Page 78 of Impulse

She didn’t smile at his attempt to lighten things.Instead, she sighed.“Lex, I just want to wash all the gunk off me, crawl into bed, and sleep for days.”

She’d showered before they left the set.Why shower again?What the hell had happened at her house?

“I have a big tub and an even a bigger bed,” he said.

Earlier, she would have laughed or made a sassy retort.Now, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.Different scenarios popped into his head, but he couldn’t reach any based on what Sophia had revealed and Jillian’s behavior.All he knew was that she was in pain and he was going to do everything in his power to make it go away.

By the time Mathews landed on the helipad, Lex had a plan.

Inside the house, he showed her the bedroom and the bathroom.The look in her eyes made his chest ache.There was so much pain and despair.Did she need more money?It was obvious they must owe quite a lot for the guys to come to their house and threaten her father.And earlier she’d said it was her fault.How?

He rubbed her arms.“What happened at your place?”

Her eyes narrowed.“It’s not my place.Not anymore.”

“What do you mean?”

She shook her head.

“Talk to me, Jillian.”

“I, uh…” She sighed.“There’s nothing to talk about.I have my own home now, and it’s not with them.”She wiggled out of his grip and started for the bathroom.He watched her go, then heard the water running.The door was still open, and he caught her reflection as she undressed.

Heat shot to his groin.

Lex ignored his raging libido.He needed to focus on Jillian.Of course, that didn’t negate the fact that she could look like road kill and he’d still want her.

He left the bedroom.Their lunch was still on the table.He threw the rest away and was about to go check on her when a ding came from Jillian’s jacket.He fished her cell phone from the pocket.She had several messages from her brother Ricky and someone named Cian.The other brother?Possibly.

He took the phone to the bathroom, but the room was empty.Where the hell was she?

“Jillian?”The water in the tub rolled, and he realized she was completely submerged under the bubbles.He swept the bubbles out of the way, a bad feeling washing over him.Her eyes were closed, and there were no bubbles floating from her nose.No!He dropped to his knees, dove inside the water, and dragged her out.

She came up fighting.Water sloshed over the side of the tub.

“What are you doing?”she yelled.

“I thought…” Of course, she couldn’t kill herself by drowning in the damn tub.“You okay?”

She started to nod, then shook her head.

Her grief seemed to have deepened.“Your brothers texted you.”

She took her phone, dropped it in the water, and leaned back against the tub pillow.Okay, this went beyond thugs and money.She was angry with her family.

He stayed seated on the edge of the tub, but she ignored him.Whatever happened, she’d tell him when she was ready.She’d have to before the anger hit her.He knew about the grieving process.He reached out and stroked the wet strands flowing to her shoulder.

“I’m here when you need to talk.”She closed her eyes, shutting him out.“Do you want remote control for the TV?”

Her eyes opened.“That’s nice, but I just want to be alone, Lex.”

He got up, picked up the remote control from the rack under the TV, and placed it by the soaps and conditioner.She watched him without saying anything.

“I’m going to pick up a few things from the office, but I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Uh, Lex.Maybe I should check into a hotel or something.I’m not going to be good company.”

“We’ve already closed that subject.You’re staying here.”