by Jan Carol
"Was there something wrong with the food, Miss Wisdom?" Flapjack’s concern, and a little appreciated.
"There’s nothing wrong with your food, Flapjack. I’m Jenà, in case you’ve lost your memory. Speaking of losing things, I seem to have lost my clothes. I get off at eleven tonight, and I wish whoever moved them would put them right back." Her voice was filled with anger, not directed at anyone in particular.
"I missed you last night." Ethan’s voice growled when he caught her in his arms in the dining room.
"I’ll bet you did." The anger was still there, she didn’t try to hide it. "What gives you the right to expression showed genuine hurt that his efforts weren’t manipulate other people? You’ve even ordered them to address me as Miss Wisdom. You’ve taken my clothes from my room. I won’t stand for this."
"Jenà..." He was trying to calm her.
"You may call me Miss Wisdom, Mr. Ayers." Her struggles were being absorbed by his strong arms.
"Jenà, please." He held her tightly. "The more you try to get away, the more I want you." His quiet but serious words stopped every movement in her. "That’s better." His movements were toward the door, where he put one arm around her, walking to the stairs. "Now, about your things..."
"Yes, Mr. Ayers." She interrupted. "About my things..." How she wished she could put him in his place, but she had a feeling whatever she said or did, he would remain the victor. "I wish them to be back in my room, downstairs, before eleven tonight. I won’t be moved until I am ready. You’re going to find that to be a very, very long time from now." She allowed him to lead her where he would, for the time being.
Passing his suite, he went to the next door down the hall. "This is yours, Jenà, if you’ll have it." His hand was on the knob, but didn’t open it because she spoke quite angrily.
"No, Mr. Ayers. I’m not interested. I was hired as one of your servants, but that doesn’t give you exclusive rights on my body." She looked away from him, feeling her anger was being diminished by the brown eyes that looked down at her.
"Alright." He spoke with patience, removing his hand from the handle. "I won’t force you to do what you don’t think you want." His arm around her tightened, pulling her against him. "But you do want me, Jenà, as much as I want you."
Her hands pushed against his arms, wanting to keep him from kissing her. Lightly he brushed her lips, causing much friction in the air just around them. "Please don’t, Ethan." When her eyes met his, he grinned down at her.
"I’ll have your things returned to your cabin." He gave in to her, only because he knew he would win another time. No sense forcing her. He’d wait until she was ready. With the way he knew he affected her, the time would be quite soon, he would bet everything he had on that.
Biting her lower lip, she watched his eyes. Neither moved from where they felt comfortable, despite another couple walking by them in the hall. Her eyes moved down to the lips she found so fascinating. "Aren’t you afraid what your friends might say about you and one of the staff?"
No verbal answer came as he lowered his head to do what she all but verbally begged for. Before he found himself carrying the woman inside, he raised his head from hers. Her sigh was drawn out by several hesitating stops.
Refusing to look up at him, which would give him satisfaction, she turned to go. It was so hard to leave the arms that had held her tightly. Why was he letting her go again? The question seemed to come to her every time she walked away from him. Again, she was no challenge to him. He was her challenge, so why was she so eager to leave him? Were they both testing the other?
Letting her fingers pick the tunes, she quietly sang the songs from her past that were too dear to share with anyone else. Tears fell down her cheeks, though they were not sad songs, nor did she feel like crying because of Mr. Ethan Ayers.
<<<< >>>>
AFTER MAKING sure the guests were served, Jenà stepped back in the corner to await signs of glasses needing a refill. She found her eyes kept going to his table, to the empty chair where he should have been sitting. Where could he be? Was he personally seeing that her things were put back in her cabin? No, that wasn’t something she could picture Mr. Ayers doing.
Before the diners were half finished, Westley came to relieve her, saying she was called out on the deck. His whisper had gone unnoticed by the people at the tables, and she turned to question him silently. He shrugged his shoulders, and whispered, "Immediately."
Quietly she slipped out the door, leaving Westley in her corner, his eyes now watching the people, rather than her. The upper deck was unoccupied when she walked out on it. She could see a table, and it looked to be set for two. Maybe she was to stand by while Ethan dined with one of his guests, a lady, she imagined. She wouldn’t let that get to her. But the thought of having to stand by while he conversed with another woman, teasing that woman the way he had teased her, kissing her hand, knowing how he felt about her, and she about him... A jealousy began growing inside.
"Jenà." His voice came from beside her. She hadn’t seen or heard him come up. When he saw that he had startled her, he came to her side. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you." His arm was around her waist. "I would like the pleasure of having dinner with you, if you would join me."
She looked up at him. He was wearing a gold velour pullover sweater, with brown slacks, looking very relaxed. "Me?" She asked, unbelieving. "But I’m on duty until eleven. I believe I told you."
"You forget, honey, I’m the boss on this ship." His smile was enough to make her heart stop. "It’ll be warm just long enough for you to slip downstairs to change."
"No, I don’t think so, Ethan... Mr. Ayers." She quickly checked herself. "I’d much rather finish the job I started inside."
"You’d rather do that than be with me? We’ll be dancing later, surrounded by all my guests. There is no one I would rather have as my dance partner. You could call it part of your job, keeping your boss happy." The evening was growing dark, and the night lights had been turned on. "I should have left them off," he was looking at the lights.
"No." She quickly told him. "I think it’s beautiful out here, lit up this way." They weren’t bright, but set a romantic mood.
"Would you like me to escort you down to help you get changed?" His expression told her he was serious. As she shook her head, he smiled again. "Good. Please be quick." As she left him, he called to her, watching her turn around. "Jenà, please, that light green, lacy dress you have would be nice."
"They are back in my own closet?" She asked with a slight smile of her own, appreciating him asking for something she herself liked. "I won’t keep you waiting, Mr. Ayers."
In her room, she quickly changed, Jenni watching in awe. She put the book down that she’d been reading, finally asking the question on her mind since the woman came in. "What happened to the move I heard you were making?"
"It wasn’t my idea, Jenni. I told him no, and he took me at my word." Jenà pulled the full skirt up over her hips to her waist, then the lace top over her naked breasts. The straps wouldn’t allow for a bra.
"Looks like you’re going out. Where in the world would you find to go this far out?" Her blue eyes were wide.
"Just on deck. Part of my job, it seems, includes dining with Mr. Ayers tonight, and being his dance partner." She put a touch of lipstick on, blotting most the grease off, leaving a hint of color.
"O-o-o la-la!" Jenni stood, watching as her roommate applied the slightest blue-green eye shadow. "It must be nice to be paid..." The words stopped there, rather than saying what was in her thoughts.
Jenà turned to face her. "I didn’t ask for this. It is a direct order from him."
"I’m sure it was, but rumor has it that you’re playing up to him." Jenni sat back on her bed.
"Who?" Her volume was turned up some. "Who would say that?"
"Look, don’t take it so personal. You’re young and pretty. Just his type of woman." She lay back, picking up her book again. "Watch yourself, Jenà. He’ll
dump you when you no longer fit into his plans."
"And you were the one who said he doesn’t mess with hired help," she accused. "I should have listened to Wes. Only... Oh, never mind." She opened the door, walking through the hall to the stairs in her small white heels, thinking what she was about to say to Jenni. Only no matter what anyone else said to warn her, she was sure things would be the same. Ethan had been watching her from the first day.
It had only been five minutes since she’d left him. Standing near the table, he watched as she walked to him, pulling out her chair when she was beside it. "I knew it would look sensational on you. You’re very beautiful, Jenà."
She seated herself, feeling the chair being pushed in as she moved toward the table. His lips were warm on her bare shoulder before he walked around the table, sitting across from her. "Thank you." She smiled as he took his seat across from her.
To her surprise they ate in silence, his eyes speaking to her. The meal was absolutely wonderful, and there was no one around to refill their drinks, Ethan did that. Her wine glass was never empty, and after the third, she insisted that she’d had enough.
When they had finished, one of the deck waiters cleared the table away. Where he had come from was her guess. Shortly after he was gone, music began filling the air. Ethan, taking her in his arms, moved to the soft melody. She was watching to find the others, who hadn’t come out yet. His chuckle caught her attention.
"What?" She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling in the lights around them.
"You." He smiled down at her. "Are you afraid I might do something to you before company arrives?"
"Maybe." She was able to follow him so easily. "I’ve not had a partner like you in years."
His words were whispered in her ear, sending little shivers through her. "You’re too young to say that. Years... Must put you back in early high school, maybe junior high." Holding her a little tighter, he was enjoying the feel of her in his arms once more.
"M-m-m. But I hear you go for younger women, Ethan." His name slipped from her tongue so naturally. "I hope they don’t change the music."
"They won’t," he promised. To his disappointment, his guests were now coming out to join them. Although it had been planned, he really wanted this night to be just theirs, Jenà’s and his. "I’ve plans to hold you in my arms all night long, and if dancing is the only way, then slow music will be played as long as you can stand."
"That could be all night." She looked up at his smiling face, closing her eyes to the way he made her feel. "I’m used to dancing till early morning hours."
His left eyebrow came up, his smile fading some. "Is that right?" The music stopped for a few seconds between songs. Ethan never missed a step. "Are you a professional dancer?" Strange he didn’t know the first thing about this woman, yet she seemed everything he had ever wanted.
"No. I go dancing most nights after work. I sing for a living."
"Do you?" He sounded interested. "I’d like to hear you."
She danced in his arms until most the others were gone. The night air was a bit chilly, but in his arms, she was warm, maybe a little too warm. Having swayed with him for nearly three hours straight, she wondered if he would ever tire out.
"Would you like something to drink?" He asked during a lull in the music. At her nod, he walked her to the dining area. "I’m afraid everyone is off duty."
"Let me get our drinks." Going behind the bar with him, she felt almost naked without his arms around her. "Your favorite martini? Or would you prefer something else?"
"What I’d prefer doesn’t come from bottles." He leaned against the wall, watching her. "Fix what you like, I’ll have the same."
"If it’s all the same to you, I’ll settle for cream soda. I don’t feel I should be drinking any more tonight." Her eyes remained on the two glasses she had taken out from under the bar.
"Don’t trust me, or yourself, Jenà" He didn’t move. "Cream soda would be fine." He accepted the glass from her when she held it out to him, holding her hand beneath his a little longer than she felt necessary. "Should I have the music turned off now?"
"I’m enjoying it. Care to sit outside?" The lights had been turned out, everyone gone downstairs but them. "I like to look at the stars out here. In the city they aren’t as bright."
Taking her arm, he walked outside with her. The chill in the air concerned him. "Will you need a jacket?"
"I’ll be all right for a little while yet." Her words were sighed. "Isn’t it so beautiful out here?" He sat in a lounge, pulling her onto his lap. "Ethan, I really don’t think..."
Her words were stopped by his fingers. "Sh-h-h. Listen to the night." The sounds of the waves hitting the yacht were as comforting as a river rushing down its bed. He let her get comfortable, then wrapped his arms around her.
"Is this part of my job, too?" She smiled, turning toward him with her hands on his shoulders. "I could grow to like this job, you know."
"Could you, now?" His eyes seemed to be devouring her. "I think I’ll hire you permanently. Would that suit you, Jenà?" To his surprise, but delight, she didn’t answer, but reached up and started a kiss, which he immediately took over.
She knew better than to start that, but it was something she couldn’t help, something she had been wanting to do since they had began dancing. His kisses were something she had quickly grown to enjoy.
Setting his glass down on the floor beside his chair, he reached up, taking the one out of her hand. His free hand began to touch places on her that caused her to stiffen. Changing his tactics, he placed his hands on her bare shoulders, pushing her away from him.
"Jená." His voice held a warning. "If you’re going to start something..."
With a hand to her puffy lips, she closed her eyes. "I’m sorry, Ethan. I don’t know what got into me." Trying to get off his lap, to move to safer grounds, she found him pulling her back against him.
"I think you could use a good stiff drink. You need to learn to relax." His words caused the opposite effect than the one he was talking about. "You see? You’re so tense."
"Well? What do you expect?" She pushed against him, being allowed to sit up, to look in his eyes. "I’m not ready for what you’re demanding of me."
"Demanding? That’s almost what I’d say about the way you’re kissing me. I feel you demanding more of me. I’m just complying, Jenà."
"I think I should go to bed." She was let up, but was he beside her before she could leave.
"I agree." His arms were in the right places without her realizing what he was doing, and before she knew it, he had her up in the air. "Off to bed we go."
"That’s not what I meant, Ethan." She kicked and squirmed, holding back a scream. "Is this all you have on your mind? Getting me in your bed, then dumping me when you’re through?"
Ethan’s footsteps stopped inside the door, beside the stairs. "Dump you when I’m through?" His voice had a touch of anger. "What else have you heard about me that I should know?"
"You aren’t denying it." She pouted, hoping she wasn’t right in listening to the others. "You’re the love ‘em and leave ‘em type, from what I hear. I’m nothing like that. I don’t want a one night stand, Ethan."
"Then tell me, Miss Wisdom, what are you doing here?" His voice held back a growing anger.
"I’ve asked myself the same thing many times." She was set on her feet. "You are... Well, you are! That’s all."
"I am what?" He demanded. "I’ll tell you what I’m not, young lady. I’m not one to be teased over and over again. I’m not one to be told what I am, because you don’t know what I am, Jenà. You listen to too many people, and you don’t listen to anything that matters."
Her wide eyes watched as he left her standing there. He went down the stairs to his suite. Her halting breath came as she realized how upset she had made him.
She stood there until he was out of sight, then went down the same stairs, continuing where he had not. When she was in her room, she slipped out of her dre
ss, putting on a tee-shirt and crawled into her bed, letting the tears fall silently to the pillow.
<<<< >>>>
WHEN THE alarm sounded at four, Jenà was still very much awake, again. As Jenni began moving about, the woman in the top bunk lay still, not wanting to talk because she knew she would let slip what had happened while the woman below her slept. She felt the need to talk to someone, especially someone female who might understand. It seemed forever before she was alone in her room.
Thoughts of the things she felt wouldn’t leave her, just as it happened before. Again, too, she wondered how she would be able to face Ethan Ayers. Maybe she would change shifts with Jenni or Sherri. Neither of the women liked the early mornings. They probably would gladly give it up to her. As if that would keep her from having to be around him.
But mornings weren’t to her liking, either. She might be able to avoid things like what had been happening after the late shift, though. The latter far outweighed her dislike for going to work early.
She would have to be in the dinning room when he took his evening meal with his guests today, though. The thought made her feel depressed. She didn’t think she could spend the hour as she had two nights ago, blushing because he was watching her.
Okay, she couldn’t be there. She would speak to Flapjack about getting someone to replace her. Westley had taken over once, he could do it again. She would continue with the setting up and cleaning up, but would refuse to serve the drinks.
Knowing she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway, she climbed down to the floor, turning on the light. She paced the space that was clear of everything for a few rounds, then decided to go upstairs and beg coffee from whoever was in the kitchen this early in the morning.
Dressed in a simple shift from the closet, she took the stairs quickly. The place was as if no one was on board, until she reached the dining area and could hear rustling from the kitchen. Someone would be doing the pies, rolls and other things needing early attention.
