Reinventing Jane Porter (9 page)

“I’ve told you that this—” she gestured between them, “—cannot happen again.”

“You’re lying to yourself.” His cufflinks hit the floor then skittered away. “Your pride dictates that you reject me, but your heart doesn’t agree.”

“You don’t know the first thing—”

“An astute man listens with his heart, not his ears. I hear more than the words you speak.”

His shirt floated to the floor, and her mind went blank. Memories of kissing every inch of his chest stole the liquid from her mouth.

“Take off your skirt.” He reached for his zipper.

“No, Jean Jacques.” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

“Never mind.” His pants sagged then slid down. He kicked them to the side. “I can tear it off with my teeth.”

Her knees went weak.

“Who was that guy fucking you in the game room?” He reached for his boxers. “Was that Armand?”

“Who was the woman you fucked in the closet?” She shot back.

“You know who she is.” His boxers pooled around his ankles, and he stepped out of them. “Did you notice her pearls? She has some unusual talents involving very expensive jewelry.”

“Is that so? Well Robert has some interesting talents as well.” Her back hit the wall.

“Watching that bastard fuck you was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.” His eyes glittered. “Am I correct in assuming that little adventure was for me?” He loomed over her, crowding her with his size.

Their lips were so close his breath licked at her mouth.

“It was.” She was breathless. “I wanted to punish you for screwing—”

“I saw you, Lily.” His fists slammed into the wall on either side of her head, and she flinched. “I saw you masturbating while I screwed Ms. Junior League. You were turned on and that pisses you off.”

“I only enjoyed it until I realized it was you.” Her voice was a mere whisper. “Then I was hurt.”

“You accused me of screwing around on you.” He grabbed her wrists and yanked them over her head.

“I have always and will always be an honorable man. My word is my bond.”

The pain on his face tore at her heart. What had she done?

“Jean Jacques—”

“The one thing I always counted on was your trust. I’d done nothing to abuse that trust and still you accused me of screwing another woman. I didn’t deserve that and you know it.” His thumb touched her 50

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Educating Jane Porter

lower lip. “I’m not your father, Lily, and I’m not like other men. I don’t use women and toss them aside.

When you gave yourself to me I understand what a gift you are and in turn I gave myself to you.”

She was shaking. His gaze scorched her flesh.

“I am your man.”

He took possession of her mouth and everything else flew out of her mind. She longed to sink into him, body and soul.

The sound of tearing cloth didn’t faze her. When the hairs of his chest grated against her nipples, she moaned into his mouth. She tried to free her hands, but he was having none of it. She felt a jerk on the waistband of her skirt then it too was gone.

Lifting one leg, she wrapped it around one of his trying desperately to get closer. He released her wrists then lifted her into his arms. Twining her legs around his waist, her fingers tangled in his hair. She didn’t know where he was taking her, and she didn’t care. As long as he came with her she’d be okay.

The world swooped, and he laid her on a chaise lounge. Covering her, he touched her labia, sending a bolt of fire down her spine.

“Jean Jacques, please.” Her grip on his hair tightened. “Come inside me.”

His cock probed her pussy before sliding home. In unison they groaned. The sensation of him inside her, filling and stretching her most intimate flesh, was both exhilarating and humbling.

“You’re crying.” He laid his hand on her cheek.

“So are you.” Lily smiled. “Take me home, my prince.”

Grabbing her by the waist, he rolled until she was on top. Her breath rushed from her lungs when his cock slammed her clit.

“Show me the way, princess,” he hissed.

Rising onto her knees, she began to move. Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she swiveled her hips before sliding down again. Repeating the movement, she leaned forward and licked his flat nipples. Taking one into her mouth, she sucked on the hard little nub before worrying it with her teeth.

“Fuck, woman.”

He began to buck, his cock thrusting in and out so hard all she could do was hang on. Her orgasm tore through her, and she screamed and the sound echoed off the walls.

He came with a growl, his hand dug into her flesh as his come was jettisoned into her pussy. Slowly she sank onto him, her breath raging in her lungs. Their bodies covered in sweat, they melted together and she was unable to tell where she ended and he began. His heart thudded in her ear, and she closed her eyes.

It was official. She didn’t know what the future held but, she realized one thing, she and Jean Jacques would tear each other apart all right, with lust.

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Dominique Adair

Antonio whipped his shirt off and tossed it into the hamper. A drunken party guest had bumped into him and spilled Scotch on his shirt. Grabbing a washcloth, he turned on the water then lathered to remove the stench of alcohol from his arm.

If it wasn’t for this unplanned trip to the suite, he’d be with Jane and Santos in the gardens settling down to enjoy the fireworks. He glanced at his watch. If he hurried, he just might make it.

“
Cher
Antonio, ’ave you missed me?”

He was startled when Giselle walked into his bathroom as if she owned the place. Dressed in a think silk shift, she might as well have been naked. Every bump and curve was visible, and he wondered why she even bothered to dress at all.

“What the hell are you doing here?” He tossed the cloth into the hamper then reached for a towel.

“I’m ’ere to see you. I’ve missed you.”

Her lower lip stuck out in a practiced pout that used to get him every time. Now he only felt mildly annoyed.

“What’s the matter, Giselle, Ellington not doing it for you?”

Surprise flashed in her eyes, but she recovered quickly.

“’E’s not my luv-air.” She propped her hip on the vanity. “But I zee you are keeping an eye on me.”

“Not for the reasons you’re thinking.”

Dropping the towel he started to walk around her, and she moved to intercept. When she molded her body to his all he could do was grimace. Giselle was rabid about every bite she put into her mouth and she spent countless hours working out each day. She’d been nipped, tucked and sucked into the perfect model’s silhouette. Pert breasts, tight stomach, a firm ass and legs that went from her neck to the floor.

But she didn’t hold a candle to Jane.

Taking her firmly by the arms, he set her away from him.

“You’re not welcome here, Giselle.” He headed for the closet. “This is my brother’s home and while they are the ideal hosts who would never dare to embarrass a guest, I have no such compunctions. Get out of my room before I throw you out.”

“Antonio. ’Ow you speek to me.” She drifted toward him. Her movements were slow and sexy,

designed to send a man’s brain straight to his groin.

“Trust me, you deserve worse. You’ve abused my bank account, gone out of your way to try to embarrass me in the media and now you’ve come into my brother’s home to cause trouble.” He pulled a black T-shirt over his head. “My patience with you is at an end.”

“I ’ope you treet your beech better zan zis.” Her expression turned cold, hard. “What iz ’er name?

Jean?”

“Jane, and how I treat her is none of your business.” He ground out.

“Why are you wif zis fat beech anyway?”

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His arm shot out, and he slapped his hand over her mouth. Pushing her backward, he crowded her against the wall. Her eyes bulged.

“You’re not permitted to speak her name, Giselle. She is more of a lady than you could ever hope to become.” His face was so close to hers he could smell her fear.

“You will leave this house within the next ten minutes, and you will do so quietly. If you fail to do as I’ve asked, Santos will be happy to escort you from the grounds.” His eyes narrowed. “Do you understand me?”

Her nostrils flared and terror was reflected in her eyes when Santos’s name was spoken. Antonio didn’t know why she was so afraid of his friend, but he would use whatever weapons he had to get her as far away from Jane as possible.

“Good. For once we have an agreement.”

He stalked toward the door and threw it open. Giselle stared at him with such hatred he had to wonder why she wanted him back so much. Pushing her shoulders back, she walked past him. Down the hall he heard the grandfather clock strike one and outside, the first firework exploded.

“You sorry bastard.” Her voice was sharp, and her body vibrated with anger. “’E already ’as ’er and you won’t want ’er in your bed when ’e’s done.”

“What are you talking about?” Pulling the door shut, he locked it.

“You’re blonde beech.” She was walking backward away from him slowly. “You’re precious whore is with ’im and you’ll nev-air zee ’er again.” Her cheeks were flushed, and she began to laugh.

Antonio didn’t have to ask who she referred to, he already knew. His skin turned cold, and his blood to ice water.

“Where is she, Giselle? Where did he take her?”

“I doan know, and I doan care. As long as you can’t ’ave ’er zen I am—”

Later he wouldn’t remember moving toward her. One minute they were in the hallway and the next he had shoved her back against the wall. His hands were around her throat, and her expression went from merriment to abject fear.

“If he hurts a single hair on her head, I will destroy him.” His grip tightened. “And once I am done with Ellington, I will hunt you down like a rabid dog and I won’t stop until the ground beneath you runs red with your blood.”

Her nails dug into his hands and her eyes were wild with fear. It would take less than three minutes to kill her.

“
¡Amigo!
”

Santos’s shout jerked Antonio back to reality. His friend and a handful of black-garbed security guards were jogging toward him.

“They saved your life, Giselle. This time.”

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Dominique Adair

Slowly he forced his hands to relax before letting go entirely. Giselle slumped to the floor and began to cry.

“She said Ellington has Jane.” His gaze met Santos’s. “He’s taking her off the grounds.”

“No, that can’t be. I just left her in the gardens only minutes ago.”

Another firework detonated and they both looked toward the windows. Everyone was outside

watching the show and with the explosions coming so close together no one would hear a woman scream.

Gravel dug into her feet and Jane didn’t have to pretend to stumble this time. Sharp rocks dug into her knees, and she cried out. They were in the parking area and no one was around to help. It didn’t matter how loud she screamed, the fireworks drowned her out.

“Get up you stupid cow.” Peter’s fingers dug into her hair, and he yanked her to her feet. “Why do you keep falling?”

“I don’t have any shoes on, you asshole.”

Tears stung her eyes, and her scalp was throbbing. Had it been ten minutes yet? It seemed like hours had passed since Santos had left her side.

“What the fuck did you do with your shoes?”

He began walking again, this time towing her behind him using her hair like a leash.

“They were hurting, and I took them off. I was trying to get them when you shoved that damned gun in my face.”

“I’ll bet you’re regretting that decision now.” He chuckled.

“I’m regretting quite a few of my recent decisions,” she muttered. “You can’t just drive out of here with me in your car, the guards will stop you.”

“They’d have to see you first.” A metallic click sounded and the trunk of a sleek black Cadillac popped open. “Trust me, they won’t even know you’re in the car. Get in.”

Aghast, she stared at the open compartment. She’d always had a touch of claustrophobia.

Consequently she’d go out of her way to avoid any kind of confined space.

Climbing into a car trunk was definitely high on the list of things not to do.

“No, I can’t.”

She started to back away when he yanked her back. Her sore knees slammed into the bumper and pain tore through her legs. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, and she began to fight.

Screaming at the top of her lungs, she ignored the pain as she thrashed against him. Twisting and turning, she struggled to break his grip. Her bare feet did little damage to his shins, but that didn’t stop her.

“Don’t make me hurt you, Jane.”

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She brought up her knee, but he deflected the movement. His fist slammed into the side of her head, and she staggered. Spots danced in front of her eyes, and she barely felt him shove her backward into the trunk. The last thing she saw was his triumphant expression before the lid slammed shut.

Across the parking lot Santos saw Ellington strike Jane. She staggered and her hands came up as if she were trying to protect herself. Ellington shoved her backward, and she fell into the trunk.

He began to run. With every step the veneer of a cultured gentleman dissolved and the boy who’d struggled to survive emerged. Ignoring the men following him, he was focused on his prey. Everything else faded away leaving only the sound of his heartbeat in his ears.

A low growl emerged from his throat and increased in volume with every stride. Startled, Ellington swung toward him, and Santos caught sight of the gun in his hand. The other man raised his arm and shouted something, but Santos didn’t slow his gait. He was so close…

Leaping, he was airborne when he saw the flash of light from the weapon. Something struck him, tearing through his upper arm. It burned like fire, but the pain was secondary to his need for vengeance. No one terrorized his woman and lived.