Page 48 of Fire and Ice

"What's in Baltimore?" Jack asked Maia softly.

"Rick's got a big mouth," Maia grumbled. "I can't tell you."

"Why didn't you tell me you knew he was DEA?" he pressed, his voice rising.

"It doesn't concern you."

"It doesn't concern me that I knew you were lying to the police?" Jack snarled.

"You have a point."

"What's in Baltimore?"

"Now that I really can't tell you. The less you know about it the better. Believe me: you don't want to mess with these guys," she said.

"Damn you, Maia. You think I'm scared of them?"

"Jack, I know the rumors behind your fiancée's death," Maia said steadily. "You've got a family... Brett. You guys have been through enough. You don't want to be on the Russian mob's grid, believe me."

"That's my fucking decision!"

"Well, in case you missed it. It's not your decision, it's mine. I'm not telling you."

"You told me about Lee." Jack hadn't planned on revealing that bit to Maia yet, but he was so pissed-off he just blurted it out.

"What?"

"You've got a loose mouth when you're shit-faced, babe," he taunted, not caring now that he was riling her up.

"You ass! You questioned me last night?" Maia demanded furiously.

When Jack didn't answer, she hit him hard on the chest sending him back a step.

"How dare you!"

"I dare, because you keep so many secrets from me," Jack yelled. "How can I keep you safe if you don't tell me anything?"

"I don't need you to keep me safe," Maia shouted at him. "Viktor keeps me safe!"

Jack detonated. That was the last straw.

He grabbed Maia, planted her ass on the desk and yanked her legs apart.

"Jack, stop manhandling me, damn it!" Maia squawked as she tried to gain purchase.

How could he be so angry and turned on at the same time? Jack thought, fascinated by the smooth skin of her thighs and mesmerizing tumble of her glorious hair.

He bent over, leaning in and pressing his hardness against her inner thighs.

"It seems the only thing I'm any good for is a quick fuck," Jack muttered thickly. He reached between them to unbutton and unzip his jeans.

"Jack, you're not ..." Maia breathed.

Jack was no longer listening; his need for her was too painful. He needed to be inside her, to feel her around him.

He pulled her head back and kissed down the side of her neck and then moved back up before taking her mouth greedily with his own. He then pushed her skirt up to her waist, tore off her panties, wrapped her legs around him and rocked into her.

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