Darling Jenny by Janet Dailey

moved to one side indifferently, but his gaze remained on her pale face and trembling lips. 'I had decided you were too shy to share the chaste pleasures of a kiss under the mistletoe in a room full of people, and were seeking a more private place.' At her angry indrawn breath, he added, his tongue very definitely in cheek, 'But I dismissed that idea as being too inviting a suggestion from such an inviolate maiden. Did you know that shade of green makes your hair seem more red than gold?' he commented with a lightning change of subject.
    'I'm sorry you don't like it,' Jennifer retorted sarcastically. He was going too fast for her and she was too weak to keep up with him. No longer capable of meeting his gaze, she turned her back on him.
    'I like it.' His low voice had a smooth seductive quality to it now. His hand suddenly began caressing the back of her neck lightly. 'I've heard that near the base of the neck is the most vulnerable place to heighten a woman's desire. Is that true?'
    His fingertips were leaving a trail of fire that was rapidly beginning to course through her body.
    'Stop it!' she hissed, spinning quickly around to face him before she lost control. His hand rested now alongside her throat.
    'Your pulse is racing,' he drawled with the most irritating calmness considering the massive turmoil Jennifer was in.
    She stared into his mocking brown eyes. He knew exactly what he was doing to her and the knowledge that he knew infuriated her.
    'I despise you!' she sobbed as she shoved his hand away. 'You're…you're everything that's loathsome in a man. Every woman you meet must become a trophy for your ego!'
    'It's amusing how righteously sure of yourself you are, and still you're attracted to me.' His whole demeanour was quietly composed as he gazed down at her in fascination.
    'Attracted!' Jennifer cried. 'Repelled is a better word.'
    'I can see we're going to have a very stormy relationship,' Logan laughed.
    She spluttered angrily for a moment before flouncing out of the room. By the time she reached the living room, her temper was under control and only her hands clenched into tight fists betrayed her inner fury. She quietly shifted Cindy from her seat on the sectional couch beside Dirk to her lap, avoiding Logan's amused glanced when he followed her into the room after a discreet pause. The soothing sounds of 'Adeste Fidelis' and other Christmas carols that Sheila had placed on the record player eventually calmed her to the point where she could join in with the rest of the festive group. Sheila and Dirk, although seated across the room from one another, were on speaking terms.
    'Peace' had always been Christmas's theme, she thought, casting a thankful glance at the lack of hostilities between her sister and Dirk. She glanced resentfully towards Logan, who was listening very attentively to Mr. Jeffries, Sheila's father-in-law, but she certainly didn't feel any 'goodwill towards men' tonight.
    'Ithn't it time to open our prethents?' Cindy asked for the sixth time.
    'I agree with Cindy.' Mrs. Taylor spoke up from the chair on Jennifer's right. 'It's time to end the suspense.'
    'All right, all right,' Sheila laughed after being beseiged by two concurring children. 'Grandpa Paul, will you do the honours and distribute the presents?'
    As the gifts were passed around, the small living room became a chaotic confusion of brightly coloured wrapping paper, ribbon bows, and a babble of laughter and delighted voices. Jennifer's hand closed on the square package from Logan to her. After a brief flare of curiosity, she buried it beneath another from Sheila.
    'Oh, Jenny, thank you!' Mrs. Taylor exclaimed exuberantly, her fingers caressed the book fondly 'Someone must have told you of my obsession for books.'
    'Yes, they did,' Jennifer admitted.
    Then Jennifer's attention was drawn by the excited voice of her sister. She was holding aloft a beautiful turquoise and silver necklace.
    'It's magnificent, Logan,' Sheila breathed