Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,40

body, igniting the promise of more before he released her and pushed into the bathroom.

“Breakfast is on the way.”

He shut the bathroom door leaving her to consider his words. Was she running? And could she trust his word? He’d never lied to her unless she counted him keeping the details of where Iago and his men were taken from her. But after her initial butt hurt reaction, she’d unpacked it in her head and come to realise that things were too new for him to just spill all of Eidolon’s secrets to her. He had men he needed to keep safe, and caution was a good thing. Maybe her own caution would’ve stopped the shitstorm she was in right now.

Breakfast was delivered just as Jack came out of the shower, thankfully dressed in his usual suit and white shirt, at least usual for this tour. She couldn’t deny he looked hot in a suit, but he looked hotter in full tactical gear in her opinion. They ate eggs and bacon with fruit and drank coffee, both knowing that the day would be long with the travel and they may not eat again until that night.

Astrid glanced at Jack over the rim of her coffee cup as she crossed her legs at the small table overlooking downtown Toronto. “So, I was thinking maybe when we get to the next hotel we could share a room.”

“You ready to believe me now?”

“I guess.”

Jack reached for her across the table, pulling her to her feet then down to sit across his lap. His hand fisted in her hair, knocking the chignon free. “That’s fucking fantastic news, and I promise I’ll always be honest with you, Astrid. I can’t promise work won’t be an issue or that I won’t fuck up, but I want this. For the first time in my adult life I want more. I want you.”

“Me too, Jack.”

“One day you’ll tell me who hurt you.” His jaw was like steel, and a tic in his eyebrow showed his anger, but his voice and touch were gentle.

“You gonna hunt them down, Jack?”

“You want me to I will.” His thumb grazed her cheekbone, and she felt a Jack sized void opening up in her heart. He was a good man, and the thought anyone could hurt him made her so angry.

“He isn’t worth it, and that’s a story for another time, so get your hiney up, or Fitz will be banging on the door.”

The mild-mannered James Fitzgerald, known to them as Fitz, was a stickler for details. Everything had to be in place when and where it should be, so yesterday would have sent him into a meltdown. She knew while she’d worked on uncovering her sister’s past in the hopes it would uncover her present, Jack had been responding to email after email from Fitz.

“Let’s go then. Make sure you’re packed and ready to go by eleven.”

He grabbed his bag and swept his eyes around the room before placing his hand on her back and walking her out. He walked her to her room and kissed her lightly, not caring who saw them. Astrid blushed when she saw Blake raise his eye brows behind Jack’s back as he stepped out of the room he was sharing with Liam.

“Didn’t know it was bring your girlfriend to work day, Jack.”

Jack kept his eyes on her as he grinned. “Yeah, I forgot to hit send on the email. Sorry, Blake.”

Blake laughed as he walked past.

“Is that what I am, Jack? Your girlfriend?”

“You are as far as I’m concerned but if that doesn’t suit you, call us whatever you want. Make no mistake though, you’re mine now, Astrid.”

A shiver went through her at the dominant way he claimed her but gave her back control in the same moment. “Girlfriend suits me.”

He leaned in and gave her another peck on the lips. “Good.”

He walked away down the hall, and she watched until he turned the corner winking at her as he did. She thought her heart would beat out of her chest or she might swoon like in the movies. That was too much gorgeousness right there, and she may not survive but what a way to go.

She was barely through the door when her phone rang, the caller display showing Roz’s number. Astrid picked up. “Hey.”

“Are you kidding me? Sleeping with the fucking enemy, Astrid?”

Astrid walked to the end of the bed and sat. “Don’t be dramatic, Roz. Jack isn’t the enemy, and for the record, I