Until the End of Time (9 page)
Read Until the End of Time Online
Authors: Melanie Schuster
She’d seen Andrew in his most natural, most vulnerable state and the memory of it wasn’t a cause for ridicule, not at all. In point of fact, it was incredibly sexy and Renee would have been lying if she hadn’t admitted to herself that she’d happily do it again. Yes, she certainly would. If given the opportunity to gaze on this handsome man in all his naked glory again she’d do it and devil take the hindmost. So there. Renee hadn’t quite analyzed what the logistics of that kind of thinking meant. All she knew was that she felt freer than she had in years and years and she was enjoying it. It was ironic that Andrew was the unwitting cause of her liberation, but that’s life for you. You never knew where you were going to find inspiration, liberation or desire; they just showed up. Renee was unaware that she was glowing like a thousand fireflies or she might have attempted to tone it down a bit. It didn’t really matter, though, because Andrew was also being his most charming.
“
Renee this is the nicest evening I have had in a long time. Why haven’t we ever done this before?” Renee opened her mouth to speak but Andrew answered his own question. “Oh, I forgot. You can’t stand me, that’s why.” He tried to look hurt, but the smile in his eyes gave him away. Renee wasn’t going to let him get away with that, though.
Renee this is the nicest evening I have had in a long time. Why haven’t we ever done this before?” Renee opened her mouth to speak but Andrew answered his own question. “Oh, I forgot. You can’t stand me, that’s why.” He tried to look hurt, but the smile in his eyes gave him away. Renee wasn’t going to let him get away with that, though.
“
Oh, no you don’t. You’re the one that can’t stand
me
! You’ve never missed an opportunity to pick on me, not once in all the years you’ve known me. So don’t even go there, Andrew Bernard Cochran, Jr. Don’t even try it,” Renee said quickly, but she, too, was smiling.
Oh, no you don’t. You’re the one that can’t stand
me
! You’ve never missed an opportunity to pick on me, not once in all the years you’ve known me. So don’t even go there, Andrew Bernard Cochran, Jr. Don’t even try it,” Renee said quickly, but she, too, was smiling.
They continued to tease each other while Andrew paid the bill, and they walked out to his car still sniping at each other, but gently, with amusement and not malice. They made the short trip back to the house relatively quickly because there wasn’t much traffic. Andrew opened the car door for Renee and walked her up to the back door. They were so accustomed to one another that it was perfectly natural for him to come in for a few minutes, which he did unhesitatingly.
Andrew asked when Bennie would be home, only to be told that she was in Atlanta visiting Clay. Andrew’s brows knit together briefly, which Renee assumed meant that he did not approve of Clay for some reason. She was about to express the idea that Clay was a worthy partner for his sister when he spoke.
“
You’re going to be all alone in this big house? I don’t know if I like that idea,” he said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” Renee was touched by his concern. Coming from anyone else those words would seem like a big come-on, but she knew that Andrew was sincerely interested in her well-being. She assured him that she would be fine.
You’re going to be all alone in this big house? I don’t know if I like that idea,” he said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay by yourself?” Renee was touched by his concern. Coming from anyone else those words would seem like a big come-on, but she knew that Andrew was sincerely interested in her well-being. She assured him that she would be fine.
“
This is a very safe area, you know. There’s a private security patrol, plus we have an alarm system. And I have Aretha the watch cat to alert me to prowlers,” she said, smiling. As if she had heard her name, Aretha sauntered into the kitchen where Andrew and Renee were standing and flopped on the floor as if her legs had suddenly vanished. Andrew looked at the large, inert pile of black fur and raised a brow.
This is a very safe area, you know. There’s a private security patrol, plus we have an alarm system. And I have Aretha the watch cat to alert me to prowlers,” she said, smiling. As if she had heard her name, Aretha sauntered into the kitchen where Andrew and Renee were standing and flopped on the floor as if her legs had suddenly vanished. Andrew looked at the large, inert pile of black fur and raised a brow.
“Oh yeah, she’s right on the case. Come on, let me check all these doors and windows for you,” he said, taking Renee by the hand.
Over Renee’s protests, he checked every entrance and window on the first floor to make sure they were locked. He repeated his actions on the second floor and was about to go to the third floor where Renee’s rooms were when she stopped him.
“
Andrew, if anyone gets on the third floor they’d have to be airborne,” she reminded him. “Now, how about some iced tea or wine or something?”
Andrew, if anyone gets on the third floor they’d have to be airborne,” she reminded him. “Now, how about some iced tea or wine or something?”
He reluctantly agreed to tea and followed her downstairs. He hadn’t given up on her personal safety, though. “You know, Donnie or Adam can come over and stay here until Bennie gets back,” he said worriedly. “You don’t have to stay here alone. In fact, I can stay in The Outhouse until I leave on Sunday,” he went on.
Renee gave him a sweet smile that was full of amusement. She was pouring large glasses of iced tea and arranging a sprig of fresh mint in each one. “Andrew, I’m really touched that you are so concerned for my safety, but I will be fine. I’ve stayed here before all by my lonesome and nothing happened. Now, let’s go into the living room and listen to a little music, okay?”
Andrew sighed. It was apparent that he wasn’t going to win this one, so he pretended to bow to Renee’s judgment. He was a little surprised by the depth of his feelings about it as he followed Renee into the living room. When had he become so protective of her? Oh, he would’ve never let any harm come to her at any time, but now he had a great sense of responsibility towards her, like she was a priceless treasure he had to safeguard. Nothing could have been further from the truth—could it? He looked at Renee who was oblivious to his scrutiny as she selected some CDs.
Before going to dinner, she had changed into a watermelon colored linen sleeveless dress with deeply cut armholes that exposed her firm, rounded shoulders. The collar of the dress was turned up towards her face and framed her dark beauty. The rosy pink color of the dress was perfect with her smooth chocolate complexion. Even her feet were sexy, covered with bronze strappy sandals which showed off her slender ankles and sexy legs. A lot of dark skinned women were afraid to wear soft or bright colors, but not Renee. She had an unerring eye for what would look exquisite on her and she always looked like a million bucks. And she always smelled terrific. Before he could stop himself, Andrew blurted these observations out.
“
Renee, you’re one of the best-dressed women I’ve ever known Anything you put on looks good on you,” he said admiringly. Renee was taken aback momentarily but managed to rally. She joined Andrew, who was sprawled on one end of the sofa.
Renee, you’re one of the best-dressed women I’ve ever known Anything you put on looks good on you,” he said admiringly. Renee was taken aback momentarily but managed to rally. She joined Andrew, who was sprawled on one end of the sofa.
“
Well, thank you, Andrew. I think that’s the first time you’ve ever paid me a compliment,” she said honestly. Andrew smiled.
Well, thank you, Andrew. I think that’s the first time you’ve ever paid me a compliment,” she said honestly. Andrew smiled.
“
I said you looked good enough to eat not too long ago,” he reminded her.
I said you looked good enough to eat not too long ago,” he reminded her.
Renee blushed at the memory and pointed out to him that he was not being complimentary on that occasion. “You just did that to pick at me. You
licked
me, if I recall,” she said mildly.
licked
me, if I recall,” she said mildly.
Andrew just continued to smile lazily at her. “I wasn’t licking you. I was
tasting
you. I always thought you would taste just like chocolate, and you do.”
tasting
you. I always thought you would taste just like chocolate, and you do.”
Renee’s long lashes blinked slowly. She was suddenly very warm, even though the temperature in the room was quite comfortable. Furthermore, she seemed to have goosebumps, which was highly unlikely given the sudden warmth of the room. The sound of Andrew’s voice, the caress of his simple, well-chosen words, and the sight of him stretched across the sofa had combined to give Renee an odd rush. She was trying to think of something witty and sophisticated to say when he spoke again.
“
Every since the first time I saw you, I wanted to know what you would taste like,” he admitted.
Every since the first time I saw you, I wanted to know what you would taste like,” he admitted.
Renee leaned back against the pillowed sofa. At last the truth would come out. “You
were
looking at me that day, weren’t you?” she accused.
were
looking at me that day, weren’t you?” she accused.
Andrew sat up to answer her. “
Yes
, I looked.
Hell, yes
, I looked. I was 18 years old and horny as a mink and you were the most incredible thing I had ever seen in my life. I
looked
,” he said fervently. Before she could speak, he went on. “I know it was sick and voyeuristic and I’ve wanted to beg your pardon hundreds of times but for some reason I thought if I pretended it never happened you wouldn’t have to be embarrassed about it. I know that’s the logic of an 18 year old and I know it’s stupid, but that’s all I had to go on at the time,” he said passionately.
Yes
, I looked.
Hell, yes
, I looked. I was 18 years old and horny as a mink and you were the most incredible thing I had ever seen in my life. I
looked
,” he said fervently. Before she could speak, he went on. “I know it was sick and voyeuristic and I’ve wanted to beg your pardon hundreds of times but for some reason I thought if I pretended it never happened you wouldn’t have to be embarrassed about it. I know that’s the logic of an 18 year old and I know it’s stupid, but that’s all I had to go on at the time,” he said passionately.
“
Do you forgive me? I mean, can we be friends now? I really am sorry, you know.” Andrew finally stopped speaking long enough to let Renee get a word in edgewise. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking because she was completely still and wore a surprisingly neutral expression.
Do you forgive me? I mean, can we be friends now? I really am sorry, you know.” Andrew finally stopped speaking long enough to let Renee get a word in edgewise. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking because she was completely still and wore a surprisingly neutral expression.
Suddenly, she smiled radiantly. “Andrew, that was such a sweet apology I couldn’t possibly turn it down,” she began. “Although, I have to confess that I might have at one time. But since I really was in that dressing room…and I really did see you
au naturel
…I have a much better understanding of your perspective,” she murmured while looking him directly in the eyes.
au naturel
…I have a much better understanding of your perspective,” she murmured while looking him directly in the eyes.
Andrew’s mouth opened slightly as he registered what Renee just uttered. “You sneak. I knew that was you—I smelled your perfume! So you did cop a peek at me! I feel so violated,” he said dramatically, laughing all the while.
Renee was laughing, too, but she had to correct him. “Oh no, honey, I got a good
long
look—it was no peek, believe me.” She blushed and covered her mouth as she realized what she just said, but it was too late. Andrew started laughing again, totally shameless.
long
look—it was no peek, believe me.” She blushed and covered her mouth as she realized what she just said, but it was too late. Andrew started laughing again, totally shameless.
“
That’s ‘cause you liked what you saw, the same way I did. This is too funny,” he said. He stood and pulled Renee to her feet with him. He wrapped his long arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze. Renee made a little sound of surprise. Andrew immediately released her. “Did I hurt you?” he asked anxiously.
That’s ‘cause you liked what you saw, the same way I did. This is too funny,” he said. He stood and pulled Renee to her feet with him. He wrapped his long arms around her and gave her a tight squeeze. Renee made a little sound of surprise. Andrew immediately released her. “Did I hurt you?” he asked anxiously.
Renee never took her eyes from his as she shook her head ‘no’. “No, you didn’t hurt me. You just never hugged me before. All your other brothers have, but not you,” she said honestly. Andrew smiled his relief and hugged her again.
“
That’s because they’re not scared of you. You didn’t have it in for them,” he teased. He kept one arm around her shoulder and looked at his watch. “I have to be at the clinic early tomorrow, so I should go. Want to do something before I leave for Haiti on Sunday?”
That’s because they’re not scared of you. You didn’t have it in for them,” he teased. He kept one arm around her shoulder and looked at his watch. “I have to be at the clinic early tomorrow, so I should go. Want to do something before I leave for Haiti on Sunday?”
Renee agreed unhesitatingly as they walked to the back door. Andrew said he would call her the next day with details. Then he kissed her, a quick, warm, wet kiss and reminded her to lock the door and enable the alarm.
“
I should have Donnie bring over Jordan and Pippen at least,” he said, referring to his brother’s golden retrievers. Renee laughed as she pushed him out the door.
I should have Donnie bring over Jordan and Pippen at least,” he said, referring to his brother’s golden retrievers. Renee laughed as she pushed him out the door.
“
Oh please, those two run from Aretha. How are they supposed to protect me?”
Oh please, those two run from Aretha. How are they supposed to protect me?”
Andrew conceded her point. “But you be extra careful, you hear me? Now that you’re not trying to put a contract out on me, I kinda want to keep you around,” he said with a wink. He kissed her once more and left.
Renee quickly locked the door, securing the deadbolt and punching in the alarm system code. She touched her lips lightly where Andrew’s hot, sweet lips had just been and gave in the mild panic that was gripping her.
What in the world just happened here?
And how was she going to deal with it? She looked over at Aretha who was observing her discomfort with typical feline curiosity.
What in the world just happened here?
And how was she going to deal with it? She looked over at Aretha who was observing her discomfort with typical feline curiosity.
“
Ooh, Aretha. What am I getting myself into now?” Renee whispered. Aretha had no answer for her other than a soft meow.
Ooh, Aretha. What am I getting myself into now?” Renee whispered. Aretha had no answer for her other than a soft meow.
Chapter Five
It would have been apparent to anyone that knew her that Renee was not herself. And the woman sitting across from her had known her for some time. In fact, she knew her better than many people. Yolanda Williams had known Renee for a long time. She wasn’t actually a friend, although she cared about Renee a great deal. Yolanda was a gifted and compassionate psychologist and Renee had been her patient for over a year. She had taken Renee over some very rocky ground in the past months, and the changes she’d seen recently were very positive. Now she was eager to see if there were more changes. Yolanda had been on a much-needed vacation for the past three weeks and she and Renee had a lot of catching up to do.
Renee sighed deeply and dramatically. She put the back of her left wrist to her forehead and intoned theatrically, “Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen, nobody knows but Jesus.” She immediately dropped the pose but Yolanda knew that there was something underlying her friend’s histrionics.
“
Okay then, tell all, dear. That’s what I’m here for. What’s been happening over the past few weeks?” Yolanda’s dark, clever eyes scanned Renee’s face. Despite her little performance, Renee seemed energized and refreshed which was in itself a good sign. The tale she told lent credence to the same idea.
Okay then, tell all, dear. That’s what I’m here for. What’s been happening over the past few weeks?” Yolanda’s dark, clever eyes scanned Renee’s face. Despite her little performance, Renee seemed energized and refreshed which was in itself a good sign. The tale she told lent credence to the same idea.
“
Well,” Renee said slowly. “I saw a naked man. And my, what a man he was.” Before Yolanda could react, Renee had recounted for her the entire scenario of her up close and personal encounter with Andrew and its aftermath. As good therapists do, Yolanda asked Renee how she felt about the incident.
Well,” Renee said slowly. “I saw a naked man. And my, what a man he was.” Before Yolanda could react, Renee had recounted for her the entire scenario of her up close and personal encounter with Andrew and its aftermath. As good therapists do, Yolanda asked Renee how she felt about the incident.
Renee answered her honestly, in her own inimitable fashion. “Yolanda, you remember the Little Rascals, that really old TV show?” At her nod of affirmation, Renee went on, “You remember the episode where there was a so-called Wild Man from Borneo who kept saying “Yum-yum, eat ‘em up? Well, that pretty much describes how I felt when I saw Mr. Andrew.
Yum-yum, eat
him up!
Ooh, he was…delicious, that’s about the only way I can describe him,” she finished, fanning herself lightly with one hand.
Yum-yum, eat
him up!
Ooh, he was…delicious, that’s about the only way I can describe him,” she finished, fanning herself lightly with one hand.
Despite Renee’s discomfiture, Yolanda was thrilled with her revelation. “Good for you, Renee! This is a big, big step for you! I can remember not too long ago when it would’ve been impossible for you to have those kinds of feeling for a man. This is definitely progress,” she enthused. Renee tried not to look too pleased at Yolanda’s words, but a fleeting look of accomplishment crossed her face.
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