Her stomach grumbled complainingly, and a glance at the clock revealed that it was hours since they had eaten lunch.
‘Hungry?’ Alex queried, and she ignored the gleam in his eyes and nodded.
‘My kitchen is not the most exciting place on earth, but you’re welcome to stay for dinner.’
‘It’s too late to cook. Do you like Chinese food? I noticed a take-away on the way here.’ At her enthusiastic nod he shrugged into his jacket and dropped a brief, hard kiss on her lips. ‘I won’t be long—don’t go away.’
Twenty minutes later Jenna smiled as she answered the phone, fully expecting to hear Alex on the line, checking her order. But the muffled voice uttering a string of expletives sent fear coiling through her.
‘I’m watching you, whore. Your lover may have gone, but I’m still here.’
It had to be Lee, she reassured herself as she slammed the phone down. He had attempted to disguise his voice, but he was the only person she knew with a sick enough mind to want to scare her. Brian from across the road must have tipped Lee off about her visitor, and he was probably nowhere near, but the idea that he knew of her movements made her feel ill.
A light tap on the front door heralded Alex’s return, and he frowned as he studied her pale, drawn face, and the way she folded her arms tightly across her body.
It hadn’t taken long for her doubts to surface, he thought grimly. He shouldn’t have left her alone even for half an hour. He should have followed his gut instinct and taken her again, made love to her until he had imprinted himself indelibly on her mind as well as her body. He was using sexual chemistry quite deliberately: the one thing he was certain of was that their passion was mutual and equal in its intensity, and if sex was the only way he could bind her to him, then for now it would have to suffice.
‘I’m not hungry any more,’ she informed him brightly, fighting to keep the tremor from her voice. ‘I’m really sorry, but I’m exhausted—you’ve worn me out. If you don’t mind, I’d really like to go to bed. On my own.’
The last was on a note of sheer panic and Alex studied her quietly. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Nothing.’
The phone rang, its strident peal making her jump like a startled doe, but as she reached to answer it he plucked the receiver from her fingers. He waited impassively until the string of foul insults came to an end and then spoke, his voice dangerously calm, hiding the fact that he was ready to commit murder.
‘Presumably you’re unaware that this line is being monitored by the phone company,’ he lied, ‘and that your call has been recorded? As Jenna’s barrister, I look forward to seeing you in court.’ He had been unable to stop the fury in his voice; it was a miracle he had restrained himself at all, and his face darkened as he stared at Jenna. ‘That wasn’t the first malicious call you’ve received—don’t even try to deny it. Do you have any idea who’s behind them? Lee?’ he suggested, when she remained silent.
‘I don’t know… Yes, I would guess Lee. The voice is muffled, but there’s no one else that warped. But, Alex, you’ve made things worse. I know you’re trying to help, but now he’ll be angry—’ She broke off, her face tight with fear and misery.
‘First thing tomorrow I’ll call the phone company and have your number changed to an ex-directory one. Then I’ll inform the police that you’re being hounded. Sweetheart, there are laws to prevent jerks like your ex-husband from frightening you,’ he continued, but she shook her head, her eyes wide with panic.
‘You don’t understand. Lee’s clever. He’d probably tell the police that I’m mad, and a bad mother to Maisie. He’d do anything to take her away from me.’
‘Are you saying that he wants custody of Maisie? I thought he wasn’t interested in her?’
‘He wasn’t until a few weeks ago.’ Realising that Alex wouldn’t rest until he had dragged the whole story from her, she explained about Lee’s wealthy girlfriend and the reason behind his renewed interest in his daughter.
‘He really doesn’t stand a chance of winning sole custody,’ Alex sought to reassure her, after persuading her to eat some dinner. ‘Call his bluff. Let the courts decide. I have friends who specialise in family law; I can ensure that you’re represented by the best lawyers.’
Perhaps Alex was right, Jenna thought wearily as she went upstairs to bed. She had eventually persuaded him to return to his flat for the night, assuring him that she would be fine and that Chris would soon be home. Alex had made it plain that he would be happier spending the night, even promising to sleep on the sofa, but she was desperate not to rush their relationship. She didn’t want Maisie to wake up and find him at the breakfast table; it was too soon.