Fire & Desire (Hero Series) (6 page)

She could hear him exhale through the phone. “Tiffy, you’ve always
worked too hard. If you were my wife, you wouldn’t be bogged down with half of
the things you do.”

She knew that was right. Everything would be him and only him. She
could see her life being
very
boring.

“I’m sure you’re right, but we’ve always been much better
friends.”

“That’s only because you never allowed us to give anything else a
chance.”

She didn’t want to revisit that old argument, so she cut it off.
“Good night, Christopher.”

“Tiffy, I’m a man with needs, and I’ve been holding out for you
for a long time. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”

“Well, it may be in your best interest to look elsewhere for them
to be fulfilled. I’m sure you could find one of your campaign groupies ready
and willing.”

“They’re okay for a time, but I’m at a critical point in my life
where I have to make wiser choices than just a warm body.”

“Your public relations man must be getting to you.” There was
never any factual evidence to make her doubt Christopher’s fidelity in their
relationship. But if part of what she heard about his over active libido since
the break was true, his PR man, Roderick Blunt, had every right to caution
him—repeatedly.

“You have no idea.”

Christopher was big about things concerning image and status, and
he would never allow anything as meaningless as a one-night stand with the
wrong person to jeopardize his chance for Congress or even the Senate.

She was sure Christopher having to be discreet and conservative
was the reason for his sudden reawakening need for them to continue their
relationship and possible marriage. He was trying to get a steady bedmate.

“Okay, Tiffy, I’ll table this conversation for now, but I’m not
letting it go.”

She wondered how easily he would let it go if she told him she was
already married. He probably wouldn’t believe her—especially if she told him it
was to a stripper. He would’ve gotten a good laugh from that one.

“I’m sure that’s true. Bye,” she said, then hung up the phone.

~ML~

Tiffany exited from the powder room. Out of habit, she looked at
her diamond-encrusted watch. Her father had given the watch to her on her
seventeenth birthday, telling her, if she were going to attend social
engagements with him, she would need to keep him on schedule. He claimed it was
easier for her to look down at her watch without notice, but for him, it would seem
rude and impatient.

The time was now nine P.M. In about thirty minutes, her father
would have to make his excuses and depart. He had an early meeting in Norfolk.

Tiffany smiled and chatted briefly with the people as she made her
way back to her father. Most of the evening’s attendees were members of S.T.O.P
= Gun laws, which stood for Safety to Our People, a committee that lobbied for
more gun control laws. They were extremely active since the D.C. Sniper
incident a few summers ago.

Her father usually attended banquets of both sides of an issue,
with the attempt to appear impartial until he had made his decision. He stood
firm on certain things he held strong beliefs about, but for most, he was
willing to look at different ways of doing things.

His fair attitude was what most of the residents of the state
liked about him. But there were others, particularly some journalists who were
for the other party, who sat and waited in the wings, looking for any mistake
her father made so they could bring it to light.

“…so I said to Wallace, call up my financial advisors for a
meeting tonight. I want money for more child development centers, recreational
centers, after school facilities and parks. Wallace said to me, but sir it’s
two o’clock in the morning; they’re all asleep.”

Tiffany watched her father pause for effect and look around at his
captive audience circled around him.

“And I said, wake them up…it’s for the children!”

Everyone laughed as her father finished waving his arms in the air
enthusiastically, looking like a king prepared to lead his troops into battle.

“What can I say, every now and then I feel like Kris Kringle,” her
father said jovially.

When Tiffany reached his side, she took hold of his arm briefly
and firmly brushed her thumb down the underside, their signal that it was time
to leave.

Her father covertly signaled to Wallace, who was standing by the
door, letting him know he was ready to go. Tiffany didn’t have to turn to see
if her father’s right-hand man got the signal—she knew from years of experience
Wallace missed nothing. She would be surprised if he hadn’t caught the signal
she had given her father.

As people moved away from them, Tiffany’s father turned and
reached toward a man whose back was turned. Evidently, it was someone he had
been speaking with earlier. From her angle behind them, Tiffany didn’t
recognize the man.

“Well, I must be going. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”

“I’m sure they will,” the man said, his speech distinct.

Confounded by the tingling sensation running down her spine,
Tiffany tried to place the voice. It seemed so familiar to her for some reason.
As she pondered, she could hear her father saying, “Before I go, I would like
you to meet my daughter.”

She pasted on one of her social smiles as both men turned toward
her.

“Tiffany, this is Trevor Wayne,” her father said.

“It’s a…” Tiffany’s eyes made contact with her husband’s light
brown ones, eyes that sparkled with knowledge of her secret sins, “…pleasure to
meet you.”

It took every ounce of her dignity to stand with her father in
front of the only other person who knew how wantonly and recklessly she’d
behaved over the summer months—Trevor.

“My sentiments exactly.”

She could see the subtle twinkle in his eyes.

She prayed fervently he wouldn’t say anything.

His hand moved out and grasped hers gently, consuming her by the
warmth of his touch.

She had visions of hands that made her body sing, caused her to
beg for the pleasure they could give her. At that moment, she could feel heat
flood her sex, making it clench in response. A woman could never forget hands
like that—no matter how bad she wanted to break the ties that bound them.

Wow
! The man really knew how to wear a suit. She took a moment to
take in the fully clothed package. She’d had so many sleepless nights from
visions of him in a thong and snug fitting jeans; she’d never considered how
good he could look dressed any other way.

The material fit his body perfectly. His broad shoulders drew her
eyes; they were the type a woman would love to lay her head against for
support.

If someone didn’t know better, they would be convinced he belonged
in this type of setting. Too bad she did.

She sighed. Telling herself it was indifference, not
disappointment.

Before anything else could be said, Sherri Matrix, a woman who had
rivaled her through college, walked over to them and slipped her arm through
Trevor’s, snuggling close. Tiffany had been wondering what he was doing here,
but the claim the other woman placed on him answered it.

For an instant, Tiffany considered telling Sherri to get her hands
off her husband, but she restrained herself.

If he and Sherri are dating, perhaps he will file for divorce
soon.

 “Governor Selina, it’s so nice to see you again, looking handsome
as usual.” Sherri held her hand out so her father could bestow a kiss upon it,
which he did.

Sherri oozed with false flattery.

“And you’re looking lovely as always.” Her father was always the
consummate gentleman.

“You’re too kind.” Sherri viperously turned her eyes toward
Tiffany. “Well, Tiffany dear.

Every time I see you it seems as if you haven’t changed at all.”

To an outsider, that would have sounded like a compliment, but she
knew differently. “I can also say the same for you.” She looked down at her
watch for effect. “I must apologize for having to leave our reunion, but the
governor has an early day tomorrow, and we must be going.

I’m
sure
you understand Sherri, your father’s a city
councilman.”

She smiled as she and her father exited, knowing Sherri caught the
jab she had thrown.

Tiffany never considered herself better than anyone because her
father was governor, but at times when she came face to face with Sherri, the
woman who had made herself available to all the guys who were interested in her
since college, she didn’t bat an eye in offending her. Sherri had even flaunted
the fact she had been with Christopher shortly after they had broken up, which was
a big reason why she would never renew her and Christopher’s past relationship.

It was almost humorous to Tiffany that the femme fatale was so
down on her luck that she had to stoop to hiring a male escort to take her to
functions—someone else’s husband at that.

It was almost worth the humiliation to see the embarrassed look on
Sherri’s face if she’d told her that Trevor was her husband.

~ML~

As Tiffany walked away, Trevor watched the gentle sway of her hips
and thought,
Now, there’s a jealous woman.

He had seen how clearly and efficiently she’d tried to act nonchalant
about Sherri linking herself so tight to him. He could easily feel the imprint
of the other woman’s breast on his arm, and he was sure Tiffany hadn’t missed
seeing it.

He had seen a quick twinkle in her eye and had almost overlooked
the subtle lift of her eyebrow.

Neither could he disregard the tension between the two women.
There was some bad blood there. It almost seemed as if their history was as
harsh as his and Manning’s. However, nothing could touch the spiteful feelings
he carried toward the soon to be congressman.

“I do believe I’m ready to end this part of the evening. Would you
be a dear and take me home?” Sherri said to him. About an hour ago, she had
spotted him and had linked herself to him the rest of the evening.

“I don’t mind, but are you sure your date won’t mind.”

“He won’t mind. I came with my brother tonight. His wife was sick.
She’s having her
third
child and couldn’t accompany him.” Her voice was
laced with disgust.

He was quite positive that, if she were ever to become pregnant,
it would be by accident, and it would probably only happen once.

Trevor loved kids. He didn’t get a chance to be around his
sister’s four children as much as he would have liked, but he knew one day he
would have a few of his own.

“Do you need to tell him you’re leaving?”

“Nope, I waved good-bye to him about thirty minutes ago.”

 “Oh,” was all he could say. He knew that meant he was stuck. He
was too much of a gentleman to leave a woman stranded. He had no doubt that
Miss Matrix was very resourceful and would easily find a willing guy to give
her a
lift
.

He escorted her to his BMW and assisted her into the car.

She babbled on about a party she was invited to the following
weekend and how everyone who was anyone would be there. Attendees consisted of
politicians, musicians, actors and, most importantly, people whose pockets were
laced with old money.

As she continued without pause, except when she was giving him
directions, it gave him a chance to think about Tiffany and their situation.

Only a week since the last time he saw her, tonight was a welcomed
surprise. His being there was strictly for business, to network. The tickets
had been a gift from one of his clients.

Hours ago he had decided to attend.

He was glad he did. He’d made some good contacts and expected
several opportunities to open up.

When he saw Tiffany, his body had responded instantly. Just like
Saturday when he’d shown up unannounced. Since the day they had met, he was
drawn to her, and he wanted to get to know her better. But it seemed like his
hormones kept getting in the way. He knew there was a lot more to Tiffany Selina-Wayne
than what the world knew and much more than what she wanted to admit.

From everything he’d learned about her, she was a woman who needed
to let herself go and stop living for everyone else, always in the camera’s
eye, standing proud and faithful by her father’s side. Even tonight he caught
the subtle touch she gave her father, making sure the governor stayed on task.
Tiffany was so immersed in her father’s career, he wondered if she even knew
where her life began.

If he did nothing else, before they divorced, he would make it his
personal mission to ensure Tiffany learned what it was like to let go and live.

Six

“Hi, Marti. Is there a table available for a hungry man to have
lunch?”

“Mr. Wayne, there is always a table available for you.” Marti was
the headwaiter at Gilligan’s, a small seafood restaurant in D.C.

Trevor had enjoyed lunch at the place at least once a week for the
past five years, when he could pull himself away from one project or another.
He and his staff frequently worked through lunch while sitting in front of a
sick computer.

Marti escorted Trevor to a small table located in the back next to
the kitchen. How is this, Mr. Wayne? We’re a bit busy today; otherwise, I’d
have found you one by the window so you could have a better view.”

“It’s perfect. As hungry as I am, I need to be as close to the
kitchen as possible.” He smiled, hoping to ease Marti’s mind.

“Great, I’ll tell Cliff to come quickly to take your order.”

Without another word, Marti weaved through the tables toward
Cliff. When Marti reached the other man, he leaned forward and whispered in his
ear, then was off to greet more waiting guests.

Cliff crossed the room moments later. “Good afternoon, Mr. Wayne.
Do you know what you’re having or would you like to see the menu?” Cliff stood
poised to write on his little tablet.

“No menu, Cliff, what’s the special for today?” Trevor was too
hungry to peruse a menu.

Last night’s dinner was the last meal he remembered eating. If
they were serving nails covered in a light peppercorn sauce, he would have
eaten it.

“Crab cakes, rice pilaf, your choice of vegetable and a tossed
salad.”

“That sounds good to me. I’ll take it…green beans and the house
dressing please.”

Cliff scribbled on his pad. “What beverage would you like, sir?”

“Ice tea with lemon, please, Cliff.”

“Coming right up, Mr. Wayne.” Cliff made a one-eighty and headed
into the kitchen.

Trevor wisely used the waiting time to go wash his hands. On his way
back, he heard someone call his name. When he turned around, he saw Marsha
Leigh waving at him from a table in front of the restaurant. As he zigzagged
through the tables in her direction, he could see she was not alone. There was
another lady with her, whose back was to him, so he couldn’t identify her.

“Well, hello, Ms. Leigh.”

“You know better than to be so formal, Trevor. As many times as
you’ve rendered your services to me, you should call me Marsha.”

A choking sound came from Marsha’s lunch companion. Trevor still
couldn’t see her face from his position behind her.

“Are you alright?” Marsha asked, her expression etched with
concern.

The other woman attempted to clear her throat; raspy she said,
“Yes, some water just went down wrong.”

“It happens to the best of us.” Marsha gave the woman a reassuring
smile. “I am so rude.

Trevor Wayne this is…”

Trevor made his way around the table and finally saw the mystery
woman—his wife.

“…the governor’s daughter.”

“You two have met?” Marsha asked curiously.

Trevor gave a slight pause. “Last week at a banquet. It’s good to
see you again, Miss
Selina
.”

“And you.” Tiffany mumbled, leaving him with no opening for
further conversation.

“Well, Marsha, I must be getting back to my table before my lunch
gets cold.” Trevor turned and left.

~ML~

Tiffany’s client turned to her. “That man has talent written all
over him. He did a job for me; it amazed me how his mind and fingers performed
sheer magic. I’ve never experienced another problem since. If I did, Trevor is
the man I would go to.”

Tiffany could see the light radiating out of the other woman’s
eyes. She could understand how the other woman felt. She was fully aware of
Trevor’s talents.

She wondered how many other women in the Tri-state area had
experienced his skills.

She was amazed the other lady spoke so openly about having hired
Trevor’s services.

“Well, Ms. Leigh, about the Children’s Christmas gala you want to
have for the orphanage.” Tiffany changed the subject and brought the focus back
to the reason for their lunch appointment.

“Yes, I was thinking about the second Saturday in December. I’ve
already contacted some toy stores to see what they would be willing to donate.”

“That’s a good start. We’ll need clothing store participation,
grocers and volunteers, both for the event and ones who will give of their time
year around.”

“Goodness, I didn’t even think about all of those other things. I
can see why you come so highly recommended.”

Tiffany and Marsha created a rough outline of the plans for the
gala and arranged to meet in a week.

The meeting concluded and Marsha left. Tiffany pulled out her cell
phone and dialed her office. While she waited for someone to answer, she opened
up her laptop.

“Occasionally Yours, this is Jaunice. How may I help you?” Jaunice
was one of three college students who worked for her and Josephine part-time.

“Jaunice, this is Tiffany. Is Josephine available?”

“Hello, Miss Selina. Miss Dailey is in a meeting with Mrs.
Collins, the woman from the Breast Cancer Society. Would you like me to interrupt
her?”

“No, it’s nothing that can’t wait. Open a file for Marsha Leigh
and have a carrier take a copy of the standardized contract papers by her
office. Tell Josephine I’ll place the outline sketch on the office drive and
meet with her tomorrow about it.”

There was a brief pause. Tiffany knew Jaunice was writing all of
the information down.

“Anything else, Miss Selina?”

“No, that’ll be all.”

“Have a nice day, ma’am.”

“You, too.” Tiffany snapped her phone closed and began to power up
her laptop.

It took Tiffany only a few moments to transcribe the notes from
her tablet onto the office drive. She even added in some spur of the moment
ideas she had while inputting the information.

Tiffany knew if she didn’t write the ideas down right then and
there, she would have forgotten them later on.

She smiled as she reviewed the contents of the electronic folder.
Tiffany made a few corrections, and then saved the file.

The screen went black.

Tiffany’s eyes became round as saucers as she looked down at the
mechanical device, wondering what had gone wrong. Afraid to breathe, she held
her breath, knowing if she couldn’t figure out what happened soon, she would
lose all of her information.

Tiffany tried not to create a scene while she banged on various
keys in hopes that one of the combinations would cause the computer to start
again.

“Looks like you’re having a problem. Can I be of assistance?”

Tiffany could feel the wisps of heat circulating from the person’s
mouth. She didn’t have to turn around to know it was Trevor who spoke.

“I don’t think so.” Tiffany tried to sound annoyed, so he would
get the hint and leave.

She was already frustrated by the possible loss of her document
and didn’t feel like battling her emotions for him.

“What seems to be the trouble?”

The heat moved to her neck.

Tiffany swallowed several times to combat the sudden dryness of
her mouth.

“If you must know, my laptop seems to have decided now would be a
good time for a nap, and I can’t get it to wake up.”

Not seeming to be put off by her tone, Trevor asked, “Have you
tried plugging it up?”

“It has a charger.” Tiffany shook her head at the man’s ignorance.

“Maybe it needs to be recharged. Every now and then, all of our
juices need recharging.

If it only happened once in a lifetime, think how boring it would
be.”

“It’s new,” Tiffany spoke through clenched teeth.

“Then it’s defective and you need another that won’t quit until
the job is complete.”

Trevor moved to stand beside her chair. “At any rate, do you have
your cord with you?”

Tiffany considered what Trevor was saying and believed it was
entirely possible he might have been right about the
computer,
but she
refused to ponder the underlying points he made.

Tiffany reached down in her case and produced the cable.

“May I?” Without awaiting a response, Trevor took the cord and
laptop, then walked over to the headwaiter’s stand.

Left with no other choice, Tiffany followed.

She watched as Trevor plugged the computer into the socket and the
equipment came to life.

A smug look crossed Trevor’s face.

“So it’s on. I’ve still lost my document since it wasn’t saved.”

Trevor turned back toward the mini tablet and began punching in a
series of commands. Moments later, he asked, “Is this what you were working
on?”

Tiffany stared at the screen in amazement. “How did you find it?”

“I guess it’s a gift I have with computers. What would you like to
call it?”

“Marsha Leigh.”

Trevor executed the command to name and save the document, then he
shut it down and unplugged it.

“You just saved me a lot of time in re-writes. Thanks.” Tiffany
took her laptop back from Trevor.

“No, problem. People usually pay me for my time.”

Tiffany could feel the change in the atmosphere, something that
happened too often when she was around Trevor.

“Will you take a check?”

 “No. Dinner.”

“Dinner?” Tiffany tried to stifle the laugh that began to bubble
up. There was no way she could be seen out in public with him, especially since
recently she was becoming aware of how many people hired him for his talents.

“Yeah, it comes after lunch, but before a night cap invitation.”
Trevor smiled beguilingly.

The urge to trace his lips with her tongue overwhelmed her. “I
don’t think dinner would be appropriate.”

“And why not? Don’t you think it’s time we got to know each
other…wife?”

“No, Trevor, I don’t. And stop calling me that,” she whispered.
“Too many people know you and me. It would be in the papers before we could
order dessert.” Tiffany could imagine the headlines: Stripper Dates Governor’s
Daughter.

“We’ll go out of town. The Harbor is nice this time of year, and I
don’t think your face is that well known in Baltimore.”

Tiffany could tell he wouldn’t give up. “
Fine
. When?”

“What are you doing this Friday at six?”

“Friday at six is fine. Where do you want to meet, the
courthouse?” Tiffany made sure he understood he couldn’t drive up to her house
to pick her up for a date, nor had she forgotten they still needed to get the
divorce taken care of and soon.

“Howard is having their homecoming,” he said. “There’ll be so many
people around no one would be able to pick you out from the celebrators. I’ll
be in front of the Mordecai Wyatt Johnson, the admissions building.”

“Friday at six, in front of Admissions,” Tiffany reluctantly
confirmed the place and time.

Tiffany gathered her things, paid her bill and left without
another word, believing her agreement to have dinner with Trevor only confirmed
she was past the verge of losing her mind.