Class Of Desire (Contemporary Romance)

by Wilson, Linda

  “Well, can you kindly open the door Sir?” the man said, obviously irritated.

  “Okay sure, in a minute,” Spencer’s voice gave him out. It was clear he was doing something rather vigorous. Perhaps having sex.

  “I’m so close,” Lizzy whispered, gripping firmly unto his shoulders pulling him harder unto her. They had but a few seconds to climax, before the man would perhaps open the door himself.

  The waves of emotions rocked them, their bodies shuddering as they drowned in their sea of raging passion. With a powerful thrust, Spencer plunged into the deepest depth of her core. His body crashed to a powerful orgasm that sent her spiraling over the edge of her own climax.

  Sadly time was against them and hence they couldn’t savor in the moment. With great haste they shuffled through their clothing, throwing it on, desperate to hide any evidence of what had just happened.

  Lizzy quickly sat at the table, watching as Spencer raced to the door to let the waiter in. The transparent glass walls made it easy for her to see the cross look that he had on his face. She prayed a silent prayer, hoping that they would not be thrown out of the restaurant for their somewhat illicit acts.

  Thankfully it was a case of innocent until proven guilty, the waiter knew that they’d been intimate in the private room, but he could not prove it. They continued the romantic dinner, but the visits from the waiter were definitely now more frequent.

  Chapter Eleven

  Strange Call

  The following weeks after Spencer’s birthday dinner were magical for Lizzy. They chatted on the phone and in person every chance possible. Spencer also made it his duty to step in as almost a father figure to her children. This was quite commendable considering that he was young and hadn’t known her for that long. What he saw in her, she didn’t know. He could have easily found a woman with “less baggage” to date.

  In class their relationship was kept a secret, this was by far one of the hardest things Lizzy had ever had to do. She liked him a lot and genuinely cared for him and wished she could shout it out to the world. However, Spencer would be in a world of trouble if their relationship went public on campus while she was still a student of his. He’d lose his job and possibly the respect of the academic community. Nonetheless, they still flirted with each other while on campus, and anyone in their presence could tell that they were romantically involved.

  ***

  At work a series of vibrations stopped Lizzy in her tracks. Gripping her side pocket, she tried to conceal the humming sound coming from her pants. The use of cell phones on the job was prohibited, and it often resulted in one of two things: a warning letter or suspension.

  This was the third time this morning that her phone had been vibrating – she surmised that someone must have really wanted to speak with her. It couldn’t be someone from her home since both her children had the number to the small back office at her job.

  “You may want to get that,” her co-worker Cathy advised; walking to the cash register and allowing Lizzy to retreat quietly to the back. At times Cathy could be so kind and understanding. Seizing the opportunity, Lizzy walked to a corner in the back, retrieving her cellphone from her pocket.

  Surprised by the number of missed calls she’d received from a 252 area code, she hit the call back button. Bringing the phone to her ear, Lizzy covered the device with her hand, looking around with weary eyes. The minute any supervisor walked through the door, she’d hang up the call.

  “Ranwick and Fenton good morning,” the woman’s voice on the other end of the line sounded very professional. She must have called an office.

  There was a brief moment of silence as Lizzy tried to remember if she was expecting a call from anyone who worked a white color job. But no one came to mind.

  She introduced herself, letting the woman know that she’d received several missed calls from that number and she was simply trying to return the call.

  “Please hold while I check if anyone placed a call to your number.”

  Lizzy waited impatiently, hoping that she would not get caught. Finally the woman returned to the phone. “I think Mr. Fenton was trying to reach you. I’ll put you through to him now.”

  In the back of her mind Lizzy wanted to just hang up and call when she was home, but something told her that this must be an important call, so she continued to wait nervously.

  Mr. Fenton had the voice of an older man and she pictured a frail looking grey haired man. Although Lizzy had to end the call before everything was said, she did find out the purpose of the many calls.

  Mr. Fenton was the lawyer representing her late father’s estate, in North Carolina. According to Mr. Fenton, Lizzy’s father had passed away several weeks ago and left her one of his many homes. He also left her an undisclosed sum of money, perhaps guilt money, for all those years he’d spent not taking the time to find her.

  “Are you sure you have the right person, Mr....” Lizzy realized that she’d forgotten his name.

  “It’s Fenton, J.R. Fenton.” He reminded pleasantly. “Yes I’m 110% sure; you’re the person that I need to be speaking with. Elizabeth Carter right? Born at North Central Hospital in New York.”

  He knew her full name and place of birth. Lizzy could hardly believe what he was telling her about her father. He was dead, had left her a house and money. This almost seemed like a movie. These things didn’t happen to ordinary people like her. She chewed her bottom lip nervously, unsure how to respond to all the information he was presenting to her.

  “I can provide you with a ticket to Greenville, so you can see the place and decide what you want to do with it.” The lawyer suggested.

  There was another long silence, as Lizzy trailed off deep in thought. Her father, how could he die without even coming to find her? Before now, she never really thought about him, she had convinced herself that she did not care for the man who’d hurt her mother and herself so greatly. However, now a shocking realization hit her, she was alone in this world, no mother, no father, no siblings. It was just her and her two children. Of course there was Spencer, but she didn’t want to get ahead of herself with that relationship.

  “I’ll need to think about this some more,” Lizzy informed Mr. Fenton, before ending the call.

  Lizzy had always dreamed of leaving New York one day; moving to a quiet area, getting a nice country house with a large backyard that her kids could play in. Could this recent turn of events her dream becoming a reality?

  ***

  Spencer walked into the huge office on the top floor of the Bregor Allen Administration Building. An uneasy feeling crept upon him as Dr. Wallace ended the call that he’d been on to attend to him. Rising to his feet, Dr. Wallace walked around the huge mahogany desk that served as a barrier between them, and paced to the door. A loud click sound was made as he locked them inside the office, his attempt to ensure that they had complete privacy.

  As he moved, Spencer’s eyes followed him, studying and analyzing his body language. His grey hair was cut short and the glasses that he wore had really thick lenses that made it seem impossible to see through them.

  “It saddens me that you of all people would fall into the trap of mixing business with pleasure. I remember when I was your age; I went through all the things you’re going through, even worse.” Dr. Wallace didn’t skip around his motives for calling Spencer to this meeting. He hadn’t even greeted Spencer yet.

  Spencer kept silent, unsure as to how to respond. He did what he knew to do best in such situations – listen. His heart pranced against his chest, from the realization that his boss may know about his relationship with Lizzy.

  “I’ve been receiving several complaints over the last few days about you and a certain young woman in your Psychology 101 class. Please tell me that this is all just gossip.” Dr. Wallace said with a serious look on his face.

  “I don’t really know what it is that you’re referring to Dr. Wallace.” Spencer leaned in with innocent eyes hoping that he would be able to lie thro
ugh this meeting.

  “I’m very upset right now. Don’t play games with me Spencer. Are you sleeping with your student Elizabeth Carter?”

  Spencer’s eyes shot open at the sound of Liz’s name. His body tensed with fear. For the first time in years he was afraid, not because he could lose his job, but because it might affect the woman that he cared so much about. Would she be suspended or expelled from college? He didn’t know.

  “No...I am not,” Spencer said. In the past he’d always been such an honest respectable gentleman. Right now, he felt low down, dirty, like a pervert. Spencer knew in his heart what he and Lizzy shared was nothing to be ashamed of, but for the sake of them both it had to remain a secret.

  “Good,” Dr. Wallace said as he sat back in his chair, giving Spencer a serious look. “I’m glad you cleared that up, for the record. You do remember what I told you during our very first interview. Student and faculty relationships are strictly prohibited at this college. It will result in immediate termination and possible legal action.”

  Spencer nodded his head in agreement.

  “Now off the record. Whatever it is that you’re NOT doing, you need to stop.” Dr. Wallace had a dreadful sarcasm in his tone.

  “Okay,” Spencer’s words were few and he didn’t deny it anymore. He knew Dr. Wallace was a very intelligent man; and that there was nothing more disrespectful than trying to insult someone’s intelligence by telling them a boldface lie.

  “I remember my days as a young college professor. The difference between me and you is that I value my job, I still do. I live for what I do. It’s my life. So when I see a young man like you with such a promising future throwing it all away for a few minutes of pleasure, it saddens me.” He spoke calmly, as if he were lecturing a child.

  Spencer knew he meant well, and in no way did he want to disappoint Dr. Wallace. However, at this point he was already head over heels in love with Lizzy. Perhaps it was lust, a really strong lust that had developed into something more over the preceding months. Whatever it was, he was willing to fight for it. He wanted to be with her and no one would stop him from doing that, not even Dr. Wallace.

  Chapter Twelve

  A little Lucky

  Lizzy’s final class with Spencer had gone great and now she was making her way to his office to share the news she’d just received from her father’s lawyer. Suddenly Steffy Jameson approached her and told her that she had something to show her. Confused, Lizzy inquired as to what it was. Steffy slowly pulled out her cell phone and scrolled through a few pictures before arriving at the most important one. It appeared to be a picture of Steffy and Spencer kissing. From the angle of the camera Lizzy could tell the picture was taken without Spencer’s knowledge.

  “So how do you like that? Did you ever think Dr. Spencer would choose you over me? I have seen the way you looked at him and flirted with him in class, and I’m here to tell you that he is mine you old bitch!” Steffy said in a rude and obnoxious manner.

  “You can have him!” Lizzy said as she turned around and stormed away. She was too stunned and embarrassed to say much else.

  “How could he?” she huffed to herself, brushing back the tears that had instantly formed in the corner of her eyes.

  Lizzy walked away without even letting Spencer know that she’d just seen them. She felt horrible, like a used rag doll that’d just gotten trampled on by a hot Barbie.

  How could he do this to her? She believed that he was different. All the time they’d spent getting to know each other better, was all a lie. She knew he’d been too good to be true, yet she had fallen for him.

  “I have to get outta here,” she thought to herself, grateful that she’d never have to see him again. She’d experienced so much pain and so much hurt in the past that she didn’t want to put herself through anymore heartache.

  She had to end things now, before she was too wrapped up in this relationship. A small voice in the back of her mind tried to convince her that perhaps she should confront him. However, another voice warned that she’d be a fool to think that he would ever confess to his indiscretion. She had seen it with her own two eyes, Spencer and Steffy with locked lips and God knows what else.

  As she waited for the bus, a pit in the bottom of her stomach formed and she felt so nauseous that she almost threw up. Images of Spencer with several other women, including Steffy danced around in her head. She was just so disgusted with herself.

  Retrieving her cellphone, she found the number to the lawyer’s office; hopefully he’d still be at work. She needed to get out of New York and she needed to go as soon as possible. Perhaps this was the sign she’d asked for. She knew a transfer to a college in North Carolina would not be too difficult.

  ***

  Two Years later...

  As they announced her name, Elizabeth stood up with her long blue and yellow graduation robe on and made her way to the stage. Finally this moment had come. It felt so good to be done with her bachelor’s degree. Life in North Carolina had not been all daisies, but it was much better than the life she had before. Her father had left her a beautiful 3 bedroom house, along with savings account with nearly $400,000. She had used some of the money to fix the house and also put some away for her children’s college funds. She’d also changed her major to psychology; she wasn’t sure why but inwardly knew that it had everything to do with Spencer. Even though things didn’t work out, he had inspired her to look at the world differently

  Two of the college faculty members greeted her on stage, they were the announcer who’d just called out her name and the presenter who handed her the rolled up degree certificate wrapped with a thin red ribbon. Making her way back to her seat, her eyes found her two beautiful children in the audience. The pride beaming on their faces was all the satisfaction she needed.

  One by one her peers went to the stage, huge smiles lingering on their features as they received their various awards and certificates. Soon they reached the end of the award giving part of the ceremony and the guest speaker was about to be introduced.

  The master of ceremony, the Dean of Business studies at the college introduced their guest speaker as a Best Selling Author and an accomplished scholar. Lizzy looked on with curious eyes, waiting to see which famous author would come to the stage.

  Her eyes shot open with disbelief as the well-dressed gentleman made his way to the microphone. She could not sit still. What was he doing here? Her stomach was in knots as Dr. Spencer introduced himself.

  Lizzy was confused; to the best of her knowledge Dr. Spencer was not an author. He’d never mentioned writing a book to her. As she carefully scrutinized him with disbelieving eyes, she realized that he had not changed at all. He was still the charming man; she’d met years ago. His baby blue eyes still drew her in without effort and she found herself almost forgetting why she hadn’t spoken to him since the move.

  Then it came back to her, he’d been a cheater – a handsome heartthrob who appeared to be genuine and sincere, yet was kissing another one of his students. All those months had gone by, years even and now the feeling she’d felt that day resurfaced within her.

  “Just get over it already,” a voice in her head advised. But she couldn’t find it within herself to forget about the picture she’d seen that day. Her eyes had served their purpose and she’d seen right through him.

  Dr. Spencer spoke for what seemed like hours, encouraging the students to continue on their journey to success. He also made it a point to tell us that sometimes people take each other for granted. He stated that the friendships and relationships that we had been built with each other should be forever cherished.

  “Sometimes the people that matter the most can be gone in a heartbeat.” Spencer said solemnly as he winded down his speech. The students agreed with what he was saying, some of them leaning over to embrace each other.

  He ended his speech thanking the students for having him as their guest speaker. Lizzy sat in her seat uncomfortable and distraught. How could Spen
cer have such a powerful effect on her after all this time? The fact that she had unresolved issues with him was now eating at her.

  As the ceremony came to a conclusion, she hurried off to find her two children. Just as she did, a hand caught her arm, forcing her to look behind her.

  “Elizabeth,” the puzzled look on Spencer’s face was heart wrenching.

  Lizzy hated herself; she had a mixture of emotions. Why couldn’t she just be done with him? Why did she allow him to stir up all these feelings within her with just the sound of her name leaving his mouth?

  “We need to talk,” he continued. His unwavering stare made her buckle with nervousness.

  Surprisingly she didn’t hesitate or argue. She excused herself for a minute asking her daughter to take her son to the car. “I’ll be there in a minute Molly.”

  Taking him to a quiet area at the side of the building Lizzy waited to hear what he had to say.

  “What happened between us Elizabeth? After the semester ended you disappeared. I called, you never answered. I visited your old place, they told me you moved.”

  Lizzy paused for a minute, giving him a long pensive stare. This was no time for games; she had to tell him what she saw. She wanted to see how he would explain his way out of it.

  “I saw you, with Steffy.”

  “You saw me with who?” Confusion lurked upon his face.

  “Steffy, the girl you were kissing. Guess you don’t even remember their names – do you?” She shot at him with an irate tone.

  “What are you talking about Elizabeth?” he gave her a serious look.

  “Bravo! So you know my name smarty pants,” she spoke with such sarcasm that he grew annoyed. “Look, she showed me a picture of you two kissing. Did that refresh your memory enough?”

  Spencer did not respond for a while, deep in thought. Then finally he snapped his fingers as if he’d just caught onto something interesting.