Stormy Vows/Tempest at Sea (40 page)

Surprisingly, Kahlid had exhibited a warm sympathy in the brief moment before she had collected the dishes to return to the kitchen. His dark eyes glowing gently, he had leaned closer to whisper in an undertone, “Never mind,
ma petite
, his little flings with the lovely Lola never last more than a week or so. He will soon return to you.”

Jane had smiled warmly at the sheikh, glad even for this meager comfort. She had murmured a shy farewell in Arabic and quickly left the lounge.

Jake Dominic strolled casually to the rail, his eyes on the approaching launch. He was dressed in close-fitting dark trousers and a gray jacket, a black-and-white ascot knotted around his strong brown throat.

Jake's eyes darted to where Jane waited, her face pale and tense, her body straight and stiff in the steward's uniform. He said in an undertone that only she could hear, “I could order that launch to take you into Cozumel, you know.” He continued persuasively. “In two hours you could be on a plane to Miami.”

She shook her head silently, her eyes fixed on the launch with strained pain-filled eyes.

There was a flicker of frustration in the dark eyes as he muttered
impatiently under his breath, “Then it's on your head, redhead.” His face resumed its usual cynical expression.

Lola Torres was even more ravishing than she was reputed to be, Jane thought wistfully as the launch drew close enough so that she could see the brunette woman standing upright in the boat, her eyes fixed eagerly on Jake Dominic's figure at the rail. Her tall voluptuous body was garbed with understated elegance in black slacks and a white silk blouse that bore the unmistakable cut of a famous French couturier. The long lovely line of her throat was exposed as she tilted her dark silky head back to look at Dominic. Her brilliant smile lit up the olive perfection of her face, and the great dark eyes sparkled eagerly as the launch came alongside.

“Jake, you consummate beast, how dare you summon me like some little harem girl?” she called merrily. “In case you haven't heard, I'm no longer in that business.”

Dominic grinned mockingly as he lifted her onto the deck and kissed her lingeringly. “The thought has infinite possibilities, Lola,” he said lightly. “You'd make a fantastic harem girl. In six months you'd not only be queen of the seraglio but in all probability you'd be running the country.”

Dominic kissed her again on the forehead before turning her around in his arms to face Jane, his hands resting lightly on the woman's waist. “This is Jane Smith, Lola. Knowing what wardrobe you consider minimal, I took the precaution of arranging maid service for you.”

There was a look of surprise in Lola Torres's eyes as they met Jane's tormented golden gaze, but her smile was warm. “
Buenas tardes
, Jane. I'm sure that we'll get along very well together.”

“Jane will show you to your cabin,” Jake went on smoothly as he released her. “I'll see you at dinner, Lola.”

Again there was a flicker of puzzlement in Lola's face, but she nodded agreeably. “As you wish,
querido
. I am a bit tired.”

Jake grinned wickedly, his eyes meeting Jane's over Lola's satin head. “Be sure you rectify that before you join me for dinner,” he said caressingly. “I want you to be well rested before tonight, Lola.”

Jane's eyes blazed with anger at the sheer cruelty of the taunt, her fists clenching with helpless fury. She dropped her gaze hurriedly as her eyes met the shrewd, speculative gaze of the other woman. “If you'll follow me, Miss Torres, I'll show you to your cabin.” She spoke huskily, trying to blink back the tears of rage and pain.

“But of course,” Lola Torres replied absently, her eyes still on Jane's unhappy face, and with a final flashing smile at Jake, she followed Jane's swiftly moving figure.

The cabin that Lola Torres had been allocated was only a short distance from Jake's, Jane noticed morosely. Though smaller than the master cabin, it was a good size, and the decor was clearly aimed at pleasing a woman's taste. The thick carpet was a dusty rose, and the white satin spread on the bed and the cream velvet Queen Anne occasional chairs were elegant.

Jane opened the adjoining door to show the older woman the pretty pink vanity and shower area, before crossing to the porthole and throwing it open to let in the fresh coolness of the ocean breeze.

“Your luggage will be brought down shortly, Miss Torres,” Jane said with an effort, trying not to look at the warm beauty whom Jake had so recently held in his arms. “I'll unpack for you as soon as they arrive.”

“Call me Lola,” the other said casually, closing the door and crossing to the bed to stretch out on the white satin coverlet. “Sit down and talk to me, Jane.” Her eyes were fixed searchingly on Jane's vulnerable face. “Now, I want to know what game Jake is playing. Will you tell me?”

Jane smiled ruefully. Those gorgeous black eyes evidently concealed a perceptiveness that was positively intimidating. “Jake
knows that I love him,” she confessed simply, surprising even herself with her frankness. Perhaps it was the gentle warmth that Lola exuded that made her so easy to confide in.

“Yes, he would realize that in short order,” Lola said impatiently. “You're fairly transparent.” She bit her lip in perplexity. “But Jake usually doesn't find it amusing to be cruel to those who develop an infatuation with him. He merely ignores them. He was really quite vicious to you up on deck.”

“He wants to send me back to college,” Jane explained quietly. “I don't intend to go.”

Lola nodded, comprehension lighting her eyes. “So he sends for me to discourage you,” she said wryly. “It's not the greatest compliment I have received.”

Jane rushed to reassure her. “It's a very great compliment, Lola.” Her tone was earnest. “Who else could show me, just by comparison, how inadequate I am. You're quite a woman.”

Lola smiled gently. “You're a generous child, aren't you? I can see why Jake is going to so much trouble over you.” Her face was serious as she continued. “He's quite right, you know. He's much too tough and ruthless for a nice infant like you.”

Jane shrugged. “Sometimes you can't pick and choose the things that are good for you. Sometimes things just happen.” She smiled sadly. “If Jake had to choose anyone to try to discourage me, I'm glad it was you, Lola.” She stood up and walked to the door. “I'll go and see what's holding up your luggage.”

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 be able to forget the thought of Lola in Jake's bed and find the welcome oblivion of sleep.

Unfortunately, this was not to be the case. After the hot shower she was more wide awake than ever. She changed to her shorty pajamas and flicked off the light. She was about to slip
beneath the covers when there was a knock at the door. She frowned in puzzlement and then relaxed. It must be Simon checking to see how she had weathered the evening.

“I'll be right there,” she called, and grabbed the matching polka-dot robe. It offered very little protection, as it also came only to her thighs, but at least it covered the transparency of the gown. She turned the light back on and padded barefoot to the door.

It was not Simon. Ahmet Kahlid stood at the door, still dressed in his dazzling white dinner jacket. He held a bottle of champagne in one hand and two champagne glasses in the other. His dark eyes were sparkling brightly, and there was a genial smile on his face.

His gaze roamed frankly and appreciatively over her scantily clad body. “How very alluring you are in that,
ma petite
,” he boomed cheerfully. “You look like a young dryad.”

She peeked up at him warily. “I was just about to go to bed,” she said carefully. “I'm afraid you'll have to excuse me.”

He shook his head stubbornly, his smile not losing a bit of its conviviality. “I most certainly will not excuse you,” he said breezily. “I couldn't bear to think of you alone and brooding in your cabin. You must have a glass of this most excellent champagne with me so that you will feel happier.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I really couldn't—” The rest of her sentence was lost, as Jane was forced to move quickly aside to avoid being trampled by Kahlid when he stepped into the cabin and looked around the room appraisingly.

“How can you breathe in this cabin?” he asked wonderingly. “I can hardly turn around.” He put the glasses on the night table and sat down casually on the bed. He patted it invitingly and said softly, “Come and have your champagne,
ma petite
, and soon all your pain will bubble gently away.”

Jane closed the door and came forward to sit gingerly on the
bed beside him. She didn't want to offend the sheikh by refusing the comfort he offered. He had been very sympathetic today, and she was grateful for the help he'd extended tonight in getting her out of the lounge.

“I'll just have one glass, then,” she said quietly.

“Good,” Kahlid answered approvingly, and he opened the champagne and poured the frothy liquid into the crystal glasses. “You will see that I am right,” he continued gently. “It is never good to be alone when one is unhappy.”

Jane sipped the champagne slowly, liking the tart taste tingling on the tip of her tongue. Perhaps Kahlid was right at that, she thought. She certainly felt better than she had earlier in the evening. There was something oddly soothing about the big friendly Arab.

“It's very good champagne,” she offered, smiling shyly. “But shouldn't you return to Jake and Miss Torres?”

He shook his head ruefully. “I'm very much afraid I was
de trop
. Jake has no desire for a third party when he is with a beautiful woman.”

Jane bit her lip and lowered her eyes unhappily.

Kahlid made an impatient gesture. “What a fool I am. Forgive me, little Jane, I did not think.” He poured some more champagne into her glass and then set the bottle on the table. “He is an idiot, my friend Jake,” he went on gently. “Lola is a very desirable woman, but you have something special, Jane.”

Jane stared at him, mesmerized by the intentness in the liquid darkness of Kahlid's eyes. Kahlid, too, was so absorbed that he did not hear the quiet opening of the door.

“Cozy. Very cozy,” Jake Dominic said with savage sarcasm. “I must compliment you on your progress, Ahmet, but did you notice that bed is a bit too narrow for a successful seduction?”