Page 222 of Under Her Skin

‘No. I want him to tell me in his own time. So, pleasedon’t’…’

‘Of course not. But yeah, he’s all in, I can promise you that.’ He studied her for a second. ‘I get the impression that it’s a new feeling for you, being loved the rightway.’

Jess blinked at him in confusion but Max and Theo came back into the room then and she didn’t have the chance to ask Josh what hemeant.

Later Jessand Theo took a cab home, her head resting on his shoulder, His arm tight around her waist. She wanted to ask Theo about what Josh had said but now, in a sleepy haze of love, she didn’t want to break themood.

In the bedroom,they slowly undressed each other, lingering over the feel of skin on skin as they held each other. The outside world was silent as a blanket of snow fell across the city and in their own little haven, Theo and Jess made love gently until they were both sated. Jess fell asleep in Theo’s arms but Theo found himself exhausted but unable to findsleep.

While they were doing the dishes, Max had told him about the second confrontation with Jules and now Theo couldn’t stop worrying that his friend had overstepped the mark; angered Gachet to a point where he could hurt someone, hurt Jess. After Camilla’s murder, Theo was taking nothing on chance. Carefully, surreptitiously, he’d increased the security around Jess, around Max and Josh, around anyone who could be at risk from Gachet. Not wanting to scare any of them, he’d made sure the protection was discreet and maintained a certain distance but still. The thought of anything happening to Jessnow…

Theo sighed.The scar, the wound, the hurt of Kelly’s suicide had forever marked him and even though Jess had healed his broken heart, the terror of losing her was still palpable. Eventually, he fell into an uneasy sleep, racked with nightmares; knives, blood and a pale and lifeless Jess in hisarms.

Jess’head pounded with a headache that had been bugging her all day. Theo had apologized but he’d be at work late so she went home alone, soaked in a bubble bath for an hour before ordering pizza. After a couple of slices, though, she felt sick and curling up on the sofa, closed her eyes. It took the reception two tries before she realised the entrance phone wasbuzzing.

‘Yes?’

‘Miss Wood, there’s a Julien Gachet here to seeyou.’

Fuck. She sighed then an idea came to her. She would confront him about Camilla. She would know, for sure, that he had killed her, by his reaction. It was worth ashot.

‘Send himup.’

Jules had obviously taken a lot of trouble with his appearance but she stared at him with hatred andimpatience.

‘What now, Jules? Another murder attempt? Morethreats?’

He smiled snakily and it made her stomach lurch queasily. He sat down on the couch – their couch, hers and Theo’s – without being asked. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I just came by to see how you are. After Camilla andeverything.’

She stared at him in disbelief. ‘After you killed her, youmean?’

Jules smirked. ‘As if. Camilla was an important member of our family, I’m as devastated as youare.’

‘Funny you missed her funeralthen.’

Jules raised an eyebrow at her. ‘Well if you’re not going to tell me when itis…’

He got up, moved towards her and Jess edged away from him to the other side of Theo’s large desk. Her hand went to hover over the small red panic button he’d had installed under it. Jules watched her amused andmocking.

‘Something wrong,Jessica?’

She met his gaze. ‘Nothing that won’t be solved by the two huge security guards I can call in aninstant.’

Jules laughed. ‘Paranoia doesn’t suit you, Jessica. Well, I just wanted to the ivory tower he’s got you in. Oh, that reminds me. Congratulations on the new job. I have no doubts as to how you earnedit.’

He madea crude gesture with his fingers and Jess, her temper exploding, forgot the panic button, forgot about the threat and stalked over to him. Using all of her strength, she slapped him hard, watching his head snap to the side. ‘Get out of my home.Now.’

He grabbed her, his eyes raging, and crushed his lips against hers. Jess struggled, desperately but she was no match for his strength. Jules pulled her tightly against him, grinding his groin againsther.

‘Don’t let this fool you. You belong to me. Every minute you deny it, someone else could get very hurt. What will happen when you run out of people to protectyou?’

‘Fuck you,’ she hissed, the red mist descending, and spat in hisface.

He pushed her away and wiped his face in disgust. ‘Stupidwhore.’

‘Getout.’

‘I haven’t finished with youyet.’