Page 71 of Taboo

“Oh, yeah, and how did I do that?”

“You made me accept the fact that I am in love with that woman, and there is no way I will wait another day to tell her. So…thanks for that. Now, get the fuck off my family’s property, or security will detain you and call the police.”

He nodded to the two burly security guards making their way over to them. He didn’t worry about what would happen after that. He slipped into his car and started on his way home. He was going to change, grab a few things to take with him, then he would head out.

And, once he got there, he and Jules would have a long conversation about how she was his and how she would just have to deal with it.

chapter twenty-one

How doI get myself into these situations?

It was the one question Jules kept turning over and over in her head. It had increased in frequency after Jakob, David, and her mother—HER MOTHER—had arrived. Like she was a little girl who couldn’t handle her life. Of course, seeing that she had somehow become a tabloid queen without actually doing anything that scandalous made her think maybe she was a little girl.

“There you are.”

Her mother stepped into the office that Julienne knew Jensen used when he was on the island. She didn’t spend much time here, as she liked to sit out in the sunshine and work.

When had she become that person? She used to say she loved rain, and she still did, but it felt bloody good to have the sun on her skin. She didn’t seem to get as depressed here either.

“Here I am. I just wanted to get out of the way of everyone who wants to fix my life.”

It was true. David was upstairs packing her clothes. She had refused. She wanted to talk to Alek and apologize. But she couldn’t turn on her phone. Every time she did, her phone lit up with calls from reporters. Or just assholes who thought she should be attacked for being a normal, healthy woman with a sex life.

When she thought about Alek, she sighed. He probably hated her now.

“There’s no reason to get so dramatic, Julienne.”

“Mother, I’m not in the mood to argue with you anymore. I just want to be left alone.”

Lillian settled on the sofa opposite of the one Julienne laid on. Julienne was staring up at the ceiling wondering exactly what she had done to cause all of this. Everything came back to the breakup with Gregor. If she hadn’t done that, all of this wouldn’t have happened.

“Julienne.”

She sighed and looked over at her mother. She hadn’t expected the sadness in her mother’s expression. But it was there. Probably out of the embarrassment Julienne’s latest scandal had caused. Another little jab to her heart.

“I want to talk to you about this.”

She knew better than to say no. She set her head back down and closed her eyes.

“Julienne, you care for this man.”

It wasn’t a question. “Of course.”

“There is noof course. Feelings, other than lust, are not needed for a good hard shag.”

“Really, mother?” she opened her eyes and sat up. Her mother was smiling at her in a way that told Julienne that even if she stormed out, her mother would follow.

“Really. Your father?—”

“Absolutely not. I do not want to hear about it.”

“Hear about what?” Jakob said walking into the room. He was the middle child without the syndrome of being one. He was brilliant and gorgeous. And he was being a complete and utter wanker. She knew he was still trying to come up with a plan to get to Maui. Her mother had stopped him, but he was still plotting.

“I’m trying to impart some wisdom to your sister.”

Jakob frowned at her. “Jules, you should listen to her.”

She looked at him. “She wants to talk about Father and their sex life.”

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