle breeze gently blew droplets of water onto his face, causing him to think of Brandi’s tender caresses. She was never far from his thoughts. He hated that he hurt her feelings earlier that day. Still, he ached for her. He missed her nearness above all else; he had never experienced loving a woman the way he loved her.
From a distance, Brandi watched him. She wanted him in her arms, but was fearful that he was still angry with her. She didn’t know whether to leave him alone with his reverie or talk to him and apologize again for making his life hell that day. She had never seen him so upset over something that was not life threatening. Something was behind it, and she knew it.
She came over and stood next to him, letting the same cool mist dampen her skin as well. They enjoyed the water in silence until she broke the mood. “I thought you would have been at the festival tonight; God knows you need to have some fun.”
“Wasn’t really in a dancing mood tonight.”
She moved closer to him. “I’m really sorry about today, Tim. I never meant to hurt you. I hope you realize that.”
He took a deep breath, and then turned to her. “It was never really you that I was angry with. I just needed someone to blame it on. I’m sorry for being so mean lately.”
“You haven’t been mean, but I know something is going on. Is it the fact that Eric is being so disagreeable?”
“I don’t care about Eric; you know that. He can jump into the falls as far as I’m concerned. No, there have been other things.”
She put her arms through his. “Maybe one day you’ll tell me.”
“I guess that time is tonight. I’ve kept you in the dark long enough. Remember that call I took in the restaurant some time ago?”
“Sure.”
“Brandi, someone broke into my doctor’s office and made off with my files.”
“Really? Why didn’t you tell me this before?”
“I didn’t want to upset you. It was made to look like a break-in, but only my files were stolen.”
“Why would someone want your files?”
“I have no idea. All I know is that those files had things about my life in them; my life as a child, everything. Everything I told you about my past is in there. The last thing I need is someone having access to that.”
“Is Claire okay?”
“She’s fine, but the cops still have no lead. I don’t know why someone is so intent on making my life a living hell.”
“You don’t think Eric had anything to do with this, do you?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore.” He looked at his watch again. “It’s getting late and I have work to do; so do you.”
“I left Tiffany at the park after seeing you here. I’d better tell her I’m calling it a night; you know, get some of that work done.”
“No, you have time. Go and enjoy your night out.”
She watched him walk towards the dorm rooms with a cloud of doom overshadowing his good looks. She wished that she could join him in his room and make life a little better for him, but knew he would never say yes to that.
CHAPTER 19
A refreshing shower always relaxed Tim. He dashed on Polo body splash; hoping, probably in vain, to stimulate his seemingly dead senses. He put on his jeans and a white shirt, leaving his underwear in a pile on the floor. He raked his hands through his still damp hair, and then turned to concentrate on the stack of papers waiting for him near the bed.
Before starting on the papers, he gazed through the picture window at the night sky. The festival was still going on in the park. Where was Brandi in that crowd? Probably dancing her delicious butt off somewhere. He had forgotten to give her the present he had bought, a silver heart pendant to put on the chain he had given her for Valentine’s Day.
His stomach began to churn; he hadn’t had dinner. Tim checked the local restaurant’s take-out menu and ordered a Ruben sandwich and a drink. His mind drifted back to his missing case files. He knew he couldn’t worry over that all night, he got busy on the stack of rough drafts.
A half-hour later, delivery was at the door. He opened up with a generous tip in hand and stared into Brandi’s face. She was holding his food order.
A smile hovered briefly on his lips, then faded. He should have known she would find his room. “I don’t know whether or not you deserve this tip.”
She gave him the bag and took the ten from his hand. “If anyone deserves this tip, it’s me. How do you like my new job?”
“How did you finagle this?”
“I was sitting at the bar in the restaurant when your call came in. I tipped the waiter a ten to let me bring the order to you. I told him you were my professor.”
“And he believed you?”
“Charm and a pretty smile can fool any man.”
“It sure fooled me. Keep the ten; you deserve it.” He sat the bag on the table. “You can’t stay here, Brandi.”
“Sure I can; no one saw me.” She took his drink from the foam bag and began sipping it. “This is great! What is it?”
“Something you have no business with; give me that. Now, you have to leave, Brandi.”
“No. I’m worried about you, Tim. That’s why I was at the restaurant. I wasn’t in the mood to party after seeing you so depressed. I had to find a way to see you again.”
“But not here.”
She moved into his arms, inhaling his aftershave. “Umm, you smell so damn good.”
“Brandi, you have to leave. We can’t make love here, and you know it. Besides, the walls are thin. Someone could hear us.”
She paid no attention and lay across his bed. “I’ll be quiet.”
“You’re never quiet.”
“Then you shouldn’t be such a good lover.”
“Please, Brandi.”
“No. I’m here to comfort you tonight. I don’t have to have sex with you to do that.”
“You know we end up doing that, anyway.” He leaned over her, barely inches from her lips. “I’m serious. You’ve got to get out of here.”
She unbuttoned her pink chiffon midriff and slipped out of her matching skirt. He sat on the bed next to her. “I am serious about this. We could get caught.”
She moved in behind him, whispering in his ear. “It’s just us in here, Tim.”
The feel of her thighs against his damp skin made him move closer to her. His muscles relaxed under her gentle massaging fingers. He put his drink aside. “Fine, I give up.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You heard; I give up fighting you about this sleeping together thing on this campus. I have no more energy for it.”
“I’m not trying to fight you, Tim; I just want to love you.”
He stood, removing his pants and shirt. “I’ve been holding off for weeks now because my mind has been so occupied, but the fact is, I’ve missed you way more than imaginable.” He returned to the bed, wrapping her within his warmth. “I’ve really missed you, my angel.”
She squirmed in his arms, forcing her breasts deeper against him, forcing him to hunger for them. The moment his lips met her taut nipples, rockets shot off in her head. “Make love to me, Tim, please.”
He reached for his pants and took the condom from his wallet, handing it to her. “Do it, Brandi. I know how you love putting it on me.”
“It’s a bona fide gas doing this to you. I know that sounds so seventies, but that’s how I feel when I’m with you, like nothing is more important.”