Now, with Jess in his arms, the frozen heart of him began to thaw. She nuzzled his neck, pressing her lips against his throat.
‘I’m sorry I had to go out, baby…’ he murmured into her hair then as she opened her eyes wide and smiled at him, he kissed her , his lips firm against hers. She reached down to stroke his cock and he felt it jerk to life under her gentle touch. Adrenaline coursed through his veins then and he pushed her onto her back and covered her body with his hitching her legs around his hips. He took first one then the other nipple into his mouth teasing them until they peaked up, hard and sensitive. Jess sighed happily, pressing her groin against the hot length of his cock and then gave a surprised squeak as he rammed the entire length of it into her, clamping her hands roughly to the bed and grinding his mouth onto hers so ferociously he could taste blood. He just wanted to consume her, possess her, fucking nail her to the bed. His cock, ramrod hard and relentless, pounded into her and he could see by the excitement in her eyes that she was feeling it too.
They hadn’t fucked like this since before she had been stabbed and the wild abandon of it absolved every other thought from his mind. This was what he lived for, being with her, looking at her as her lovely face shone with sweat, flushed a perfect scarlet, her pink mouth open and moaning for him, calling his name. Her sleek thighs moved against his waist, the soft flesh belying the strength of the muscles clamped around him. Her tight little cunt flexing and welcoming his cock, her gently undulating belly against his, her nipples brushing his chest. He breathed in every part of her, her clean, soap-and-gardenia perfume mixing with the heady scent of their lovemaking. His brains was a flash flood of emotion, love, rage, pain, hurt, desire, Jess, Jess, Jess….
She cried out as she came, her body vibrating and quivering, her legs wrapped around him pulling him deeper. Theo nearly growled with his need to keep driving himself into her ferociously. He never wanted to stop but when at last, he peaked with a carnal roar, his semen pumping violently into her, he collapsed down onto her and she wrapped her arm around his neck.
‘Theo, Theo, Theo…’ Her voice was a whisper, breathy and a balm to his bruised senses. She was the only thing that made any sense in his world, the only thing…
Half a world away, Jules Gachet called Malcolm’s cell for the twelfth time. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.
Jess woke a little after eleven a.m. The sun streamed in through the window and soaked the bed in a blissful warmth. She stretched out her naked body and felt her muscles ache pleasantly. She had been thoroughly and expertly fucked last night and she felt glorious. Theo hadn’t let her go, giving her orgasm after orgasm and exhausting her until she fell asleep wrapped in his arms.
Now she was alone in the bed and wondered where he’d gone. After brushing her teeth, she padded through the house, downstairs and eventually found him out on the deck, sipping coffee, an uneaten bagel in front of him.
She bent to kiss him and he pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her and she ran her hands through his hair, studying his face, the dark circles under his eyes and the strange look in his eyes. She frowned. ‘What is it, Theo?’
Theo stared back at her, seeming to struggle what to say then he smiled ruefully. ‘Nothing to worry about. Hey, how about we take a break? Get away from the city for a while. We both could do with that.’
Jess half-smiled but wasn’t fooled by his change of demeanor. ‘Okay, but why now? Haven’t we got a lot of work on? What about the Freeman commission?’
‘That’s why I hire excellent staff,’ he said lightly but she narrowed her eyes at him.
‘I know you, Theo, what’s going on?’ Then she paled. ‘Is… he… in the city? Is that why you’re keen to get away?’
Theo shook his head. ‘No, I promise, Jules is nowhere near here. If he steps back into the country, we’ll know about it.’
She didn’t entirely believe that. She knew how tricky Jules could be when he wanted, but she didn’t want to argue with him. She snuggled into his chest so he couldn’t see her eyes. ‘Where were you thinking of going?’
‘Wherever you want, beautiful.’
She kissed his neck. ‘Anywhere?’
‘Anywhere.’
‘Mmm that’s quite an offer, might take a bit of thinking… but I know where I’d like to go right now…’ She slid her hands down the front of his pants and cupped his cock, grinning when she felt it respond. Theo chuckled and kissed her temple.
‘I clearly did not exhaust you enough last night, you wanton hussy.’
She giggled and pressed her lips to his ear. ‘You see those security guards over there by the fence?’
‘Yeah, I see them,’ he looked bemused. She smiled and her eyes were heavy with desire.
‘Remember that time in the club, when we fucked in that booth…?’
Theo grinned, understanding. ‘You are quite the exhibitionist, Miss Wood…’ But his hand were sliding under her robe, and he slipped a finger inside her. ‘Man, you’re wet, baby.’
She drew in a shaky breath. ‘I want your cock inside me, Theo.’
He wrapped his huge arms around her tiny waist and lifted her onto his rigid cock, both sighing as it sank deep into her. Theo caressed her clit, rocking her back and forth so his cock slid in and out, the friction making them both crazy. They locked eyes and when they heard the crackle of a radio, the monotone of a guard reporting back to his boss, they grinned at each other. This was such a rush, the imminent threat of discovery.
Jess nibbled at his ear. ‘Come in me, Theo, I want to feel your seed inside me…’ Her voice was a low whisper, but deep, gruff, the sound of it made the blood rush to his head and he did as she asked, grunting softly into her hair. Jess tensed her muscles around his cock, closing her eyes as a mellow climax shuddered through her body. They stayed connected for a few moments, reveling in their closeness and in the intimacy of their lovemaking.
Upstairs they showered together and as they dressed, Theo couldn’t take his eyes from her delicious body, the curves of her, the way her breasts trembled as she towel-dried her hair. She grinned at him.
‘Like what you see, sailor?’
‘Hell yes. You didn’t answer my question so let’s do this… clear your mind and when I say go, name the first place you’ve always wanted to go to.’
She chuckled and nodded. ‘Okay… ready.’
‘Three… two… one… go.’
‘The Maldives… oh, that was unexpected. I was going to suggest… oh, to hell with it, The Maldives, please. One of those little huts on the ocean.’ She looked like an excited kid.
Theo grinned. ‘You got it, beautiful.’
She hugged him, kissing him quickly. ‘Think of all that private time.’
His hold on her tightened. ‘We should take that box of toys you say we haven’t used yet.’
‘Oh, you are a genius, Theodore Storm.’ She grinned then laughed as her stomach growled. ‘Yep, I need food. Brunch? I could make some omelets?’
‘Sounds good to me.’
When she’d disappeared downstairs, Theo sat on the edge of the bed and finally let himself drop the happy act. Not that Jess wasn’t the best distraction but…Malcolm’s face kept coming back to him.
The idea to go away had come to him when he’d awoken. Turning to stare at Jess’s peaceful, sleeping face, he knew he wanted to wake up to that face forever, to have her look that relaxed, carefree forever. And the truth was that he wanted to run. Not from the police, he had no worries about that, but from worrying what Gachet would do next. Being a billionaire had its perks. He would tell Max and Alan to take a long vacation while they were away. He grinned wryly to himself. He knew Max would never leave the business while Theo was out of contact. When he and Jess returned then maybe he could persuade him to take a break. He owed Max. Big.
Jess called up to him and he went down to see her flipping a perfectly cooked omelet onto a plate. She looked so happy. Happier than he’d seen in a month now that he could
n’t bear to ruin it. He, Max and Alan had vowed not to tell her about Malcolm but Theo had harbored doubts – he didn’t want any secrets from Jess.
He just didn’t want to see the look in her eye when she realized the man she loved was a murderer.
It had been two weeks now and no Malcolm. Jules had no doubt what had happened – Storm had gotten to him, and had probably killed him. Damn. This changed everything. He would have to go back to the States now, to do his own spying. He’d had it all planned: Malcolm would report on her every movement, see the weak spots in the protection that Storm had set up, and found the opportunity. Then if he could, Jules would return, kill her and Storm and then would flee down to South America. If not, Malcolm, a trained sniper, would take Jessica out with a bullet, Storm too. Quick, easy but not nearly the drawn out, agonizing death she deserved.
Now, he had to do it all himself. Fuck. Malcolm had put him in touch with some people who could get him travel documents, passports, but there was no-one he could talk to, no-one who would understand his passion for killing Jessica. Malcolm had understood.
The Parisian spring was leeching into summer and endless tourists filled the streets. Maybe it was time to go. Jules started to smile.
I’m coming for you, Jessica.
By the next day a blonde and bearded Jules – or rather Patrick Moreau according to the flawlessly produced passport – was on the way back to the States.
The flowing, delicate white dress Jess wore fell gently to the floor as Theo ran his fingers under the tiny straps and slid them down her slender arms. He cupped her full, ripe breasts as she tilted her head up for a kiss. His thumbs stroked a maddeningly erotic rhythm over her nipples as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt. The heat was tamed by a breeze from the ocean that swirled clear and blue underneath their private villa.
They had been in the Maldives less than two hours now but neither was tired from the journey. Jess had exclaimed over the beauty of the island paradise, the white sand and the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Their villa was bigger than she expected but then again, Theo would want the best and it showed. The bedroom was draped in fine white cottons and voiles, a ceiling fan keeping a decent breeze flowing through the villa. A large, private deck with an infinity pool, a little kitchen stocked with everything they could need.
Jess slid her hands under his shirt and pulled it off, her hands immediately going to his fly. She could feel his cock straining to be free, and she cupped it through his pants, feeling how hard, how hot it was, how it quivered under her touch. Theo buried his face in her neck.
‘God, I want you so bad…’ He slipped a hand into her panties, finding her already wet for him, slipping his finger deep inside her, caressing her clit with his thumb. Jess moaned and nearly his pants from him.
‘I want to fuck in every room,’ she murmured with a grin and Theo chuckled.
‘You got it, beautiful, but let’s start right here…’ He tore her panties off and lifted her up, pressing her back against the wall of the villa. His cock nudged at her entrance and she groaned in frustration as he teased her with it. He laughed.
‘Impatient girl. Jess, this holiday, we’re going to do everything you’ve ever dreamed of and much more.’
She nipped at his ear. ‘Put that cock in me now, soldier, fucking nail me to this wall. Now.’
Theo grinned. ‘Whatever you say, Mistress.’
He plunged his diamond-hard cock into her soft, welcoming cunt so hard she screamed with pleasure, thrusting, slamming her back against the wall, his mouth grinding down on hers, her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling on it almost to the point of pain. They were animals, tearing, clawing, and biting at the other. Theo came quickly, unable to stop it, god she was amazing, and he felt his semen explode from him in a torrent, filling her. He rubbed her clit to bring her an orgasm then, withdrawing, quickly laid her on the bed, flat on her belly and parted her legs again. He could feel her slick with his creamy cum as he parted her butt cheeks and pushed into her ass. Jess gave a long, delirious moan as he moved in gentle but firm strokes, taking his time this time to enjoy the tightness of her, the extra friction on his prick. His hands massaged her round butt, the silky skin soft beneath his fingers. Her head was turned to the side on the pillow so he could watch her face flame with scarlet arousal, her mouth as she gasped for air, whispering his name over and over.
Afterward, they lazed in the pool, watching as evening fell over the resort, candle light and flaming torches on the beach across the water. Jess rested her arms on the side of the pool and sighed happily. ‘This is actual heaven,’ she said and Theo smiled, kissing her temple.
‘I’m glad you think so. You know that we can stay as long as you want. Forever would suit me.’
She half-smiled at him. ‘I think your family and Max might object. Also your business colleagues.’
Theo shrugged. ‘I could sell the business.’
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘You’re not serious.’
‘Deadly.’
She pushed away from the side of the pool and face him, studying his eyes. ‘Theo, you’re being crazy. You’d get bored and that’s no good for any relationship. You’d get so tired of me around all the time.’
It was his turn to look startled. ‘Would never happen.’
She touched his arm. ‘It’s a lovely gesture but unrealistic. We need to build a life from what we have, not start over. We’d always be waiting for it to start. You have your work and when we get back, I want to start back at the Foundation full-time. We have the wedding soon too. Let’s just enjoy this as the vacation we planned.’
He was quiet for a time then nodded. ‘You’re right.’ He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him, pressing his lips against her shoulder. Jess nuzzled his neck but a thread of anxiousness was spiraling through her stomach. She wasn’t imagining it, the thing that had been bothering her ever since the morning they had decided to come here.
Theo was different. Changed. And it felt, despite everything he said, everything he did, like he was slipping away from her.
Jules had no trouble getting back into the country, the documents he held superbly and expensively forged. He stayed overnight in a city motel as he figured there was no need to draw attention to himself. The next day, he went out to Whidbey Island and rented a house two miles from Jess and Theo’s home and dressing in his new persona, flannel and jeans, set out to explore the area. He found that he could walk to the perimeter of Storm’s property unseen through the woods but as he neared the fence, he could see a security guard pacing around. Jules did a wide circuit of the house. One security guard? That was Storm’s idea of protection? Jules was about to sneer when he realized: they weren’t there. Shit. That meant he’d have to be on the island longer and every day brought him closer to discovery.
Later he drove into town to the small diner and ordered a big lunch. He was halfway through it when he heard his voice. That goddamn fag, Max. He turned halfway to see him walk in with a much older woman with silver hair. They sat immediately behind Jules, which amused him greatly, despite the risk of Max seeing him. They chatted a while of nothing much then the woman cleared her throat and spoke in a soft voice.
‘You know, dear, you don’t have to keep coming to the island. I can easily keep an eye on the house whilst they’re away – unless,’ and she chuckled, ‘…you’re worried Theo has something he really doesn’t want his mother to see.’
Max laughed. ‘You are incorrigible, Amelia. What would that be?’
‘Oh, I don’t know, a sex dungeon?’
Max laughed loudly and Amelia joined in. ‘Well, I know what you’ve been reading lately.’ Max said. Jules heard the clink of a coffee cup being out down. ‘But seriously,’ Max continued, ‘It’s no trouble. I’d rather see things for myself, and it’s a good excuse to see you.’
‘Flatterer but I do like seeing you too. I don’t see enough of Theo and Jess – don’t get me wrong, they’re always inviting me over
– but I somehow feel that they’d rather be alone. They do seem wrapped up in each other, especially now, after the stabbing.’
Jules grinned into his cup of coffee. Yeah, talk more about that, you fools, if you only knew the man who stabbed your beloved Jess is right behind you.
Max shrugged. ‘Understandable.’
Amelia gave a frustrated sigh. ‘Max darling, be honest, do you think they’re too…I don’t want to use the word obsessed but…’
‘No, I don’t. I swear, Amelia, if you knew what being truly obsessed is… obsessed is what got Jess stabbed and nearly killed, obsessed is being raped over and over by your creep of a step-brother, obsessed is living in fear of your life for almost half your life. Theo and Jess have that kind of love that most of us are lucky to see. I had it, you had it once too.’
Amelia muttered her ascent but Jules, his fingers gripping his cup tightly, calmed himself at Max’s words. Fucking bastard. What the hell did he know?
‘When are they back?’
‘Next week, Tuesday, I think. Jess says she wants to go back to work but we have a wedding to plan so I’m hoping to persuade her to stay home for a month or so.’
Max laughed. ‘Good luck with that.’
Later, as they left, Jules was outside waiting in his car. He watched as Amelia Storm got into her Mercedes and, leaving a reasonable distance, followed her across the island. After an hour, she pulled up to an impressive house. A man nodded to her and got into her car as Amelia ascended the stairs to the front door.
Jules watched the house for a while not knowing why he had followed the woman. She’d given him enough good information in the diner. Theo and Jess were away as he’d thought, and he would bet a million bucks that whatever Theo and his cronies had done to Malcolm, Jess didn’t know about it.
Maybe it was time that she did.
There were dark clouds over the islands and at first Jess couldn’t understand where they’d come from. She was standing on the deck of the villa and the breeze was cold against her bare skin, making her shiver.
Under Her Skin Page 66