Him Her Them Boxed Set (16 page)

I look up to see that huge grin on her face. Damn, I wish I had my phone here; I would take a picture of it. That photo would be my screensaver. Anyone who saw it would never know what causes that smile, but I would.

Josephine slides off me and turns around, laying her back into my chest. I wrap my arms around her and lean the side of my head into hers.

"This has been wonderful Pierce. Thank you for getting this room."

"Oh Josephine, I could be sitting in a cold damp cave with you and still the feel of your body and the joy of your presence would keep me warm forever."

"You say the sweetest things to me. Do you normally talk to woman like this?"

"No, not really. I would say just enough to get them in bed, but afterwards I make it clear I don't want them around."

"Hmm. I can't imagine that sat too well with them. You are one sexy beast. Just having sex with you once and then having to leave, that would be hard for me to do."

"Most of them didn't appreciate having to leave right away. In fact one stayed outside my door the rest of the night. I opened my door the next morning to get the paper and found her there curled up, asleep in the hallway."

"Oh god, what did you do?"

"I brought her inside for coffee and explained to her that it was just a one night stand. That I don't do relationships or dating. I can't say it was easy for me and part of me just wanted to hide inside until she left, but I am an adult and felt obligated to be clear with her. Needless to say she was in tears by the end. I drove her home, but prayed I would never run into her again."

I'm not proud at how I used to treat women, especially since meeting Josephine, but I want to tell her the truth.

"I never had that problem with men. Yes, I always ended it or made it clear it wasn't to go any further, but I never had one camp out for me."

"So, you ended it with them?"

"Yes, I only had one relationship. I think I mentioned it before. It lasted a few months and ended a few years back. He, how should I put this? He became lazy with me."

"Lazy?"

"Yes. He didn't try to woo me like you did. He did the minimum, but it was still more than any man had tried. And when we slept together it was good, not great, but good. So, I gave him a chance. Unfortunately, instead of things getting better they got worse. He stopped trying inside and outside the bedroom. I finally just had to end it."

I really didn't like her talking about how he was good in the bedroom, but I want to know about the one man who actually got to be her boyfriend.

"What was his grade?"

I ask wanting to know and not wanting to know at the same time.

"At first he was a B, but by the end a C-. That's why I had to end it. I can't stay with a man who is failing me."

My heart is racing while my mind scrambles with all sorts of thoughts, good and bad. Am I better than him? Was he attractive? How could that idiot have gotten lazy on her?

I sigh and my hand comes up to my forehead, my fingers start massaging my temple.

"I have to be honest with you Josephine; I don't like knowing you have been with other men. I know it sounds irrational, but how I feel for you I like thinking I am the only one who can make you happy."

She sits up and turns slightly so she can see my face.

"Oh Pierce, you are the only man who can make me happy. You are my first ever A+. In fact, you are my first A. I don't just mean in bed, even outside the bedroom. I have never felt for any man the way I feel for you. I'm almost embarrassed that I dated that guy now I know what a man can truly be."

She leans over to kiss me and my chest fills with pride.

"Why don't we get out of this bath before we turn into prunes and snuggle up in bed, watch some crappy movie on TV and eat the those chocolate covered strawberries." I suggest, watching her face break into a smile.

"Come on!" I am yelling at my computer which decides to freeze up for the fifth time today. Smashing the escape key doesn't seem to help, but I didn't think it would.

"Are we going somewhere?" Ryan says to me. I can hear the creak in his chair as he swivels in my direction. My back facing him as I answer.

"No...sorry, it's this stupid computer. How am I going to get in my application for the full professor position to Dr. Watter if I can't even finish my application? Not to mention I wanted to submit my paper on neurophysiological mechanisms of decision making and self-control as it relates to attraction in humans to him along with the application. Every time I start work on either of those two items, within minutes the computer freezes."

I look around and see him smirking as if he knows something I don't. It's irritating, but I think I am just transferring my anger to him instead of this inanimate object that holds my life in its broken hands.

"Why don't you put a call into IT and see if they can send someone to fix it and I take you to lunch, my treat!"

"Wow, thanks. What's the occasion?"

He turns back around in his chair to shut his computer down.

"What? Can't I buy my friend lunch while she is having a bad day?"

"Sure you can, but you have never bought me lunch before. I figured you had some big news or something."

"No, just trying to make you smile. Put in the call and I'll be downstairs waiting out front when you are ready."

He is heading out the door as I grab the receiver to my office phone. After several calls to the wrong department I finally get someone who can help me. Unfortunately, they won't be available for two hours. At least that gives me time to take a long lunch. I head out and see Ryan just outside of the building. He has his back to the doors, looking out over the campus.

He seems taller than usual, but I typically see him seated in his chair. I can understand why all his young female students and a few of his male students have a crush on him. He is muscular, but lean and though he wears glasses, they are stylish and suit his face.

The campus is slowly coming to life as the semester starts next week. Today is one of the few gorgeous late summer days that Mother Nature gives a preview of autumn. It's warm, but not hot with a light, dry breeze. Ryan hooks his arm to mine and I tilt my head in confusion. He is being unusually gallant today and I am starting to become increasingly curious.

Perhaps he has some good news that is a little too personal to share with me. I figure that must be it and I let him treat me for the day. We take a bit of a walk to the Papermoon diner just off campus. It's fun with the vibrant eclectic décor and the food is amazing. Not healthy by any means, but satisfying.

There is a bit of wait to get a table so we stand outside on the walkway waiting with the other patrons in the same position.

"So Ryan, something good must be happening your smile hasn't left your face since we headed out for lunch."

I lean back on the railing facing him. He gives me a grin that sends shivers down my spine. It's halfway between evil and sexy, but I can't decide which half is meant.

"Oh, just something a little birdie told me. But, I think it concerns you a bit more than me. Though I can't imagine you will be happy when you hear it."

I'm confused. Why would he be happy about something that might upset me? Is he angry at me for something? If so, why would he be treating me to lunch?

"Okay...so why don't you just tell me this bit of information since it does concern me."

"Ummmm....No!"

He's looking around with a giggle. Ryan is starting to irritate me.

"Ryan, why did you mention it if you weren't going to tell me?"

The laughter stops and his smile quickly turns downward into a line. He adjusts his head, eyes glaring at me when he speaks again, "Oh I will tell you, but just not today. There is a time and a place for everything Jos. You must be patient, I know I am."

Is it me or did that just give you the creeps? The line of people shifts as more customers are seated and we are at the front. We stand in silence as he smiles to himself and I try to look at everything but him. My brain searches for a reason for his odd behavior and the only thing I can come up with is perhaps he applied for the professor position too. Which seems reasonable, I'm sure all the assistant professors in our department applied and some in a few other departments.

Our name is called and the hostess, a short stout girl with orange hair and too many piercings to count, guides us to our table.

I put down the menu I was handed upon sitting and stare at Ryan.

"Is this about the position Ryan? Are you applying too?"

He lowers the menu and sighs. Before I understand what he has done he grabs my hand. For the outside observer it would appear to be a gentle touch, but he has firmly gripped my hand. I try to tug it away, with no luck.

"Oh Jos. Poor little innocent Jos. Yes, I am applying to the professorship, but that has nothing to do with what the sweet bird sang in my ear."

"Josephine!"

I look up upon hearing a deep voice say my name and see Pierce standing next to our table. My nerves disappear as his dark eyes gaze at me. I smile, but notice he doesn't appear pleased. His head cocks to Ryan and then our hands. The muscle in his jaw is twitching and I realize I need to get my hand away from Ryan. I rip my hand from his grasp and rise to hug Pierce.

Pierce takes my embrace but his eyes never leave Ryan's. I look down and Ryan is smiling as if this is the happiest day of his life.

"Pierce, this is my co-worker Dr. Collard. Ryan, this is Pierce my boyfriend."

Ryan stands with a very happy and slightly stunned expression on his face. He reaches out his hand and grabs Pierce's for a mighty handshake before Pierce even has time to extend his arm.

"So great to finally meet the famous Pierce. Jos has told me so much about you I feel I know you already."

Both Pierce and I look at Ryan a little surprised, but Pierce quickly shakes it off and smiles back at Ryan.

"Thank you Dr. Collard. It's nice to meet you. I am afraid I can't say the same as Josephine has never mentioned you before."

Ryan's light blue eyes darken and his expression steels for only a few seconds before his happy smile returns.

"Well, I am sure work doesn't come up much in your conversations. Jos and I share all sorts of information both scientific and personal in nature. I am sure once you have known her as long as I have you two will share that bond."

I can honestly say I have never been so uncomfortable in all my life. Pierce's jaw is twitching again and I realize that's my cue to get him to calm down, so I lean in and give him a little peck on the cheek. He instantly relaxes and turns to look at me.

"I didn't mean to interrupt your working lunch Josephine. Jacob and I come here every Thursday for lunch. He heads the social media division of my software development company."

I'm confused again. What is it with all these men confusing me today?

"I thought you ran a charity Pierce?"

"I do, but I also have an application software company. Mainly Jacob and my MIT cohort, Daniel Pekerson, run the company. I meet them once or twice a week to help with decisions and get updates, but they are the head honchos now. I put my main focus in the charity."

"Yes, I heard that you are helping inner city youth. So noble of you Pierce. Must feel good to get your hands dirty now and again."

Ryan is smirking at him and by the sudden inhale of breath I suspect I will need to hold Pierce back.

"Excuse me Dr. Collard, but I was talking to MY girlfriend! As for getting my hands dirty..."

"Pierce! I am sure Ryan meant no harm by his words. He just misspoke. Didn't you Ryan?"

I give Ryan the evil eye and now my jaw is twitching. He snickers a bit and nods his head.

"Yes, of course. I didn't mean anything by that Pierce. Please forgive me."

Pierce is glaring at Ryan.

"Yes, well, I better leave before someone gets kicked out for disorderly conduct."

Pierce turns to me and I can feel the tension leave his body as he smiles down on me.

"I'm sorry dear. It was nice to see you and call me tonight when you get home, okay?"

"Of course Pierce, you know I love our phone conversations."

A wicked smile envelopes his face and he returns the cheek kiss I bestowed earlier to him. He is about to walk away as Ryan pipes up.

"Oh Pierce before you go I believe we have a mutual friend, other than Jos of course. Please say hi to Robin for me. She spoke a lot about you. I think I learned more about you from her than Jos here, but you're the lady-killer, not me."

"Who's Robin?" I ask Pierce who looks unsure of himself.

"Just an old friend. I'll tell you later dear, gotta go."

He turns and walks quickly out of the diner. I have a feeling this is one of Pierce's old flings. While I am not surprised by Pierce's reaction, he seems a bit ashamed of his past; I am very surprised by Ryan. I never knew him to be mean to anyone and how he has acted to Pierce has been very unkind.

I sit back down and study my menu while Ryan giggles to himself.

"You were quite rude to Pierce, Ryan. He has done nothing to you and you played him like a fiddle for your own amusement."

His laughter ceases as he leans into me, pulling the menu down so he can see my face.

"He is the fiddle player Jos, not me. And he has done something to me. He's fooled you into thinking he cares for you, and that hurts me knowing how he is taking advantage of you."

"Why? Because this Robin has told you many things about him. I know about his past Ryan. I know he slept with a lot of woman. It doesn't bother me. His past is his past and has nothing to do with me."

"Unless you become a part of it too Jos! Wake up! He is using you like he did so many others. Hopefully, you won't suffer Robin's fate. That poor girl truly believed he loved her and then he dumped her all because...well, I said I wouldn't tell you today and I won't. Perhaps he will do the right thing and tell you himself."

Now I am pissed. I am angry at Ryan for keeping a secret that in truth isn't even his to keep. This right here is why I am an open book. Nothing good ever comes from holding the truth in. Whatever happened to this Robin woman I am sure Pierce will explain, not that he needs to as it's his past. Crap, now I am getting sucked into this crazy secret. I want to know just to tell Ryan to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. But I believe Pierce shouldn't have to tell me if he isn't comfortable doing so.

"Hey folks, sorry for the wait it's crazy busy today. May I take your order?"

Our waitress finally appears, but I have completely lost my appetite.