Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [134]
Jake wouldn't have been pleased at the result of his Machiavellian machinations. Far from being aggravated, Jane's agony and jealousy were inexpressibly soothed by her forced association with Lola Torres. Though both women avoided any further conversation of a personal nature, they got along quite companionably in the hours preceding dinner.
As Jane had expected, this period of tranquillity was to be shattered that evening at dinner. In honor of Lola Torres's arrival, both Jake Dominic and Ahmet Kahlid wore white dinner jackets and black ties, while the lady herself was lushly alluring, in an orange chiffon gown that clung lovingly to each generous curve.
Brockmeyer had outdone himself to provide an epicurean delight fit for the gods. The table was set with Royal Doulton china and fine white damask linen, and lit by soft, romantic candlelight. These accoutrements formed an ironically civilized background for Jake's ruthless campaign to savage Jane's raw emotions.
He was nothing if not thorough in his tactics, Jane thought almost hysterically at the end of dinner. He was absolutely charming and unfailingly attentive to Lola and coldly impersonal and brisk with her. He spoke only once to Jane during dinner, giving her a curt order to refill Miss Torres's wineglass.
As the meal progressed, Jake's sexual innuendos as he lingeringly caressed the Spanish-American woman became almost too much for Jane to bear. It was with heartfelt relief that she finished serving the after-dinner coffee and prepared to leave the lounge. But it seemed that she wasn't to be allowed even that small mercy.
Jake looked up with the sharp eyes of a hawk as she was walking quietly toward the door. “Wait, Jane,” he ordered peremptorily as the trio rose from the table. His eyes were fiercely mocking as he said softly, “I think you had better stay. We may need something.”
Jane's golden eyes held the same dumb misery as an animal in pain when she returned his mocking look. She swallowed hard and turned back obediently.
Lola Torres cast a shrewd glance at Jane's shadowed face and then placed a caressing hand on Jake's sleeve. “Send her away, querido,” she murmured, pouting seductively. “You know I'm not at all fond of sharing the attention of handsome men.”
There was a flash of displeasure in Jake's eyes before he smiled down at Lola's entreating face. “She would hardly qualify as competition for you, Lola,” he said silkily. “She's only here for your convenience.”
Jane flinched as if she had been struck, and she grew even paler. How much more of this could she survive? she wondered desperately.
Unexpectedly, Ahmet Kahlid came to her rescue. “Send the little one away, Jake,” he said gallantly, his teeth flashing white in his bearded face. “I wish to wait on this enchanting creature myself. Who knows? By the time the evening is over, she may discover that I'm far more irresistible than you.”
Jake frowned and opened his mouth to protest, but Jane had taken advantage of Ahmet's first plea to slip quietly out the door.
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