Page 17 of Fire and Ice

CHAPTER THREE

"You certainly had an interesting first day," Jack said, glancing briefly over to Maia who was contemplating the scenery through her window while his pick-up navigated by a row of expensive beach houses. "Why didn't you tell me about the incident at the beach?"

"Jack, seriously? You knowing what I do for a living? What those losers did was insignificant in the grand scheme of things," Maia said in irritation.

"Rick said they touched you," Jack said roughly, his anger returning.

"I let them touch me. There's a difference. It was either that or blow my cover," Maia said as if explaining something to a child. Then she looked at Jack and saw his hands had tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. "It was nothing, they didn't fondle me or anything, just licked my neck and brushed my breast."

Okay, that was not the right thing to say, Jack looked like he was ready to commit murder. Every molecule of air seemed to have been sucked out of the cabin. What was with this overprotective macho-bullshit? Jack knew she could take care of herself.

"You may want to loosen your grip on that steering wheel, buddy. You've got a vintage truck here," Maia said, trying to cut the tension with some humor.

Jack didn't answer. The muscle of his jaw started working as if he was clenching his teeth too hard.

It didn't take long for the pick-up to pull into the driveway leading to the stonehouse. Maia longed to crash into that soft bed; she was so ready for the day to be over.

Jack was furious about two things: that some jerks had touched Maia and that she would do anything—even let those assholes touch her—just to protect her cover. The questions that had twisted in his gut early that morning came rushing back. How far was she willing to go to protect her precious job? Was sex really a part of her arsenal, what kind of company was AGS to allow that?

Well, he intended to find out right away.

He didn't even bother parking the truck in the garage, but he stopped just in front of the stonehouse, yanked the keys out of the ignition, slammed out of the car and darted right around to the passenger side. Maia had already started exiting the truck, but Jack tugged the door from out of her grasp, reached in for her wrist and dragged her around to the side of the truck. Caging her between his arms, he pressed down her body with the length of his.

"Hey!" Maia yelped, more in annoyance than anger.

"So what exactly would you do to protect your cover?" Jack asked softly.

"Step back!"

He didn't budge.

"I'm warning you, Jack!" Maia eyes glittered with her rising temper.

"Answer me!"

"Go to hell! Stop pissing me off!"

She tried to kick out but his muscular thighs were keeping her locked in. He quickly held both her wrists down to keep her arms immobile at her sides. Jack knew that in close proximity his strength had the advantage over her, she had no momentum and no leverage. He had her.

"Do you fuck them?"

"It's none of your goddamn business!"

"Do. You. Fuck. Them?" he thundered.

"Fuck you!"

"Well, sweetheart, that's the idea."

He crushed his mouth against her so savagely he tasted blood. He leaned her across the hood of the pick-up and pulled her arms apart while viciously thrusting his tongue through her lips not caring if she bit him.

She ignited and started returning his kisses. He groaned and delved further into her mouth, coaxing her tongue to tangle with his. He released her wrists and lifted her a little to spread her legs to accommodate his hips. Her newly freed hands slid up his head to sift wildly through his thick black hair. He became instantly hard, his erection straining against his jeans, and he started grinding and rubbing against her crotch. One hand went to cradle the back of her head while the other lifted one leg to grip her closer as he continued thrusting into her.

"Jack..." Maia breathed, her gorgeous eyes glazed with desire.

Hearing his name on her lips, he growled and withdrew his hand that was under her leg to rip the neckline of her shirt low, dragging the strap of her bra exposing one plump breast. He palmed her breast and started a nipple roll with his fingers which he soon replaced with his mouth. He flicked her nipple with his tongue and pulled it between his teeth before suckling hard.

"Jack ..."

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