The retiring TFU professor looked exactly like what he was: an older gentleman who’d spent his entire life in academia. Average height, thin, and bespectacled, Kenneth was wearing the requisite corduroy jacket with elbow patches, white shirt, and dark pants.
“Congratulations, Ken.” Darius shook the professor’s hand.
“Darius, thanks for coming.” Kenneth’s brown eyes twinkled with warmth and welcome.
“Thanks for the invitation.”
“Of course. Of course.” Kenneth released Darius’s grip to spread his hands. “You’ve always done such a wonderful job, covering the university for the newspaper. How could I not invite you?”
Darius nodded at Quincy before returning his attention to the older professor. “Not much longer now before you’re on the beach.”
“No, it’s not.” Kenneth gestured toward the empty seat beside him. “Join us. Next week is Thanksgiving. Finals are the week after that; then I’m on my way to Florida, hopefully before the first real snowfall.”
“Trinity Falls won’t be the same without you.” Darius lowered himself onto the red padded folding chair, placing the older gentleman between Quincy and him.
“Kind of you to say.” Kenneth inclined his head.
Darius grinned at Quincy. “I’m surprised Ramona let you out of her sight.”
“She went to find someone.” Quincy smiled like a man in love.
Kenneth gestured toward Quincy with his water glass. “I was just telling Quincy how good you made me look in the article you wrote for today’s
Monitor
.”
Darius shook his head. “You made yourself look good.”
“Thank you.” Kenneth folded his hands. “I’m looking forward to my retirement, but a part of me is worried about the future of the history department.”
“Why?” Darius poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher in the center of the table. He offered the other two men a refill. Both declined.
“Most of my colleagues don’t have the interest or drive to grow our department’s programs.” Kenneth sighed. “Although I do have some hope for our newest professor, Dr. Peyton Harris. She shows promise.”
Kenneth was right. With that lady’s drive and determination, she’d make the history department the envy of the university.
“Someone will step up to lead the department.” Quincy stared into his glass of ice water.
Kenneth shifted in his seat to face the younger professor. “I’d hoped you’d be my successor, Quincy. But that was before you left TFU to teach at the University of Pennsylvania. Although I’m happy for you, to be completely candid, a part of me was disappointed.”
Darius frowned as a shadow moved across Quincy’s brown features. “Best-laid plans, Ken. But Quincy couldn’t turn down an offer from Penn.”
“Penn’s a big adjustment.” Quincy dragged his right hand over his clean-shaven head. “It’s very different from TFU.”
“Nothing worth having comes easily.” Darius tossed back some water. “You’ll make the transition.”
“Didn’t you sign a one-year contract?” Kenneth waved a dismissive hand. “That’ll be over at the end of the spring semester. And I’m sure TFU will take you back.”
Something more was bothering Quincy. His coal-black eyes were clouded. His sharp brown features were tense. Darius wanted to ask his childhood friend what was on his mind. But this wasn’t the time or place.
Darius wiped condensation from his cool glass. “You’ve only been at Penn three months. You need time to adjust.”
“I did my graduate studies there.” Quincy shrugged his shoulders, clothed in a purple knit sweater Ramona must have bought for him. “I knew what to expect.”
“But now you’re a member of the faculty.” Kenneth shook his head. “That’s different.”
Quincy stared across the room, appearing deep in thought. “I miss the flexibility of our academic department.”
“TFU’s a much smaller university, which allows it greater academic collaboration and creativity.” Kenneth sipped his water.
Darius struggled in the role of devil’s advocate. He didn’t want to give Quincy reasoned arguments to remain in Philadelphia. Darius wanted his friend to come home. But was he being selfish?
He made himself focus on Quincy. “When you were deciding whether to leave, you said Philadelphia would give you access to historical research.”
“Suppose Ramona doesn’t like Philadelphia? She thought she’d like New York, but she hated it there.” Quincy’s gaze pinned Darius. “What if she hates Philadelphia?”
Darius frowned. “You’re borrowing trouble, Q.”
Quincy dragged his hand over his bald head again. “I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake.”
“Ramona will join you in January after Doreen is sworn in as mayor.” Darius leaned into the table. “That will give you both five months before your contract ends and you have to decide if you want to stay at Penn or return to TFU.”
Kenneth offered Quincy a persuasive smile. “At TFU, you’re the big fish in a smaller pond.”
“You’re my friend.” Quincy eyed Darius. “I thought you’d want me back in Trinity Falls.”
Was Q joking?
“Are you sure you have an advanced degree?”
Quincy scowled at him. “Why are you always questioning that?”
Darius sighed. “It’s because I’m your friend that I’m asking you to give Penn a chance. I want you to be happy, Q. Don’t let fear hold you back.”
“What about you, Darius?” Kenneth asked. “The
Monitor
is a good paper, but have you reached your potential there?”
Darius’s lips curved in a half smile. “I’ve written for a big metropolitan daily. This small-town newspaper is exactly where I want to be.”
“Lucky us.” Ramona’s sarcasm came from behind Darius as she circled the table toward Quincy.
Darius’s gaze skipped over Jackson, Audra, and Ms. Helen, who followed in Ramona’s wake, to settle on Peyton. The little professor wore a pink sweater and a black ankle-length wool skirt. It wasn’t her Catwoman costume, but she was just as captivating.
Darius tore his gaze from Peyton to give Ramona a dry look. “Thanks for the kind words.”
“It was a weak moment.” Ramona stood behind Quincy. She rested her hands on his shoulders.
Quincy reached up and took one of her hands in his.
Peyton shook Kenneth’s hand. “Congratulations, Ken.”
“Thank you.” Kenneth took her hand in both of his. “I’m glad you could make it.”
Jackson and Audra also offered their well wishes to the retiring professor.
The pleasantries appeared to be too much for Ramona. “Come on, Ken. Everyone’s waiting for you to start the food line. I’m starving.”
Kenneth chuckled as he pushed himself to his feet. “Then by all means, let me lead the charge to the buffet tables.”
Minutes later, Quincy and Ramona led Jackson, Audra, Peyton, Darius, and Ms. Helen to an available table near the center of the gym-turned-banquet-hall.
Darius sat between Ms. Helen and Peyton. As it often did, the conversation among the seven friends hopped across different topics: Quincy’s first semester at Penn, Peyton’s first semester with Trinity Falls University, Ramona’s final days in the mayor’s office, Jackson’s renovation of Harmony Cabins, Audra’s latest songwriting contract, and Ms. Helen’s progress on her memoirs.
“I still haven’t found anyone to work on it with me.” Ms. Helen sliced into the teriyaki chicken breast.
Darius forked up the seasoned rice. “I don’t understand why you won’t let me work with you on your memoirs. I wouldn’t charge you.”
“That’s one of the reasons. I don’t want this project to be a favor. I want to handle it professionally.” Ms. Helen bit into the well-seasoned chicken.
Darius shrugged. “If you insist on paying me, I won’t say no.”
Ms. Helen slipped him a smile. “Let me think it over.”
Ramona plucked a broccoli spear from her plate. “I think you don’t want us to help because your memoirs are chock-full of steamy relationships. Am I right?”
Ms. Helen slid a look at Ramona. “You’ll have to buy the book to find out.”
Laughter rolled around the table before the conversation resumed.
“I’m looking forward to the end of my term.” Ramona refilled her water glass. “Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed being Trinity Falls’ mayor. But I’ll be glad when Quincy and I are once again living in the same city. Long-distance relationships suck.”
Love softened the mayor’s classic beauty. But Quincy’s expression seemed strained. Was he still stressing over Ramona’s reaction to living in Philadelphia? With a mental shake of his head, Darius returned to his meal.
The banquet’s agenda included speeches from university administrators, praising the professor and thanking him for his decades of dedication to the institution and its students. Kenneth ended the evening with a brief but moving profession of his love for the university, its students, faculty, staff, and Trinity Falls.
“I believe in Trinity Falls and in Trinity Falls University.” Kenneth cleared his throat and sipped some water before continuing. His voice was thick with emotion. “They were both founded on a simple principle: equality of opportunity makes a community strong. And as each community goes, so goes the nation.”
Kenneth waited for the applause to end before continuing. “It’s been my privilege to be a member of the university and of the town. I’m proud of my contributions to both and of the person into whom these experiences have molded me. God bless you all.”
The retiring professor earned a standing ovation. Darius glanced at Peyton to find her wiping tears from her eyes. He was close to tears himself.
Moments after the banquet officially ended, Ms. Helen leaned past Darius to question Peyton. “Do you have a ride home, dear?”
“Yes, thank you.” Peyton nodded across the table. “I came with Jackson and Audra.”
“Oh no, dear.” Ms. Helen’s eyes widened. “Since it’s so late, you should let Darius drive you home. Your apartment is a bit out of the way for Jackson and Audra. Darius is closer. I can ride back with Quincy and Ramona.”
“Ms. Helen, you’re not riding home with Quincy and Ramona. You’re going to leave with the one you came with.” Darius leveled the elderly woman a look. Had she joined the Darius-Needs-a-Girlfriend Bandwagon? He stood from the table and assisted Ms. Helen from her chair.
The older woman reached up and patted Darius’s upper arm. “It’s too much trouble for you to drop off multiple people.”
Why hadn’t she considered that before she’d volunteered him to drive Peyton home—not that he minded. He’d considered making the offer himself.
“No, it’s not. I’ll take you home first.” Darius pulled her small hand into the crook of his arm to escort her from the gym. “Then I’ll drive Peyton home.”
After wishing their friends a good evening and collecting their coats, Darius escorted Ms. Helen and Peyton to the parking lot. Ms. Helen insisted on sitting in the backseat of Darius’s black Nissan Maxima, leaving Peyton with the front passenger seat. He closed and locked the car’s doors, trapping Peyton’s talcum powder and lily-of-the-valley fragrance inside.
The first stop was Ms. Helen’s home, where Darius escorted her to her door and saw her safely inside. Then he climbed back into his car and pointed his Maxima in the direction of Peyton’s apartment building.
Peyton shifted on her seat to face him as he pulled away from the curb. “You’ve had two weeks to think it over, Darius. Will you cochair the community center’s fund-raising committee with me, or will I have to get tough with you?”
CHAPTER 12
Had she really said that? Peyton tensed in her seat. What had gotten into her? She opened her mouth to apologize, but Darius’s response stopped her.
“That threat would be funny if the memory of you frog-marching me out of your office back in August wasn’t still fresh on my mind.”
“I’m really sorry about that.” Peyton felt the burn of a blush rising from her neck.
“No harm done.” Darius shrugged. “My shoulder was better in a day or two.”
“What?” The interjection shot out on a breathless syllable. “I hadn’t realized I’d hurt you.”
“It was a minor injury. It wasn’t even dislocated.” Darius kept his eyes on the road. “And my back, well, that was just a twinge.”
The silence lasted a beat or two before Peyton spoke. “I think you’re making that up.”
“I am.”
She huffed a breath. “That’s not even funny.”
“Yes, it is.” Darius slipped her a quick glance before returning his attention to the road. “Quincy and Jackson got a good laugh from it.”
“You told them?” Peyton was scandalized.
“I told Quincy. He told Jackson—and God knows who else.” Darius braked at a four-way stop and looked at Peyton. “Quincy’s got a big mouth.”
Peyton covered her face with both palms. “Oh my word.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” Darius moved through the intersection. “At most, Quincy told Ramona, Jackson, and Ean. And they probably told Audra, Doreen, Megan, and Alonzo. I think Vaughn knows, too.”
Was that supposed to make her feel better? Peyton’s hands muffled her groan of abject humiliation.
“It’s not so bad.” Darius checked his mirrors before switching lanes. “I know it sounds like a lot of people, but it’s not even half of our acquaintances.”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Peyton scowled at him.
“Very much.” He nodded solemnly.
Peyton crossed her arms. “Are you going to cochair the committee with me?”
“Yes.” His response was that singular rough word.
In her mind, Peyton was screaming, and jumping up and down in triumph. She took a steadying breath. “Thank you. I couldn’t do this without your help.”
Darius pulled into her apartment parking lot and turned off the engine. He turned to face her. “The community center is important to Trinity Falls. But whatever we decide to do for the fund-raiser, it needs to be quick. The town gets bored fast.”
With his engine off, the night was still and quiet. They could be the only two people in the world. A nearby parking lot security lamp held the deepest shadows at bay.
With her eyes, Peyton traced the clean-cut, angular lines of Darius’s face. “Anything else?”
“That’s it for now.” He pinned her to the passenger seat with his dark stare. “When do we start?”
Peyton was mesmerized by his midnight eyes. They were so beautiful and focused only on her as though she were the only thing that mattered in this time and place. “Let’s wait until after Thanksgiving break.”
“Thanksgiving break. Outside of the university, the rest of the world calls it Thanksgiving.” His lips curved in a smile.
Peyton imagined herself tracing his full, well-formed lips with her tongue. She tore her gaze away. What had he said? Oh, right. “Are you going to correct everything I say during our project?”
“Only when you need correcting.”
Peyton swallowed a laugh. She didn’t want to encourage him. She unlocked the passenger car door. “Good night, Darius.”
Darius stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “Hold on.”
The warmth and weight of his touch traveled through her coat to every muscle in her body. “What is it?”
“I’ll walk with you to your door.” He climbed out of the car and circled its hood.
When was the last time someone had helped her from a car?
Darius matched his pace to hers as they braved the lowering temperatures to cross the parking lot. What was happening to her? She’d never been that interested in sex before. But now, every time she was around the reporter, she had an out-of-body experience. Her mind went blank and her tongue separated itself from her thoughts. She had to get herself together. She was a responsible adult, not a domesticated animal in heat.
Peyton fished her keys from her purse. “Thank you for driving me home.” There, that sounded very civilized.
“You’re welcome.” He stood aside so she could precede him up the ornate black metal staircase.
“I’d planned to drive myself.” Peyton led him up the steps. “I’ve been in Trinity Falls for five months now. It’s time I learned my way around. But people have been very insistent on carpooling with me.” Was she babbling?
“They want to make it easier for me to take you home.” Darius’s tone was wry.
She paused halfway up the stairs, frowning at him over her shoulder. “Why do you think this has anything to do with you?”
Darius arched a brow. “Vaughn brought you to the Sequoia game. But I brought you home.”
“You insisted on driving me back.”
“Jack and Audra brought you to Ken’s retirement banquet, but I’m the one escorting you to your door.”
Jackson and Audra hadn’t seemed surprised to be relieved of chauffeur duty. “So you think this is all part of their plan to get us together?”
“I do.”
Peyton continued up the steps. His body of evidence was growing. Perhaps he had a point. How did she feel about being the target of her new neighbors’ elaborate matchmaking scheme with one of the most eligible, attractive, and sexy bachelors in town?
As her students would say, it was totally cool.
“Just because they’re trying to get us together doesn’t mean we have to fall in with their plans.” Peyton unlocked her apartment door.
“I’m beginning to think their idea has merit.”
Surprised, Peyton looked up at Darius and found herself captured by his kiss. His mouth settled on hers. He didn’t touch her in any other way. His lips molded and caressed hers in a gentle invitation to a deeper intimacy. His tongue traced her shape in a vivid reminder of the pleasure they’d felt before—and that they could experience again, if it’s what she wanted. It was.
Peyton twined her arms around his neck and pressed her body to his. The impediments of their coats frustrated her. Without breaking their kiss, Peyton lowered her arms to unbutton her coat. She stumbled a step or two as Darius walked her backward. Her apartment door slammed shut with an explosive bang.
Startled, Peyton jumped back. She stared at Darius, struggling for her bearings. His angular features were hard with desire. His midnight eyes burned with need.
“I’m sorry.” His voice was rough and husky. “I kicked the door shut. I didn’t want to put on a show for your neighbors.”
Peyton’s eyes shifted from Darius to the door and back. She crossed the room. Her hands hovered over the locks.
What am I doing? Is this what I want?
She’d ended her engagement. What was holding her back? Peyton turned the locks, then faced Darius again.
“Good call.” She didn’t recognize her voice. But gazing into the heat of Darius’s dark eyes, she felt a familiar need.
Darius Knight was a dangerous man. With the sound of his voice, the look in his eyes, the touch of his hands, he could make her want things she’d never wanted before. Do things she’d never otherwise considered. What was it about him? What was it about her with him?
Holding her gaze, Darius raised his hands to unbutton his black wool topcoat and take it off. Peyton was distracted by the broad expanse of his muscled shoulders molded beneath his garnet turtleneck sweater. Navy corduroy pants clothed his lean hips and long legs. Darius turned to lay his coat on the back of her silver love seat. When he faced her again, there was a question in his eyes. Aware he was watching her every move, Peyton opened her coat. She let the weight of it fall from her shoulders and pool on the floor.
Darius’s eyes glowed. His gaze roamed her pink sweater and ankle-length skirt as though he could see through them. Her body hummed with a strange, deepening desire.
Darius closed the distance between them. “You’re so beautiful.”
“You’re the beautiful one.” Peyton rose up on her toes.
Darius lowered his head to meet her. When their lips touched, it was like an electric current arcing through her. Peyton’s body shook. Darius tightened his arms around her. She dove into his kiss, exploring him, seeking him, teasing him with her tongue. She wanted to know him, his touch, his taste, his scent. She slid her hands up and over his sweater, feeling the hard muscles beneath. Peyton was drowning in sensation, on the verge of losing control.
Darius’s head was spinning. Desire, raw and restless, swelled within him. Peyton was warm and responsive in his arms, feeding his need. He drank her gasps, swelled with her moans, and burned under her touch. Her taste, sweet and spicy, made him light-headed. Darius swayed on his feet.
Peyton pulled her mouth free. “My heart’s racing. I can’t catch my breath.”
“I know the feeling.” Darius pressed his face into the curve of her neck. He inhaled her scent and felt a tightening in his groin.
He kissed her neck, nibbling her skin. Darius traced his tongue along the shell of her ear. Peyton moaned. Her hips pressed into his. She claimed his lips again.
Darius tightened his embrace around her and drew her with him to the sofa. He walked backward, relying on memory to lead him where he wanted to go. The sofa came up against his legs. Darius fell onto it, taking Peyton with him. She gasped and he deepened their kiss.
Darius pressed his tongue inside her, groaning when she stretched out to meet him. He stroked her, caressed her, wrapped himself around her. His blood grew hotter and hotter as she responded to the ways he wanted to touch her.
Peyton lifted her head. “Darius.” His name was a gasp on her lips. Her breasts burned into his chest.
“Yes?” His hands slipped under her sweater and moved up her back. Her skin was soft, smooth, warm. Arousing.
“I can’t think.” Her body moved against his.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to.” Darius reached around to cup the side of her breast. The sensation was pleasure, pain.
“But I need to.” Peyton struggled into a sitting position.
Darius let his hand drop. He sat beside her. “What do you need to think about?”
“This.” Peyton’s voice was tight. She waved a shaky hand. “I’m not ready. I thought I was.” Her breath was light and fast. “I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Darius’s body pulsed with unanswered desire. He clenched, then unclenched his teeth. “I didn’t mean to push you.”
“You didn’t.” Peyton’s response was fast and firm.
“Just give me a minute.” Darius was silent for several long moments, waiting for his heated muscles to cool. His body wanted to join with hers but his soul knew he needed to leave. Finally, he stood. Darius put on his coat, then turned for one last look at the little professor. “Good night, Peyton. Sleep well.”
“You too.” Peyton’s voice was soft.
He again waited for her to lock her door before he started for the parking lot.
Darius had never felt so much so fast. But it was more than a strong physical attraction to Peyton. She made him feel more than anyone else ever had. Maybe this Tin Man really did have a heart.