Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [141]
“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 damn 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.