Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [136]
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. His 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