A Taste of Temptation (Love Spectrum Romance) (3 page)

“Anytime, Brandi; just call my office or come by.”

She left feeling better about the situation, but still sick over the fact that her loving
Jacob
was now a memory.

Tim relaxed, but did not feel good about their meeting. He still wanted her, but didn’t know why. He and relationships were done, but he also knew she was way more than a one-night stand; they now shared a past, an enjoyable one, and he appreciated her intelligence. He loved how she truly made him feel like a man in bed, but it was over. She was his student. Remembering how lovely she looked in that yellow tank-dress made him regret being her teacher.

He sat there thinking about his failed relationships, and about why they were painful to him. His ex-wife, Charlotte, gave him the most horrible four years of his life. His family life as a child had been a nonstop nightmare. This was usually brought on by thoughts of his brother, whom he hadn’t seen in years. This time Greg wasn’t the cause, although they’d been at odds forever it seemed. He still didn’t know why because what happened really wasn’t his or Greg’s fault. Opening that can of worms was something he avoided at all costs. All he knew was that if he didn’t keep his protective shell in, he would go mad in no time.

* * *

Brandi had just gotten behind the wheel of her Escort when she heard Eric calling her. She thought she had seen the last of him a month ago when he, in his fake-sincere voice, pleaded with her to return to him. Instead of taking off, as she was tempted to do, she decided to hear him out one last time, hoping he would have something honest and civil to say, though she knew that was a pipedream.

She stared up at him through the half rolled-up window, afraid to roll it all the way down. Knowing him, he was likely to try to reach inside and grab what was no longer his. “Eric, what do you want?”

He wiped his sweaty brow. “Man, running after you these days is some feat.”

“Again, what do you want with me, Eric?”

“Just to talk.”

“I know what your conversations are about lately: nothing! I frankly don’t have time for it today, and I’ve got to pick up the rest of my books. So, if you don’t mind…”

“I do mind. Brandi, I just want to talk.”

“I had a feeling.” She laid her backpack on the opposite seat. “Look, this hasn’t been a banner day for me, and I don’t need you making it any worse.”

“We can’t end like this. I’ve invested too much time in this relationship for you to leave it.”

“There it is again. It’s always about you, isn’t it? What about me? The only thing you invested in the relationship was laziness, infidelity, and lack of commitment—three things I can’t stand. Now you want to talk! I don’t think so, not this day, not any day. I’m gone.” She started to raise the window, but he grabbed it.

“Brandi, please.”

“Don’t
Brandi, please,
me. I’ve had it with you. Go and talk to Stacey Neal. Wasn’t she the one crawling all over you, practically in front of my face? I’ve been going through the motions pretending you and I were happy, and I have figured out why I stayed with you—to please everyone but myself. You and Stacey were stabbing me in the back the entire time. I was the stupid one still trying to make it work. I must have looked like a complete fool to everyone. I sure feel like one now.”

“Will you stop for a minute? I’m sorry, okay? I knew I was wrong, but it just happened. You know how Stacey can be.”

“Don’t you dare blame her alone. You were a willing participant. She was my friend, Eric. How could you have done that to me?” She cranked the engine. “Leave me alone. Go on with your life as I have.”

“She’s the one who kept after me. I didn’t force her. Can’t you just give me another chance?”

“I’ve cursed her out already. Is it your turn now?” She turned up her CD player, hoping the singer’s voice would drown out his. She could still hear him talking as she drove off. His dull voice echoed in her head. “Brandi, please, let me make it up to you.”

How many times in the past had he screwed up, and she had forgiven him? Too many times, and this was it! Eric was actually the last man on her mind. What haunted her was not being able to be with a man she found absolutely incredible—Timothy Polaris. The time they were together, he treated her as no man ever had, but he could be the ruin of her scholastic ambitions.
For the sake of a career, I have to give up the man I’ve dreamed about. That sucks big time!
Tears ran down her cheek. Tim would never be hers; he wouldn’t allow it. Neither would society because of his race. Trusting another man after Eric would also be hard. It was mostly a color game, but the outcome seemed all black!

Even a cool shower couldn’t relax her, and an unusually hot autumn in New York didn’t help. She fanned her face, but couldn’t decide if her flushed appearance was due to Eric or to Tim. The latter seemed the likely cause. But he was clearly a no-no in her life.

Her father called her from downstairs. She knew he had been worrying all day at the police station about how his
baby girl’s
first day had gone. She didn’t know why she had moved back into her parent’s house from NYU’s dorm to save money for school in the first place. Her parents meant well, but her whole life was changing in ways they could never understand. They still saw her as a teen who was hog-wild over Eric, failing to see her as a grown-up.

“Up here, Dad.”

He poked his head through her bedroom door, a wondering expression on his face. Finally he said it. “Well?”

She had no appetite for talking about her less-than-perfect day at Madison. She took a deep breath. “Madison was okay. I know that’s what you’re getting at.”

“Just okay?”

“It was a drag, but I know it will get better. It just didn’t start out the way I thought it would.”

He walked over to her and began massaging her shoulders. “Madison is the only thing you’ve ever thought about as far as school is concerned.”

Now the names ‘Jacob’ and Timothy Polaris were the only things on her mind; he was the man who opened her eyes to the real world. Suddenly, the world wasn’t a pretty picture anymore.

To ease his mind, she spoke up and fixed the problem he had assumed she had with Madison. It was not the school it was the man there teaching English Comp 812. “Dad, Madison is fine. It’s the books. They’ll cost a fortune.”

He kissed her cheek like the princess he thought she was. “Is that all it is? Baby, we’ll get the books. Money is not a problem because your old man is police…”

“I know, Queens’ chief of police.”

“This Saturday we’ll make a day of it, just you and I. We’ll get the books, then go for your favorite, seafood pizza.”

“I’m dieting.”

“How can someone who wears a size six be on a diet?”

Even she had to smile at that one. “Okay, one slice, but that’s it.”

He walked to the door, pausing with a questioning look on his face.

His reflection was in her mirror. “Are you okay, Dad?”

“Yes, but I still need to talk to you about something.”

“Sure.”

“It’s about Eric.”

She retrieved the brush. “Dead subject. Your words normally enlighten me. Why now are you bringing him up? I would just as soon puke.”

“I know you would, and I sincerely understand. It took all the power I have not to kill him.”

“Then why are we still discussing him? You aren’t suggesting that he and I start seeing one another again, are you?”

He sat down on the bed. “Why would I want that for you? A man who sleeps around on my daughter has no place in my house or my life. But as you know, his father and I are good friends. Peter feels really bad about this, but he’s worried about his son, too.”

“What for? They know he’s a louse. They raised him.”

“True, but Peter sees what this break-up has done to Eric. He mopes around, hardly goes out. He’s basically depressed.”

“Then he should find comfort in the loving arms of Stacey Neal, as he has done many times before.”

“I understand, Brandi, but can you be civil to him?”

“Come on! Is this what you want?”

“I want you to do what you think is best. I told Peter that I would run it by you and see how you feel about it. Look, baby, I’m not asking you to do it if you don’t want to. He messed up royally, and the only reason his back is not broken is because his father begged me not to do it. Peter and I go way back, before you and Eric were even thought of. We don’t want strife between the families.”

She couldn’t help but smile.
Strife between the families?
“This sounds like
The Godfather
! I don’t know about this. He really took advantage of me, made me feel like a fool. I feel bad for him, but he messed up, not me. I like Mr. Fontaine, but this is a little too much to ask. I’ve gone on without Eric.”

“Is there anyone else?”

“There was, but he and I aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

“Who was he? Do we know him?”

“No. He’s white, and I know how you feel about me dating other races.”

“Brandi, now wait a minute…

“Isn’t that true? Had I brought him around here, you would have burned the house down to get rid of him. Besides,
he’s not into relationships,
or so he says.”

“Nothing is wrong with staying within your own race, Brandi. Is it so bad to want that?”

“No, but it is wrong to practice racism. I just can’t understand how you can work in that station with cops of all races knowing how you feel about them.”

“We work well together, and they don’t come into my house to date my daughter.”

His statement angered her, even though she had heard it before. “Dad, I love you, but that’s backwards.”

He wondered what was wrong with his baby girl. She had never bucked him before. “Brandi, who was this man you didn’t want to bring around here?”

“Just a guy; a guy who liked me and I liked him. It didn’t last long.” She knew they could never have a relationship even if she transferred back to NYU. He had made his point very clear.

Her father had not given up. “I only want what’s best for you. I don’t want you with Eric. Despite the fact that I would prefer you date black men, I know you will do whatever you want to do—you always did.” He kissed her forehead. “At least be civil to Eric when he’s around. Can you do that for me?”

“Okay, okay, whatever.” All along, she knew she and Eric were ‘not happening’. Same for her and Tim.

The following Tuesday, Eric showed up in Tim’s lecture hall and took a seat behind Brandi and Tiffany. He put his books on the floor and nudged Brandi. “Hope I haven’t missed too much of his lecture.”

She thought her eyes had deceived her. She caught herself staring at him. “Eric, what the heck are you doing here?”

“Can’t a guy get signed into class without someone getting suspicious?”

“Yeah, but not if it involves you.”

“I’ve got to get back in school, Brandi. I can’t sit in the house all day.”

Tiffany interrupted. “Shut up, for crying out loud! I can’t concentrate on dream boy with you two going at it. You want him to put you out?” She glanced at Brandi. “Yes, he would put you out, too, if he had to. We have a test coming up and I plan to do well, both of you cool it.”

Realizing Tiffany was right, Brandi turned to Eric. “Since you are almost two weeks late, the least you can do is shut up and listen to the guy.”

Eric whispered in Brandi’s ear. “I’m sure you and Tiffany have cornered the market listening to him. I can see drool on your desks.”

“Do I need to move?”

“Sure, get closer to him. Isn’t that what you want, anyway?”

At that, she grabbed her books and moved down a few aisles. Tiffany looked at Eric. “Happy now?”

“Maybe.” His heart did not feel happy that Brandi moved, but he did not follow her. Instead, he glared at Tim, who seemed to have captivated everyone but him.

CHAPTER 3

Brandi and Tim exchanged glances during class, but nothing more. Every time she looked into his honey-colored eyes, she felt herself melting, remembering how they were together. They seemed like a perfect match. Yes, Tim had it together with a great career, looks, and probably a ton of money to go with that career. But he was still a man, and the men in her life were known to fabricate things. She wanted to trust him, but the
Jacob
issue was still that—an issue.

She had wanted many times to talk to him after class, discuss how she was hurt by his name pretense, even though she understood his reasons. But she didn’t. Things were already bad enough, no need to make matters worse. She had stayed clear of him, fearing that being close to him would send her into orbit. Each day she practically ran from his class to avoid confronting him. Friends noticed her unwillingness to hang around after class and questioned her about it. Her only response would be, “I hate being late to class, and you know my other courses are across campus.” It was a cop-out and they knew it. So did she, but it had to suffice for as long as her excuses sounded faintly plausible.

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 woman 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.”