Page 226 of Under Her Skin

Malcolm laughed. ‘Deal.’ Jules could see the calculations begin in his mind, how he would do it, the pleasure he wouldtake.

‘Until then, however…. this.’ He waved the documents in front of Malcolm. ‘I’m going to enjoy this. They’ll never see mecoming.’

Jess lookedup as her assistant Molly tapped on the door. She’d been back at work for weeks now but still came in early so she could miss everybody’s curious stares, barricading herself in her office with a pile of paperwork. Occasionally someone would walk past her office and she would look away from their gaze. Now, though, she saw that Molly wore a smile and no pity and she wasglad.

‘Can I order you some lunch, Jess? I was just going to get a sandwich but I can order out if you’dlike?’

Jess smiled at her. ‘Thanks, Mols, ham on rye will be fine. Has anyonecalled?’

Molly rolled her eyes. ‘Press, mostly. Don’t worry,’ she added seeing Jess’s face pale, ‘I dealt with them.’ She pretended to wield a baseball bat, patting it into herpalm.

Jess laughed. Molly Che might be five foot nothing and tiny but she could be fierce when it was needed. Jess had liked her immediately when they’d met and when Theo assigned Molly as her assistant, Jess and the young woman quickly became firm friends. Jess realized it had been a while since she’d had a really good girlfriend. The few she’d had always been scared off by Jules’s creepy come-ons. Jess was suddenly amused by the thought of Molly ‘dealing’ with Jules. Hell, she might buy her an assistant a real baseball bat, just incase.

‘You rock,Mols. When lunch comes, why don’t you come in and eat with me? I could do with a goodgossip.’

‘You’re on.Jess?’

‘Yes?’

Molly shifted her weight and leaned against the doorframe. ‘In case you were worried, no one believes that crap in the papers. Not one person. They’re all on yourside.’

Jess felt tears prickle in her eyes. ‘Thank you, Molly. That means the world tome.’

Molly grinned. ‘You’re family. No one messes with ourfamily.’

She left Jess alone then. Jess dashed away the tears that had settled on her cheeks. Family. That word had been a source of pain for so long now she hardly recognized it. Grow a thicker skin, she told herself fiercely. Her phone rang then and even without looking at the screen, she knew who it was. She answered the call with a smile in hervoice.

‘Hello, beautifulman.’

Theo laughed and she enjoyed the rich sound of it. ‘That’s a nice way to be greeted. How’re things,sweetheart?’

He was in New York, a continent away, for a meeting he couldn’t reschedule. Anyway, she had told him, they weren’t going to be dictated to by anyone else’s agenda. She’d insisted he go, telling him she had Max, Molly and Alan and a whole squad of security. Now, though, hearing his voice, she wished she’d gone withhim.

‘Good, except I missyou.’

‘Me too, darling. I’ll try to be back as soon as I can but this meeting’s running late already. You staying with Maxtonight?’

‘Sure am – I think he’s doing better. At least, that’s the impression he’s trying to give. God, Theo, I feel soguilty– ‘

‘Stop it. Max doesn’t blame you, no-one blames you. You being there is good for him. He loves you, y’know. You’re his familynow.’

There was that word again. Every time she heard it, it made her a bit braver, hardened her heart against Jules’machinations.

‘I love you, Mr. Storm.’ Her voice was soft, full of love and she heard him sighhappily.

‘Love you too, almost-Mrs. Storm.’

She smiled. ‘Call melater.’

After he’d said goodbye, she held her left hand up, enjoying the glint from the solitaire diamond she now wore on it. Mrs. Storm. She could get used to that. Jessica Storm. She’s said yes to Theo without hesitation the day he’d proposed, the day of the scandal, the newspapers. In that hotel room. She didn’t have any doubts, even now, a few weeks later. They were meant to be together. For as long as I allow you to live. Jules’ words came back to her then, a body-slam and she bent over, trying to quell the nausea that hither.

‘Youokay?’

Molly was at the door again, her dark eyes filled with concern. Jess tried to smile. ‘I’m fine, just a littlenausea.’

Molly handed her a brown paper bag with a sandwich in then sat down opposite her. Studying her. ‘You’re not pregnant, areyou?’

Jess shook her head. ‘Definitely not.’ Then, a wave of amusement came over her. ‘Nope, no little gold-digger spawn for me justyet.’