“You little devil.” He chuckled raggedly, his heart beating like a triphammer beneath her mouth. He lifted her quickly to cradle her on his knees. “So much for exercising restraint with my little virgin,” he said thickly. “Oh, well, there's always the second time.”
His lips once more covered hers, and all thought of restraint was a thing of the past. She felt that the hot obsessive pressure of his mouth was absorbing her into his every muscle and bone by the simple process of melting her own body with a flaming need for him. His tongue licked teasingly at her lips before entering to explore her inner sweetness, his hands curving around her to cup her breasts in his hands through the thin material of her gown. She trembled at the heat from his hands, which weighed and toyed erotically with her breasts while his tongue ruthlessly plundered her mouth.
Then, with his mouth still probing hers, his hands were working at her robe, slipping her arms out of the sleeves and letting it fall discarded across his knees. His hands moved under the top to caress the sensitive line of her satiny back with feverish hunger. His lips left hers to bury themselves in her throat, while his hands slid around to play with the naked bounty of her small pert breasts, his thumbs flicking the nipples till they were hard with arousal. “I've got to see you, sweetheart,” he groaned, and with one swift movement he pulled the baby-doll top over her head and threw it carelessly on the floor. She was wearing only the bikini bottom as he swept her over to lie in the center of the ebony velvet counterpane.
He lay above her, his weight resting on one elbow while he stared raptly at the lovely silken flesh bared to his gaze. Bending to take one rosy nipple in his mouth, he teased it with maddening skill until her breath was coming in little pants, as though she had been running. Her hands went around his neck to bury themselves in his hair and bring him closer, but he pulled away.
His hands cupped her breasts, his eyes clouded with desire. “Your breasts were designed to fit into my hands,” he said hoarsely. “After the night you spent in my cabin, I'd lie awake and think of you lying like this under me, your breasts warm and rosy from my kisses. It nearly drove me crazy.” His heart was beating wildly as he bent and rubbed his chest sensually against her bare breasts. She shuddered beneath him, and her arms tightened convulsively around him.
Then he was gone for a minute while he stripped off the remainder of his clothes. When he returned, the warmth of his naked flesh was dizzily exciting against her own.
What followed was a breathtaking spiral of sensation that she embraced with incredulous joy. Jake brought her from peak to peak with touch and tongue and with wild words that were an aphrodisiac in themselves.
She followed blindly, while he moved her, aroused her, built in her a frantic need that she was sure could not be satisfied. Then he set about proving her wonderfully and ecstatically wrong. If there was pain, she was not aware of it, so involved was she in reaching that summit that beckoned like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow's spectrum of sensual sensation. When she did reach it, she discovered, after the first explosion of wonder and delight, that it was not a glittering treasure after all, but the deeper, primitive satisfaction of coming home.
She wriggled contentedly in Jake's arms, her heartbeat steadying as she felt a delicious languor attack her limbs. Jake's arms tightened automatically around her, his breathing still coming in short gasps, his heartbeat thudding beneath her ear with the delicious proof of his own excitement at their union.
She kissed the smooth muscled shoulder lovingly. Then she raised herself on one elbow to look down at him with frank enjoyment. He was so beautiful, she thought with a new pride of possession. The magnificent bone structure that was the basis of his good looks was generally overlooked, so exciting were the mobility and expressiveness of his face. Now, with his eyes closed and his face relaxed, Jane could see the beauty of line and contour that would make him devastatingly handsome even in old age.
His eyes flicked open and lit with mocking amusement as they met the serious expression in Jane's eyes. “What are you thinking, redhead?” he asked curiously as his hand reached up lazily to trace the line of her shoulder.
“I was thinking what a distinguished old man you'll make,” she said dreamily.
He pulled her down to kiss her lingeringly. “I'd rather you concentrate on my present attractions and talents,” he said, grinning wickedly. He settled her head back in the hollow of his shoulder, his hand stroking her red curls gently.
“Would you like for me to get you a cigarette?” she asked suddenly.
“A cigarette?” Jake asked blankly.
“I thought all men wanted a cigarette after…” She paused delicately.
“It's optional,” he assured her solemnly.
She accepted that, and after another blissfully lazy moment, another thought occurred to her. “You said you only smoke in stressful situations,” she said curiously. “You don't consider this a stressful situation?”
His lips brushed the top of her head tenderly before lifting her chin to meet his eyes with surprising seriousness. “I consider this situation a delight!” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I consider it sheer enchantment!” He kissed her forehead. “I consider it a miracle!” His lips tasted hers with a blinding sweetness.
“Oh, so do I,” Jane said enthusiastically, when their lips finally parted. She impulsively pressed her lips to his once more, eager to experience once again that melting tenderness.
Jake's eyes were dancing with amusement when their lips parted for the second time. “I'm glad that your first experience met with your approval,” he said, his lips twitching. “I gather you have no regrets about your fall from grace?”
She shook her head tranquilly, her eyes shining with tenderness. “I regard it as falling into grace. Love in itself must be the ultimate in grace.” She kissed him gently. “I could never regret loving you, Jake Dominic.”
His face was unreadable as he stared into her glowing, eager face. “No tears, no demands, no guilt trips,” he said slowly. “You make it ridiculously easy to take advantage of you, redhead.”
She giggled happily and put her head back into the spot in the hollow of his shoulder that was becoming endearingly familiar. “It is I who am taking advantage of you,” she said teasingly. “You're the one with all the experience. I'm just a humble novice. It's only sensible to keep you sweet, so that you're inclined to continue the lessons.”
“You'll have no problem on that score,” he said dryly. “I'm having to remind myself right now that you're new at this game and mustn't be overworked.”
She lifted her head to stare into his face. “Already?” she asked, startled.
“Already,” he affirmed, his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. “I have an idea that you're a born voluptuary, Jane. I'm eager to test the theory.”
Suddenly his eyes lost their mockery and began to burn with a flame that she had already known once tonight. The world seemed to narrow into dark velvet intimacy, and she felt her own heartbeat accelerate in response to that evocative memory.
“I'm not that sore,” she whispered breathlessly.
It was all he needed to hear. He rolled her over on her back, his warm, virile body a powerful shadow above her. “I'm afraid the results would be the same even if you were,” he muttered thickly. “I'll try to be gentle, sweetheart.”
“It doesn't matter,” she said softly, her hands moving yearningly over his shoulders.
“Yes, it does,” he denied huskily as his lips hovered lingeringly over hers. “The first time was for me, redhead. This one is for you.”
nine
SHE WAS LYING IN A FIELD OF FLOWERS, THE sun caressing her cheeks with its golden warmth. A gentle breeze blew the silken petals of the wild flowers in an occasional drifting kiss across her face. She smiled in childlike pleasure at the lovely sensual sensation and arched her throat to expose more of her flesh to that delicious touch.
“Open your eyes, redhead,” Jake said softly. “I want to make da
mn sure that smile is for me.”
Jane opened drowsy eyes to see Jake leaning over her, his dark eyes narrowed in amusement and, incredibly, a touch of jealousy. The early-morning sunlight streamed into the cabin, revealing the sharp lines of cynicism and weariness around his mouth.
Her hands reached up dreamily to trace the grooves with gentle fingers. “It's for you,” she said simply. “Everything is for you.”
“It had better be,” Jake growled as he nuzzled at the hollow of her throat. “I'd best warn you that I'm feeling surprisingly possessive of you, woman. I doubt if I'd tolerate your straying while you belong to me.”
He didn't see the sudden flicker of pain in her eyes at that last remark. She had forgotten, in the breathless pleasure of belonging to Jake, the transient nature of their relationship. It was obvious from his casual statement that he had not been so blinded. Well, what had she expected? she asked herself impatiently. Jake was not about to display the same love-struck idiocy as she. She must learn to accept what Jake had to offer and be satisfied, expecting no more.
He had raised his head at the involuntary stiffening of her body, and his eyes took on a ruthless hardness. “I'm sorry if you don't approve of the terms,” he said coolly. “You'll just have to submit to them if you intend to remain my mistress.”
She half closed her eyes to mask the misery they revealed. “You don't have a reputation for demanding such fidelity,” she commented lightly.
He shrugged and rolled away from her. He rested on one elbow, his hand playing idly with her curls. “Perhaps it's because I was the first,” he suggested mockingly. “I feel quite primitive at the thought of anyone else having you.”
“And will you give me the same fidelity?” she asked clearly.
“For the present,” he said lazily. “I imagine I'll find you more than satisfying for some time to come.”
“And Lola Torres?” she asked quietly.
“I owe Lola nothing,” he said with casual callousness. “She understood why she was here. She'll understand why she's no longer needed. I'll send her away today.”
Jane sat upright in bed, her eyes blazing indignantly. “You can't do that,” she protested. “How would she feel? You can't just snap your fingers one day and have her fly thousands of miles to join you and then just say you've changed your mind. She'd be terribly hurt.”
Dominic's lips quirked with humor. “What do you suggest I do? I doubt if I'd have the stamina to satisfy another woman after you,” he said mischievously. “My new mistress seems to require all my energy.” He reached out to cup one enticing breast, which had been bared by her abrupt movement.
Jane brushed his hand away impatiently and pulled the covers up around her, tucking the material under her armpits to hold it in place. “Don't be ridiculous. I'd probably claw her eyes out if you so much as looked at her. I just think that you should let her make the move to go. It will let her keep her dignity.”
Jake grinned, his eyes mocking. “You're very solicitous of Lola's feelings. She's tougher than you could ever be, my little crusader. It goes with the territory.”
“I'm sure she was forced by circumstances into that kind of life,” Jane replied in defense, her face flushing with the force of her conviction. “And whatever she did, I'm sure it was with dignity. She's more courtesan than call girl.”
“A delicate distinction, I agree,” he said solemnly, his dark eyes twinkling. “All right, redhead, I'll let Lola make the decision to leave.” He chuckled, shaking his head ruefully. “And to think that I was trying to protect your feelings by ridding myself of a former mistress.” He touched the tip of her nose with one finger. “Do me one favor. Don't try to mother Lola. She would find it most uncomfortable.”
Jane gave him an indignant glance. Why did he insist on believing that she was some sort of Joan of Arc just because she displayed concern for someone's feelings? She hadn't really been in trouble since the incident at the cockfight. Well, there had been the shark, but even he couldn't blame her for that.
Pulling the cover around her, she began to scoot to the edge of the bed.
“Where do you think you're going, sweetheart?” Jake asked, watching her try to hold the sheet under her arm and still wrap the rest of it around her slight body.
“I've got to report to work.”
Jake suddenly reached over and hauled her protesting body back to the center of the bed. “My dear idiot Jane, you have no work to go to. Didn't it occur to you that it would be a trifle awkward to be both my mistress and my steward?”
“I don't see why,” Jane said, pouting mutinously. “Kahlid and the crew already have accepted the situation!”
“I don't give a damn about Kahlid or the crew,” he said deliberately, annoyance flickering in his face. “I don't want to have to come looking for you every time I want you. It seems you need instructions in the nuances of being a mistress. Perhaps you should have a talk with Lola.”
She flushed at the cruelty of the jibe but persisted nevertheless. “Perhaps we could arrange a schedule,” she suggested seriously.
Dominic gave a derisive laugh. “No way!” he said emphatically. “Jane, I'll give you any damn thing you want. All I ask is that you make yourself available when I want to be with you. Is that too much to ask?”
Jane could see his viewpoint. In his eyes her reluctance to comply with his request must seem completely unreasonable. She wondered if he'd ever known a woman who preferred menial work to the sybaritic and sensual pleasures he offered.
Her golden eyes were troubled, as she pleaded hesitantly, “Couldn't we go on just as we have been?” Then, as he looked at her blankly, she blushed and rushed on hurriedly. “Except for this, of course.” She made a vague gesture indicating themselves and the bed. “I don't really think I'd be happy without some work to do. I'm used to being independent.”
For a moment she thought she could read understanding and sympathy in Jake's eyes before he glanced away. “I'm afraid I couldn't allow that,” he said, his voice hard. “You should have realized there would be aspects of our relationship that you'd find distasteful before you committed yourself.” His smile was bitter. “It's well known that I'm a selfish bastard.”
“But won't you…” Jane was suddenly silenced by Jake's lips on hers.
“God save me from an argumentative woman,” Jake said thickly. “The only sounds I want to hear from you in the next hour are the delicious little moans you made last night.” His hands deliberately pulled the sheet down to her waist and began their magical play on her body. “You also may say ‘yes, Jake,’ he decreed with a chuckle.
Jane's breath caught in her throat, and she felt the familiar melting in her loins. Her arms slid lovingly around his neck.
“Yes, Jake,” she whispered.
It was almost two hours later when Jake phoned and ordered breakfast. At the same time he gave instructions that Jane's belongings be packed and brought to his cabin. Jane did not comment on this embarrassing and arbitrary ordering of her life. However, she disappeared discreetly into the shower shortly before the steward was due to put in his appearance. When she returned to the bedroom draped inelegantly in Jake's wine velour robe, her clothes had been delivered and a portable table had been wheeled in with breakfast.
Jake was seated at the table as she walked into the room. He looked up, his dark eyes knowing. “You can't run away from it indefinitely, you know.”
Jane did not pretend to misunderstand him. “I know,” she replied, not looking at him as she seated herself opposite him at the table. “I just thought it would be easier to face after the first novelty had worn off. The fact that I've officially moved in with you will be old news by tomorrow.”
His lips thinned with anger. “I won't have you made uncomfortable. I'll fire the first man who raises so much as an eyebrow.”
Jane smiled wryly as she lifted the silver covers off the various dishes and helped herself to eggs, sausage, and toast. She was surprised that Jake didn't realiz
e that speculation and rumors couldn't be stopped by merely ordering them to. Even though no overt mention or acknowledgment would be made of her new position, she would still be conscious that every man on the Sea Breeze knew that she was now Jake Dominic's latest toy. She could not deny even to herself that the thought chafed unbearably at her pride.
When they joined Kahlid and Lola for lunch in the lounge, it was even more awkward for her. Both Kahlid and Lola accepted her presence as a guest instead of an employee with casual aplomb. Jane wished she could rival their composure instead of feeling this agony of shyness and discomfort. She was almost silent through the long lunch, though some of her nervousness was abated by the fact that the attending steward was almost a stranger. She had been worried that Simon would be chosen as her replacement, and she didn't feel she could quite cope with that at the moment.
Jake seemed to feel no awkwardness, and he treated her with a curious blend of mocking indulgence and possessiveness. He ignored her shyness and saw to it that she was included in the conversation by simply changing the subject immediately whenever Lola or Kahlid made reference to something outside her experience.
Jane was touched by the arrogant protectiveness of his attitude, but it only added to her embarassment when she met Lola's amused eyes across the table. The older woman said nothing until Jake and Ahmet Kahlid excused themselves to wander over to the bar. Lola then quietly invited Jane to go for a walk on deck with her.
They were no sooner beyond the door than Lola started to chuckle. “I haven't enjoyed anything so much in years,” she drawled, her dark eyes dancing. “The sight of Jake Dominic in the role of shepherd to his lamb was absolutely priceless. That alone was worth the trip from Los Angeles.”
Jane gave her a sheepish grin and said wryly, “He did rather overdo it, didn't he? He wasn't exactly tactful to you and Kahlid in his support of me.”
“Jake can be the soul of diplomacy if it's called for,” Lola said shrewdly. “In this case it wasn't necessary. He knew that Ahmet and I would get the picture.”