Marti had been tall, long brown hair, thin. He couldn’t remember the color of her eyes or how it felt to make love to her. It had almost felt more like a lab experiment than passion. But with Red it had been natural, and the hours with her were waiting in the shadows of his mind, ready to be pulled out and relived now and then.

When they’d had sex, Marti hadn’t liked him to touch her breasts. They’d been friends, both absorbed in their studies. Dating was more of a convenience now and then. Go out for a pizza. Meet friends for drinks. Sleep together. Sex was just what they did, but the desire never happened for Benjamin, and he had a feeling it was the same with Marti. Maybe she found passion with some guy in Mexico.

Thinking back, he realized he hadn’t touched a woman’s breasts in years. There had been other dates through college, but his studies came first. Once he’d accepted the teaching position, he’d thought it improper to date his students, and no one else seemed to be around.

So he settled in Clifton near his home and rarely thought of the past or the future. The wild, loving relationship he’d had with the girl called Red could not happen again. It made sense to him that Jenny had obviously forgotten it all. For her it had probably been just one of many weekends.

He couldn’t remember how they’d ended up in bed that first night, but if he closed his eyes and traveled back in time, he could almost feel his hand moving down her body. He remembered exactly how she had felt, how she’d tasted. He also remembered he hadn’t just had sex with Jenny. He’d made love to her.

In a world of men claiming to be oversexed, Ben figured he must be on the other end of the curve. Undersexed. Oh, he thought about it now and then, but logic always won out. An affair or a weekend fling wouldn’t be worth upsetting his ordered life.

Plus, if he were honest with himself, if he couldn’t love like he had with the redheaded girl, he’d rather not settle for what he’d had with Marti. The act without passion.

And now, before Monday, he had to push a memory back into the shadows of his mind and never mention it to Professor Clark. They were different people now.

Benjamin decided the next month would be the longest of his life.

Chapter 5 - Ketch

Chapter 5

Ketch

Afternoon

The phone on the windowsill woke Ketch with a jolt. “Crystal,” he whispered. No one ever called on weekends but her. Maybe she’d changed her mind. Maybe?

Not likely.

Step back into reality, Kincaid, he told himself.