Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [137]
“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