Second Chances (109 page)

“We accomplish more before nine a.m. than some people do all day,” Brian moaned after they sank into the bus seats. 

Sarah nodded in agreement.  “At least now we can relax for a while.”

They had awakened early, dropped Chloe off with her grandmother, gone to Sarah’s to retrieve her already packed suitcase under Josh’s watchful eye, stopped to grab some coffee and scones, organized the students, the luggage, and overseen the packing and loading of the bus.  To say they were a bit out of breath would be no exaggeration.

Brian reached over and grasped her hand.  She smiled at him, her stomach all aquiver.  Slowly, he brought her hand to his lips, his eyes never leaving hers, so that Sarah was filled with an amazing rush of love.

So, that’s how it feels?
  She felt as though she could explode.

Brian shook his head. 
You have no idea how incredible it can be.  Wait until tonight.

Leaning back, Sarah worried that she might be building up their evening to some intangible heights.  Then she glanced at Brian and smiled.  “Nah,” she laughed.

If the previous days had passed almost painfully slow, they couldn’t compare to how languidly this day eked by.  Brian laughed each time he caught Sarah checking her watch.  One time she even tapped on the glass face to see if the second hand was truly moving.  Another instance she lifted his watch to compare the time to hers and groaned when she found they both read the same time. 

At last the group went to dinner.  They ate at a fine dining establishment with a sidewalk cafe.  Everyone struggled to order in English while the waiter understood very little of what they requested.  They applauded enthusiastically when Sarah translated and clarified all the previous orders while giving hers in perfect French.  The meal was a huge success.

And after the meal they had to merely survive a Broadway production of
Beauty and the Beast
before they could return to the hotel and leave the students to their own devices.  All through the musical Brian caressed Sarah’s hand or arm.  He rubbed her thigh, his motions subtle, unnoticeable to those not truly paying attention.  And so all through the production, Sarah was ready to jump out of her skin, so filled was she with the emotions Brian sent her.  In a desperate measure to punish him as he punished her, she pressed his hand to her side so that he could feel the exposed teddy.  Sarah was rewarded with a sharp intake of breath beside her.

Is this for me?
  He queried with eyes shut tight.

Who else?
  She responded as she laced her hand through his.

While the rest of the group was fixated on the stage, Evan watched and felt a knot tighten in his stomach.  Something was going on.  They were looking at each other with such intensity that anyone with eyes could see it.  Was it possible?  Could they be in love?  He added up what he knew.  Sarah spent many nights there.  They slept in the same bed, but never had sex.  And the other night she went to Victoria’s Secret and bought lingerie.  Evan did a mental head slap.  They were going to consummate their relationship tonight.  He racked his brain.  Somehow he would ensure that never happened.  Somehow he would have her first.  Somehow he would keep her.

As the group entered the hotel lobby, Brian called a brief meeting.  “Okay, guys.  It is late.  As you know, you are all adults, so you are allowed to go to bed whenever you wish.  Enjoy your free time.  And, most importantly, do not disturb me except in case of an extreme emergency.”

The group glanced at each other.  Some were smirking.  Others were nudging each other.  Evan didn’t look pleased.

Brian began again.  “For those of you who aren’t sure what an emergency is, let me explain.  An emergency is a life or death situation.  Being drunk or hung over, not an emergency.  Being attacked while you are, emergency.  Being out of money, not an emergency.  Being out of money because you were robbed, emergency. 
Having relations with someone you wouldn’t look twice at normally, not an emergency.  Having relations with someone you wouldn’t look twice at normally against your will, emergency.  Any questions?”

“Are you giving us this spiel because
you
are planning on having relations tonight?”  Evan brazenly asked.  He watched as Sarah turned pink.

Brian stiffened.  “And that would fall under none of your concern, Mr. Winters.”  He glanced at the group which was now chattering excitedly amongst themselves.  “Dismissed,” he announced.  He and Sarah remained there, several feet apart while the students loitered a moment, organizing themselves before they either adjourned to their rooms, or shyly waved as they walked back out the front door to the streets.

When at last the lobby was clear, Brian wrapped a protective arm around Sarah’s shoulders as they strolled to the elevator.  They were silent the entire brief ride up to the fifth floor.  They remained silent as they stood before the door and Brian slipped his card into the lock.  The light shone green, the lock clicked, and Sarah shivered as he turned the handle and shoved the door open.  She was about to step inside the doorway when Brian looked stricken, shook his head, gathered her up as though she was light as a feather pillow, and carried her into the room.

He laid her gently on the bed, left her briefly to fasten the security lock on the door, and quickly returned to her side.  Sarah expected him to lay with her, cover her body with his, or even envelope her, but instead, he simply sat next to her and stroked her face.  He traced her eyebrows with an extended finger then brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.  All the while, Sarah lay there in anticipation, taking every moment of this experience in.

I want this to last,
Brian‘s voice sounded seductively in her head.
  I want this to last forever.  I want to savor every moment of tonight.

With her eyes lightly closed, Sarah nodded in accord.  This would be their night.  Brian leaned over her and kissed her lips ever so softly, brushing them and moving upwards to seal each shut eye with a kiss.  As he lingered over her neck, his warm breath causing her to shiver, there was a knock on the door.

Sarah’s eyes flew open in panic.  She grasped at Brian’s arm as he rose to answer the door. 
Don’t,
she pleaded.  But Brian simply shook his head and dismissed her worry with a warm smile.

As the door opened, a uniformed young man stepped into the room to deliver a bottle of champagne, a tray of strawberries, and a bowl of real whipped cream. 
See?
  Brian asked. 
And you were worried.

Wordlessly, Sarah sat on the bed, curled up against the pillows, several shades of pink.  There had been times in her life when she felt the world conspired against her happiness.  And the short time she and Brian had spent together had been filled with happiness.  Some small part of her expected it to crumble, expected something terrible to suddenly intercede and keep them apart.

Brian had to know what she was thinking, he always did.  He said nothing, but simply walked to her holding a ripe red strawberry.  “Open wide.” he murmured.  And with his left hand he gently cupped her face while feeding her the offered fruit.

It was all she could do to even breathe.  To think of the time she had wasted as Brian’s friend when they could have been doing this.  She smiled and pulled him toward her by his tie.  When his lips were mere millimeters from hers, she whispered, “I think I love you, Brian Waite.”  Then before he had time to contemplate what she had said, her lips were upon his, kissing affectionately and playfully nibbling on his lower lip.

Reaching out, he forced her back with one hand pressed at the base of her neck.  Caught off guard she looked at him with wide eyes.  “You think?”  He asked, slightly hurt.  He continued, selecting his words with care.  “I know.”  Brian took both of her hands in his. 

“I know I love you.”  Sarah felt her heart race at his words.  “I have loved you almost as long as I can remember knowing you.”  He looked her in the eyes, silently pleading for her to understand.  He seemed uncertain she did, so he continued.  “I used to watch you working in your office.  I could feel you even then.  Sometimes you would be so sad and fight so valiantly to cover it up that being near you would break my heart.  I so wanted to gather you in my arms and never let you go.”

Sarah was looking down now, unable to face him as he spoke.  Brian needed to see her eyes, however, needed for the full impact of his words to find her.  He forced her chin up with a hand that still held hers.

“Look at me, Sarah.”  Her eyes filled with tears that refused to spill over.  Still he continued.  “And that’s not the worst of it.”  His voice grew low and intense.  “The worst part came later.  The worst part was when I felt nothing from you because you were empty.”  Sarah’s shoulder’s heaved as her body was racked with emotion.  His voice grew quieter still.  “Do you remember how that felt?  I had to do
something
.  I
had
to be there for you both physically and emotionally.  It was no longer about my desire to be a part of your life.  I wanted to
give
you a life.  I wanted you to experience happiness again.  It would merely be a bonus if you chose
me
to be happy with.”