Desiring the Enemy (4 page)

     “Sounds good,” Jenna said, taking the dress and shoes into her room.

***

    Jenna decided to take a nice soothing bath to relieve some of the tension. She was a little nervous about tonight, but she was also excited. She’d never had much time for dances, or parties, her life had revolved around work. Today she was going to let loose and have a good time.

     After her bath she began experimenting with her hair. She tried several styles before deciding to go for the basic, letting her naturally curly hair cascade down her back. Earlier in the day she had gone to one of the department stores at the mall and the girl at the makeup counter had given her some pointers on how to apply the cosmetics and on how to accentuate her eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror and thought she had done a decent job. At seven she went downstairs and met Marla who was already waiting.

     “Wow Jenna, you look beautiful. Doesn’t she look beautiful, Wade?”

     Wade had just walked in from the stables and had to do a double take when he saw Jenna.

    “Yes, very nice,” he said dismissively as he started up the stairs.

     “Jenna, I wouldn’t be surprised if some gorgeous hunk sweeps you off your feet tonight.” Marla said, loud enough for Wade to hear. Still no reaction from him.

     “I guess we better get going,” she said to Jenna and they set out. When they got to the car she suddenly stopped.

     “Oops, I forgot my purse. Let me go get it.”

     “Okay, I’ll wait for you in the car.”

     Marla trotted upstairs and knocked on Wade’s door.

     “Come in,” she heard Wade say.

     Wade was sitting at his desk looking over some papers, or so it appeared.

     “Hey bro, I’m leaving now. Are you sure you wouldn’t want to come with us?”

     “I told you, I’m staying home tonight,” Wade said, trying to forget how beautiful Jenna looked.

     “Well, if you change your mind I left the extra ticket on the coffee table.” Marla turned and walked downstairs.

     Wade put down the papers he’d hastily picked up when Marla had knocked on his door and thought about what she said. What if someone did sweep Jenna off her feet? That would actually be a very good thing, she would latch onto the new man and leave his uncle alone. Then why did he feel such a knot in his stomach at the thought of her in another man’s arms?

     He thought that maybe a beer would relax him and headed toward the kitchen. On the way there he glanced into the living room, his eyes settling on the lone ticket. He turned his head away and continued toward the fridge. He stopped again and looked back at the ticket. Maybe going to the gala wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Comparing notes with other ranchers would be good for business, wouldn’t it? He thought about it for a few more seconds before heading back upstairs and into the shower.

     A half hour later he was on his way. He used some of the expensive aftershave Marla had given him last Christmas, refusing to speculate as to why he would want to smell good when all he wanted was to talk shop with other men.

     He arrived at the banquet hall and handed his key over, taking the numbered ticket the valet offered and placing it in his pocket. He entered the grand ballroom, his eyes searching through the crowd. He was looking for a green dress when he caught sight of Marla and headed her way.

     “You came!” Marla said when he reached her side, giving him a big hug and a kiss.

     “I figured I might as well see what’s new in the ranching industry,” he lied. He was there for one thing and one thing only, and that was to see Jenna, he finally admitted to himself. 

     “I’m so happy you’re here. We’re having a blast,” Marla said, looking over the dance floor.

     Wade followed her eyes and saw Jenna dancing with Neal Lowey, the downtown hot shot attorney. Neal was known not only for his command of the courtroom, but also for his womanizing. Everyone knew that any woman he set his sights on he conquered, and he seemed very proud to live up to that reputation. Wade saw him getting closer to Jenna as the music slowed and decided to act. He would’ve done it for any lady he felt could get caught in Neal’s web.

     “May I cut in?” he said, tapping Neal’s shoulder.

     “Of course,” Neal said as he reluctantly let go. “I’ll see you later, okay?” he said to Jenna.

    
Not if I can help it
Wade thought with disdain.

     Wade took Jenna in his arms and turned his back to Neal. They swayed to the music for a while before he finally spoke.    

     “You look beautiful.” The words came out before he had a chance to stop them.

     “Thank you,” Jenna said shyly. “I thought you weren’t coming.”

     “I decided that it would be good for business to network a bit.”

     Jenna surreptitiously looked him over. At the ranch he had never been out of his jeans and t-shirt, and looking at him in formal attire she could only think of one word to describe the man: magnificent. He caught her looking and she felt the color rise to her cheeks.

     “I usually don’t wear a tuxedo. This one is left over from a past life.” 

     Jenna wondered what he meant by that. “Well, it suits you.”

     “Thank you,” Wade saw her reddened cheeks and felt something stir in him. He cleared his throat and continued, “I asked you to dance in order to warn you about Neal.”

     “What about Neal. He seems like a perfect gentleman.”

     “He has a reputation as a love ‘em and leave ‘em type. I wouldn’t want you to be taken in by some suave gigolo.”

     “What makes you think I would?” Jenna asked, growing irritated by his insinuation that she would be easily fooled.

     “I’m not saying you would, I’m just warning you.”

     “I’m a big girl, Wade. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time
, without
your help,” she said pointedly. 

     She began to pull away but Wade held her tight, refusing to let her go. For a long moment neither of them moved. Green locked with blue as they stared into each other’s eyes, as if they were the only two people in the room. Wade finally loosened his hold but she didn’t walk away, still rattled by the mix of emotions she was experiencing. As angry as she was for his interference in her life, she couldn’t help the draw of his body and embrace. He was also experiencing mixed feelings, though for different reasons. The inappropriateness of his attraction to her made him feel small, and he was not liking it one bit. He had always been the upstanding one, the one who helped others make the right decisions. He cleared his throat before he spoke again.   

     “I know you are, I was just trying to help. Listen, I’m sorry if I offended you. Can we forget what I said?” Hopefully she would be careful where Neal was concerned.

    Jenna nodded and they continued to sway on the dance floor. When the song ended they separated and Jenna headed for their table. She sat down and immediately saw Neal heading toward her.

     “There you are Jenna. Could I be so bold as to ask you for another dance?” he asked in his most charming voice, deliberately deepening it. Jenna was completely turned off and was about to decline the invitation when she heard Wade interject.

     “Jenna is tired right now, maybe later,” he said, as he took in Jenna’s look of annoyance.

     “I’d love to Neal.” She smiled and offered her hand. There was no way she would let Wade dictate her night.

     Neal took her hand as he shot a look of triumph Wade’s way.

     What was wrong with her? Wade thought angrily. He’d warned her about Neal and she had completely dismissed him. He watched as Neal expertly twirled her around the dance floor, his anger picking up steam with each whirl. When he saw Neal lead her onto the veranda he couldn’t control the fury that overwhelmed him. He got up and stormed toward them. He saw Neal whispering something to Jenna and rushed to her side.

     “Jenna, I think it’s time to go home,”

     “What are you talking about? It’s still early, and besides, I’m having a great time.”

     “I warned you about him,” he said, “Why do you think he brought you out here?”

     Neal turned and faced him. “What is your problem Wade? Jenna and I needed some fresh air. What’s it to you anyway?”

     “Jenna is a guest in my home and it is my duty to protect her from slime like you. You forget, Neal, that I’ve known you for many, many years, and I know your reputation with women. I won’t allow you to hurt anyone under my care.”

     Jenna listened in disbelief. Who did he think he was? Her protector? She was such a weak and naïve woman that she would fall under Neal’s spell if he didn’t save her from herself?”

     “Wade, I think you should leave. As I already told you I’m a big girl and I don’t need you or anybody else to look after me like I’m some dim-witted child.” The fire in her eyes should have forced him to re-consider his actions, but served to infuriate him instead.

     “I don’t think you
can
take care of yourself. If you could you wouldn’t have made the stupid decisions you’ve made so far.” He looked her in the eye as if daring her to deny it.

     Jenna’s anger was making her see red and she fisted her hands at her sides as she faced him. Neal tried to intercede but retreated when he saw Wade’s angry eyes.

     “Jenna, I’ll see you inside,” he said as he slithered back into the ballroom, leaving Wade and Jenna behind.

    
Coward!
Jenna thought as she watched him walk away.

     Wade grabbed her by the elbow and began to lead her toward the exit.

     “Get off of me,” Jenna said through clenched teeth. The last thing she wanted was to make a scene, but Wade had no right to try to control her. 

     “We’re going home,” he said decisively.

     Just then they heard Marla’s voice calling to them.

     “Hey guys, where are you going? The party’s just starting.”

     “I’m taking Jenna home,” Wade said as he tightened his hold on Jenna’s elbow.

     “No you’re not!” Jenna seethed as she tried to pull her arm free.

     “Jenna, I will put you over my shoulder in a minute if you continue fighting me on this.”

     Jenna didn’t doubt for a second that he would make good on his threat and decided that it would be best to just go, the night was ruined anyway.

     “Fine. I’m sorry Marla, but I am a bit tired. I think it’d be best if I went home.”

     Marla looked at Jenna, then at Wade. Maybe she should just let them leave the matchmaker in her reasoned. Something was happening here, and some time alone might be just what they needed.  

     “Well, I’m staying a little longer. You guys go home without me.”

     “Maybe you should come with us,” Wade said, not wanting to leave her alone.

     “I’m having fun Wade, and I don’t want to leave yet. Sherilynn is here and I haven’t seen her in ages, I want to catch up on the local gossip,” she said, smiling.

     “I don’t want you driving home alone.”

     “I’ve been driving home alone for several years now. I’ll be okay, I promise.”

     “If you drink call me to pick you up.”

     “Wade, I would never drive drunk and you know it,” Marla knew he was just being protective but it still annoyed her that he didn’t trust her judgment.

     “Okay, I’m sorry. I know you’re a responsible driver. Go ahead, stay, have a good time.”

     “Thanks for giving me your approval, master,” Marla said, bowing down to him.

     Wade rolled his eyes and started for the door.     

     “I’m sorry I’m ditching you Marla.” Jenna said ruefully. She could kill Wade for putting her in this position.

     “Don’t worry about it. Go get some rest.”

     Jenna gave her a quick hug and walked out of the room.

***

     The car ride home was spent in silence. Jenna knew she needed to cool down before she confronted Wade about his abominable behavior.

     Wade stared straight ahead. The awkward silence permeated the vehicle and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew Jenna was furious with him but he couldn’t let her be taken in by the likes of Neal, could he?

     When they finally got home he turned off the car and watched as Jenna stormed out and headed toward the house. She ran up the stairs as he followed close behind, but before she entered her room he grabbed her arm and spun her around.

     “Look, I know you’re mad at me, but I also know I did the right thing by bringing you home.”

     “The right thing! Who the hell do you think you are?! You’re not my father, my brother or my lover, you have no right to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do!”

     “You’re right, but as your host I need to watch out for you. I’m sure Uncle Stanley wouldn’t want you gallivanting with any Tom, Dick or Harry.”

     “What does Stanley have to do with any of this? He has no more right to rule my life than you do. If I decide that I want to see any man I’ll do it, and no one is going to stop me!” Jenna’s hands were clenched against her sides, her face red with fury.

     Wade couldn’t believe what he was hearing. She was telling him to his face that she saw nothing wrong with cheating on his uncle. Before he could control his actions he grabbed her by the arms and, pressing her against the wall, crushed his lips to hers.

     He felt her resist but held firm, his tongue coaxing her mouth open. He slowly loosened his hold on her and her body began to surrender to his touch. She opened her lips, letting him in to begin an exploration that would soon give rise to a passion that neither one expected. His hands roamed her body, cupping her breasts as she arched toward him. He felt her pressing into him and he grew harder against her ribcage.

     Jenna threaded her hands through his hair as she tasted his mouth, wanting so much more.

     Suddenly she felt him stiffen and pull away. He looked down at her flushed face, the passion still evident in his lidded eyes.

     “Good night,” he sneered as he rushed into his room.

     Jenna watched him walk away, touching her lips in disbelief.
What just happened
?

***

     Wade couldn’t understand why he did what he did. She’d made him so angry that he had wanted to punish her, but he was the one punished in the end. He wanted her so badly, he’d never desired a woman as much as he did Jenna tonight. When he pulled away his intent was to have her see the disdain in his eyes, and he thought he had been successful, but it didn’t give him pleasure to know that. He’d hated seeing the confusion and hurt in her eyes, but then he remembered what kind of woman she was and decided that he’d done the right thing. 

***

     Jenna came down for breakfast the next morning, not relishing the idea of seeing Wade. After last night and the way he’d acted she would rather he spend the day outdoors.

     “Good morning girl, sleep well?” Gretchen asked.

     “Actually I did. I love the peacefulness I feel here.” That was, peacefulness when Wade wasn’t around. She had to merely glance his way and she would feel a shiver go down her spine. Hardly peaceful then.

     “Well, it’s going to be even more peaceful tonight. Wade went into town to visit with his cousin Mitch. Whenever they hang out he ends up staying at the inn for the night.”

     Jenna couldn’t help the disappointment she felt.

     “Couldn’t he just come back home? I mean, there’s nobody for him to have to answer to.” She tried to sound detached, inquiring as if curiosity was the sole reason for her question. 

     “I guess he likes to get away for a bit. I’m sure they paint the town red when they get together and staying at the inn is easier than getting a car service to get him home. Mitch is a partier and they’ll probably get a bit drunk, Wade doesn’t want to put anyone in danger by driving back.”

     Jenna couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy she felt imagining Wade partying the night away with some sexy kitten who looked at him like he was God’s gift to women.