‘She isn’t in your league, Rich,’ Jago drawled at her shoulder. ‘And besides, she’s with me. Be a good boy and go and find someone else to play with, mm?’
Storm didn’t know whether to be glad or sorry when Richard released her.
‘The mighty Jago Marsh snaps his fingers and everyone falls into line,’ she said bleakly when they were alone.
’Don’t tell me you were enjoying it,’ Jago taunted. ‘Because if you were you have a funny way of showing it.’
‘I’m surprised you noticed. You looked pretty well occupied yourself!’
‘Janice is an old friend,’ was all he said, but Storm didn’t like the way his eyes narrowed.
‘Storm, Jago, there you are,’ Valeria said breathlessly. ‘Why aren’t you dancing? Dance with her, Jago,’ she urged. ‘That’s what parties are for.’
‘I don’t want to…’ Storm began, but it was too late. Jago’s arms were sliding over her shoulders to clasp her waist her body propelled forward until it rested against his, as her hands linked behind his head.
‘Try to look as though you’re enjoying it,’ he whispered, his breath sending shivers over her exposed skin, ‘otherwise you’ll ruin my reputation!’
Beneath his jacket she could feel his muscles, the pressure of his hands keeping her against him. It would be fatally easy to relax against him and give him the victory she knew he was determined to have, but it was too dangerous.
She was glad when the music ended, and the wry smile Jago gave her told her that he was aware of her relief. His eyes lingered on the firm swell of her breasts and she knew it was deliberate punishment when he said softly to Valeria. ‘Time we weren’t here, I think. Say goodnight to Tony for me.’
‘If you wait a minute I’ll go and find him,’ Valeria began, laughing when she saw his face. ‘Ah, like that, is it?’ she asked with a knowing look at Storm. ‘I’ll go and get your coat, then, although something tells me you aren’t going to need it.’
‘Did you have to do that?’ Storm asked, close to tears, when she had gone. ‘It was obvious what she thought.’
‘Like I just said,’ Jago said lazily, ‘I’ve got my reputation to think of.’ He smiled wickedly at her as Valeria returned with her jacket, kissing the other woman on the cheek and promising to be in touch.
‘Enjoy yourself?’ he asked when they were out of the city.
‘It was better than staying at home by myself, brooding,’ Storm admitted. ‘You were right about what you said about David.’ There was a lump in her throat and it hurt to speak, but it had to be said. ‘I don’t think he ever cared for me at all.’
She felt rather than saw the sideways flick of his eyes and prayed that he wouldn’t say anything. She was tired and leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes, as she tried to blot out the sight of the man next to her.
She must have fallen asleep, for the next thing she knew was a sudden rush of cold air and the reassuring thump of something against her ear. She struggled through the layers of tiredness and heard Jago whisper in her ear, ‘It’s okay. You fell asleep in the car. Which is your room?’
‘You’re not carrying me upstairs!’ she protested, panic feathering across her skin. ‘I can manage on my own.’
He must have taken her key from her pocket, and she cursed herself for falling asleep. The fabric of his jacket felt rough on the exposed flesh of her back, and she felt his muscles stiffen as he ignored her words.
It wasn’t difficult for him to guess which room was hers. She had left the light on. Jago dropped her gently on her bed, his hands either side of her on the coverlet, imprisoning her against it.
‘You have lovely skin,’ he told her softly, dropping down beside her, his hand feathering a caress up her spine.
Shock trembled through her, and as though in a trance she watched the slow downward descent of his head, his lips silky against her throat, teasing and tantalising until she was breathing unevenly her hands clenched desperately at her sides to prevent them sliding round him. He had removed his jacket and his shirt glimmered palely in the dark.
This gentle, almost tender assault upon her senses was far harder to withstand than any violence, and as his hands caressed the bare skin of her back desire flamed through her. Barely aware of what she was doing, she slid her hands feverishly upwards, tracing the bones of his shoulders, her neck arching as his lips tormented her heated skin. Her hands trembled over the buttons of his shirt, sliding inside to caress the warmth of his flesh.
His low groan startled her, and her eyes widened as she felt him release the top of her dress, and then before she could protest the hair-roughened warmth of his chest was crushing her breasts, his breathing quickened as she was moulded against him, her bones turning to water at the touch of his body against hers.
His mouth teased and tasted, beginning a long slow arousal, that drove her mindless with aching longing. When her dress slithered to the floor and Jago raised himself slightly to look slowly along the length of her body, she felt only quickening excitement; her arms reached for him, her mouth parting eagerly as he kissed her. His hands tangled in her hair, and when he lifted his head he was breathing heavily.
‘You’re beautiful, do you know that?’ he said softly, bending his head to find the valley between her breasts, his lips deliberately provocative as they caressed the silky swelling flesh, and Storm trembled against him as his mouth finally closed over the nipple, sensation exploding inside her as she arched instinctively, moaning softly as her body demanded his complete possession.
‘Say it, Storm,’ he urged softly before claiming her mouth. ‘Tell me you want me. Forget Winters…’
It was like an injection of ice into her veins. God, how could she be so stupid? She pulled away from him, her eyes bitter in the darkness.
‘Get out!’ she snapped at him. ‘Get out of here! I hate you!’