She felt passionately grateful to Kahlid for his intervention. She didn't know how she would have been able to tolerate another thirty minutes of Jake Dominic's refined torture. She scurried swiftly away, putting a safe distance between herself and the lounge, almost as though she expected Jake to appear in pursuit.
Like an animal searching for a secluded place to tend its wounds, she hid on a deserted deck, curling up in a deck chair to gaze out at the serenity of the silver-streaked sea. She stayed there for a long time, trying to banish the memory of the evening and to regain the strength of will that Jake had almost destroyed. How was she to last through the days ahead? she wondered despairingly. She would. She must. But, fresh from the agony of Jake's rejection, it seemed a herculean task.
When she had finally composed herself somewhat, she reluctantly left her peaceful haven and made her way to her cabin. She would take a long hot shower and go to bed, she thought resolutely. Perhaps if she tried very determinedly, she would be able to forget the thought of Lola in Jake's bed and find the welcome oblivion of sleep.
Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. After the hot shower she was more wide awake than ever. She changed to her shorty pajamas and flicked off the light. She was about to slip beneath the covers when there was a knock at the door. She frowned in puzzlement and then relaxed. It must be Simon checking to see how she had weathered the evening.
“I'll be right there,” she called, and grabbed the matching polka-dot robe. It offered very little protection, as it also came only to her thighs, but at least it covered the transparency of the gown. She turned the light back on and padded barefoot to the door.
It was not Simon. Ahmet Kahlid stood at the door, still dressed in his dazzling white dinner jacket. He held a bottle of champagne in one hand and two champagne glasses in the other. His dark eyes were sparkling brightly, and there was a genial smile on his face.
His gaze roamed frankly and appreciatively over her scantily clad body. “How very alluring you are in that, ma petite,” he boomed cheerfully. “You look like a young dryad.”
She peeked up at him warily. “I was just about to go to bed,” she said carefully. “I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me.”
He shook his head stubbornly, his smile not losing a bit of its conviviality. “I most certainly will not excuse you,” he said breezily. “I couldn't bear to think of you alone and brooding in your cabin. You must have a glass of this most excellent champagne with me so that you will feel happier.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I really couldn't—” The rest of her sentence was lost, as Jane was forced to move quickly aside to avoid being trampled by Kahlid when he stepped into the cabin and looked around the room appraisingly.
“How can you breathe in this cabin?” he asked wonderingly. “I can hardly turn around.” He put the glasses on the night table and sat down casually on the bed. He patted it invitingly and said softly, “Come and have your champagne, ma petite, and soon all your pain will bubble gently away.”
Jane closed the door and came forward to sit gingerly on the bed beside him. She didn't want to offend the sheikh by refusing the comfort he offered. He had been very sympathetic today, and she was grateful for the help he'd extended tonight in getting her out of the lounge.
“I'll just have one glass, then,” she said quietly.
“Good,” Kahlid answered approvingly, and he opened the champagne and poured the frothy liquid into the crystal glasses. “You will see that I am right,” he continued gently. “It is never good to be alone when one is unhappy.”
Jane sipped the champagne slowly, liking the tart taste tingling on the tip of her tongue. Perhaps Kahlid was right at that, she thought. She certainly felt better than she had earlier in the evening. There was something oddly soothing about the big friendly Arab.
“It's very good champagne,” she offered, smiling shyly. “But shouldn't you return to Jake and Miss Torres?”
He shook his head ruefully. “I'm very much afraid I was de trop. Jake has no desire for a third party when he is with a beautiful woman.”
Jane bit her lip and lowered her eyes unhappily.
Kahlid made an impatient gesture. “What a fool I am. Forgive me, little Jane, I did not think.” He poured some more champagne into her glass and then set the bottle on the table. “He is an idiot, my friend Jake,” he went on gently. “Lola is a very desirable woman, but you have something special, Jane.”
Jane stared at him, mesmerized by the intentness in the liquid darkness of Kahlid's eyes. Kahlid, too, was so absorbed that he did not hear the quiet opening of the door.
“Cozy. Very cozy,” Jake Dominic said with savage sarcasm. “I must compliment you on your progress, Ahmet, but did you notice that bed is a bit too narrow for a successful seduction?”
Kahlid and Jane both looked up, startled, at Jake standing in the open doorway. He was still dressed in the white dinner jacket, but he had removed the black tie, and his white shirt was left unbuttoned at the throat. His dark hair was slightly rumpled, giving him the look of a rakish pirate. His face, too, had the taut ruthlessness and the blazing fury of a buccaneer about to be deprived of his prize.
Ahmet took one look at that cool deadly anger and instinctively moved away from Jane.
His tone was jovial, but his dark eyes were wary as he said flippantly, “Jake, my friend, you are most unwelcome. I thought I left you very well occupied, and yet here you are interfering with my own pleasure.” He shrugged. “I will, however, be magnanimous and offer you a glass of your own champagne before you leave.”
Jake Dominic's eyes were molten coals as his gaze took in the two champagne glasses and the half-empty bottle. “You don't usually have to get your women drunk to make them willing, Ahmet.”
“She's not drunk,” Kahlid said indignantly. “She merely needed soothing after the most unnatural way you savaged the poor petite tonight.”
Jane shook her head to clear it of both the champagne and the sudden shock of Jake's appearance. “Please, won't you both go away?” she said huskily. “I can't take much more of this.”
“You see?” Kahlid charged unhappily. “You have completely spoiled the mood, Jake. Now, go away, and I'll try to repair the damage you have done.”
“I'm afraid you'll have to be the one to leave, Ahmet.” Jake spoke with deadly softness. “I thought I'd made it clear that Jane was out of bounds.”
Kahlid smiled genially. “But that was before you imported the lovely Miss Torres for your pleasure. You made it quite obvious that you were finished with your little servant girl, so why should I not enjoy her?” he asked with utmost reasonableness. “You're not one for a ménage à trois, Jake, so don't be like a dog in a manger.”
Jake's lips tightened, and his eyes flashed dangerously. “You're wrong, Ahmet, I'm not finished with her. I've barely begun. You'd be wise to leave us before I forget that you're my guest.”
Kahlid rose slowly to his feet, his face composed. “As you wish. I have no desire to insult my host by trespassing on what is his.” His dark eyes were reproachful. “It was a natural mistake. How was I to know you were so possessive of the girl? You should have made your desires more clear.”
“I assure you that from now on my desires will be crystal-clear,” Dominic said between his teeth, his furious eyes on Jane's bewildered face and flimsily clad figure. “Now, get the hell out of here before I lose what control I still possess.”
Kahlid gave Jane one last regretful glance and moved toward the door. As he passed Jake Dominic's taut, relentless figure, he paused and said calmly. “In order to avoid further confusion, may I ask if Miss Torres is also in the same category?”
Dominic shrugged, his burning eyes fixed on the small redhaired figure on the bed. “Lola may do as she wishes,” he said disinterestedly. “Just make damn sure you stay away from Jane!”
The speculation in Ahmet Kahlid's eyes changed to satisfaction. “Well, that is something, at least,” he said philosophically. H
is doleful face was brightening by the second as he went through the open door and closed it gently behind him.
Jane was suddenly conscious of the brevity of her gown and matching robe under the scorching black eyes, which seemed to strip her with insulting thoroughness. She tucked her legs beneath her on the bed and folded her arms around herself with an involuntary shiver as she met Jake's scathing glance across the room.
Then she raised her chin defiantly as the sheer gall of Jake's action came home to her. How dare he come bursting in here, expelling Kahlid without so much as a by your leave, after his own heartless behavior earlier in the evening! It didn't matter that she had been relieved and grateful to him a few minutes ago for ridding her of Kahlid and an extremely touchy situation. For all Jake knew, she may have wanted Ahmet to stay, she thought indignantly. Yet Jake had arrogantly sent him away and now was looking at her with all the possessive fury of a jealous husband. Dog in the manger indeed, she thought grimly.
“If I were you, I'd get that defiant expression off my face pretty damn quick, Jane.” His soft voice was menacing. “In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little perturbed with you.”
“How very unfortunate for you,” Jane said nonchalantly. “There seems to be no pleasing you, Jake.” She took a sip of champagne and looked up to meet his gaze with blazing golden eyes. “You may have been able to intimidate Ahmet Kahlid, but you'll find I'm not so easily impressed.” She gestured toward the door. “Why don't you go back to the lounge? I'm sure your friend is even now ‘poaching’ on your preserves.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed dangerously. “Champagne courage, Jane?” he asked harshly. “If so, I think you've had enough.” He moved across the few feet separating them in a pantherish stride. He took the glass from her hand and set it on the night table.
He looked down at her mutinous face, his eyes glowing with rage. “How did you dare let him come to you?” he said thickly. “I came close to killing the bastard.”
Jane caught her breath as a jolt of electricity charged through her at the intensity of his words, his voice. She lowered her eyes and answered evasively. “Ahmet was right. How could he know that it mattered to you? Wasn't the whole exercise today designed to get rid of me? What difference does it make if I leave the ship or get involved with some other man? The result would be the same.”
He tangled his hand in her hair and jerked her head back so that she was forced to meet the flaming possession in his eyes. “Believe me, it makes a difference,” he said, his voice tight. “I didn't drive myself crazy trying to keep my hands off you, only to have you drop like a ripe plum into Ahmet's bed.”
“You've probably seen to it that it won't be Kahlid,” she said softly, some perversity tempting her to taunt him. “But what happens after I leave? What's to keep me from jumping into bed with the next likely prospect who crosses my path?” She met his eyes challengingly. “You gave me a taste of the fruit of knowledge. You can't expect me to stop at just a bite.”
Dominic's hand tightened; she felt a flicker of fear at the wildness she'd unleashed in the man looking down at her.
“You damn red-haired witch!” he growled thickly, “you'll belong to no one but me!”
His mouth covered hers with the burning brutality of a brand, stamping his possession on the softness of her lips with the explosive passion of a man driven too far. His lips left hers only to press hot, hungry kisses on her throat, cheeks, and lids before returning to her mouth as if starved for the feel of it.
“God knows, I tried to send you away,” he said raggedly, between the deliriously sensual kisses that made her feel as if she were slowly melting from the fire they built in her veins.
His arms went around her, lifting and straining her flimsily clad body to his warm hardness, while his lips continued their ruthless pillaging. “I knew damn well that if I kept you around I wouldn't be able to stop myself from having you. Why the hell didn't you leave when you had the chance?”
Her hands slid slowly around his neck, her lips opening and her tongue striving to return the fire he was lighting inside her. He made a sound deep in his throat that was primal in intensity, and she could feel his aroused body tremble against her own.
Suddenly he thrust her away and Jane stared in dazed bewilderment at his flushed face and dark eyes, which were glazed with desire.
“Kiss me, Jake. Please!” she whispered achingly, her body trying to nestle closer to him.
“God! Don't look at me like that or I'll take you right here on this blasted nun's bed.” Closing his eyes against the invitation in hers, a great shudder shook his taut body. Suddenly his eyes flew open, and there was purpose in their dark depths.
“Come along!” he ordered curtly, swinging her off the bed and onto her feet. Grasping her by the wrist, he moved across the cabin and opened the door. He strode along the deck and down the stairs, pulling her along behind him.
“Jake, I'm not even dressed!” she cried.
He opened the door of his cabin and ushered her in ahead of him, then shut the door and locked it before turning to flick on the light. Jane gazed at him, her eyes wide, a curiously expectant expression on her heart-shaped face.
His dark eyes shuttered, Jake leaned against the door and regarded her mockingly. “Having second thoughts?” he asked. “It's too late for that, redhead. I'm not going to let you go again.”
She felt a wave of shyness wash over her under that mocking gaze. She wished he'd take her in his arms again. She felt no shyness or discomfort when he was making love to her, only the throbbing need and the ecstasy of being close to him.
She lowered her eyes and whispered, “No second thoughts. I want you to make love to me, Jake.”
Impulsively he took a step toward her, his hands reaching out to bring her into his arms. He stopped before he touched her, and shook his head ruefully. “Not yet. Once I begin, I'm not going to be able to stop. I don't want your first time to turn you off.” His dark eyes gleamed mockingly. “I intend for there to be many more.”
He moved away from the door, shrugged off his white jacket, and placed it on a hanger in the closet. He turned back to her, his hands slowly unbuttoning his white shirt while his eyes went over her in frank enjoyment. “Remind me to buy you something more sophisticated in nightwear,” he said casually. “That outfit makes me feel like a child molester.”
Jane turned away and gingerly sat down on the black-velvet-covered bed, feeling suddenly inadequate. What was she doing here? she wondered desperately. He was used to the most talented and versatile lovers in the world. Jake Dominic was bound to find her inexperience laughable.
She turned to look at him, her golden eyes troubled. “Jake, what do you want with me?”
He chuckled, his dark eyes dancing, as he pulled his shirt out of his trousers and stripped it off. “Trust a woman to ask a question whose answer is so blatantly self-evident.” His expression turned thoughtful. “No, that isn't what you mean, is it?” He stepped out of his shiny black dress shoes. “How long did you think I could say no to you?” he asked quietly. “No one in his right mind would describe me as having a taste for self-sacrifice, and I'm quite obsessed with you. You obviously want to play at being in love with me and to taste what life as Jake Dominic's mistress is like.” He smiled cynically. “This will probably be the quickest way of showing you what a mistake you're making.” He padded over to where she sat on the bed, and his hand lightly caressed the curve of her cheek. “It will certainly be the most pleasurable way for me.”
Her golden eyes clung to his as she rubbed her cheek against his hand like an affectionate kitten. “I do love you,” she insisted quietly. She smiled tenderly into the dark intensity of his face. “It's only fair to warn you that you won't get rid of me easily.”
For a moment there was an odd vulnerability in the depths of Jake's eyes, before it was replaced by the familiar mockery. “I think I have a fairly accurate idea of what makes you tick, redhead.” His voice was tinged with bitterness. “
I'll be willing to wager that in a month's time you'll be running for your life.”
Jane's eyes met his with such glorious serenity that he caught his breath. “You'll lose,” she whispered. “Believe me, you'll lose.”
Her small hands reached out to caress the bronze, hair-roughened bareness of his chest. The wiry hair on her sensitive palms generated a deliciously sensual tingle. “You'll have to tell me what to do,” she said huskily. “Am I supposed to be getting undressed or something?”
He looked down at her inquiring hands, which were now gently teasing his hard male nipples. “I'd say you're doing pretty well without instructions,” he said dryly, his crooked eyebrow arching with humor. “As for the other, I've always had a fondness for opening my own surprise packages.”
“I'll turn out the lights,” she said with breathless shyness, and made a move to rise.
His hands curved around her shoulders and gently pushed her back on the bed. “No way!” His voice was hoarse. “I want to see every inch of you.” He lowered his lips to plant a kiss on the tip of her nose. “One expects such privileges from one's mistress.” His hands were gone from her shoulders, and he reached over and snapped on the bedside lamp before moving to the wall switch and turning out the overhead light. He returned to sit beside her on the bed, and with infinitely gentle hands he pulled her carefully into his arms.
He felt so good, so hard, so male, Jane thought as she nestled into his arms like a homing pigeon. Her arms encircled his shoulders to knead and caress the muscles of his back with a sensual pleasure in the feel of their tensile strength.
She became suddenly aware that Jake's body was oddly still and taut as his hands caressed her back slowly and carefully. “Be still a moment, love. I've been wanting this so long that I'm about to explode.”
She tried to obey, but he was too close, and she loved him too much. Her eager hands fluttered eagerly over his neck. Her lips brushed teasingly at the hollow of his shoulder before she placed a hundred butterfly kisses on the warm hard flesh of his chest and shoulders.