Worlds Apart

by Stein Willard

“I would love to dance with you.”

  They move to the dancefloor to the cheering of the crowd and found a less crowded space. “As you’ve noticed by now, our dancing is different from what you are used to. The women dance to entice, using their hips and tossing their hair. The men accept and try to show off their athleticism and rhythm by moving in and out of the woman’s personal space.” She saw Tia bite her lower lip and smiled. “We can go for a walk instead.”

  Tia’s chin jutted out stubbornly. “Teach me.”

  A warmth settled in Oasis’ chest as she looked at the beautiful woman. Before she could stop herself, she leaned down and pressed her lips against Tia’s. They were both shocked by the act and found themselves staring at each other.

  “I know how to kiss, Lord Pope. I want you to teach me how to dance like a gypsy woman.”

  Oasis blinked a few times, before she threw her head back and laughed. “Certainly, milady.” Had it been any other woman than Tia, Oasis was sure she would’ve received a stinging slap in return for her forwardness. “Three things; footwork, hips and eye contact. You need to defend your personal space from unwanted dancers and only allow the one that you want, to come close.”

  “That sounds manageable,” Tia responded haughtily.

  Oasis loved when Tia’s upper-class upbringing surfaced at the most inappropriate times. It makes her want to drag the woman to the nearest bed and try to see how long it would take for her to be turned into a sweaty, begging mess. She felt a stirring in her nether regions and she inhaled deeply. The music changed to a slow, haunting melody of an unrequited love affair and catching her aunt’s eyes over Tia’s shoulder, she knew that her mischievous surrogate mother had something to do with the musical choice. “Step back from me and using your hips, try to push me out of your personal space.”

  Tia nodded and immediately did as she was instructed. The loose skirt added to the sway of her hips making them rock sensuously. Oasis swallowed hard. Bloody hell, what was she thinking trying to teach the woman how to dance. She might not always show it, but it was evident that Tia possessed a natural sensuality about her. It took all her concentration to stay in step with the beat as she stomped her feet and kicked them high to show off her litheness. Tia took note, her eyes hooded as she peered at Oasis from under her eyelashes. The blonde wiggled her chest and the tight blouse failed to keep the full breasts underneath immobile. Oasis almost melted in a puddle at the act and she knew her eyes were ablaze with hunger when they met Tia’s. Blue and black gazes held as the melody pulled them together. Suddenly, Tia stopped repelling her attempts to enter her personal space and Oasis slipped through until she was close enough to smell the citrusy scent of her body and the lavender in her hair. The song ended with Oasis grabbing hold of Tia and pressing herself up against the blonde. There was loud applause, but neither of them heard it as they stared at each other, their lips very close.

  “You let me in.”

  “Of course. I trust you.”

  Oasis swallowed. Would Tia feel the same after tonight? Because Oasis didn’t trust herself this close to the other woman. She will have to find a place to sleep and offer her cabin to Tia.

  “Beautiful,” Aunt Malina gushed as she inserted herself between them, handing each a cup of wine. “We eat now.”

  ***

  Tia’s blood was still thrumming after the dance and she was struggling to keep her eyes off Pope. She had been pulled aside by the women and now she was busy dishing up heaping plates of stew and potatoes.

  “Oasis is thin. Put more potatoes for him,” Pope’s aunt said as she pushed the plate back at Tia. She looked at the already heaping plate and shrugged. She added another spoonful and handed it back to Malina. “You take it. This one is for you.” Tia stood looking around. Who was Oasis and how did they expect her to find him? There were at least twenty grown men in the crowd. “There.” Malina pointed out the elusive Oasis. Tia was shocked when she pointed out Pope.

  She made her way over to him while the younger girls and other women served the men and the children. Pope, or Oasis, she wasn’t sure what to call him now, got up as she approached. He was smiling broadly and Tia almost fell over her feet at the sight of those irresistible dimples. What was this man doing to her? Slightly vexed at herself for still not knowing the answer to that question, she pushed the plate out at him. His smile dimmed a bit and she read confusion in his eyes.

  “I’m hungry. It’s been a while since lunch,” she said by way of an apology.

  “I’ve kept a place for you.”

  She took a seat on the bench and when he joined her, she rolled her eyes at the close fit. Now how was she supposed to swallow her food when she was practically sitting in his lap? Looking down at her plate, she realised that there was no spoon.

  “I forgot to bring a spoon.”

  “We rarely use spoons.” A young girl approached them with a plate with flat bread and Pope took a few. “Watch what I’m doing. You take a piece of the bread and fold it over a piece of the stew and the potatoes.” He popped the small parcel into his mouth and chewed. Tia was fixated by his lips and his jaw as he chewed. Had she always been attracted to men and not known about it? She was twenty-six years old, for goodness sake. How could she not have known? Or was it simply that this man had bewitched her and now she was caught in this strange world where she was utterly captivated by him?

  “Tia. Lady Tia.” Pope’s voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

  “Yes.”

  “If you want, I can get them to bring you a spoon.” His eyes were concerned as they studied her. “No one would find it strange. Many from the village come over for festivals and they almost always use spoons.”

  She looked around them and to her dismay found that some of the young girls were sneaking looks at Pope. Tia made peace with her plan at that moment, and to spite those girls, she was going to eat every last morsel on her plate without using a spoon. They could have him afterwards, but tonight, he was hers.

  “No, show me again.”

  It took some manoeuvring, but thirty minutes later, her plate was empty and her dark blouse stained in a few places. She looked up at Pope and found him looking at her with unmistakable admiration. She grinned sheepishly, not sure how to respond to his approval. “It was delicious.”

  “It is one of my favourite dishes.”

  “Your aunt made sure that you had the biggest plate. Now I know why.” She took a sip from her wine and looked back at him. “Why does she call you Oasis?” Tia noted that Pope’s eyes narrowed a little at the query.

  “Because that’s my Romani name. I was born Oasis, but my father changed it as soon as I was big enough to pronounce it.”

  Oops, she was treading dangerously close to his painful past. “What do you want me to call you then?”

  Pope hesitated, a strange look flashed over his face. “You know me as Benedict Pope.”

  “What does Caleb call you?”

  “Ben or Oasis, depends on what he wants from me.” This time the dark eyes twinkled. “He is that predicable.”

  Tia smiled as she looked at the people talking and laughing around the fire. She glanced over at him to find him watching her closely. “I’ll decide what I want to call you.”

  He smiled and held out his cup to be filled again by a passing girl.

  ***

  “Will you do it? For me?”

  Malina glared at Oasis and shook her head. “Since when have you become such a coward, Oasis? The woman came here for you and she has been making her intent clear all night. And I can tell you that she has no intention of sleeping in my hut while you are here in the camp.”

  Oasis pinched the bridge of her nose. “You don’t understand, beebee.”

  “What is it I don’t understand? That you are a woman and want another woman? That is no news to anyone. That she, a woman of power and position, spends her evening with us, just so she could be close to you. Now that, my child, is news. Good news.”

&nb
sp; Tia wanted her? That was preposterous. If the blonde had wanted Oasis as her lover, she would’ve had Oasis already. Tia was not a coward. But then why wait all this time and come to Trenton Hall and the Romani camp now? Maybe they should remain at the fire and talk once everyone had gone to their homes.

  “Go now, before she becomes worried. I had Titi put fresh linen on the beds.” She was unceremoniously pushed out of the hut and the door slammed in her face. She turned to find Tia standing by the fire, alone and looking lost. She quickly approached her and smiled apologetically.

  “I was trying to arrange some place to sleep for you, but my aunt’s hut is already full.”

  The blue eyes were calm as they regarded her. “Where will you sleep?”

  Oasis pointed at the hut at the far end of the camp. “That one is mine.”

  “Then that is where I’ll be sleeping.” Tia began to walk in the direction of the hut and Oasis quickly followed her. The hut was her childhood home and her father had been adamant that it be extended to include a separate room for Oasis where she could read and do her schoolwork. She opened the door and allowed Tia inside. The small rustic cabin smelled of wildflowers and sandalwood and Oasis made a mental promise to strangle her aunt for being behind this seductive arrangement.

  “Let me give you a short tour.” She closed the door and walked deeper into the cabin. She took Tia through the small water closet—also her father’s doing—her bedroom, the kitchen and her mother’s bedroom.

  “It looks small from the outside,” Tia said as Oasis began to build a fire. It would rain later and a drop in temperature was expected. Once the fire was burning cheerily, she turned to Tia. “Would you like something to drink? Tea, perhaps?”

  “No, thank you. Where will I sleep?”

  “You can take my mother’s room.”

  Tia smiled. “Goodnight, Oasis.”

  Oasis felt a fluttering in her stomach at hearing her real name on Tia’s lips. “Goodnight, Tia.”

  When Tia had left the room, she made sure to bank the fire for the night and grabbing a skin with water, made her way to her bedroom. She kicked off her boots and using the water in the pitcher, rinsed her face before she threw herself on the bed. Rolling thunder sounded and a few minutes later, heavy rain came down. Oasis turned on her side and sighed. She replayed the evening in her mind and found herself smiling as she recalled their dance. Tia was the ultimate seductress. Those blue eyes looking at her from under golden eyelashes. Her red lips smiling as she lured Oasis closer only to deter her with a sensuous sway of her hips. Dear heavens, was she even going to get any sleep tonight? The feather mattress dipped unexpectedly and Oasis looked over her shoulder, her mouth falling open as she slowly sat up.

  “Tia? What…what are you doing?”

  Tia’s knee rested on the bed, her body wrapped in a sheet and her hair tumbling down her shoulders. The blue eyes were dark with dread as she looked at Oasis. “Tia?”

  “Just don’t turn me away.”

  Oasis swallowed heavily. “But…but I…Why? Why are you doing this, Tia?”

  Tia looked away and Oasis could see that the hands holding the ends of the sheet together were trembling. “Don’t you want to be with me, Oasis?”

  Oh, now, don’t use my name! My name on your lips is like a weapon aimed straight at my heart. Oasis came to her feet so she was standing before the blonde. “I do, but…”

  “Isn’t that all that counts?” Tia’s voice was soft, uncertain. Oasis gently took her chin in his hand and turned Tia’s face so their eyes could meet.

  “But I’m not sure that this is really what you want.”

  Tia frowned. “How do you know my mind?”

  “I don’t, but I can tell by looking at you that you’re not comfortable being here, doing this.”

  Tia hoisted herself on her tips of her toes and pressed her lips to Oasis’. The kiss stared off with bruising intent, gradually transforming into a slow, erotic massage as Tia’s tongue slipped inside Oasis’ mouth and ran over the roof of her mouth. The unhurried lick made Oasis shudder and she lifted Tia in her arms and gently lay her down on the bed.

  She lifted her mouth from Tia’s to look into her eyes. “I didn’t want it to be like this, Tia.” She gently loosened Tia’s hold on the sheet and unwrapped the blonde like a long-awaited parcel. The full breasts with its pink tipped nipples made her mouth water and she dipped her head and sucked a nipple into her mouth. Tia’s back arched and Oasis used her hand to fondle the other breast. They fit so well in her hand and Oasis couldn’t help but think again that this woman was made just for her. She switched her mouth to the other breast and this time her hand slipped over the smooth curve of Tia’s hip and beneath. She grabbed a handful of the soft derriere and felt her clit twitch when Tia gasped. Oasis made herself a promise that she would get to every part of Tia’s body before the sun rose the next day and she was going to enjoy every moment of it. When her hand slipped between the quivering thighs, she hissed at the slick wetness she encountered there. Like a child having discovered a new toy, she hastily kissed the nipple and slowly moved down Tia’s body, all the while leaving warm open-mouth kisses until she had reached her destination. She looked up and found Tia watching her, her mouth slightly open in a pant.

  Oasis pulled back the soft, swollen lips and ran her tongue slowly between the folds. Tia threw her head back and the trembling in her thighs increased. Having missed the most intimate taste and smell of Tia, Oasis feasted hungrily on the blonde as Tia panted loudly. She smiled when she let up only to have Tia grab Oasis’ hair and press her face back between her legs. Oasis almost came when Tia slowly thrust and rolled her hips against her mouth.

  “Oasis…oh…my Oasis…”

  Not wanting to miss this first large wave, Oasis urgently began to loosen her trousers and pulled her phallus out. “I’m joining you, my love,” she whispered breathily and placed the head at the entrance of Tia’s sex. “Spread your legs and lift them.” She groaned in pleasure as she pushed forward and found that Tia’s wetness and her new pose allowed her to slip in deeper; much faster. She watched Tia’s face as she entered her and saw the wonder and pleasure on her face as she panted softly. When Oasis was sheathed fully inside Tia, she kissed the panting woman.

  “Hold on to me, Tia.” She felt the slender arms curl around her shoulders and she pulled her hips back and thrust back into Tia.

  “Oh…” Tia’s eyes were wide as she stared intently into Oasis’s eyes.

  “Yes, I’m going deeper, my love.” She initiated a few shallow thrusts before she went deep again, extracting a loud groan from Tia. Wanting to hear more from Tia, she sped up her pace. The bed was creaking rhythmically and the headboard slammed against the wall as she went deeper and deeper each time. Tia was mumbling incoherently, her eyes glazed over as she clung to Oasis.

  “I’m…it’s here, Oasis. I’m…falling…” Tia gasped and she arched her back and hung in the air as she came. Oasis used her arms for support as she thrust wildly into Tia until she, too, felt a trace of lightning shot from the pit of her stomach to her clit. She called out as she came, her hips spasming as she gathered a gasping Tia to her. Together, they lay quaking in each other’s arms. She waited until she had some feeling back in her limbs before she rolled off the blonde, bringing her with her so Tia was resting on her chest.

  ***

  Tia inhaled deeply and opened her eyes. She had always considered herself a worldly woman when it came to sex and pleasure. Thanks to numerous visits to Madam Soaxic’s over the past six years. But never, not even once, had she been ravished so expertly by a lover. Not even the Cavalier with all her stamina had left her so shattered afterwards. She licked her lips and exhaled noisily. If she lay perfectly still, she could still feel him moving forcefully inside her. The soft grunts as he went deep… She rolled over and found that she was alone in bed. What was the time? It could not be that late. She doubted more than two hours had passed since their first time together.
She slowly sat up and reached for the sheet. It was still raining hard outside, which meant that Pope would be inside the cabin. She threw her feet off the bed and faltered a bit when she stood. She found herself smiling. Her limbs were still wobbly after that energetic session. She wrapped the sheet around her and left the room. She found Pope standing before the fire.

  “Oasis?” Expect for the broad shoulders stiffening, Pope didn’t give any other indication that he was aware that Tia was there. She carefully approached him and came to stand next to him. “What’s wrong?”

  The handsome face was bland when he looked at her. “Why did you come looking for me, Tia?”

  Tia blinked, wanting to look away, but his gaze held hers captive. “I…I thought we could talk.”

  “But we didn’t. What we did earlier was not talking, Tia. So, the truth this time. Why did you seek me out?”

  She wanted to be anywhere but here at that moment, because she knew that she was on the verge of potentially damaging their friendship irreparably. “I wanted to seduce you.”

  A sable brow shot up. “Which you did. But to what end?”

  Tia looked away and stared into the fire. “I found a few cases where a royal request for an arranged marriage had been cancelled or annulled after the fact.”

  The cabin was silent, except for the crackling of the fire and sheets of rain slamming against the sides of the cabin.

  “Let me guess, if the woman was pregnant by another man,” Pope spat out the words. “Did it ever occur to you to find out what happens to the man who impregnates the woman?”

  Tia looked up at Pope, her face taut with fear. “What…what happens to him?”

  “He forfeits his title and possessions.”

  Tia gasped and covered her mouth. What has she done? She reached out to Pope, but he stepped away. “I’m so sorry, Oasis.”

  “Don’t you dare call me that,” Pope hissed. He grabbed a bottle from the rack and walked to the door. “Lucky for you, you won’t become pregnant.”