Free More Than One Night by Marie Tuhart Page B

ear.
    “Not a good idea.” She fought against the chill of anticipation he words created in her. No matter how much her body wanted him or desired to spend more than a single night with him, she couldn’t do it. Her past had taught her too well. A sigh escaped her.
    “That was a deep sigh. What are you thinking?” He nudged her hair out of the way, his moist breath now caressing her neck.
    A past which was now crowding into her mind, a past that reminded her that men couldn’t be trusted. That men walked away when things got tough—her father had, her mother’s lovers had, her ex-boyfriends had. Men were damn fickle creatures.
    And though her heart cried out that Jake was different, she couldn’t accept it. Even now as his heat invaded her body, she could barely think. But men with money didn’t have girlfriends like her. Just like an old fashion movie, he was the rich man and she was the chauffeur’s daughter. Okay for a tumble or two, but not to take home to daddy.
    “You’re caviar and fine wine. I’m peanuts and beer.” She wanted him to understand it wasn’t him as a person, it was who he was. A man in his position couldn’t afford a woman like her in his life. And she had more pride than to prostitute herself that way. She wouldn’t be like her mother.
    “What’s given you that impression?” There was curiosity in his voice.
    “The way you dress.” She was grasping at straws, but she had to do something to get him to back away.
    “I can go naked.” He nipped at her ear lobe. “But only when we’re alone. Doing so in public would get me arrested.”
    She pressed her forehead against the wooden door. “I’m trying to be serious here.”
    “And I’m not?”
    A moan escaped her lips when his tongue traced the shell of her ear. Why could such a simple gesture melt her heart? She closed her eyes fighting to concentrate. “Your apartment rent is probably more than I make in a year.”
    “Since I own it, that’s a moot point.”
    His lips now trailed over her jaw, his free hand tilting her head back to rest against his shoulder.
    “According to Carla, you’re one of the most eligible bachelors in San Francisco.”
    “That doesn’t mean I’m not a nice guy.” He nuzzled her neck and she fought not to melt into his touch. “Normally I have women tripping over their feet because of my money. So am I getting this right, you’re pushing me away because I’m rich?”
    She wanted to laugh at his incredulous tone, but somehow she didn’t think that would help matters.
    “Yes.”
    “You’re a reverse snob.” His lips disappeared and suddenly she was being turned.
    “I am not.” Her chin came up. Just because she didn’t want to get into a relationship with a man who could shatter her heart didn’t make her a snob. Cautious, yes.
    “Then go out with me.”
    She shook her head.
    “Give me one good reason why?” He stared at her with those forest green eyes and her heart stuttered.
    Drawing in a shaky breath, she said, “It’s obvious you’re used to getting your way and women always oblige.”
    “I won’t state the obvious, but you didn’t answer my question.”
    “You’re used to playing games with women, both in and out of bed. I’m not good at games.”
    “You haven’t played them with me.” His thumb rubbed over her lips in a brief caress. But she didn’t respond to his words. “I know we skipped a few phases of courtship, but I’m willing to take a step back and start from the beginning.”
    Was he being dense or not listening to her? What could she say to make him angry enough to walk away and forget about her? Her belly turned somersaults as she thought of the one thing guaranteed to make a man run. But he wasn’t giving her a choice. She needed her life back, a life without him in it.
    “I hate to tell you this Jake, umm…you know it wasn’t exactly good for me Friday night.” She was lying from the top of her head to the end of her toenails. Their loving