Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,38

her eyes and glared at him, and he knew he needed to be quick, or he’d see some of the fire he loved directed towards him. “I don’t do relationships. They take too much time. Invariably one wants more than the other, and someone ends up getting hurt or at the least, disappointed. I love my work. I enjoy what I do and in the past that’s caused me issues, so I just stopped. In the last few days, I’ve found myself wishing work wasn’t getting in the way of me spending time getting to know you better.

“I’m not proposing marriage or that we buy a house together, but I want more than sex, Astrid. I want time together having fun, doing nothing, talking, eating, and yes. Definitely having sex, especially as I know it will be mind-blowing.”

She was silent, and he didn’t know what else to say.

“Maybe we should discuss this after you eat? I don’t want you making promises that you regret in the light of day, Jack. You’re so much more than a pretty face and sexy body and I could easily let my heart get involved and end up hurt.”

“I won’t change my mind, Astrid, but if you need time, I’ll give it to you.”

She smiled the fake smile he hated and pulled away to order their food, including the cake. He wanted to get his hands on whoever had hurt her and wring their fucking necks. He didn’t doubt in his mind some asshole had broken Astrid’s heart, and the thought made him rage.

“Here, let’s get you out of that shirt.”

Her hands unbuttoned his shirt, and he willed his body to calm down, but it was no use. The picture in his head of her doing this for a very different result filled his mind. Her lips parted, and he could see she was feeling it too but now wasn’t the time to move things any further. As much as he wanted that he also wanted her to feel secure with him, to know he wouldn’t hurt her or allow anyone else to either.

His hand rested over hers, and he stilled the movements. “I’ve got it. You listen out for the food while I take a quick shower.” He disappeared into the bathroom and locked the door, not sure if it was to stop her coming in or him getting out and taking her up on all she offered. He took a quick shower, making sure to keep his shoulder dry before he dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist.

Exiting the bathroom, he saw Astrid sitting at the foot of the bed. Her eyes skimmed over him, slowly taking everything in as she did. It took everything he had not to go to her and lay her back on the bed and finally taste her sweetness.

Instead, he crossed to his case, which was already packed ready to go and drew out a pair of grey sweats. Turning his back to her, he dropped the wet towel and pulled the joggers up his legs. He left his torso bare, not wanting the hassle of trying to get a shirt on when his arm already ached.

When he faced her again, a full flush of pink tinged her upper cheeks and he wanted to follow the line it took and see if she was that colour all over, but he resisted. “Want to watch a movie?” He rubbed the towel over his head, getting most of the droplets before he dropped it on the chair.

“I was going to do some research on the laptop and see if I can find out anything by going back and looking into my sister’s early time before the Farm.”

“Okay. Anything I can help you with?”

Astrid shook her head. “No, not really. I can do this in my own room if you like and let you rest.”

Jack padded towards her on bare feet, and her eyes roved over his chest, stopping lower where the joggers rode his hips. His lips twitched with delight. “Eyes up here, firefly.”

She looked guilty as she glanced up and straightened. “I’m not dead, Jack, and you can’t walk around with all that on display and expect me not to look. How would you feel if I walked around half-naked?”

That mouth was going to get her into trouble one day, but he loved that part of her that had previously driven him crazy. “Firstly, don’t mention you and dead in the same sentence again. It makes me