“Hey, you,” Tiberius greeted, kissing his best friend’s fiancée on the cheek.
“What’s going on with you and Capri?” Kiva asked, immediately after they hugged.
Tiberius sighed and took Kiva’s hand. “Let’s talk in my office.”
“I’m sorry, Tibe, I just want to know,” Kiva said when the office door shut behind them.
Tiberius pulled off his jacket and threw it on the suede sofa near the bookshelf in a far corner. “No offense, Kiva, but why are you so interested?”
Kiva fiddled with one of her braids, but kept her brown eyes on Tiberius. “I just don’t want to see her hurt.”
“Why the hell are you and Rod so protective of her? She’s a grown woman, you know?”
“We both think of her like a little sister.”
Tiberius rolled his eyes and walked behind his desk. “Well, I think you should let it go,” he mumbled.
“Not a chance,” Kiva replied hotly. “Just in case you forgot, Tibe, I know how successful you are at getting women into bed.”
“Excuse me?”
Kiva didn’t let Tiberius’s voice intimidate her. “Do you recall any of my girlfriends that you’ve dated in the past?”
Tiberius prayed he wouldn’t lose his temper. “So?”
“The ones that you’ve been intimate with and the ones that you’ve dumped?”
Tiberius raised his hand and stood. “All right, Kiva, hold it, because what you’re talking about has nothing to do with you.”
Kiva raised her hands as well. “Okay, I’m sorry. You’re right and I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see Capri hurt.”
“My God, you and Rod are really terrified that she could actually become involved with me,” Tiberius said, his intense brown eyes narrowed in enlightenment.
Kiva lowered her gaze to the floor. “It’s not like that.”
Tiberius shook his head and turned to stare out the windows of his corner office. “It doesn’t matter anyway. She’s figured me out.”
The weary chord in Tiberius’s deep voice caught Kiva’s. “What do you mean?”
Tiberius turned and leaned against the window. He decided to confide in Kiva. “After the party we went back to her place. Things got intense. She was into it as much as I was.”
Kiva took a seat in one of the chairs facing Tiberius’s desk. “What happened?”
Tiberius shrugged one shoulder and ran his hand through his hair. “At first I wasn’t too sure, but suffice it to say that she doesn’t believe I’m ready to accept the kind of relationship she wants. She does however love our friendship. She doesn’t want us to lose that.” He grew serious. “Funny thing is, I don’t want to lose it either. Bottom line is she thinks I’m as shallow as a bathtub and she’s probably right.”
“Did she say that?”
“She should have. The crazy thing is that it was probably the one time that it wasn’t completely true.”
“Really?” Kiva asked with intrigue.
“Really. I mean Kiva, I’m not gonna lie to you. I know what kind of man I am when it comes to women and I want Capri. I want her so much that half the time I can’t even think straight. Last night though, I think I realized that I wanted more than the obvious.”
“I can’t believe it,” Kiva whispered.
“Yeah, well, I’m getting a lot of that lately,” Tiberius grumbled, hurt by Kiva’s comment.
“Sweetie, are you serious about this? Because it sounds like you want a relationship with her and…well…it’s just not you.”
“Don’t get excited. I’m not a completely changed man.”
Kiva shook her head. “Tibe, you’ve had a lot of women in your life and they’ve gone as quickly as they’ve come. Now, Capri is in the picture and suddenly you’re at least considering a real relationship with a woman? It’s quite a change. Are you sure it’s not just physical attraction talking?”
“No. No I’m not sure, but I know that’s not all of it,” he said, before throwing his hands up in defeat. “Hell, what difference does it make? I might as well forget it. I don’t think Capri trusts me as far as she can throw me.”
Kiva pushed herself from the chair in front of the desk and walked over to Tiberius. “Listen, um…Lord, I don’t believe I’m saying this…Look, just don’t give up on her yet.”
Tiberius frowned and looked down at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Kiva hesitated a moment before speaking. “Don’t give up on her. Don’t give up on yourself.”
Later that afternoon, Tiberius was out in his backyard. A black scowl was on his face as he looked down at the hole tunneled beneath the fence. He’d been debating since he’d gotten home on whether to fill it.
“It’ll probably be a waste of time,” he grumbled, looking up when he saw Capri come out on her patio with Lewey. In her arms she carried a huge bag of dry dog food.
Tiberius watched the comical scene for a moment. Lewey was practically knocking Capri’s tiny form aside as he tried to catch the food in his mouth before it could reach the bowl. When Lewey realized Capri was tougher than he thought, he waited for her to finish.
Tiberius slowly headed along the fence closer to Capri’s patio. He waited until she finished feeding her dog before he said anything.
“Do you mind coming over here for a second?”
Capri looked across the fence at Tiberius and gave him a suspicious glare. After a moment, she stepped off the patio and came closer to the fence.
“I was gonna grill some steaks later. Do you wanna come over?”
Capri studied the look in Tiberius’s warm brown eyes and wondered if he was trying to make up for their argument. It was hard to resist him when he watched her with such innocence on his gorgeous face.
“Tonight’s not really good for me.”
He ran one hand through his hair and looked down at the ground. “Listen, Capri, I’m not gonna try anything. I just wanted us to have dinner together.”
Capri curled her small hands over the fence posts and shook her head. “It’s not that.”
“Well, have dinner with me then.” He spoke softly, trying to persuade her.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Tibe…”
“I’m listening.”
“I have a date,” she said, looking him straight in the eye.
Obviously surprised, Tiberius gave a short laugh and looked away. “Oh,” was all he managed to say, due to the fact that his heart was lodged in his throat.
“That’s why I’m feeding Lewey out back. He’ll be there until I get home,” she rambled, feeling the need to explain.
Tiberius raised his hands and backed away from the fence. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to push.”
“That’s okay,” Capri whispered, feeling as let down as Tiberius looked.
Tiberius pushed both hands into the pocket on the front of his lightweight University of Miami sweatshirt. He flashed Capri his dimpled smile. “Well, have fun.”
Capri inched away from the fence as well. “Thanks.”
Tiberius’s gaze narrowed as he watched her leave. After a second, he realized he’d clenched his hands into a fist which he then pounded against his thigh.
Capri didn’t want things to be awkward between her and Tiberius, and hoped that extending an invite to the wrap party of the fragrance shoot might settle the tensions that had risen between them. Unfortunately, this get-together wasn’t the prim, well-mannered affair they’d attended for Dr. Alan Thomas. This time around, sex was an almost tangible guest amongst the bevy of scantily-clad women and the men all vying for the chance to take one of them home.
Tiberius was trying his best to have a good time, but all he really wanted was some alone time with Capri. He knew he wouldn’t survive into the third hour of the party and prayed Capri wouldn’t give him grief for wanting to leave soon. Very soon, he thought, watching the clown who had been trying to get a moment alone with Capri several times that evening.
“I just want you to know that you’re really bruising my ego here. I’ve asked you out three times and each time you cancel out on me,” Avery said.
Capri tilted her head and frowned. “Are you forgetting our date not too long ago?”
This time, it was Avery’s turn to frown. “No offense, but that wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. Meeting in a noisy sports bar for drinks—and to make matters worse, we wind up running into people from your studio.”
Capri shrugged. “I thought we had a great time.”
“Downing beers, popcorn and pretzels while debating baseball isn’t my preferred method of dating.” He gave her hand a tug. “What I’m envisioning is us sharing a bottle, or three, of very expensive wine in the privacy of my very expensive condo.”
She nodded. “I see where you’re coming from, and I appreciate you being so great about it, but I’m just going through some things right now and I’d be terrible company. Trust me.”
“Do you think you’ll ever take me up on my offer?” Avery asked smoothly, giving her a wink.
“It’s hard to say. Things are pretty…turned around right now.”
“Well, you know where I am when you change your mind, right?”
Capri gave him a playful glare. “Right.”
Avery gave her a light squeeze. “We could stop somewhere for a drink or something, maybe talk a little more after the party.”
Capri thought for a moment. “Well I came here with someone so I’m afraid tonight’s not good.”
Avery clutched his heart. “You really know how to hurt a guy, Ms. Timmons.”
Capri laughed and winced. “Sorry.”
Avery stroked his smooth jaw and stared off in the distance. “Just promise you’ll make it up to me soon. I really want to get to know you better. The fact that you’re a photographer threw me for a loop. It captivates me, you know? All that braininess wrapped in such a pretty package.” His dark gaze was unreadable. “I’ve got to know more,” he said.
Capri snapped her fingers. “That might be pretty tough if we get another photo-spread assignment.”
Avery clapped a hand to his forehead and uttered a pained sound.
With his mind set, Tiberius stood and up checked his pockets for keys before heading to the dance floor. “Time to go.”
“Hey!” Avery blurted, as Capri was easily extracted from his embrace.
“Tibe, what—”
“Hey, man,” Avery interrupted before Capri could finish. Avery realized he wouldn’t finish either, as the look stemming from Tiberius’s eyes warned him that he wouldn’t care for the response.
Capri noticed the look too and absently patted the front of Avery’s shirt. “It’s all right. I promised we wouldn’t stay long anyway.” She turned and smiled at Avery. “It’s fine. We’ll talk soon, okay?”
They drove back in utter silence, not even the radio playing. Capri wasn’t sure whether to be stressed or flattered by Tiberius’s obvious jealousy. When they finally pulled into her driveway she left the truck without waiting for Tiberius to open her door and began walking herself to the door.
Tiberius caught up to her easily, snaking an arm about her waist and helping to escort her for the rest of the short walk. Coolly, he selected her house key from the chain while she strained against him. Inside, he tossed the keys to the message table, slammed the front door shut and pulled her smack against his chest.
Capri opened her mouth to blast him and was hindered by a searing hot kiss. Tiberius’s tongue burrowed deep into her mouth hungry lunges that would’ve snapped her head back had she not met the force with a fire of her own. Straining to get away from him was no longer an issue. Instead, she strained to get closer, loving the soft animal growls that vibrated in his throat as the kiss lengthened. By the time he was done, her panties were soaked with need. Her head swam so that all she could do was cling to him for support.
“You were right about me and that’s the only thing on my mind when I think about you.” He was eerily calm. “It’s the only thing I think of when you’re near me. I don’t think I’ll have another damn thing on my mind until you’re in my bed. I don’t want to be your friend, not half as much as I want to be your lover. I was willing to try being friends as opposed to dealing with all the drama that would rise if one of us got the wrong idea. But I guess I was the one who got the wrong idea.” At last sparks of unease clouded his eyes. “I thought I could do this, Capri, but I can’t, and it’s just time that I stopped pissin’ around and told you the truth.”
The lost look in her eyes shredded his heart, but he left without looking back.
Capri lost track of time once Tiberius had gone. He’d taken her by complete surprise with his confession. She tried to collect herself and was just about to let Lewey back into the house when the doorbell rang.
She hesitated, not sure if she was praying for or dreading Tiberius’s return. Squaring her shoulders, she went to answer the ring.
“Avery?”
“I came to check on you,” he said, and stepped boldly across the threshold. “I didn’t like the way you left with your friend.” He glimpsed cautiously around the living room for any sign of Tiberius.
“He’s long gone.” Capri smoothed her hands across the front of her mauve tube dress.
“Ugly scene?”
“A surprising one, but it’s over. I’m sorry.” She cleared her mind with a quick shake of her head. “Come on in.”
“Thanks,” Avery said as he strolled into the room.
“So how’d you know where I live?” Capri inquired while draping her jacket across the back of an armchair. It was then that she noticed Avery held her purse.
“You left it at your table back at the party,” he explained.
“God.” Capri sighed as she took a seat on the sofa. “Thank you so much.” She hadn’t even thought about her purse, or anything else for that matter, in hours. “So, um…how was the rest of the party?” She was determined not to let her thoughts bring her down again that night.
Avery grinned and clued her in about the rest of the get-together which had grown more outrageous as the evening progressed.
“Well, at least the clients were happy,” Capri laughed.
“They certainly were.” Avery was sitting on the opposite sofa, his elbows resting on his knees as he watched her closely. “I made no secret of the fact that I’d like more work in this area, and since they love you it could be a possibility.”
Capri shrugged. “I don’t see why not. Besides, it’ll keep you closer to your family,” she offered as she recalled his sick aunt.
“Not really, since they all live out west.”
“Listen, I’ve got coffee. Would you like some?” she offered with an inviting smile. She was a little too foggy-headed and just plain agitated to call him out on his lie.
Avery followed Capri into the kitchen and watched her at the counter before closing the distance between them. Slowly his fingertips brushed her bare arms before curving across her shoulders.
“You’re tense,” he noted, working his thumbs in slow soothing circles at the base of her neck.
Capri tapped the side of the coffeemaker. “This’ll help.”
“I can think of something better.”
But Avery’s strokes were only a blaring reminder that he wasn’t Tiberius, and it was Tiberius that she wanted. She turned to let Avery down easily, but she never had the chance.
Before she could say anything, he grabbed her shoulders and pressed his mouth to her neck. The mug on the edge of the counter shattered on the floor as they brushed against it. Capri’s obvious attempts to push Avery away only mot
ivated his attempts to get closer. Heart pounding with fear and anger, she shrieked. The sound, combined with the breaking mug, woke Lewey from his slumber on the patio. He was on his feet immediately, barking and growling outside the sliding-glass doors.
Avery was no longer the compassionate, considerate acquaintance. He was the direct opposite. His hands were everywhere. He pushed Capri’s dress higher and squeezed her buttocks tightly. Capri’s terrified screams were loud and piercing, but she fought back and gave him everything she had. Still, Avery was totally oblivious to the heavy blows that landed on his neck and back.
Hauling her tiny frame against his larger one, Avery rushed over to the dining-room table and pushed everything off it. He held Capri there and moved between her legs. Lowering his mouth to her ear, he kissed the lobe. “Don’t worry, after this you won’t be so uptight.”
“What the hell is wrong with that mutt?” Tiberius grumbled, glancing across the yard at Lewey. The dog was jumping around the double glass doors and barking ferociously.
It took a moment, but Tiberius thought he heard something else. Something that sounded like a scream. His mind was instantly alert and he whirled around. He cocked his head for a second only before he went tearing over to Capri’s house.
Nothing mattered from that point on except getting inside that house. Tiberius knew he’d never make it through the glass doors, so he went around front. He truly feared his heart would explode, it raced so fast as Capri’s screams grew louder.
“I’m coming,” he yelled, glancing briefly at the Porsche in the driveway. Grimacing, he wouldn’t allow himself to dwell on who it belonged to or why they were there. Leaning his shoulder against the front door, he braced himself, and then put all his strength into it.
The wood splintered immediately beneath the force, and Tiberius crashed through. His brown eyes instantly landed on Capri in the dining room. When he saw her cursing and struggling on the table beneath another man, he froze.
Another terrified scream from Capri snapped him out of his trance. He bolted across the room and in one swift movement he pulled Avery Erikson off Capri. Tiberius was more furious than he’d ever been as he threw Avery into a wall and watched as he slid to the floor.
The Doctor's Private Visit Page 12
