Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [132]
Jake had definitely brought out the big guns, Jane thought with a pang. He not only intended to show her her own relative unimportance in his life by flaunting another woman before her, but he'd chosen one of the most desirable women in the world to accomplish his aim.
Jane's expression was miserable as she tried to smile at Simon's worried face. “Thank you for telling me, Simon,” she said dully. “You're a good friend.”
Simon's blue eyes were filled with sympathy as he continued reluctantly, “That's not all, Jane. Captain Benjamin posted a new duty roster last night. You've been replaced as Brockmeyer's helper. Besides acting as Jake Dominic's meal steward, Benjamin has given you duty as Miss Torres's personal maid.”
So he not only intended for her to observe his affair with Lola at agonizingly close quarters; he'd placed her quite deliberately in a humiliatingly subservient position to his mistress. He had wanted to hurt her and drive her away, and he'd chosen a method worthy of the Borgias.
She patted Simon's arm comfortingly. “It's all right, Simon.” She spoke quietly, with a little ghost of a smile. “Jake's really not being as ruthless as it appears. He probably believes he's being quite benevolent. I'll be fine.”
That afternoon as she watched a launch speed across the water toward the Sea Breeze, Jane was not quite so confident. At lunch Jake had arrogantly ordered her to be on deck to meet Miss Torres and show her to her cabin. His dark eyes had been alert for any sign of rebellion or distress on her pale heart-shaped face. She would not allow him that victory. She had merely nodded gallantly and carefully assumed a smooth mask to hide the anger and misery this new taunt had caused.
Surprisingly, Kahlid had exhibited a warm sympathy in the brief moment before she had collected the dishes to return to the kitchen. His dark eyes glowing gently, he had leaned closer to whisper in an undertone, “Never mind, ma petite, his little flings with the lovely Lola never last more than a week or so. He will soon return to you.”
Jane had smiled warmly at the sheikh, glad even for this meager comfort. She had murmured a shy farewell in Arabic and quickly left the lounge.
Jake Dominic strolled casually to the rail, his eyes on the approaching launch. He was dressed in close-fitting dark trousers and a gray jacket, a black-and-white ascot knotted around his strong brown throat.
Jake's eyes darted to where Jane waited, her face pale and tense, her body straight and stiff in the steward's uniform. He said in an undertone that only she could hear, “I could order that launch to take you into Cozumel, you know.” He continued persuasively. “In two hours you could be on a plane to Miami.”
She shook her head silently, her eyes fixed on the launch with strained pain-filled eyes.
There was a flicker of frustration in the dark eyes as he muttered impatiently under his breath, “Then it's on your head, redhead.” His face resumed its usual cynical expression.
Lola Torres was even more ravishing than she was reputed to be, Jane thought wistfully as the launch drew close enough so that she could see the brunette woman standing upright in the boat, her eyes fixed eagerly on Jake Dominic's figure at the rail. Her tall voluptuous body was garbed with understated elegance in black slacks and a white silk blouse that bore the unmistakable cut of a famous French couturier. The long lovely line of her throat was exposed as she tilted her dark silky head back to look at Dominic. Her brilliant smile lit up the olive perfection of her face, and the great dark eyes sparkled eagerly as the launch came alongside.
“Jake, you consummate beast, how dare you summon me like some little harem girl?” she called merrily. “In case you haven't heard, I'm no longer in that business.”
Dominic grinned mockingly as he lifted her onto the deck and kissed her lingeringly. “The thought has infinite possibilities, Lola,” he said lightly. “You'd make a fantastic harem girl. In six months you'd not only be queen of the seraglio