Page 200 of Under Her Skin
‘Is there something – oh god, that’s good – is there something you want me to do?’ Her voice was low but steady, ‘or something you want to try with me? Tome?’
He smiled knowing exactly what she meant. ‘You liked being bound, didn’tyou?’
Shenodded.
‘Would you like to gofurther?’
She smiled up at him. ‘I would do anything for you, withyou.’
Theo thrust harder and she moaned, heard his low chuckle. ‘You might regret saying that, Jessie…I’m going to fuck you in so many different ways, you’ll beg formore…’
And from him,in this moment, it didn’t sound like athreat.
Despite the warm,safe feeling that lingered after he’d dropped her off at work and gone to his office, Jess felt on edge as she walked into her department. She was the first in and she moved around the room, flicking lights on as she went, illuminating ever dark corner. Jules had tainted this place for her now as he’d tainted the family home for so many years. She still remembered the excitement she’d felt when her mother had brought her to the big house when she was nine, that first couple of years when it was just Ma, Erich – her affectionate but stern step-father - and the friendly staff, especially Camilla, housekeeper, nanny and playmate all in one. Camilla was the only reason she ever went back there now, that one last link to hermother.
She’d beentwelve when Julien, Erich’s only son had come home from Oxford University. She’d been wary of him straight away, the way that his dark eyes had run all over her fledgling curves, the small buds of her breasts which as yet didn’t need a bra. It was a look of ownership, of possession and it hadn’t been long before Jules started to ‘visit’ her at night. At first, she fought but Jules, with his immense strength honed by racing crew at Oxford, overpowered hereasily.
Jess swallowed and pushed the thought away. She knew where this brooding would take her – the first time Jules had rapedher.
Jess closed her eyes and started to sing loudly, anything, to distract her mind. It was a technique she’dperfected.
‘Bon Jovi?’
Jess’s eyes flew open and she saw Gerry standing in the doorway, grinning at her. ‘That’s a new one,’ he said, shuffling an arm full of papers down onto her desk. ‘Morning.’
Jess relaxed. Gerry was used to her tuneless singing by now – although he had no idea why she would suddenly burst into song. ‘Heard it on the radio on the way in,’ she saidnow.
Gerry snickered. ‘Crazy girl. I thought you were warning me I was ‘living on a prayer’ if I gave you thispaperwork.’
Jess punched his shoulder lightly. ‘Well, that too.’ She squinted at the stack and quelled a little. ‘Is that all forme?’
Gerry had the grace to look sheepish. ‘Sorry. But seeing as I’m letting you have Luna Soleil all toyourself…’
‘God, okay, okay.’ But she grinned and took the paperwork fromhim.
It waslate morning before her cell phone beeped and she took a moment to re-orientate herself after concentrating on her work before she took the call. She didn’t bother glancing at the caller i.d. then swore silently as Jules’ clipped French accent greeted her. Her stomach dropped and she gritted herteeth.
‘What do you want?’ She didn’t bother to return his faux-friendly greeting. It made her skincrawl.
Jules laughed. ‘Always such civility. As it happens it isn’t something I want, rather, William has asked us to meet him to discuss the estate. You’ll be twenty-five thisyear.’
‘I’m aware, thankyou.’
‘Then you’ll remember the logistics of our arrangement will change. Your allowance will increase - along with your family duties, ofcourse.’
Jess rolled her shoulders, tension and irritation making the muscle cramp painfully. ‘What if I don’t want yourmoney?’
Jules laughed again and she fought the temptation to hang up on him. ‘Jessica, if you weren’t interested in money or status, why are you opening your legs for one of the world’s most eligible, most powerful billionaires? Let’s be adults. William wants us to meet him for dinner next week. You will be there.’ He named the most expensive restaurant in thecity.
Jess was silent,seething over what he’d said and Jules sighedimpatiently.
‘Tuesday. Eight thirty. Don’t be late and don’t let me down. Your department gets a very generous bursary from this estate, don’t forget. It could easily getcancelled.’
The phone went dead and Jess growled and cussed softly under herbreath.
She was tied securelyto the chair. The blindfold was as he’d promised, so inky black that no light penetrated and she was utterly blind. With her hands pulled tightly behind her, soft leather wound tightly around her fragile wrists, another band of leather under her breasts to keep her torso from slumping in thechair.
She was naked.Helpless.His.
