"All The Way"

Chapter 8

An evening with Richard Carter

Julia stepped from the cab and pulled the collar of her gray cloak around her neck. She hesitated outside the restaurant, debating whether she had made the right decision to meet Richard Carter again. Even if she had called and canceled, a man with his charisma and good looks would not be lonely for long. Why did she agree to meet him? She stood inside the shadows cast by the awning. What had changed her mind?

Reading through the first chapter of his book she happened to glance at the back of the inside cover. She felt the pains of heartache return. The author sat in an armchair by an open fire looking directly into the camera lens. The man and the setting were so familiar. Dark eyes filled with a haunted sadness reached out to her for love and assistance. Would Barnabas be with her always? Did she feel this was a second chance to capture what she had lost? To be sure she had to meet Richard Carter one more time.

Carter stood in the center of a small crowd laughing as she entered the restaurant foyer. Richard smiled and shook several hands before excusing himself, then moved toward her. She gave him an appreciative glance from head to toe, tall muscular frame filling out a tailored gray three-piece suit and maroon tie to perfection.

"Dr. Hoffman, what a pleasure meeting you again."

Julia smiled politely, "Dr. Carter."

"May I take your wrap?" he offered.

Julia nodded and unhooked the silver fastener, releasing the cloak slip from her shoulders revealing an elegant coral dress. Diane had convinced her she needed a dress that highlighted her natural coloring and accentuated her slender figure. Richard Carter's eyes move over every inch taking in every detail of the new dress.

The maitre'd moved to meet them, greeting and nodding to Carter.

"It is always a pleasure Dr. Carter, your usual table is waiting."

Julia saw the heads turn as they made their way through the crowded restaurant, Richard nodding and speaking to several individuals on the way to their table. Carter's usual table was a secluded one from the rest of the restaurant crowd and offered a spectacular view of the Charles River. He quietly arranged for the wine and turned his attention to the woman at his side.

The physician had been watching him, how he moved, how his voice was smooth and commanding. The man had presence. She smiled slightly. No, this man would not be dining alone; any woman would gladly join him. Of all the women he could select why had he selected her?

"I'm so glad you called, Dr. Hoffman. I would be dining alone tonight."

"Really? Alone, I doubt that." Julia smiled coyly, a devilish tone in her voice she added, "I thought perhaps you auotgraphed your phone number in every woman's book."

Richard laughed, "You are…...the feisty one."

Their waiter arrived with the wine, and with Richard's nod poured their glasses.

"I hoped you would appreciate the direct approach, Dr. Hoffman. Was I direct enough for you?"

"I think direct is better. Each person knows what the other person wants, it saves a great deal of time, don't you agree?"

He toyed with the ring on his left hand. Julia watched with fascination, Carter appeared calm and relaxed but his hands revealed his nervousness.

"Yes, I agree, Dr. Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman, are we going to continue the formality all evening or may I call you Julia?"

Julia nodded, "Julia, if you like, as long as I may call you Richard."

"Agreed," He announced as he reached for his wine glass. "A toast?"

Julia took the wine glass in her hand and raised it to his.

"To possibilities."

Their glasses touched, each watching the other over the rim of their glasses.

Julia turned to enjoy the view from their table deeply enjoying the cat and mouse game with Richard Carter. Turning back to her dinner companion she found him staring at her.

"It's a very nice view."She offered.

"Yes it is," he agreed without looking away from her.

Julia felt slightly uncomfortable. Her fingers slid along the smooth edge of the knife on the table, her hand toyed with the napkin in her lap.

"Tell me, Dr.… Richard, why did you invite me for dinner?"

If her question surprised him, he didn't let it show.

"I find you very interesting, and quite attractive."

"Is that all?" She asked.

He chuckled and didn't respond immediately. Julia's eyes sparkled, enjoying his silence.

Richard leaned closer, inhaling the delicate perfume she wore and softly answered her question. "I had considered making love to you, Julia Hoffman." He watched her eyes widen, her cheeks flush. It was his turn to enjoy her silence.

Leaning even closer, Julia felt the warmth of his breath on her check and the scent of his cologne, his lips lightly brushed hers, caressing softly as a feather. Richard leaned back and smiled.

Julia took a sip from her wine glass, trying to regain her thoughts and composure. This was not going to plan. The evening was supposed to be a nice meal with polite conversation, an hour of dancing and then home. Now all she could think about was his kiss, how his leg brushed against hers beneath the table, the warmth of his breath on her cheek, the scent of his cologne, the touch of his hands and more. Wasn't this what she wanted, wasn't this what she dreamed for five long years? Yes, her body screamed while her logical mind tried to maintain control.

"You're very persuasive, Richard. A woman could have a difficult time resisting your charm."

Carter perched his chin on his folded fingers and watched her with interest, enjoying the power he wielded and how quickly she had composed herself.

"I find it equally difficult resisting your charms, Julia."

She laughed at his comment.

"Don't sell yourself short," he said smiling, his tone serious, "you have a seductive aura, the way you move, the way you walk, your lips, the way your dress slips up your legs when you're seated."

Julia tugged on the hem of her dress with her hand. Damn Diane and her ideas, a dress that accentuates her figure.

"A man notices these things. You can't help it, its part of who you are."

Was he correct; was this a subconscious part of who she was? If a man could notice, why hadn't Barnabas Collins noticed in all those years, or had he knowingly refused to notice her?

What's going on here? The evening wasn't supposed to be about her love life. This was not casual conversation. It was time to turn the tables and redirect the conversation.

"I understand your great uncle was the famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter? Didn't he find King Tutankhamen's tomb?"

"Yes, that's correct." Richard answered without smiling, his hand toying with the ring on his left hand.

"And your father, Huntington Carter, didn't he also pursue treasures in Egypt as well?"

Richard Carter showed slight annoyance with her questions, but managed to muster a slight smile. "Yes, my father is Huntington Carter. Of course you noted that from my book." Why did the publisher insist on placing that information in his publications despite his protests. Would he ever be free of them? Like Blair, they were always breathing down his neck; they were the perennial monkeys on his back.

"Really, Julia, I would rather not spend this evening discussing my family."

Julia's eyes narrowed. So that's his Achilles' heel, the famous family members, particularly the father, Huntington Carter.

Richard could see the wheels turning in her head, and grew annoyed. "I suppose you're going to psychoanalyze that?"

Julia felt a pang of guilt and sorrow and could understood Richard and Barnabas' guilt and sadness concerning their life and family. Who was she to judge, she had her own demons.

Without thinking she reached out and covered his hand, her voice soft, "I'm sorry Richard, I understand how you feel. We have many other things we can discuss."

He looked down at her hand covering his, and slipped his other hand on top of hers. "Thank you," He spoke softly.

"What would you recommend from the menu?" she began, thankful that they had slowed the pace and cleared the air.

In a few moments their server appeared, and exchanged pleasantries with Richard. He seemed to have connections wherever he went. They ordered, even though Julia felt too nervous and excited to eat. Being with Richard Carter was like a roller coaster ride, reaching some imaginable height of excitement and tension, the next moment sliding down into some dark brooding secret. Their cat and mouse game had slowed, each circled the other anticipating the game to start again.

Quietly they ate their meal exchanging casual pleasantries. Julia wondered about their evening of dancing. She could hear her friend's voice, 'Julia, dancing is just another form of foreplay.' Diane was so motherly at times with her comments. Tonight was the exception, Diane hadn't said much to her, just an arched eyebrow as she closed the front door.

In the restaurant foyer Julia felt Richard's hands move along her shoulders as he helped her with her cloak. His fingers touched the fabric, trailing along the bare skin of her neck.

"This is a very unusual design," He noted, eyes narrowed in thought.

"Yes, it is," Julia answered briefly not caring to discuss the history of the cloak she wore in 1840. She avoided his eyes not wanting to discuss her secret.

The air was crisp as they stepped outside the restaurant and waited for Carter's vehicle to be brought around. Richard slipped his arm around her shoulders, and leaned toward her. "I've enjoyed spending time with you, Julia."

Looking into his sable brown eyes she felt herself melting.

"Yes, it has been enjoyable." She replied weakly. Richard heard the deep moan of the engine as the attendant slowed his car in the drive. Carter stepped to a gunmetal gray Porsche roadster and opened the door for her. The attendant tossed him his keys.

"Good night, Dr. Carter."

"Good night, Maurice." Richard slid in behind the wheel and started the engine.

"I should have expected this," Julia replied, admiring the interior of the sports car and her close proximity to Richard Carter.

"What?" he asked.

Before she could reply, his fingers turned her chin and kissed her firmly. Julia was thankful she was seated, again feeling out of breath and light-headed.

Richard leaned back in his seat. "Did you expect that?"

"No, but I should have." She laughed.

Richard chuckled and eased the car out into traffic, heading to his favorite club for dancing.

She hadn't been dancing in ages and heard her mother's voice. 'Julia, a proper young woman needs to be trained in personal etiquette, entertaining guests and dancing.' Her mother had envisioned ballroom dancing, not the modern sensual dancing, no tangos or rumbas for her daughter. At her weekly dance lessons Julia made sure she learned all the dances.

As a young girl she felt tall and awkward, the dance lessons had given her a chance to realize she had poise and grace. Tall and slender she moved gracefully on the dance floor. Many of her dance partners were much shorter, but as she aged her height was no longer a concern.

How long had it been since she had been on a 'date'? Her career had made dating difficult, if not impossible. But the rules for dating were still fresh in her mind. She had enjoyed the game with Richard, but the game could become very real. She had sipped her wine slowly, and at the club she would drink very little. If she were not careful she knew where she could easily awaken tomorrow morning.

She let her eyes move over Richard Carter, taking in the way his muscles pressed against the fabric of his clothes as he drove, turning the wheel, shifting gears. Clothing seemed to be a necessary annoyance to him; his body seemed freer in the swimsuit. Without warning he turned, his dark brown eyes penetrating hers. For a moment she felt guilty for looking at him in such a lustful manner. What was wrong with her? Had it been so long since she had been with a man? Was she feeling and living all her romantic thoughts about Barnabas Collins? Were the haunted sable brown eyes Richard's or Barnabas'?

She smiled weakly, "Are we almost there?"

Richard flashed a boyish grin, down shifted and turned the wheel sharply sending the sports car roaring down a narrow side street.

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Later that evening, Diane Sanger's townhouse

Diane Sanger sat at her dining room table smoking a cigarette, watching the news, preparing a grant for the laboratory when Julia Hoffman walked in. Sanger's eyes were dreamy, watching the smoke trailing upward. She watched her friend slide the cloak from her shoulders and place it in the closet. Julia wearily sat down in the chair opposite her friend. Sanger could detect the faint odor of cologne and leather wafting across the table.

Diane's eyebrows arched. "Well, Cinderella, you're home early."

Julia nodded. Diane's eyes and mind analyzed and checked every detail noticing the flush in Julia's cheeks, hair a little disheveled, and no lipstick. Patiently she waited for Julia to speak, flicking the ashes in the ashtray.

"I can't imagine an evening with Richard Carter could be uninteresting." She had tossed out the bait and waited for her friend to take it. How well did she know Julia Hoffman?

Julia leaned back, ran her fingers through her hair, sighed deeply. "I'm tired, Diane. I'll see you in the morning."

Diane watched with amazement as Julia rose from the table and moved down the hallway to her room. She wasn't ready to discuss her evening. The wild ride with Richard Carter had just begun. Julia stepped out of her dress and underclothes and into the shower. The hot water poured over her body. She had enjoyed the dancing very much and had never felt more stimulated and aroused in her life. Richard was a great dancer as she knew he would be. And yes, mother, she had enjoyed the dancing and it was like foreplay.

While they danced cheek to cheek, Richard had whispered. "You dance very well, Julia. Perhaps you didn't spend all that time in the library after all.

She moved the washcloth while her mind recalled the evening. He had asked if she had a practice in Boston? Where was Wynncliff? What kind of medicine did she practice? Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought. The hot water rinsed away the soap as she turned, her skin turning a rosy pink. Turning further, she let the water trail down her chest and abdomen and thought about their goodnight kiss, leaning against the wall of the shower stall feeling a state of euphoria.

Julia relived the delight of his goodnight kiss, his lips hungrily caressiing hers, his hands slipping beneath her cloak sliding along the fabric of her dress, she felt his aroused state as he pulled her close, his hands pressing her hips firmly against his. Julia turned down the hot water, letting the cold water increase.

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Richard Carter's townhouse

Richard Carter stepped from the shower, grabbed a towel, dried, wrapped it around his waist.

Julia Hoffman is perfect! He thought, with a bounce in his step.

'She's intelligent, independent, a hematologist, a woman, a little older than he was accustomed, but otherwise perfect.'

Carter tossed the towel aside, slipped on pajama bottoms, turned on his desk lamp and looked over the private detective report. After their meeting he called a friend, a private detective, and started his own research on Dr. Julia Hoffman. Her credentials were quite impressive. Actually, he was envious of her accomplishments. It was clearly obvious, Julia Hoffman was ambitious. He would have to play to that ambition if he were to enlist her help. He would offer her an opportunity she could not refuse. It had been five long years since she had published anything. How could she turn down the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Richard Carter? He had another book signing obligation in New York City. He would ask her to join him.

He began to turn out the light, paused, recalling how she had taken his hand, spoken words of comfort and understanding. He felt her warmth and kindness, and for a moment he was free of his demons. He shook his head. She's a psychologist, that's what they do, it means nothing.

Suddenly his head and chest began to tighten and throb, urgently he looked for the wooden chest next to his bed, kneeling, he opened it, reached inside and took out the mask. Deep in the Yucatan cave system he found the mask amid the remains of the first shaman. The mask was there along with the manuscript and map.

The mask consisted of the top portion of a human skull. Below the eye sockets tiny holes held strands of dark human hair fastened along the margin. In the confines of the cave he had removed his diving mask and placed the mask over his own face. It seemed like only a second, but the coma-like state lasted for at least an hour. During that time he had a remarkable dream, a dream where all was revealed to him.

Richard reclined on the bed and placed the mask on his face, breathed deeply, the throbbing stopped, his body drifting, waiting patiently for the dream.

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The next morning, Diane Sanger's townhouse

Julia smelled the aroma of coffee while moving down the hallway to the kitchen. Upstairs she heard Diane's footsteps as she dressed and prepared for a day at the lab.

She had made some very promising connections during the convention. First she needed coffee, strong and hot. Yes, Diane, I know, like our men. Her lips pulled into a lopsided grin. Pouring the coffee she noticed the cutting board with homemade bread, a small container of honey-butter and a decorative basket filled with ripe peaches. Julia sipped her coffee, removed a small plate from the cabinet and cut a slice from the loaf and applied a thin layer of honey-butter. Sitting at the kitchen table she stared at the bread and basket of peaches.

'Eliot.' She thought sadly. Like the robe and slippers she wore, he was her soft and comforting presence. She smelled the yeasty freshness of the bread and the sweet aroma of honey and recalled their last evening together. She did miss seeing him. She could always rely on Eliot and his concern for her. They had parted in anger and that bothered her. Julia stared at the basket of peaches and recalled the cobbler he had prepared for her that evening. How could she begin to apologize? Or did she only want to apologize to relieve her guilt? Or was there more?

Julia looked up to see Diane Sanger pouring coffee.

"Good-morning."

Diane sipped her coffee before replying, "Good-morning, you're up bright and early. Your big date didn't slow you down?"

Julia gave a deep chuckle. "You're just dying to know all the details of my evening with Richard Carter."

Her friend brought her coffee cup to the kitchen table and waited patiently.

"You were right, Diane, our men are strong and hot like our coffee."

Sanger gave a throaty laugh, anxiously waiting to live the romance vicariously through Julia.

"And?"

"And," Julia continued, "we enjoyed an evening of dinner and dancing."

Diane's eyes narrowed, and gestured with her fingers, indicating more, more. Julia enjoyed toying with her friend, postponing the drama, until she could see Diane was ready to explode.

"Richard Carter knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. He's very charming."

Diane anxiously moved her fingers, indicating more, more.

"And yes, Diane, he is very sexy. The man oozes sex appeal and is very much aware of his sexual powers."

Her friend smiled with some satisfaction. "Will you see him again?"

Julia finished the bread, and sipped her coffee, contemplating the answer to Diane's question.

Finally, Julia waved her hand in dismissal, "I doubt if I'll see him again. I'm not sure I'm really his type."

~~~tbc~~~