face had tensed and he'd growled at her to get her "little butt back in there" and change out of that "excuse for a dress."
Of course she hadn't, but with any other woman she knewJacksonwould've probably won the fight by the simple expedient of tearing off the dress, and keeping her in bed until it was too late to make an appearance. The primitive desire that had glittered in his eyes when he first saw her had been an explicit indication of exactly what he wanted to do to her. If they did end up making love, she'd have to watch his tendency to take over her life and she had no illusions that he wouldn't try.
That was the man he was, difficult to handle, almost impossible to fight, but perhaps, she thought with feminine insight, he could be coaxed, gentled. And if he did allow her to tame him, even just a little, didn't that mean she had some power in the marriage? Being with him was very definitely a partnership - he expected her to match him.
TrustingJacksonwith her body became an even more attractive option when she understood the dynamic of their relationship, so attractive that she was involved in a heated daydream about her big husband and her naked body, when the top-heavy blonde sashayed over.
"JacksonSantorini ! I thought it was you." The twit made the mistake of laying a hand onJackson's sleeve.
Eyes narrowed,Taylorreached out and brushed the woman's hand off. "Oops. I think my husband had some ... dirt, on his sleeve. You really should watch that, darling." She glanced up at him, a warning in her eyes.
He was trying not to grin. "Thank you, mia moglie ."
The sensual glint in his eye told her that he was pleased at her little show of jealousy. She didn't care.
Forget anything she'd ever said about allowing him a mistress. If he touched another woman, she'd gut them both.
"Do I know you?"JacksonhuggedTaylorto his side, soothing her with his obvious display of ownership.
A spark of anger appeared in the blonde's eyes. "BelleBouvier . We met at the Vanderbilt party last spring."
"Apologies, Belle. You look a little different."
"Oh." The twit dimpled, apparently forgiving him. "I remember! I'd dyed my hair black! Can you imagine?"
"Well, I did see you when it was black."
Taylorcould tell that he was fighting the urge to burst out laughing. "Hello, Belle. I'mTaylor."
"Nice to meet you." The poisonous look in her eyes said otherwise. "I just wanted to congratulate Jackson."
"For what?"Jacksonasked.
"My sources tell me that you've just been voted Glitter magazine's sexiest bachelor of the year."
"No longer a bachelor." He looked down at Taylor, who was fuming. "Thank you, Belle, but you'll have to excuse me. I believe our hostess is signaling us."
As they walked,Taylormuttered, "Bouvier, my foot."
Jacksonsnickered, hugging her to him. It appeared that whileTaylorcould talk about him keeping a mistress, reality was another matter. He had a possessive little wife on his hands. Life had just become a lot more interesting.
"Stage name, I would guess." He moved his hand on the smooth skin of her back, coaxing her back into a good mood. Not that he minded the reason for her temper. He was confident enough of his masculinity to enjoy being considered her personal property.
She made a little feminine noise but before she could respond to his physical cajoling, a man slithered to a stop in front of them. Henry Carey.Jacksondetested the man. It seemed their night for meeting unwelcome acquaintances.
"Santorini."
"Carey." He huggedTaylorcloser to him. She complied, a sleek, giving woman who fitted her bodyto his.
"Congratulations on your marriage."
"Word travels fast."
"You know how it is." Henry smirked and turned toTaylor. "So, it must be ... interesting, being married to a man of your husband's size ... and strength."
The insinuation was clear. The papers had had a field day afterBonnie's suicide, usingJackson's face and image to hint at violence and pain. He usually ignored Henry, finding him pitiful, but tonight his pride rebelled againstTaylorhearing the lies about him. If she heard them often enough, maybe she'd start to believe, maybe she'd start to fear him. He could bear anything but that. About to move toward Carey, he was stopped by his wife, who stepped protectively in front of him.
"Why you odious little man ,"Taylorsaid, her voice hard but low. "My husband is a better man than you'll ever be, you weedy, pompous creature. I bet you don't even know what to do with a woman ...
when you can get some female drunk enough to