Fire & Desire (Hero Series) (9 page)

“I did have the
pleasure
of crossing paths with you on a
significant
occasion,” Trevor said.

“Hmm.” Christopher paused slightly. “Aah, yes, now that you
mention it, I do remember an
encounter
. I must say that after all of
these years, it slipped my mind.”

Tiffany saw Trevor’s chest expand.

“Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to dance with
Miss Selina.
”

Oh, no,
Tiffany thought.

“I didn’t realize you even knew Tiffany.”

Please, Trevor, don’t say anything,
Tiffany pleaded with him
silently.

Trevor looked at her briefly as if hearing her, then back at
Christopher. “Her father introduced us almost two months ago.”

Voice raised, Christopher said, “Well, then by all means I don’t
mind you dancing with her. Just don’t get too friendly. You’re a little out of
your league with this one…besides she and I are practically married.”

Trevor lifted an eyebrow.

“Oh,
really?
” The steel tone of Trevor’s statement almost
sounded like a threat.

Tiffany fervently prayed to God that Trevor would not let the
truth out.

Tiffany’s gaze shot daggers of fury at Trevor and Christopher, but
neither paid any attention to her as they let the level of testosterone build
in the atmosphere.

Tiffany took a quick breath and fought the urge to grind her
teeth. “Excuse me, but neither of you have even asked me what I want.”

Christopher placed a hand on her bare shoulder. “Come on,
Tiffy…this is a benefit. I’m sure you can find it in your heart to be
charitable.” He finished his statement by leaning down and kissing her on the
corner of her mouth before she could turn her face away from him.

Christopher walked away, leaving her and Trevor standing in the
middle of the dance floor.

“Well,
Tiffy
, let’s dance.” Trevor wrapped an arm around
her waist and pulled her forward.

She tried to disregard the tingling sensation she experienced when
his warm hand made contact with the lower part of her back. She placed her hand
in the one Trevor held out to her and the other hand around his neck, bringing
her body lightly against his. “Please don’t call me that…I
detest
that
name.”

“Why do you allow him to call you that?”

“Like I have a choice. Christopher does what Christopher wants to
do.”

“So is that how it’s going to be when the two of you marry? You’re
just going to allow him to delegate your very existence.”

Tiffany looked into his light brown eyes. “I think that’s a bit
much. Besides, as I’ve told you before, my life is not up for discussion by
you.”

“Then it’s a good thing I just came over here to dance with you,”
he said with a slight lift of one corner of his mouth.

Her gaze rested on his mouth, and the urge to lean closer was
strong.

Shaking herself, she remembered they were in a room with three
hundred other people.

In the arms of her long time friend, she felt nothing, so it
amazed her that with Trevor, a virtual stranger, her senses sang and her
thoughts fled.

She would never admit it to Trevor, but she liked the feel of his
arms around her. She felt safe and secure. She stood on an even eye level with
Trevor—light hazelnut colored eyes, to match his smooth mahogany skin.

Trevor was muscular and well built. She remembered quite vividly
his chiseled body.

Something she’d thought for years would never attract her.
Boy,
was I wrong.

Attraction was not everything; otherwise, she would have said yes
to Christopher a long time ago.

The music faded as Trevor’s thumb softly grazed the skin of her
lower back. His breath fluttered across her earlobe as he turned his head and
whispered, “Your skin always feels like velvet, soft, warm and inviting.” His
thumb brushed against her spine.

Tiffany’s steps faltered.

He pulled her tighter. “I remember so much of our night together.
Do you?”

Tiffany felt the heated weight of desire as it moved from her
lower belly and headed toward her sex. “No.”

Trevor made a soft chuckle in her ear. “It was hot. We were all
over each other.

Touching. Grinding.”

Trevor’s feet never missed a beat as he continued to lead Tiffany
on the dance floor. Just for a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the feeling
of being snuggled firmly against him.

Even though she knew she should stop this. Not allow the flow of
words that was evidence of her reckless behavior.

Her pulse rate picked up as every nerve became alive to the feel
of his body moving against hers. Her breath quivered. “Trevor, what are we
doing?”

“Dancing, sweetie, just dancing.” He fused her body to his and
continued in a tone that was as smooth as silk. “Aww, Tiffany honey, you had me
on fire. I would have gone up in flames if not for your wetness. I still
imagine your creamy, lush scent, like my very own spice treat.” He placed his
mouth directly on the shell of her ear. “Tiffany, baby, just thinking about it makes
me want to eat until I’m full.”

She couldn’t breathe. Trevor’s words were making her head spin.
“Trevor, you shouldn’t say these things to me. You have no right.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I haven’t even begun to take my rights.” Trevor’s
hand moved up to the center of her back, then returned to the small of her
back.

She felt her nipples tighten and press against the fabric of her
dress. Tiffany knew she was in dangerous waters. “Trevor—”

“I feel your nipples coming alive.” He moved his chest and brushed
the sensitive tips concealed in her gown.

The air caught in her throat. She had to swallow to force down the
sigh trying to escape.

“I could write poems about your breasts, baby. Poems about how
full, soft and responsive they are. How I suckled them for hours and you
begged—”

“Tiffany, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to see you.”

The sound of Josephine’s voice startled Tiffany out of the cocoon
Trevor had so eloquently weaved around them. Tiffany opened her eyes, not
realizing she had closed them and looked at the other woman.

She couldn’t miss the look of concern in her friend’s eyes.

Tiffany stopped dancing and immediately stepped out of Trevor’s
arms as if she’d been burned. “Thank you.” She bowed her head slightly. She
appreciated him letting her go without a scene.

“It was my
pleasure
.” He leaned forward and placed a firm
kiss on her cheek, lingering slightly longer than appropriate. “Miss Dailey, I
believe it is. It’s nice to meet you.” His words accompanied a nod of his head
toward Josephine.

Remembering her manners late, Tiffany made introductions. “Yes,
you’re correct.

Josephine Dailey, this is Trevor Wayne, an associate of the
governor’s.”

“I hope you’re enjoying the evening, Mr. Wayne,” Josephine said.

He pierced Tiffany with a lust-filled gaze, and then to Josephine
said, “I am.”

He gave them both a smile and turned to leave.

Sherri stopped in front of them briefly, saying, “Tiffy, I was
beginning to get worried that you weren’t going to let him go, so some of us
single women could have at him. You’re virtually married already, and you were
hogging Trevor all to yourself.” Sherri tapped her arm lightly as if she were
disciplining a child. “Shame on you.”

Tiffany refused to look at Trevor.

“Well, don’t let me stop you.” She pasted on a fake smile.

Sherri led Trevor away. “Oh rats, it’s a fast song coming up.”

Tiffany was truly seething inside but refused to allow either one
of them to see her anger.

Besides, what reason do I have to be angry? I don’t want Trevor,
right?

“So what was it you ne—” Tiffany began to ask, when she turned
around and saw the questioning look on Josephine’s face.

“It would be better if we discussed it in private.” Josephine led
the way through the crowd.

Tiffany followed her into the ladies room.

“What’s up?” she questioned, anxiously.

Josephine checked each stall for vacancy. When she was assured
they were alone, she turned to face Tiffany. “Tiff, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know, Jo. I thought you were going to tell me. Isn’t that
why
I
followed
you
?”

“You and Trevor Wayne?”

Tiffany’s heart skipped a beat. “What about us? We’re just…just
nothing.”

One of Josephine’s eyebrows arched toward the ceiling. It was the
second time someone had given Tiffany that expression.

“It’s not what it looked like to me when you two were on the dance
floor.”

Were we that obvious? Or was it because Josephine is my best
friend that she noticed?

“So we’re acquaintances.” For a brief moment, the image of him and
Sherri on the dance floor flashed across her mind, and she said quietly, “And
as you can see, he’s acquainted with a lot of women.”

“Well, I’m not concerned with lots of women…only you. For that
matter, you need to be thanking me for keeping the reporters tied up with
interviewing Lavonia. Otherwise, there would’ve been pictures of you and this Wayne
fellow plastered all over tomorrow’s society page.”

How stupid could I have been?
Tiffany berated herself
.

“There’s nothing to worry about.” Tiffany was trying to convince
herself.

“If you had seen the two of you embracing out there and the
expression on your face…you’d be worried.”

“Hey, Jo, what can I say…?” In an attempt to laugh away the
situation, she finished by saying, “I was completely zoning while I was out
there. I just needed a break. I’m human.”

“Contrary to popular belief…Tiffany Selina has always been human.
But Tiff, you’ve been acting strangely for a while now. If you would like to
talk—”

A woman entering the bathroom saved Tiffany from having to
respond. She smiled at her friend, hoping to reassure her that everything was
all right. “I’m fine. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

Josephine didn’t respond, but her eyebrow lifted in question.
Tiffany was beginning to dislike that gesture.

Tiffany linked arms with her friend as they exited the confines of
the restroom. “I should be back to my old self soon; trust me.”

Josephine said, “I’m always here if you need to talk. I hope I
don’t have to tell you that you can always
trust
me.”

Tiffany nodded to her friend as they re-entered the large room
where the remainder of the guests gathered. She was going through a lot, and
she would have loved to open up—particularly with her best friend. Mostly, she
was hoping the situation would go away soon.

She couldn’t have stopped herself if she wanted to from noticing
that neither Trevor nor Sherri was among the lingering guests.
I don’t have
to guess where they’ve gone off to, knowing Sherri.

She also noticed Christopher had departed, too. She already knew
he and Sherri had history together.

Now which one was the un-lucky one,
Tiffany thought.

Looking around, and thankful Josephine had already walked away,
Tiffany said aloud, “Well, none of them are my concern. And my marriage problem
will be over soon enough.”

Tiffany shook away the gray cloud that hovered over her at the
thought of Trevor and Sherri together.

A divorce was what she wanted, after all…wasn’t it?

Nine

“Ms. Sanders, it’s nice to meet you. If I’m not mistaken, your
late husband was one of the main physicians at the Cancer Research Center,”
Trevor said to the older woman whom Governor Selina introduced to him outside
of one of the luxury suites in the new FedEx Field.

It was the game of the season in Washington, and he’d had his
tickets for months.

Anyone and everyone who was a football fan was there—the place was
packed to see the Redskins versus the Cowboys! He was on his way to his seat to
watch the opening kick-off when he passed the governor and his guest.

“You have a very good memory, Mr. Wayne. My husband has been dead
for three years now,” the woman said with a soft smile and hint of sadness in
her eyes.

“That’s how we met,” the governor added. “When we found out my
wife had developed breast cancer, I personally invited them over to the house
for dinner to see what could be done.”

“I’m very familiar with the agony of the disease. My sister was
diagnosed with it, and I’m very thankful she survived it. When the family is
strained with worry, you look at all the options,” Trevor said.

“Even if some are experimental…you’re willing to try anything,”
Ms. Sanders commented.

The governor spoke, breaking the moment of silence between all of
them. “Trevor, why don’t you join us for the game.”

As much as he would have liked to, Trevor couldn’t. “Sir, I know
you probably already have the seats reserved for your colleagues.”

The governor nodded his head. “I do, but one of my comrades will
not be able to make it.

He had something unexpected come up at the last minute. So there’s
room.”

Trevor looked toward the outdoor seats and thought about the hype
of the game and the excitement of being in the active stands with the other
Redskin’s fanatics. He considered the joy of leaping to his feet excitedly with
others at a touchdown and having someone spilling their coke on him, by
accident. Having the opportunity to sit on a misplaced hotdog after he’d
hovered above his seat in tension while following a quarterback down the yard
line in anticipation that he’d reach the goal. That was most of the reason he
came to the stadium—part of the game.

Trevor only deliberated for a moment, and then agreed. After the
game, he still had a company to run and see succeed. Not to mention, this man
was his father in-law. He wasn’t sure for how much longer. Better to be in his
good graces while he could.

The governor patted him heartily on the back and escorted him in
along with Ms. Sanders.

Trevor smiled at his own good fortune as he stood up with the
other people in the box in honor of the pledge of allegiance. The stands were
divided in half, one side red and gold, the other silver and white.

Trevor
loved
football. Playing the sport had been his dream
for as far back as he could remember—until it was snatched from him.

His heart raced with excitement as he watched the coin toss and
the Redskin’s team captain calling it in the air. Luck was with the home team
as the quarter landed head side up—per the coach’s request; they opted to
receive the ball.

Trevor shook his head with many other fans. He was always an
advocate for deferring the ball, to have the advantage in the second half.
Despite the decision, Trevor could feel the vibrations of the fans’ roars as
the game began.

~ML~

The Redskins were down by six when Ms. Sanders excused herself
during half time to use the restroom.

“I guess your daughter doesn’t like football.” Trevor opened the
discussion to the person who was never far from his mind.

“Actually, she doesn’t mind it, but she’s been keeping herself so
busy with her business and my obligations. She’s doing a great job of burning
her energy candle at both ends.” The concern for his daughter was evident on
his face.

“I’m sure that doesn’t leave much time for a personal life.”
Looking around, Trevor briefly observed others in the box. Few people sat
watching the game like he and the governor, Douglas Selina. Most milled around
the back end of the box, talking, eating and socializing like it was a party
instead of a football game.

“Personal life?” The governor chuckled. “It’s truly evident you
don’t know my daughter.”

Trevor could imagine the governor would’ve been shocked to know
how familiar he was with Tiffany and how close he’d come to knowing her in the
biblical sense. He figured the governor would have been downright astonished to
know he was actually sitting next to his son in-law.

“Tiffany finds it hard to see past her responsibilities. I’m to
blame for a lot of that. I leaned on her at such a young age. She was so busy
taking care of me, she never learned how to take care of herself.”

The governor’s voice was weighed with the heaviness of his burden,
and Trevor was sure he didn’t need any comments from him. Hearing Tiffany’s
father’s words just reiterated to him that Tiffany wasn’t doing a good job of
taking care of herself, reaffirming he needed to.

~ML~

Tiffany walked into her house after mid-night, feeling as if she’d
been dragged brutally behind a sixteen wheeler during the forty-minute drive
home from her office. Earlier that evening, she and Josephine had worked out
the arrangements for a few Christmas functions they were planning. Three hours
ago, Josephine had left for a date with her boyfriend, Ruben. Tiffany had
stayed on, taking the time to figure out a balance between both of her
itinerary schedules—her father’s and her business.

While they’d worked, Tiffany’s mind wandered. She was having an
internal conflict about whether or not to open up to Josephine. She really
wanted to talk to someone about everything but could not bring herself to do
it. Ever since the BCS dinner, she’d felt ashamed she was not being forthright,
but for now it was best to keep things quiet.

She decided tonight it would be best for her to file for divorce
and soon. She resigned herself to the fact that Trevor was not going to do it.
The question of why continued to plague her. Every time she brought it up to
him, he changed the subject. Fear that he would contest it had kept her from
filing in the months since the Vegas trip, but no more. She had to take a stand
and fast. She knew the real reason. After the erotic words Trevor had whispered
in her ear while they were dancing, vivid images haunted her no matter if she
were asleep or awake.

She couldn’t deny she was more than a little sexually attracted to
Trevor. Every time he was within touching distance of her, her hormones went
wild. She yearned to have his hands on her, fondling her breasts and using his
magnificent talented hands between her legs. Tiffany wanted to be pleased,
touched by him. She wanted Trevor to make her beg.
Now where did that thought
come from?
Then she recalled the carousel and how she had acted impetuously
and as if starved for affection.

She had never had sex with anyone else. Not even Christopher, who
had attempted to cajole her into it several times during their brief dating
period. It had been easy to say no to Christopher. He had never made her feel
like Trevor did. Never made her body even come close to shaking and trembling
the way Trevor did.

Before the divorce was said and done, she would have loved to feel
what it was like to have him between her legs, deep inside. And remember it.

It was just sex, right?
she thought.

But she knew her feelings were beginning to grow for Trevor. Every
time he showed up, she learned more about him that she liked. On the way to the
harbor and at dinner, they had talked and opened up to each other about their
families. Not to mention, every time she needed rescuing, he was there. First
with her computer, and then rescuing her from Christopher on the dance floor.

However, if she didn’t cut the strings soon with Trevor, it would
be too late.

Already too late.

She felt no need for light as she walked through the dark house
and mentally shook herself to regain control of her thoughts.
Maybe I should
have driven to the mansion
. It was only twenty-minutes from her job. She
could have stayed with her father tonight. The football game was over hours
ago. She could’ve ridden in with him tomorrow afternoon to the family home, her
home, where she was now. She didn’t want to be alone tonight, nor did she feel
like company.

She exhaled forcefully, making her cheeks puff out.

Her father would be home tomorrow for the annual Labor Day party.
That meant there would be security personnel and state troopers everywhere when
he arrived. Socially, she already felt drained.

Worse yet, she was emotionally exhausted.

Over the past month, she’d tried not to think about Trevor and
Sherri possibly being together since the night of the BCS banquet. As much as
she tried to fight it and tell herself otherwise, she desired Trevor. Her body
yearned to know what she had missed the night she drank herself into a black
out when they’d gotten married—what Sherri had most likely enjoyed.

Tiffany took a deep breath to clear her mind.

Something must be totally wrong with my life.
She reached the top of
the second level and entered her bedroom.
I should have better things to do
than to worry about who Trevor is doing.

“I truly need a life,” she said aloud. “Anything to keep my mind
off him.”

Tiffany walked through the blackness and headed toward her
bathroom, placed her hand out and located the doorjamb. She reached around it
and found the light switch.

“I can only hope you’re talking about me?”

She froze, could that voice have materialized audibly out of her
thoughts. Yet her body went on automatic alert—fight or flight. Instantly, her
mind registered the distance between herself, the voice and the door.

“How should I take your silence? Is it a yes or no?” he asked,
reaching out to her across the darkness.

Her heart began to race, she knew without turning around who was
there. Only one person could stir her senses so erotically. One person could
cause her body to begin to pulse.

One person caused the lips of her sex to swell instantly. “How’d
you get in here?”

 “Your balcony window was open, not to mention a perfectly solid
table underneath it on the patio. Even though your room is on the second floor,
you should really be more careful.”

“Only lately have I had a problem with unwelcome guests strolling
around the property. A bit medieval, don’t you think? What are you doing here?”
she asked, becoming keenly aware of the heat of his body, directly behind her.

She was astounded that she hadn’t heard him moving toward her.

“Would you believe me if I said I wanted to see you?” He placed
his hands on her shoulder, causing her skin to tingle.

“Why?” she asked, trying to keep her mind focused.

“Because I’m concerned about you, and I can’t get you off my
mind.” He lightly squeezed her shoulders.

Tiffany stepped out of his arms, turned on the light and faced
Trevor. His face appeared a bronze color in the glow of the light.

“Don’t play with me, Trevor. I don’t have the patience for it
tonight.”

Unable to respond quick enough to stop him, Trevor grasped her
hips and propelled her body forward, closing the gap between them.

Holding her firmly against him, he asked, “Does this feel like I’m
playing?”

Tiffany couldn’t have mistaken the look in his eyes, nor the
significant feel of his hardening sex pressing intimately against her. Her body
responded instantly. The sensation of heat building in the center wasn’t
something that was foreign to her. This was a feeling she fought in the middle
of her nights when she awakened with dreams of him.

“We can’t,” she said breathlessly, placing her hands on his chest
between their bodies; she pushed herself away. Turning away from him, she said,
“This has already gone far enough.”

He walked up behind her. “That’s where you’re wrong, Tiffany…I
don’t think it’s gone far enough.”

Trevor leaned forward and began to place light kisses in the curve
between her neck and shoulder above the scooped collar of her blouse. Her body
promptly acted in response: her eyes closed, heat ran down her spine and her
heart skipped a beat.

“Tell me you want this just as much as I do.” His lips progressed
around to the back of her neck, and his tongue joined in, making lazy circles
over her skin while his hands advanced to her breasts and began to squeeze
simultaneously.

“Hmm…” the soft moan slipped past her lips as her head descended
forward. She could feel the tightening of her nipples as Trevor mastered them
in his hands.

Tiffany could feel his breath whisper against her skin as he said,
“Tiffany, I’ve needed you for so long.”

Tiffany felt like screaming that she wanted him too, that she was
tired of fighting her feelings. “Make love to me, Trevor.” She placed her hands
over his as the ministration continued. “I want to wake up tomorrow and
remember what it was like to be totally consumed by you.”