Worlds Apart Read online

  It would never be enough.

  He rolled off her, his legs entwined with hers, and slipped an arm under her head. With his other hand, he cupped a breast, and smiled. “I went a little fast, I'm afraid,” he said as he rubbed her nipple between his fingers.

  She drew closer, her hand tracing along his spine. “I was in a hurry, myself,” she admitted. A mischievous grin dashed across her face. “Maybe now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can take a little more time.” Her lips were soft, her kiss as gentle as his.

  “You read my mind,” he murmured. He tugged on her nipple and felt her shiver.

  “I'll try to take my time.” She pressed closer. “But you're not making it easy.”

  He kissed her for an answer, a long, gentle exploration as he pinched her nipple between his fingers. She grew warmer against him, her fingers stroking down his butt, sending throbs of desire through him. He stretched beside her, pulled her arm away and pinned it to the bed behind her. He held her still as his mouth tasted the nipple he'd been pinching. It was hard against his tongue and she moaned, pulling away even as her legs tightened around his.

  He'd make sure she was patient, whether she wanted to be or not.

  Chapter 3

  Footsteps in the hallway woke Tina to the darkness of early morning. Clive slept beside her, his breath passing softly along the top of her head. His hand covered hers in a warm grip atop her stomach.

  He had indeed made up for Portland.

  Wonder if there’s time for more. But the thought vanished as hunger made itself savagely apparent. Her light dinner the evening before, followed by more alcohol than she should have had, left her shaking with low blood sugar.

  She reached to nudge the clock in her direction. Six a.m. Good. The kitchen was open and she could present herself for Eddie’s breakfast special in in a few quick minutes.

  She moved the blankets and tried to slide out without waking Clive. No such luck, though. He grabbed her hand as she sat up. She smiled down at him, but pulled away. “I've got to work this morning. And I'm starving. Blood sugar's crashed. Gotta have breakfast.”

  He sat up and pressed his hand into her back. “I have an orange,” he said, before jumping to his feet on the other side of the bed. He grabbed his backpack from its perch against the wall. Tina watched him, pulling the blanket around her shoulders. He dug around the bag for several seconds, and eventually produced the orange, scattering clothing in his haste. He ripped the fruit in half, peeled it quickly, and handed it to her. She popped two sections into her mouth while he peeled the other half.

  He shook his head as she tore into the second piece. “This won't do,” he said. “That should hold you for a few minutes. Why don't you hop in the shower and I'll dig up some food? I can't send you away when you're practically fainting. Does this place have room service?”

  The orange was already raising her blood sugar, and she decided his plan was perfect. She rarely hung around after a night with a guy, but this one had her radar buzzing. It was sweet of him to take care of her like this. Besides, he’d looked kind of cute standing naked in the cold room, peeling an orange for her.

  “Steak and eggs,” she told him as she stood up, letting the blanket fall back to the bed. “Over easy. With country potatoes and whole grain toast. And coffee!”

  She left him to it and dashed into the bathroom.

  ~~

  He was setting the food on the room’s bistro table when Tina emerged. Her shaking had stopped, but hunger still gnawed at her, so she just slipped on her jeans and sweater and joined him at the table. She didn’t bother to talk for the first few minutes and neither did he.

  Half the eggs and potatoes seemed to settle them both, and Clive refilled their coffee cups. He regarded her as he took a sip. “So where do you work?” he asked. “I hope I haven't made you late.”

  She cut her steak. “No, I'm fine. Office hours don't start until nine. As long as I'm there by then, my nurse won't yell at me.”

  “Your nurse? Are you a doctor?”

  “A general practitioner. One of two in town.”

  “Now that surprises me.” He leaned back in his chair.

  “What surprises you?”

  “I would expect a woman like you to be in the city. Working in a hospital or something.”

  “A woman like me?” She couldn’t decide whether to be amused or insulted. “What do you mean by that?”

  He laughed and shook his head. “You like a good time. You'll never convince me otherwise.” He pointed his fork at her in mock sternness. “You're missing out on all the clubs in the city.”

  She sipped her coffee, glad he could see that part of her. She wondered how long he would be in town. “You've only seen part of the picture. I do like a good time.” She reached across the table to brush a soft caress on his arm. “But this town is a great place to live.”

  She squeezed his hand and nabbed another piece of toast as she continued. “Portland's not far. Things get too dry around here, I like to spend a couple days up there.”

  It was too bad they hadn’t had a chance to try some of the things she went to Portland for. Tina had a feeling Clive would be good at them.

  “Okay.” He sounded a little relieved at her explanation. “So I didn't rob you of your grocery money when I barged into your game last night? You seemed so anxious to win it back, I was a little concerned.”

  “Oh, brother.” She laughed. “Not my grocery money. Mike's.”

  He looked confused. “But he got his money. That was the deal.”

  “That's the problem,” Tina said. “Mike's a good guy. He would never have hit me, not in a million years. He loves his family, and he’s a hard worker. But he likes to gamble. Has a real hard time controlling it. He tries, but every couple of weeks, he's back downstairs losing his paycheck. So the regulars have a sort of system. Whatever we win from him, we turn over to his wife.” She shrugged. “Not everybody turns it over. They figure they won fair and square, they should keep it. But some of us give it back.” She grinned at Clive over her cup.

  He slapped his forehead. “So when I gave him his money back, he proceeded to lose it again?”

  She nodded. “I can practically guarantee it. So I wanted to win some extra, to cover it.”

  “That's a very kind thing to do.”

  “It's a small-town thing. Which is a big part of the reason I like living here. That, and the fact that it's far enough from my mother that she rarely visits.”

  That made him laugh. “Oh, come on. I bet your mother adores you.”

  She grinned and took a moment to look him over. The first couple of buttons on his flannel shirt were undone and dark hair peeked out above them. Her gaze dropped to his belt and she licked her lips. He probably would be good at it. She felt sure she could trust him with it.

  He shifted in his seat, and her smile widened as she brought her eyes back to his face. Was he blushing?

  “My mother loves me,” she admitted. “But I embarrass her with my wanton ways. Mom's Bible Belt, through and through.” She glanced at the rumpled bed, then hiked a shoulder as she sent Clive a teasing look. “I actually like the belt part.”

  Interest lit his face as he looked at the bed and at the clock beyond it. “Not enough time to put that to the test, is there?”

  Her own face flushed hot and she licked her lips again. Maybe… But she looked at the clock and shook her head. “I don’t think so. I need to get going.”

  He looked so disappointed she stood up and went around the table. He watched her come, pushing his chair back as she squeezed between him and the table. She sat, straddling his lap, her hands resting on his shoulders. Dare she suggest he stay for the weekend? How would he respond?

  He cupped her breasts, sliding the material of the sweater over her nipples. Heat flowed over her as she bent her head to kiss him.

  He gave a sudden twist to her nipples, making her gasp. “A few minutes.” He whispered against her lips. “You want
it. I can give it to you. I’ll make you feel it all day.”

  Her whole body buzzed at his words. She deepened the kiss while her hands moved to his buttons. He let go of her tits to unbuckle his belt, pulling it off in one quick sweep. She watched him, anticipation surging through her. He snapped the belt once, bringing its end cracking against her. She hardly felt it, though, and sat straight, staring at him in challenge.

  “Jeans,” she said.

  “So take them off.”

  I have to go to work. She hesitated at the thought, and he suddenly took charge, his jaw tense with demand. In a few quick seconds, he brought the belt to her chest and wrapped it around her. He closed the buckle on a nipple. Pressure mounted within her, pushing her close to a climax. She bit her lip, but didn’t move.

  His expression was fierce and he tightened the buckle another notch. “Take them off.”

  To hell with the time. She moved to obey, her hands scrambling to unbutton the jeans. There were four buttons holding the jeans closed, and he kept the belt tight until she got the last one undone. She gasped with pain and desire, watching his eyes the whole time. She saw approval in them, then he pushed her to her feet. The belt was tight on her chest, but she wriggled the jeans down. Before she got her feet out of them, he turned her around and pushed her onto the bed on her stomach.

  Her heart pounded in anxious desire and she pressed into the bed with a moan.

  He pulled the belt away from her chest and stretched it out in front of her. He slipped her sweater over her head, but left it on so that her arms were trapped above her shoulders. She shivered as his hands brushed over her back.

  “What beautiful skin,” he murmured into her ear. His breath was warm and she could sense him straddling her. He reached under her to squeeze her breasts. “So smooth. Flawless.” He kissed a shoulder blade, then bit the other one, making her jerk in shock. He swatted her bottom with a powerful crack. She moaned, rising closer to a climax. He was going to drive her mad.

  He stood and pulled her panties down to join the jeans around her ankles. Waves of desire nearly drowned her as she lay exposed to him, trapped and helpless.

  He rubbed her bottom where he’d hit her, his touch gentle. “So beautiful. Ah, Tina. Such a beautiful ass.”

  She couldn’t raise her head much but she saw the belt move as he picked it up. He snapped it against her. She muffled her cry into the bed and raised her hips. He snapped the belt again, then higher, this time on her back.

  He cursed and dropped the belt next to her. She heard him stripping quickly, heard his sigh as he finished. He picked up the belt and rolled her over, still trapped in her clothes. She wiped a tear on her arm as she looked him over. His cock was swollen and huge. She licked her lips.

  Again, he slipped the belt under her back and pulled it up to close the buckle on her tits. Without the sweater, the naked nipple poked through and he lowered his head to suck it, pulling hard. She arched against him, crazy with pain and the nearness of her climax. When her groans turned into a whimper, he stopped and moved his mouth to hers.

  He surprised her with the tenderness of his kiss. It let her move back from the steep cliff of desire, and after a moment she responded in kind. His lips were so soft. He cradled her head in gentle hands and she let herself swoon in his care.

  But she was falling too far from the cliff. Anxious to not lose her pending climax, she grabbed his tongue with her teeth, just shy of a real bite. She felt his surprise, then he reached for the belt. She let him go, certain he would punish her. She soared back up the cliff as he tore the belt away and flipped her back to her stomach. He took her jeans completely off, freeing her legs. Before she could move, the belt slashed across her bottom once more.

  She buried her head in the blankets, nearly at the top of the cliff. He mounted her, probing her with his dick. She spread her legs, bucking against him. He pushed into her with a deep groan and she fell into an eternity of throbbing heat. His climax was right behind hers, filling her completely with vast, hard thrusts.

  When he collapsed beside her, she turned to him. Scrambling free of the sweater, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, and buried her tear-stained face in his chest.

  She’d never felt this good. It was like he could see what she needed to have. Even his tenderness had been exactly the right amount, at the right time.

  He held her now, as he caught his breath, touching her constantly. She concentrated on the feel of his hands as he stroked her hair and back and arms with long, gentle caresses.

  Had it meant the same to him? Will he ask to see me again? Would he stay if I asked?

  She certainly wanted to see him again.

  She sniffed, using the sheet to wipe her face before smiling up at him. He put a finger under her chin and rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Are you all right?” he asked. “I'm afraid I hurt you.”

  “I'm wonderful,” she said, rubbing his back. “You were amazing. Just amazing.”

  He laughed a little. “Inspired is more like it.” He kissed her again, a light touch on her lips. When he pulled away to look at her, she ran a finger over his lips, wishing he could hold her all morning. That brought a reminder of the time.

  “Now I'm really late,” she said.

  “I refuse to apologize.”

  She laughed and propped herself on an elbow. “I wonder….” She stroked his chest with a finger. She wished that he would ask her.

  He touched her face, his eyes showing his puzzlement at her hesitation.

  “I know I'm just supposed to say 'thanks' and 'good-bye,'” she continued. “But I… this was wonderful, Clive. I mean that. I've never felt like this before.” She bit her lip, looking to his chest again, this time in embarrassment. “I'm really messing this up. But… will you be around longer? Maybe we….”

  He shook his head. “I can't, Tina,” he said. “I'd give anything if I could.”

  She stiffened with humiliation. Unable to look at him, she just nodded and slipped off the bed. Her sweater seemed to jump to her hands and she pulled it over her head.

  “I know,” she said, grabbing her pants. “I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry.” She buttoned the jeans.

  He stood and touched her back, but she moved away to search for her socks.

  “Tina, please,” he said. “Let me explain.”

  “You don't have to explain.” She knew her laugh sounded false as she looked at him without meeting his eyes. “Just forget it, okay? We had a good time. A great time. But I really have to get to work.”

  He reached for her, turned her to face him. She tightened her lips, but forced herself to look at him. Damn him. He’s going to give me a line. As if it mattered.

  He held both her hands, looking into her eyes. “If I could stay with anyone, it would be you. I know that sounds like a line, but it's true. You're such a giving person.”

  Bastard. She tried to pull away but he squeezed her hands. “I noticed it all night,” he went on. “Downstairs with your friends. While we were dancing, and especially while we were making love. All night, you gave and gave. Not love. You don't even know me. But you gave a part of yourself.”

  His hands tightened on hers again. She thought he looked desperate. “I would give anything to stay. But I can't, Tina. I don't dare.”

  She stared at him, uncertain. Then her humiliation returned, along with a resolve to escape with whatever dignity she could muster.

  She reclaimed her hands. “Okay. I understand.” She turned to pick up her boots and sat on the bed to put them on. He stood in the middle of the room, naked and probably cold, but he didn’t move. He just watched her.

  She threw on her coat and grabbed her purse before looking back. He looked so vulnerable that her uncertainty returned. Had he meant what he said?

  “I had a good time, Clive,” she said. “You take care.”

  She left, and he never tried to stop her.

  Chapter 4

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” Tina chanted under
her breath as she clambered down the stairs and past the inn's front desk. She managed to toss a wave and shaky smile to the clerk. She didn't cry until she reached her car.

  Even then, she didn't cry long. She rested her head and arms on the steering wheel as a spate of hot tears fell from her eyes. But it was stupid, and after a moment she sat up, wiped her face, and started the car. I knew better. He was like no other man I've ever been with, but he's still just a man. There was no reason to think he wanted anything more than sex. No matter how good it was.

  Not that she'd asked very many men. Tina's radar was always out for that possible Special Man, but most of the men she dated didn't send any pings her way. She enjoyed her night with them, and went on her way in the morning. Or even right afterward. It was unusual for her to spend the night with a guy.

  She guided the car down the tavern's steep hill and turned onto the road toward her house. The rain had stopped. Occasional splats of water from the laden trees hit her windshield. There was even a patch of sunlight breaking through the clouds to light the treetops. It was a gorgeous morning.

  She was late. Two cars were parked in front of the clinic, Sharon's old green clunker, and Mrs. Reynold’s new blue Ford. Great. Her first patient was waiting for her. Sharon would be having conniptions. Tina's house was across from the clinic, and she pulled into her garage just as her cell phone rang. She pulled it out as she climbed out of the car, knowing it was Sharon.

  “I'm coming. Give me ten minutes.” Sharon’s answer was a sigh. Tina sputtered a laugh as she raced to her bedroom, tearing off last night's clothes as she went. It wasn't as if she did this all the time.

  The clinic's porch light was still on against the winter morning gloom, and the light in the reception room showed through the window, although Sharon had not yet opened the blinds. Tina let herself in the back door of the clinic and slipped into her office. She poked the intercom to Sharon's phone. “I'm here,” she announced.