“Dressed like that?” Jareth said harshly as he stepped away from me. “You are practically naked. Go upstairs and change.”
Luvena rolled her eyes.
“Why should I? You are not my boyfriend.”
Her words hung in the air with a hidden meaning.
“I am still your boss,” Jareth replied firmly. “And I am your brother’s closest friend. He asked me to look after you while you stayed here. What if something happens to you dressed like that? What message are you sending?”
“I can take care of myself,” Luvena shot back. “Nothing will happen. I am just going to have fun. Maybe I will meet a man. Someone who actually has time for me.”
She shot Jareth a pointed look filled with poison.
I watched them quietly.
This was not protective concern, but jealousy. Pure jealousy.
He could not bear the thought of another man touching what he believed belonged to him.
“You are not leaving dressed like that,” Jareth growled.
“Watch me.”
Luvena turned toward the door.
“Stop.”
Jareth rushed forward and grabbed her arm. His expression looked desperate.
He glanced at me, then back at her, his mind racing for a solution that would keep both of us satisfied.
“Come with us,” he suddenly said.
I blinked.
“Excuse me?”
Jareth turned to me, forcing a strained smile.
“Let her join us on the cruise, Shara.”
“No,” I answered calmly. “Why would she come? This is our evening. A romantic dinner.”
“Come on, honey,” Jareth said anxiously. “You know how she is. She’s still young. If she goes alone to a club she might get into trouble. Her brother would blame me if something happened. It is safer if she stays with us.”
“She’s an adult,” I replied, folding my arms. “She can make her own choices. I do not want a third person on our date.”
“It’s fine,” Luvena said as she pulled her arm away. Her voice sounded full of false hurt. “She clearly does not want me there. I understand. I will just go find entertainment somewhere else.”
She turned again toward the door.
“Enough, Shara,” Jareth snapped suddenly. His calm mask completely vanished. His eyes burned with frustration. “Why are you being so difficult? It’s only dinner. Why can you not be more understanding?”
I looked at him quietly. The nerve of it was unbelievable.
“Why are you angry?” I asked calmly. “You are shouting at your mate simply because she wants to have dinner alone with you. Is that unreasonable?”
I stepped closer to him.