Astrid.
“Whatever do you mean?”
The Prince Consort shared a look with Jack, one that men who loved women the world over knew as loving acceptance that they wouldn’t change the woman beside them despite the storm that swirled around them.
Jack wouldn’t have recognised that a few weeks ago, probably not even a few days, but now he did because he loved a woman just like it. It was a startling realisation for him at a time when he was in the company of the most important woman in the world, and to him that was Astrid.
Chapter Eighteen
The second she got into the room she was sharing with Jack, she felt her legs give way but his arms were there to catch her. She leaned into him as if he alone could keep her from shattering into a million pieces.
Seeing Adeline at the school had been wonderful and awful at the same time. Her body had gone cold, her blood seeming to freeze in her veins and her nerves tingled with the urge to rush up to her and throw her arms around the sister she’d believed to be dead.
The stark truth staring at her made all the years of pain seem meaningless. Her sister had just stared for a few moments, their eyes locked, a wealth of unanswered questions flying soundlessly between them. She’d been seconds away from breaking her cover and going to her, but the imperceptible shake of her sister’s head had stopped her.
There was a reason her sister had chosen that place and time, knowing that Astrid would be surrounded by people and unable to act on seeing her without risking the lives of those around her. The thought made her angry, but that had given away to fear. It was confirmation that her sister was hiding or running from something, and the CIA had known about it or were possibly even involved with it.
A hand stroking her back brought her back to the present and the man who’d settled her with a slight touch and then switched up his team so that he could be close to her. He’d been the first person she’d wanted to turn to when she’d realised what was happening, and he’d instantly picked up on her emotions and acted on it.
“Did Lopez find her?”
Jack shook his head. “No, he lost her when she went towards the docks. I’m sorry.”
Her hand rested on his arm. “Don’t be. This isn’t on you.”
Standing, she felt the excess energy burning through her veins, threatening to drown her. Throwing her jacket off, she began to unbutton her blouse as she kicked off her boots. Her hand went to her zipper at the back of her skirt, and familiar hands stopped her.
“Let me, firefly.” His lips found her neck, and she let her head fall forward as his body crowded hers. His hands moved over her and pushed the skirt away as if he knew what she needed. She was naked as he turned her to face him and something about him being fully clothed as he watched her, his eyes moving over every inch of her skin, made her shiver with anticipation.
“Spread your legs, Astrid.”
She did as he said, her eyes following his movements as he dropped to his knees in front of her. The move made her feel powerful as she watched him grip her calves, pushing her leg so she had to spread them even further.
He kissed her thigh and the mound of her pussy before he swept a kiss over her needy clit, her body already heightened with pleasure from just this. His dominance, fused with the care he showed her, was heady.
His tongue came out to lap at her slit, making her head fall back and a whimper escaped her throat. His hands cupped her ass cheeks, his fingers digging tight as he held her up to keep her legs from buckling. His tongue speared inside her, lapping at the wetness of her desire for him and his touch, but she needed more.
“More, Jack.”
He met her demand, his lips sealing over her clit as he sucked hard, her climax hitting her hard and fast and sucking the air from her lungs until she was panting. Dropping her head, she gazed at the man who’d given her so much already and held out her hand. He took it, and she pulled him to standing.
He came easily, and she placed her hand in the centre of his chest, pushing until he sat in the chair