the brink of becoming engaged to Carl, or so sheâd thought, and Jerome had a reputation as a ladies' man. Although she might have enjoyed the remainder of the party, it had lost its sizzle for her so she decided to leave a little early. Nathalie helped her find her coat. âIâm so glad you came to help us celebrate Evanâs birthday.â âMe, too.â Nathalie surveyed her for a moment. âListen, about what I said earlier about Jerome. He really does like you.â âHeâs taking me on a wildlife trip tomorrow to take some pictures.â Gemma blushed. âWhere at?â Evan came to join Nathalie, slipping a loving arm around his wifeâs waist. âIâm not sure. He said it was a favour for a friend.â Nathalie and Evan exchanged a meaningful glance. âSounds like fun.â Nathalie smiled but Gemma got the feeling that something sheâd said had bothered them. âIs there something wrong?â âNo.â They spoke together. âItâs just⦠well, itâs probably nothing, but Jerome and Evan were talking earlier about the controversy over his radio broadcasts and Evan suggested he take a holiday for a while.â Nathalie looked at Evan. âI donât follow.â Gemma knew about the letters in the papers and the questions in Parliament but couldnât make the connection with her planned date. âThere are a few lunatics out there and, well, Jeromeâs had some death threats.â Nathalie rushed out her sentence in one breath. âIf he keeps up his work?â Gemma asked. âYes. Thatâs why we thought if he kept a low profile for a few weeks then it will all just blow over.â Evanâs face was somber. âI see.â Gemma blew out a breath. It looked as if going on a date with Jerome could be hazardous in more ways than one.
Chapter Two  Gemma hadnât finished dressing the next morning when she heard the throaty roar of Jeromeâs sports car pull to a halt outside her front door. The conversation with Nathalie and Evan had made her a little scared for Jeromeâs safety. She tugged a faded sweatshirt over her head and ran down the stairs to answer the door, her heart thumping as she went. Jerome greeted her with a slow smile. âYou all set?â âSure, I just need to put on my boots.â She gestured for him to come inside the hall. All of her senses flared onto alert as he walked behind her into her lounge. âAre you sure you should be doing this today?â She sat down on a dark brown leather chair and bent to pull on her boots. âWhat, taking you on a photo shoot?â Jerome teased as he leaned on the back of her couch. She squinted at him from behind her hair. âEvan said youâd had some problems since you did the radio lectures.â Her boots in place, she stomped her feet gently on the carpet. Jeromeâs expression sobered. âItâs just a few fatheads letting off steam.â âEvan and Nathalie seemed concerned and Evan doesnât appear to be the kind of guy who would panic over nothing.â âIâve had a few nasty letters, some obscene phone calls and a suspect package which turned out to be an alarm clock wired to look dangerous.â Jerome shrugged. Gemma frowned at him. âThat doesnât sound like nothing to me. Perhaps Evanâs right and you should take a break for a few weeks till they find a new target.â Jerome sighed and raked a hand through his hair. âListen, this shoot today is a favor for an old friend. Itâs not been publicized anywhere and I promise I havenât seen anyone following me. Scoutâs honour!â He held his hand up in a mock salute and smiled before holding out a hand to help her to her feet. His grip sent a frisson of energy along her fingers. âI wonât need a flak jacket and a tin hat today, then?â She felt a