Stormy Vows - Iris Johansen [142]
Jake grinned, his eyes mocking. “You're very solicitous of Lola's feelings. She's tougher than you could ever be, my little crusader. It goes with the territory.”
“I'm sure she was forced by circumstances into that kind of life,” Jane replied in defense, her face flushing with the force of her conviction. “And whatever she did, I'm sure it was with dignity. She's more courtesan than call girl.”
“A delicate distinction, I agree,” he said solemnly, his dark eyes twinkling. “All right, redhead, I'll let Lola make the decision to leave.” He chuckled, shaking his head ruefully. “And to think that I was trying to protect your feelings by ridding myself of a former mistress.” He touched the tip of her nose with one finger. “Do me one favor. Don't try to mother Lola. She would find it most uncomfortable.”
Jane gave him an indignant glance. Why did he insist on believing that she was some sort of Joan of Arc just because she displayed concern for someone's feelings? She hadn't really been in trouble since the incident at the cockfight. Well, there had been the shark, but even he couldn't blame her for that.
Pulling the cover around her, she began to scoot to the edge of the bed.
“Where do you think you're going, sweetheart?” Jake asked, watching her try to hold the sheet under her arm and still wrap the rest of it around her slight body.
“I've got to report to work.”
Jake suddenly reached over and hauled her protesting body back to the center of the bed. “My dear idiot Jane, you have no work to go to. Didn't it occur to you that it would be a trifle awkward to be both my mistress and my steward?”
“I don't see why,” Jane said, pouting mutinously. “Kahlid and the crew already have accepted the situation!”
“I don't give a damn about Kahlid or the crew,” he said deliberately, annoyance flickering in his face. “I don't want to have to come looking for you every time I want you. It seems you need instructions in the nuances of being a mistress. Perhaps you should have a talk with Lola.”
She flushed at the cruelty of the jibe but persisted nevertheless. “Perhaps we could arrange a schedule,” she suggested seriously.
Dominic gave a derisive laugh. “No way!” he said emphatically. “Jane, I'll give you any damn thing you want. All I ask is that you make yourself available when I want to be with you. Is that too much to ask?”
Jane could see his viewpoint. In his eyes her reluctance to comply with his request must seem completely unreasonable. She wondered if he'd ever known a woman who preferred menial work to the sybaritic and sensual pleasures he offered.
Her golden eyes were troubled, as she pleaded hesitantly, “Couldn't we go on just as we have been?” Then, as he looked at her blankly, she blushed and rushed on hurriedly. “Except for this, of course.” She made a vague gesture indicating themselves and the bed. “I don't really think I'd be happy without some work to do. I'm used to being independent.”
For a moment she thought she could read understanding and sympathy in Jake's eyes before he glanced away. “I'm afraid I couldn't allow that,” he said, his voice hard. “You should have realized there would be aspects of our relationship that you'd find distasteful before you committed yourself.” His smile was bitter. “It's well known that I'm a selfish bastard.”
“But won't you…” Jane was suddenly silenced by Jake's lips on hers.
“God save me from an argumentative woman,” Jake said thickly. “The only sounds I want to hear from you in the next hour are the delicious little moans you made last night.” His hands deliberately pulled the sheet down to her waist and began their magical play on her body. “You also may say ‘yes, Jake,’ he decreed with a chuckle.
Jane's breath caught in her throat, and she felt the familiar melting in her loins. Her arms slid lovingly around his neck.
“Yes, Jake,” she whispered.
It was almost two hours later when Jake phoned and ordered breakfast. At the same time he gave instructions that Jane's belongings be packed and brought to his cabin. Jane did not comment on this embarrassing and arbitrary