Chapter 27
“Have dinner with me.” Edward sat in the cafeteria across from a few other teachers. It aroused him to be talking sexually to Eva in front of them, especially knowing she was borrowing her class mate’s phone to talk to him while in class. “I need to see you.”
“I can’t today. I have a seminar at five.”
“Afterwards. I promise it to be a dinner you won’t forget.” He glanced at the others and noticed the pale thin one biting her lip as she listened intently to Edward’s side of the conversation.
“I don’t want to make plans with you if I have to break them. I don’t know how long the seminar will be.”
“Well, how about this? You call me when you are finished and if dinner is not an option by that time, I’ll find something that is.”
“Mmm. You are so tempting,” she whispered. He imagined that she was sitting in her class talking to him on one of her class mate’s phones, trying to be discreet in her uniform and blush colored face. “Do you know how difficult it is to try and concentrate on my classes when all I can think about is you and what you did to me the other night?”
“I know exactly how difficult it is.”
“I can’t wait to do that again.”
“I can’t wait to do that to you again.” He was getting lost in their conversation and didn’t realize it until he glanced up and noticed all of the others at the table staring at him, intent looks on their faces as they concentrated on his every word. “Um, yeah.”
“I will call you the moment we are dismissed,” she said, getting the hint that he wasn’t able to continue their little sex chat.
“I can’t wait.” He hung up the phone and slid it into his jacket pocket. He still felt their eyes on him, as well as the bulge in his pants.
The next morning, Edward went through his normal morning routine, but with a bitter edge. He had missed Eva the night before and although he knew she was busy with her studies, he couldn’t help but feel a heavy rock in his gut. He had never let a woman ruin his day or his way of thinking. Why was Eva so different? Checking his phone again, he reached for his coffee spilling a good portion of the hot liquid on his pants. He jumped up out of his seat holding his pantleg away from his leg until it cooled off. Picking up his what was left of his coffee, he hurled it across the room.
“Fucking Christ!” He unbuckled his pants and took them off, flinging them onto the floor, disgusted at them, disgusted at himself. Why was he so off? He sat back down, looking at the broken pieces of the coffee cup scattered along the floor by the wall. He closed his eyes and covered his head with his arms. When his phone rang, he sprang up and grabbed it.
“Hello.”
“Hey, man. You forget I’m alive over here?” Joseph’s voice disappointed Edward.
“Oh, hey,” he said flatly.
“Wow. I can tell how much you miss me. Not much by the sounds.”
“Sorry. I was just expecting someone else.” His phone beeped and Unknown came across his caller id. “Hey. That might be her,” he said, remembering how she blocked her friend’s phone number the last time she borrowed a cell phone to call him. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Her?”
“Yeah. I’ll call you back.”
“You better. I need to talk to….”
Edward disconnected the call in mid-sentence and switched it to Eva’s call.
“Hello,” he said, trying to sound carefree.
“Hi. It’s me.” The sweet sound of her voice was enough to put him at ease.
“How was your seminar?”
“Long. I’m sorry I didn’t call you. It was late by the time I got home and I was exhausted.”
“It’s fine. I got pretty busy anyway.” He wanted to meet with her as soon as he could but he forced himself to let her come to him.
“Are you busy for lunch today?”
He smiled. “I think I can squeeze you in.”
“It will have to be on campus. I only have about an hour and a half between classes.”
“On campus, huh? So no kissing?” he teased.
“No, no kissing.”
“And no touching?” His voice deepened.
“Um, no. We can’t do that either.”
“And I guess I can’t kiss the nape of your neck where it so delicately creases when you lean your head back.”
“Eddie,” she whispered. “Stop that.”
He grinned. “What are you wearing, Eva?”
“My uniform. What else would I be wearing?”
“Underneath your uniform.”
His voice made her tremble inside. “I can’t do this right now. I’ll meet you at the University Club, okay?”
“I can’t wait,” he said, his voice still deep and seductive.
She took a breath. “Twelve-thirty okay?”
“Twelve-thirty is perfect.”
“Great. See you then,” she said louder and with much more pep.
He waited for her to hang up before he put his phone down. The rock in his gut had dissipated and he was able to smile again.
“You look very happy,” he said when he saw her at a table in the café. “I hope I have something to do with that.”
“Well, yes. And the fact that after almost a month I have finally decided on my thesis.” Eva bit down on a french fry.
“That’s good.” He sat across from her and quickly ordered the special when a waitress passed by. “So, what’s your theme?” He studied her facial features as she spoke.
“Morocco.”
“Why Morocco?”
“I want to show it as a third world country during the Cold War and what the people did to help develop it into what it is today.”
“And what is that?” he asked, smiling.
“Are you even listening to me or are you just watching me talk?”
“I could watch you all day.”
His eyes were mesmerizing and each time Eva looked into them, she felt herself slip away into his world.
“I had a good time the other night,” she said quietly, giving up on her thesis idea. She looked around, smiling as she felt the warmth return to her cheeks.
“I was hoping you did. I was afraid I had pushed you too far.”
She glided her french fry through the small pile of ketchup on the side, stirring it repeatedly. “Not at all. I didn’t want to leave.”
“It’s a good thing you did.”
“Why is that?”
“We’d still be in my bed if you didn’t.”
“Shhh,” she said, looking sheepishly around. She reached into her bag and pulled a book out, setting it between them on the table.
“What’s this?”
“If anyone asks why we are together, you are tutoring me.”
“Ah.” He picked up the book and thumbed through it. “Well played.”
“Miss Brooks?”
Eva and Edward both looked up from the book simultaneously.
“I thought that was you. It’s so nice to run into you here.”
Eva furrowed her eyebrows for a moment then smiled at the man intruding on their luncheon.
“Oh, hello.” She quickly picked up her napkin and wiped her hands clean.
Edward quickly went on high alert and watched the man intently. Before Eva could turn to greet the long-haired, dreadlock beast from a bad Tarzan movie, he had stopped very closely next to her and put his hand on her shoulder.
“You are looking quite ravishing today.”
Edward felt his body harden, his jaw clench together and his eyes lock onto Gerald’s hand.
“Thank you,” she mumbled. A warm blush crept over her face and she quickly looked down at her food.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
“No,” Eva quickly said. “Not at all. Mr. Caldwell was gracious enough to help me in this business class I’m taking,” she said patting the book for added proof “so I’m treating him to lunch.”
“How very noble of him,” Gerald said. He smiled and nodded toward Edward but his smile stunk of disparage and ulterior motives.
“Yes, he has been more than helpful.”
“Yes,” he said still looking at him as if studying a subject.
“And you are?” Edward partially stood up and thrust his hand toward him.
“Gerald Montoya.” He leaned over the table and grabbed Edward’s hand tightly. He looked him dead in the eye and shook his hand with a smile. “Glad to meet you.”
“Likewise. Are you a professor here?”
“No. I can’t stay in one place for too long. I guess you could say I am somewhat of a missionary.”
“Mr. Montoya is part of Africare. He travels around the world and volunteers his time helping poor countries in co-ops and other charities.”
“Yes, I am fortunate enough to have the financial ability to live out my dream and travel the world, helping those much less fortunate.” He put his hand on his chest and stood up tall. “It makes a person feel incredible.”
“He spoke at the seminar yesterday. Actually,” she said, redirecting her attention to Gerald. “I wanted to tell you that your seminar about African life was quite compelling.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that someone was paying attention.”
“No. It really was. So much so that I have decided to do my thesis on Morocco.” She paused and looked at him as if waiting for approval. “I… I wanted to write about the Moroccan way of life, pre and post Cold War.”
“You do know that Morocco is only recognized as an African country because of its geological location. Ask any Moroccan and they will say 'ana alshrq al'awsat, which means I am Middle Eastern, or they might say Je suis européen, spécifiquement français, which means I am European, specifically French. But very rarely will you find a Moroccan who will admit to being a part of Africa and its economic instability.”
“Impressive,” she said, smiling. “How many languages do you know?”
“I’ve honestly lost count, but it is good to expand your skills, especially when you travel as much as I do.”
“Well, it sounds magnificent. You were truly inspirational.”
Edward couldn’t help but notice Eva’s wide and innocent eyes astounded by this guy as he spilled himself all over her.
“Was I?” He grabbed a chair and pulled it to their table, sitting close to her. “Tell me that you will come to me when you do your research. Anything at all. I would be honored to help you with your work.”
Edward wanted to rip this guy’s head off. He knew what he was doing.
“That would be wonderful! Are you sure? I wouldn’t be putting you out?”
“Not at all. I insist.” He leaned back and shook his head. “It will be an amazing piece, I assure you.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. In fact, I am planning a trip, no expenses spared of course, to Morocco very soon. I would be thrilled if you would go with me.”
Edward prepared himself to jump out of his chair. He was ready to pummel this guy to the floor and beat the man whore out of him.
Who does this guy think he is? He talks big money. I could dance circles around this clown.
“Oh.” She glanced at Edward and shook her head. “Thank you for the invite, but I really can’t.”
“If you are worried about your studies, I can push it off until you have your spring break. We can go then.”
“I… can’t. I have to go home. Boyfriend,” she shrugged. “I can’t wait to see him.”
“Ah, yes. Young love.” He looked over at Edward and held his gaze. “I’m sure a young beauty like yourself has several boyfriends to choose from. My loss, tragically.” When silence was the only response, he took a big breath and stood up. “Well, don’t let me keep you. I just wanted to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did,” Eva said with an undertone of relief.
Gerald reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, fetching a business card and handing it to her. He lowered his head and waited for her to look up at him.
“Don’t forget about me,” he said to her. “You can call me anytime, day or night. I rarely sleep.”
She took his card and set it on the table. “Thank you.”
“Good to meet you.” He nodded toward Edward and sashayed away.
Edward relaxed a bit and watched Eva fidget awkwardly.
“You like him,” he said.
“What? No I don’t.”
He just smiled, loving the way she squirmed.
“He uh, he’s intriguing, cultured. You know, the things he does with his life and the places he has been. I’m jealous that he has been to so many places.”
Edward continued to watch her. “You can do the same one day.”
“Not on my bank account.”
“You are going to be great, in whatever you do with your life. I firmly believe that.”
“Thank you,” she said humbly looking down at her food.
“Just be careful with a guy like that.”
“Why do you say that? He seems harmless.”
“They always do. He knows what he wants and he knows how to get it.”
“Are you trying to tell me he will get me regardless of whether I say yes or no?”
“He knew you were here.”
Eva straightened her posture and looked at him. “How did you know… so what?” She stuffed a fry into her mouth.
“I’m just telling you, be careful. That’s all. I don’t like that guy.”
“I can take care of myself.” She looked down then at Edward. “I’ll be careful.”