Condemned (5 page)

“I do,” Andie answered and proceeded to explain to Kiley
what Jesse was trying to help her do as she had with Alyssa earlier, again
omitting some of the concerns that she and Jesse shared for Brett. Little did
they know that Shane and Jesse were having a similar conversation.

“Oh I like this,” Kiley declared. “Let me know if Jordan and
I can help.”

* * * * *

After dinner, Brett walked Tish out to the gatehouse. Jesse
and Andie followed, only to find they were unable to resist the hammock they
spied in the yard. They settled in together and were talking comfortably.

When Jesse heard the door, he said, “Pretend you’re
sleeping. Stay limp.” Softly, he whistled to get Brett’s attention. “I need
your help,” he whispered as Brett approached.

“What can I do for you?” Brett asked frowning at the thought
that something was wrong with Andie.

“We were only going to relax here for a minute but Andie’s
out cold. I’m afraid if I try to crawl out, I’ll end up dumping her on the
ground. Do you think you can lift her off me?” Jesse controlled his reaction
when Andie poked his side where Brett wouldn’t see her. Apparently, she didn’t
like his idea.

“Yeah, sure.” Brett gulped.

As soon as Brett scooped her into his arms, Jordan appeared.
“Jesse, I hate to interrupt, but can I have a minute? I’m sure Brett doesn’t
mind taking her in and getting her settled.”

“No problem,” Brett answered when Jesse looked at him.

Inwardly, he groaned. When he had picked Andie up, she
snuggled into his arms. She mumbled something on the stairs, so he said, “It’s
okay, Andie. I have you. I won’t let you fall.”

“Mm.” She shifted against him, nuzzling his chest.

“Here you are,” Brett said as he pulled down the covers and
put her in the bed. “Let me get your shoes.”

Andie acted as if she were still mostly asleep. “Wait,” she
muttered, reaching under her shirt and unhooking her bra. Brett watched while
she slid it off without removing her shirt in the way that only women could do.
“Jeans,” she said as she lay back on the pillow and held out her bra.

“Ah, yeah, okay.” Brett took a deep breath and reached for
the button. After he slid the zipper down, he told her to lift her hips. As he
removed her jeans, he couldn’t help noticing that her panties were the same
sheer material that her bra was. When he realized that he was ogling his
friend’s girlfriend, he forced himself to look away. He finally managed but not
before his gaze lingered on the hardened nipples that were clearly visible
beneath her snug shirt. With great effort, he pulled the blanket over her body.
Unable to resist, he leaned over and kissed her lightly. “Night, Andie. Sleep
well.”

Andie snuggled deeper into the covers before she answered.
“You too, Brett. Thanks.”

Brett closed the door to Andie’s room softly behind him.
What the hell was he doing? He decided he must be even more stressed out than
he thought to have just acted that way with Jesse’s woman. He should have
pretended he hadn’t heard her when she told him to wait. He was as bad as a
peeping tom! She was asleep and didn’t deserve to have him ogling at her like
some kind of pervert. Thank God she didn’t know what he was thinking. And, to
make matters worse, he’d kissed her! What possessed him to do something so
stupid? She was off-limits. No exceptions. Sleeping or not, it didn’t make any
difference. But damn if she hadn’t looked sexy, lying there, in nothing but her
panties and shirt.

Brett felt his penis spring to life at the thought of
slipping in beside her and coaxing her out of the rest of her clothes. He’d
explore those nipples of hers with his mouth, thoroughly until she was wide
awake and with him the rest of the way. God, he wanted to taste her from head
to toe and back again. He had never realized what a lush, feminine woman she
was but now it hit him full force. What he wouldn’t give to fuck her until they
were both raw and exhausted. Even then, it still wouldn’t be enough. He’d need
to take her over and over again. Brett felt the overwhelming truth of that deep
within his gut but as soon as he did, he squelched it. Andie wasn’t his for the
taking and his brain knew it, even if his body didn’t. He had to wait a few
minutes before he walked back into the garden to get his unruly cock under
control. No way could he walk out there and let Jesse see how tucking her in
affected him.

Only later, in his own bed, after he’d stroked himself to
completion because he couldn’t banish the images of being with her from his
mind, did he consider that Tish may have heard him talking to Andie. He ignored
the idea, telling himself that he had been whispering. Then he recalled the way
Andie had looked at the piano earlier. How had he missed the fire in her eyes
before today? Groaning, he reminded himself that she was taken. As he drifted
off to sleep, he heard Sadie’s words echoing in his head. Maybe she was right.
He had dismissed Andie because of her looks. He tried to force that thought
away by telling himself to concentrate on Tish. She was, after all, his mystery
woman. Wasn’t she? He had to pay more attention to her and he promised himself
that he would start first thing in the morning.

Chapter Seven

“Now that I’ve seen your other house,” Tish purred as they
reached the outskirts of the city, “I think I’d like to see the one here too.
Would you mind if I invite myself home with you for a little bit before you
drop me off?”

“Not at all,” Brett answered, both surprised and pleased.
Tish seemed warmer toward him throughout the day. Maybe meeting his friends had
made her realize that he was a decent guy whom she had no reason to fear.
“You’re more than welcome in both my homes. I should warn you that this one is
a little sparse since I already started moving some of my things.”

“I don’t mind. I’m sure it’s comfortable. You are still
living here half the time, after all.”

Brett showed Tish around downstairs. Even though he would be
selling the house soon, he was still pleased by her approving comments.

“And up here?” she asked enticingly when he thought to end
the tour without venturing upstairs.

“Standard stuff. Bedrooms. Baths. An office.” He followed
her.

“Very nice,” she said, moving into his room.

Tish turned and smiled. She held out her hand to him with a
look on her face that made his cock twitch. Her eyes seemed to invite him to do
all the things he loved with women. Brett took her in his arms and kissed her
softly. He was pleasantly surprised when her lips demanded more.

“Brett.” She sighed, pressing her body firmly to his.

His mind went into overdrive, feeling the hint of firm
nipples against his chest. He ran his hands down her back and cupped her ass,
pulling her closer, letting her feel his desire as his cock stiffened. She
moaned, her hands roaming. In a moment, he wanted more. He needed to touch her
soft skin, not her clothes.

Brett separated them and yanked his shirt over his head. His
shaft jumped at the appreciative glance Tish gave his chest. Reaching out, he
unbuttoned her blouse, holding her gaze until he was finished. When he dropped
his eyes, he found what he’d expected. She was braless. Her breasts were firm.
Almost too firm. The thought flitted through his mind that she must have had
them enhanced but he squelched it. Even if they were, it didn’t matter. She was
a beautiful woman and she was turning things physical.

He moved his palms to her sides, teasing her with his thumbs
before actually touching. When he finally did, Tish’s head fell back. Her eyes
closed. Her lips parted and Brett claimed another kiss. Holding her breasts,
squeezing gently as he toyed with her nipples, he ran his lips down her neck.
Tish shivered.

Guiding her backward, Brett lowered her to the bed. He
wanted time to enjoy his exploration and thought they’d both be more
comfortable lying down. After kissing her again, he made his way to her
breasts. The tiny moan he heard made him glance at her face. He found her
watching him intently.

Tish’s expression changed as soon as she saw him looking at
her. Somewhere deep in his mind, it registered that it wasn’t what he’d
expected but it was gone too fast for him to capture it. Her quick smile
convinced him he was imagining things. He returned his attention to her
breasts. For a second he wondered why she wasn’t at all flushed but dismissed
it instantly, deciding her skin mustn’t show her desire. Her hands were on his
head, holding him to her so she had to want more of what he was doing.

Ever so slowly, Brett licked and nibbled his way lower, down
across her stomach. He opened the button on her slacks and tongued her navel.
Her back arched, lifting her hips slightly so he continued. He tugged the
zipper and realized she wasn’t wearing panties. In another few seconds he’d
have her bare. Exactly as he wanted her which made him wonder why he was
disappointed that there weren’t more layers for him to strip from her.

“Lift up,” Brett whispered when Tish didn’t automatically do
so.

“What?” She sat upright abruptly. “Oh my God, what am I doing?”
she all but shrieked. “Oh my God!” Tish shoved him away and rolled off the
other side of the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Brett asked, thoroughly confused by her
reaction. “Tish?” He chased after her as she raced down the steps.

“I have to get out of here,” she cried, rearranging her
clothes.

“Wait. Tish, wait. What’s wrong?”

“We were— We almost— Oh my God.”

She wasn’t making any sense. All her actions had indicated
that she wanted what they were doing as much as he had but now she seemed
totally panicked. Not to mention horrified.

“I need a cab.” Tish sniffled, grasping her cell phone. “I
don’t even know where I am.”

“I’ll take you home.”

“No! Stay away from me.”

“Tish, calm down. Nothing is going to happen. Not if you
don’t want it to. I’m not a monster. I’d never force you to do anything.”

“I have to leave,” she whined. Into the phone, she said, “I
need a cab at—” she waited until Brett supplied the address. As soon as she
repeated it she moved to the door as if intending to wait outside.

“Talk to me. Please. What happened?” he pleaded, following
her.

“Get away from me,” she insisted, moving to the street.
“Just stay there. I mean it. Don’t touch me.”

Brett retreated to his door. “I don’t understand what’s
wrong. Can’t we discuss this inside?” he asked, glad there was no one on the
sidewalk. The last thing he needed was her to cause a scene. Especially when
there was no need for it. If she’d changed her mind about what it seemed they
were about to do it was fine. He really would never force her to do anything. There
was no reason for her hysterics.

Tish turned her back on him and Brett was afraid to approach
her. He didn’t know what was going on. Now that his libido was completely
doused he had the thought that maybe this had nothing to do with him. Maybe
something had occurred in her past that was causing it. Maybe something bad had
happened to her that she hadn’t told him yet. Whatever it was, she could trust
him with it. He’d show her that by keeping his distance now as she demanded.
She’d realize that later and then, once she had time to calm down and think,
they’d talk.

By the time her cab arrived, he had himself convinced it was
all just a big misunderstanding that they could work through with a
conversation. As she was about to close the door, he ask her to call him. She
wouldn’t look directly at him but she seemed to be smiling as the cab pulled
from the curb. That couldn’t be. Not with how upset she was. He had to have
imagined it.

* * * * *

Tish danced around her living room with the bouquet of
flowers that had just been delivered. How predictable Brett Hudson was turning
out to be. The card was even what she’d expect from him. It reminded her that
he was there for her and he’d call her later. This was even easier than she’d
thought it was going to be. What a gullible moron he was!

Tish avoided him for four days. By the time she finally
answered her phone, Brett sounded terrible. “Hello, Brett,” she said after she
heard his voice on the machine.

“Tish, thank goodness,” he gushed. “I’ve been so worried
about you.”

“I’m sorry. I know I should have called you but I’m just so
embarrassed by the way I acted last Sunday. You were right. I should have
stayed long enough to calm down and talk to you. I overreacted terribly. Can
you forgive me? Please?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I’m sorry if you felt I was
rushing you into anything. I assure you I never would. All you needed to do was
tell me no and I would have stopped. I would have driven you home if you’d
asked. I’m sorry you felt you weren’t safe with me.”

“Brett, you’re being too kind. I know I was safe. I’m the
one who pulled back.” She had to force back a giggle. “The flowers are
gorgeous. You didn’t need to be so extravagant, but I love them.”

“My pleasure,” he paused. “Can I see you again?”

“Well of course you can. I know I owe you an explanation, if
you’re willing to listen.”

“Sure I will.” Brett sounded relieved. “How about dinner
tomorrow?”

“Just us?”

“Certainly.” His tone was confused, as if he couldn’t
understand why she felt the need to specify that.

“Thank you. Don’t misunderstand. Your friends are great but
I don’t know them well enough to discuss this in front of them yet. You do
understand?”

“Perfectly. I’m not that insensitive. I love my friends but
I don’t need to include them in everything. I did last weekend since you
hesitated at going away alone with me not because I don’t want you all to
myself. What time should I pick you up?”

“Why don’t I meet you someplace downtown? I have a very busy
schedule and I’d hate to keep you waiting in the street for me. If I’m delayed,
you’ll at least be able to have a cocktail until I can get there.”

“All right,” Brett agreed.

“Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Tish hung up quickly so
he wouldn’t hear the bubble of laughter that she had lost the ability to control.

Brett slowly replaced the receiver. He felt so empty. Why
did he feel empty? Tish seemed sane again and ready to talk rationally about
whatever the hell had gone wrong. She was an extremely beautiful woman and,
from what little they’d started, a passionate one at that. So why did he feel
so cold at the thought of any additional intimacy with her?

He let his thoughts drift. When he found himself dwelling on
her emails he couldn’t help but wonder why there was such a difference. She
seemed to know him so well when she communicated electronically. Why did she
act as if she didn’t have a clue about him or his life when they were together?
He told himself to give her a break. Maybe she spent a lot of time and took
great care when she wrote to him. Not everybody thought the same things
instantly as they did when they had unlimited time to consider what they wanted
to say. He would have to learn to be patient until they created a balance
between them. He forced himself to hold off on his decision to end things with
her. After all, she went to all that trouble to attract his attention. He had
to give her a chance to get comfortable enough to speak her mind as she had on
the computer. Not all women were instantly into sex with a new partner. Maybe
she just needed more time for that.

“Hey, why so glum, chum?” Craig chirped as he strolled into
Brett’s office and sprawled into a chair. “Don’t tell me Hudson the great is
having woman troubles? If I didn’t know it was impossible, I’d say you look
like a guy who isn’t getting laid.”

“That’s hardly any of your concern, Sands.” Brett glared. “I
don’t have time for your bullshit today. Get out and close the door behind
you.”

“Whoa, easy man.” He didn’t budge. “I’m just making
conversation.”

“Well I’m not interested. Go. Now.”

Craig raised himself slowly out of the chair. “Chill. I’m
going. What kind of bug crawled up your ass?”

“Sands.” Brett knew he sounded threatening and didn’t care
enough to stop. “Not another word. I mean it.”

“Jeez.” Craig chuckled merrily as he pulled the door. “Some
people just have no sense of humor.” He closed it before Brett could react.

Briefly, Brett considered going after him. Eventually, he
convinced himself that the temporary gratification wouldn’t be worth the
consequences. He really needed to get a grip on his emotions. Maybe he’d take
an early lunch. That was the answer. A quick drink would take the edge off. He
didn’t know why he was so testy. Tish was speaking to him and soon things would
be back on track with her. He’d gone without for weeks at a time before, in
spite of what Craig Sands thought. He could do it again now. No problem.

As he left the building the only question remaining was
where to go for that drink he’d decided on. He had to think where he’d already
gone that week. He didn’t want to repeat a place even though he didn’t know why
he cared. It had been a stressful few days. Things would be back to normal
tomorrow. As a matter of fact, he could go without today if he wanted to. He
chose not to but he certainly could. Brett repeated that as he motioned for his
third drink in half an hour. This was his choice and he could pass any time he
felt like it. As he swirled the scotch in his glass, he began to hear a little
voice in his head asking if that were really true.