by Girard, Dara
Claudia whistled, amazed. “He’s good.” I made the right choice. Any man who could maneuver a woman like Tamara that easily was dangerous. She smiled at Darius, and they set up a date to go out for drinks. Once they’d exchanged numbers, Claudia looked at her friend again. “Tell Tamara I’ll meet her outside.”
Ten minutes later they were driving home and Tamara was laughing.
“What did he say to you?” Claudia asked, pleased by her friend’s buoyant mood.
“I can hardly remember. One moment I was mad at you, and the next moment I was laughing. We’ve got a date for Saturday night.” She winked. “I told you he was mine.”
“Yes.”
“He said you just felt sorry for him or something and that’s why you were together.”
That was the first reason, but as the evening progressed it had become something else. But Claudia wasn’t about to tell her friend so.
Tamara suddenly looked pensive. “I don’t know how you got him to dance.”
“He probably said yes just to get me to shut up.”
“Hmm. I can’t wait to see him again. There’s something special about him.”
“Definitely,” Claudia muttered.
“Hands off, Madison.”
Claudia stiffened, knowing that Tamara jealously guarded whomever she thought was hers. And she had Peter. “I was just agreeing with you,” Claudia said, trying to keep her voice light. “Don’t worry. I’ll stay far away from him.”
Chapter 8
For the next several weeks Claudia did just that. She was cordial when she saw him and he to her when he came by the apartment to pick up Tamara. She maintained a safe distance, although his gaze said a lot more than his words ever did.
“I don’t like the way you look at him,” Tamara said one day after Peter had left their apartment.
Claudia sat at their dining table working on a term paper. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You didn’t have to come out of your room to study.”
Claudia looked at her papers and laptop. She liked using the dining table because if offered more room than her desk. “I was here first.”
Tamara folded her arms, unappeased. “You want him too, don’t you?”
Claudia sighed, tired of her friend’s suspicions. Yes, she was attracted to Peter, but she’d never betray her friend. But no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t seem to convince her of that. “I’m too busy for a relationship anyway.”
Tamara pursed her lips. “So you’re saying that you do want him and would take him if you had the time?”
Claudia shook her head. “No, I’m saying that I’m not interested.”
“I’ve been cheated on before, so don’t try any tricks with me. Don’t call him, or meet with him or anything behind my back.”
“Why are you saying this?”
“Because I want you to stay away from my man.”
“Nothing will get in the way of our friendship. I’ll stay away,” Claudia promised.
And she would have if Levar Brown hadn’t entered her life.
Claudia never guessed that accepting a walk home from her friend Levar would change her life. They’d studied together at the library, and both were going after their degrees. It was winter so it got dark early, and after her 7 p.m. evening class she’d felt comfortable having him walk with her across campus to the apartment complex she shared with Tamara. She didn’t protest his insistence to take her to her apartment door, although she was a little uneasy stepping into the empty elevator with him. The moment the doors slid closed, her uneasiness grew.
“You don’t like closed spaces?” he asked, sensing her tension.
“Sometimes.”
The elevator jerked to a stop and the lights went out. Claudia pressed her hand against the wall to steady herself and tried to remember to breathe. Ever since she was a child she’d hated the dark.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll get it fixed soon.”
“Yes.”
“Until then, let’s make the most of it.” He abruptly grabbed her and pressed his mouth against hers. She fought to free herself, but his grip was too strong.
“You know you want this. You’ve been teasing me for months.”
Claudia slapped him hard. He swore, pushed her to the floor and ripped her blouse. The sound of the tearing fabric made her struggle even more, her bare skin rubbing against the cold metal floor. She swung at him wildly, punching, kicking and screaming. But he banged her head twice hard against the floor. She saw stars and decided to go limp. She felt him straddle her as he unzipped his pants.
No. Oh God, no. This can’t be happening to me. Claudia squeezed her eyes shut, trying to orient herself and figure out her next move. She needed to catch him unaware. She lifted her knee, but he anticipated her and moved quickly. He slapped her across the face then pinned her shoulders down. “You’re lucky you missed.”
He ground his mouth against hers and she bit his lip, drawing blood. He jerked back and suddenly the lights came back on. The elevator jerked and started ascending. Levar looked up at the camera and scrambled to his feet. He fixed his clothes. “Don’t tell anyone,” he warned as she gathered her things together. “Promise me you won’t.”
Claudia held her backpack and handbag close to her chest, forming a shield. She could feel the pain in her shoulder where he’d held her down, and her head ached.
“Promise me, Claudia. Don’t say anything. Besides, nothing happened anyway.” He smirked.
The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor. She hurried out, rushing down the empty hall.
He followed her. “It’s your word against mine.”
She didn’t turn back.
“Remember, I know where you live,” he shouted.
Claudia turned the corner and saw Peter leaving her apartment. He halted when he saw her. “What the—” His gaze darted to Levar then back to her. His eyes flashed with rage.
Levar held out his hands when Peter impaled him with a dark look. “Wait, brother, it wasn’t like that.”
Peter slowly walked toward him and said to Claudia, “Do you want me to break his arms or just his neck?”
Claudia looked back at her attacker with anger rising in her. “His hands.”
Levar stumbled back and gestured to Claudia. “You’re going to take her word over mine? You know how women change their minds.”
Peter kept walking.
Levar turned and ran. Peter raced after him. Claudia followed them but couldn’t keep up. By the time she reached outside they were gone. She rested against the wall then slid to the ground and drew her knees to her chest.
“Claudia?”
She shot to her feet, ready to fight until she realized it was Peter.
His face was grave. “You shouldn’t be out here.” He took off his wool jacket and draped it around her shoulders. “Here. Put this on.” He watched her as she did then asked, “Are you all right?”
“He hurt me, but he didn’t…” Her words died away.
Peter nodded, not forcing her to continue.
“Did he get away?”
“No,” Peter said with grim satisfaction. “I got him. He won’t hurt you again. Come on.”
“Where?”
“We’re going to the police.”
“You don’t need to come with me.”
“I’m not going to let you do this on your own.”
Peter didn’t leave her all night. At the police station Claudia was assigned a female police officer, who was a member of the sexual assault team. She asked Claudia if she wanted to go to the hospital to be examined. Claudia declined but gave a full account of what happened and allowed them to take pictures of her injuries.
“Sounds like the same guy we’ve been trying to catch,” the officer said. “He’s committed at least three rapes over the past several months. Now we have a name, thanks to you.” After she signed several papers, Peter took Claudia back to her apartment bui
lding. She felt weary, but also satisfied.
Before going inside, Claudia collapsed against the outside door. For a moment, she didn’t know what to feel. Relief? Joy? Revenged? All she knew was that the man standing beside her had given her back the sense of safety Levar had stolen from her. “I’m fine now. You don’t have to take me inside.” She hugged him. “Thank you for everything,” she whispered.
His arms encircled her and he held her close. For a long time neither said anything. But soon their embrace became more than an expression of gratitude or relief. It became more sensuous and tender. Claudia became aware of the soft feel of his shirt against her cheek, the solid feel of his muscular arms that could harm her but instead held her gently, the racing of his heart and the erratic rhythm of her own. Her face felt flushed, but when she felt the tantalizing touch of his lips against her forehead, she knew their feelings were forbidden.
She drew away. “Peter don’t.”
“I can’t help myself,” he said in a raw voice. “I can’t pretend I don’t feel the way I do.” He shook his head before she could argue. “I’m not seeing Tamara anymore. We broke up tonight.”
“It’s too soon for us. She’d think something has been going on between us.”
He lightly touched her face. “It was. The moment I saw you in the club that night, that was it. I tried to do it your way, but it didn’t work.”
Claudia went inside the building and saw the elevator, but she decided to climb the stairs instead. “I can’t think about this right now.”
Peter followed. “I won’t pressure you, but I just want you to know how I feel.”
“You don’t have to follow me.”
“Yes, I do.” He held up his hands. “I won’t say anything more about it.”
“Good.” They headed to her apartment in silence. Claudia unlocked the door then turned to Peter. “Thanks again for everything. Goodbye.” She opened the door then stopped.
Peter took a step toward her. “What is it?”
Claudia opened the door wider. All her suitcases and boxes were stacked in the foyer. Tamara sat on the couch—her arms folded—waiting.
Claudia looked at the boxes then her friend, confused. “What’s going on?”
Tamara leaped to her feet, her face a mask of fury. She glared at Peter. “I knew it! Now I know why you dumped me.”
Peter shook his head, exasperated. “Tamara, this is beneath you.”
“Beneath me? At least I’m honest. I’m not sneaking around with your best friend.” She rested a hand on her hip. “Were you together all night? Did you think you could sneak in without me knowing?”
Claudia took a step toward her, her voice soft. “Tamara, that’s not—”
She swept Claudia with a look of disgust then gestured to the coat she wore. “So you’re wearing his clothes now?”
“He loaned it to me because my blouse is torn.” Claudia removed his coat to show her. “I was attacked. We just came back from the police station.”
A flicker of emotion flashed across Tamara’s face then disappeared. Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, but that doesn’t change anything. For months I’ve had to see the way he looks at you and the way you look at him. I told you he was mine, and you still stole him from me.”
“I understand you’re upset and you want someone to blame,” Peter said, “but blame me, not Claudia. I told you it wasn’t working.”
Tamara rolled her eyes. “Now you’re going to defend her.”
Claudia spoke up. “Tamara—”
She pointed to the door. “Get out!”
“Please.”
She grabbed one of Claudia’s suitcases and threw it into the hallway. “You’re a liar and a thief and I want you out of my place. Now.” She threw another suitcase, barely missing Peter.
Peter seized Tamara’s arm. “That’s enough.”
She yanked her arm away. “You’re lucky I didn’t throw her stuff in a Dumpster.” She flashed a bitter smile. “But of course, you could buy her anything she wanted.”
Claudia looked at her friend in disbelief, stunned by her anger. Then she smelled the faint scent of liquor. “Tamara, I think you just need to sleep this off.”
“Shut up.”
Peter picked up some of Claudia’s things. “Let’s go.”
Tamara held on to the door frame. “You broke my heart, you know that?” She shouted at him as he marched down the hall. “You bastard!”
Claudia picked up the rest of her things then walked out the door. She turned to look at Tamara. “You’ll regret this in the morning.”
“Go to hell.” Tamara slammed the door in her face.
Claudia hung her head then followed Peter outside and found him putting her suitcases in the trunk of his car.
“This is not your fault,” he said. “I noticed she had a jealous streak from the beginning.” He took a box from her. “I’m just sorry it had to end this way.” He finished loading all her things.
“What are you doing?” she asked when he closed the trunk.
“You’re staying with me tonight.” He walked around and opened the passenger door. “I have an extra bedroom. You’re going to take a shower and rest. We can pick up your car tomorrow.”
Claudia was too tired to protest and the offer sounded inviting. She took out her cell phone and left a message for her sister so her family would know where she was. But she didn’t take a shower that night; instead, she fell asleep on the way. She vaguely remembered being carried and the feel of satin sheets being pulled up to her chin, but nothing else.
Claudia woke up to the sound of something sizzling and the smell of toasted raisin bread. She looked around the room and was instantly hit by its masculine elegance. She wasn’t in a guest bedroom. She was in his room. The walls were painted a muted brown with off-white trim. There was a tall wooden dresser with thick brass handles against one wall, a series of wooden boxes against another and a handsome valet, made out of teak, where a recently pressed shirt and tie neatly hung. Over by the window was what looked like a reading desk with an executive leather chair and a row of shoes, lined up next to a shoe-polishing stand that was positioned in front of a large, mirrored walk-in closet. Claudia noticed Peter had hung up her robe and set out some toiletries for her.
She hurried into the bathroom and washed her face, brushed her teeth and then retrieved some clothes from her suitcase and changed.
When she left the bedroom, she saw that his apartment was expensively decorated without being gaudy. Along with the sizzling sound, she heard low voices. She peeked her head around the corner and saw Peter cooking and watching a game on TV. He suddenly looked up and saw her. Their eyes met, and at that moment Claudia knew her heart would forever be his. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
He waved her forward with a spatula. “Come on, I’m making brunch.”
This is crazy, Claudia thought. It could never work. Their lives and temperaments were so different. She studied the sciences, he the arts. She liked to talk, he didn’t. Perhaps their interest in each other was based on their attraction being forbidden, but now that it wasn’t, their feelings would change. The researcher in her had to find out. She walked up to him and kissed him.
She imagined his kiss to be like him—quiet, reserved, guarded but simple and sweet—like French vanilla. What she got was rum raisin. Bold, daring and passionate. He tasted delicious and she opened herself to him in body, mind and spirit. She drew back and stared up at him with wonder. “I don’t believe this.”
“I do.” He kissed her again.
Their attraction had been instant; their lovemaking combustible. They stumbled to the couch wrapped in each other, and Peter pulled down her top. The quick motion made Claudia stiffen as she imagined the fabric tearing and remembered another man’s hands on her…
Peter sensed the change in Claudia and stopped. He captured her with his eyes. “It’s okay,” he said in a soft voice.
She nodded, unable to
speak.
“Do you want me to stop?”
Claudia shook her head as tears gathered in her eyes, longing for the protectiveness of his arms.
His hand gently caressed her cheek. “I’d never hurt you,” he said, his voice deepening with emotion. “And I’ll never let anyone hurt you.” He brushed a tear away. “You’ll always be safe with me.”
She believed him. Not because of his words, but because at that instant she unlocked the mystery of his dark eyes and saw the soul of a man she could trust. She buried her fears and doubts and arched into him, letting him know what she could not express in words.
He groaned in response. “Did you know what you were doing to me with that napkin?”
“Napkin?”
“Yes, when we first met at the nightclub and you dried yourself with it. You made that simple act so sexy, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to stand up for the next hour.”
Claudia laughed, pleased by her effect on him. “I thought you might think I was crass.”
His hand inched up her leg. “Far from it. I wanted to do this then.”
“If you liked that, you should see what I can do with a loofah sponge.”
“I plan to.”
She kissed him again, and this time his lips tasted sweeter than the ripest berry. His hands were softer than silk, and when his bare flesh met hers, his body felt hotter than an inferno and together they burned. He made her senses spin and her body sweat, and soon she felt whole again and treasured. The pain of Levar’s attack and her loss of Tamara’s friendship became a distant memory.
Peter burned their brunch, but neither cared. All that mattered was being with each other. They didn’t eat anything until dinnertime, which Peter ordered in. The next morning they snuggled on the sofa while Peter watched TV.
“Oh, wait!” Claudia said as Peter flipped through the channels. “I love this movie.”
Peter frowned at the black-and-white image. “What is it?”
“Love Affair. A classic. They remade it as An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant, but I’ve always loved the original. It’s about two people who meet on a cruise and agree to meet in six months at the Empire State Building. Tragedy and misunderstandings get between them, but their love never wavers. Can we watch it?”
