A hot shiver went through her.The muscles of her stomach contracted. "This gown doesn't make me a whoreany more than your treating me like one."
"But it bothersyou."
"Yes, it bothers me. Doesthat please you?"
"Of course it pleases me.Why shouldn't it—" He stopped and again his expression reflected thatmixture of frustration and discontent. "Kneel down on the carpet,dammit."
"The bed is only a fewfeet away."
"The floor."
She shrugged and fell to herknees.
"Now get up on your handsand knees."
It was beginning again—darkexcitement, domination, and... anticipation. She moistened her lips."Why?"
"I believe it's time wetried something new." He lifted her gown above her waist and the nextmoment she felt his warm palms caressing her buttocks. "The painting inthe maharajah's railroad car… "
He plunged deep, taking herbreath. He stopped, his hardness sealed within her while his hands went aroundto cup and fondle her breasts. "We have to faithfully reproduce thepainting, don't we?" He began to move slowly, making her feel every inch.She involuntarily tightened around him as a spasm of heat tore through her."Ah, that's what I want. Now look back at me. I want to see yourexpression."
She turned her head to stareat him. She knew what he was seeing—heat, lust, anger at herself for not beingable to resist the passion he ignited so easily. His own face was flushed, hislips heavy with sensuality, set in an expression of painful pleasure, and yetonce more she discerned that odd torment. "It's not the same," shegasped. "Don't you see? It…cannever be the same no matter what you see in my face. It's your expressionthat's wrong. I told you the painting was false. Men aren't gentle. Nevergentle… "
He went still. "Damnyou," he said hoarsely."Damnyou." He exploded, plungingin a fury of movement.
Her fingers dug into thecarpet as the storm rose, each stroke whipping her into a mindless frenzy. Shewasn't sure how long it lasted until she felt the burst of wild sensation thatsignaled both their release.
She collapsed on the floor anda moment later felt him leave her. She was completely enervated, unable tomove. She became vaguely aware he was picking her up, depositing her on thebed.
"Are you all right?"he asked stiltedly.
The heaviness she had felt allday seemed to be pressing down on her, crushing the breath from her body."Tired… "
He pulled the covers up to herchin and then lay down beside her. He gazed straight ahead, not touching her."I lost my temper."
She didn't answer:
"All right, you don'thave to wear the damn gown again," he burst out.
"It doesn't matter."
"Take it off."
"I'm too tired."
He muttered a curse beneathhis breath. The next moment he was pulling the gown down her body and throwingit into a glittering golden heap on the floor. He pulled the covers up aroundher again. "Satisfied?"
It was not like Ruel to be sodefensive, she thought dimly, but it was no more unusual than his otherbehavior today. "It doesn't matter," she repeated, and closed hereyes. "Not important… "
"Take me with you,Patrick," Jane muttered. Her voice rose. "Take me with you!"
"What the hell—"Ruel roused from sleep to see Jane tossing wildly on the bed next to him. Hereyes were closed. She was only dreaming, he realized with relief.
He reached over to shake hershoulder. "Wake up, it's only—" Her flesh was burning hot under hishand, "Jane?"
"I don't want to be likeher." Her breath was coming in pants. "I won't be any bother. Take mewith you, Patrick."
"Jesus, what the hell'swrong? Wake up." He sat up in bed and lit the lamp on the bedside tablebefore reaching over and shaking her again. "Open your eyes, dammit."
