Jack (Eidolon Black Ops #8) - Maddie Wade Page 0,47

she needed to hold on to something.

His hand bandied around her belly, holding her as he continued his assault on her senses. “I’ve got you, firefly, let go.”

His words were like a release, and a long sob caught in her throat as her body peaked and spasmed, every nerve seeming to come alive as she came so hard her vision went white. As she came down Jack pulled out and she wanted to cry at the loss, but he gently lifted and turned her to her back before smiling down at her and re-entering her body.

This position afforded her the luxury of watching his handsome, brutal strength as he moved inside her. The muscles of his biceps bunched as sweat beaded his skin and she held onto his butt cheeks. Her legs tangled with his and he moved faster, chasing his own release as he built a second one from her.

It crashed over her like a gentle wave this time, and she was able to experience the beauty of Jack as he came on a groan that made her sex clench. His body sank into hers, and she welcomed the weight of him, holding him close, her arms wrapped tight around him.

“Jack.”

His head lifted, and sated eyes found hers. “Hum?”

“If that was a deterrent, it was a huge failure because I’m pretty sure I’d do just about anything to have that every day.”

He kissed her lips. “That wasn’t the deterrent, firefly. Not getting it was.”

“Oh.” Her fingers played with the hair at his neck. “Jack?”

“Right here, beautiful.”

“That was life-changing.”

“I know.”

“You do?”

“Yes, because now I won’t let you go. Not ever.”

Astrid let that settle over her, feeling a peace that until then had eluded her all her life. This was what she’d been missing.

Chapter Seventeen

Jack had never felt anything like he had the night before with Astrid. He hadn’t lied when he’d told her it was life-changing. The second he’d entered her body, he’d known that whatever happened from here on out, he needed her by his side. She was the missing piece that soothed the part of him that prowled with an unleashed edge, that was continually telling him he wasn’t good enough.

He didn’t need a shrink to tell him it was a part of him he couldn’t control, that he was still looking to prove he was good enough to earn the pride of a man who would never give it. Some part of him still strove to be the best, to show his father he was worthy. Yet his conscious mind knew it was his father who was unworthy, not him.

He felt like that man with Astrid. A man who was worthy of pride and who wanted to do better; not for validation from his sire but for her and the people he cared about. They were what counted, he knew that, had always known that but now he could feel it too. The need for revenge didn’t gnaw at his insides; now it was justice he sought. Retribution for what his father had done and putting a target on the woman Jack found himself thinking about day and night.

He straightened as the door to the Royal Suite opened, and the Queen emerged. “Ma’am.”

She nodded her head. “Jack. Is all well?”

“Yes, ma’am, the car is waiting.”

“Lead the way.”

Jack got into position beside the Queen as Astrid fell in step behind her. He couldn’t say he was happy that Astrid was still putting herself in the line of fire, but this was the job he’d asked of her. To put a stop to it now that they were together was an insult to her professionalism and skill. He wanted to, he wanted to lock her up somewhere safe where she wouldn’t risk a bullet, but he knew from dealing with Aubrey that wouldn’t go over well.

Reaching the lobby, he looked around and found his men had already cleared the area and were now positioning themselves so the Queen had full body protection until she got into the car with the Prince Consort, Astrid, and Blake.

Astrid wore a cream pleated skirt that fell to her shins with brown heeled boots and a tweed jacket and scarf. He knew she was armed and that slightly mollified him, but she had no protective clothing under her own because as thin as the armour Will had designed was, it was still visible and would blow her cover.

As the door closed on the car, he saw her offer him a small smile of reassurance