Dominant Deception [Black Ops Brotherhood 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (21 page)

“Anna, do you have Liz’s phone number?” Jack asked as he started walking faster.

“No, I don’t,” Anna replied, having to start to run to keep up.

“Give me your cell phone,” Jack demanded.

Jack left no room for question as they reached Anna’s car. She fished into the small evening bag that she’d brought and handed him her BlackBerry. He quickly programmed his number and handed it back to her.

“Call me when you get inside your house and let me know that you’re okay,” Jack ordered.

“Sir, I don’t think—” Anna started to protest.

The feeling of danger slammed Jack once more. If he’d been out on the battlefield he would have taken cover. He grabbed Anna’s arm and steered her to the passenger’s side of her vehicle. He cut her off because he knew they were unsafe at the moment.

“Open the door and get inside!” Jack harshly commanded.

Anna took her remote attached to her keys and unlocked the door. Jack grabbed her keys and got in the driver’s seat. He started the vehicle and drove off.

“You need to tell me where I’m going,” Jack said.

“What’s going on?” Anna demanded.

“I don’t know, Anna. Just tell me where the hell I’m taking you.” Jack drove toward the front gate.

“Take a left at the light. It’s about six miles down on FM 78.”

Jack pulled out his phone and called Mac. “Check the parking lot at the O Club. See if there is anyone around that shouldn’t be there. Call me back.” Jack ended the call.

Jack adjusted the seat as they waited at the light. Anna was almost a foot shorter and he was starting to get a little cramped. He looked in the rearview mirror and made a mental note of the cars behind him.

1498 Arnold Palmer Drive

Golf Villa Town Homes

San Antonio, Texas

August 16, 2008/0317 Zulu

Jack watched Anna as the garage door shut behind them. He’d told her not to open the car door until the garage door had completely closed. He knew he’d frightened her and for the first time since they’d left the base. He glanced at Anna again before shoving open the car door. He got out first and went to her side, opening the door for her. Anna stepped out and gave him a long look before walking past him and opening the door that led into the house. Jack followed her inside, closing the door behind him. Anna stood staring at him, waiting.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but something was very wrong out there and I wanted to make sure you were safe,” Jack said.

Anna walked further into the kitchen. She put her small evening bag on the island that stood in the middle of the kitchen and looked at him. He could tell she was choosing her next words carefully.

“Captain, I know there are a lot of things you’re not telling me about what I’m doing with you and your group. I get that. But if I’m in danger for some reason would you please tell me now?” Anna asked.

Without thinking, Jack walked to her and stood directly in front of her. She looked down avoiding the intensity of his gaze as he stared at her. Anna looked so vulnerable, but he knew down deep inside she was probably stronger than he was. He lifted her chin. When he touched her, he felt a slight tremor run through him. Jack had never known a woman he was so in tune with. He usually kept himself emotionally unavailable and found every excuse he could to keep his heart at a distance. Anna was different. He’d known that the day he laid eyes on her. This was the first woman he wanted to be
intimate
with, not just fuck, but be able to open up and share himself with her. She tried to hide just as much as he did but their kindred spirits were drawn to one another and there was no stopping the pull. He almost leaned forward and kissed her wanting to reassure her. He almost leaned forward and kissed her again, wanting to reassure her. Anna backed away, knowing exactly what he was about to do. Jack smiled slightly. She knew him so well in such a short time.

“I don’t know. You could be,” Jack said.

“From what? Who’s out there?”

“Go get comfortable, Anna. I’ll be here a while so go change, and when you come back, we’ll talk.”

“The den is in the next room. Make yourself at home.” Anna left him alone in the kitchen.

When Anna returned, Jack had made himself more comfortable as well. His dress jacket was lying on the back of a chair in the living room. He’d taken off his tie and had unbuttoned the top button of his shirt. He’d also rolled up his long sleeves. His back was to the stairs she came down and he was looking at a painting hanging on the wall.

“Would you like something to drink?” Anna asked.

“I’m fine. Come sit and let’s talk,” Jack said as he walked to the couch and sat down.

Anna looked freshly scrubbed. She’d taken all of her makeup off. She was wearing pajama bottoms and one of those T-shirts that hugged her perfectly. She was still just as sexy as she’d been in her red dress. Jack almost sighed aloud. Anna had become the object of every free thought. He was finally alone with her, something he’d wanted since they’d returned from San Diego. Jack had to be truthful with Anna, as best he could.

“Anna…there are some really bad people at the bottom of all this…
stuff
…that’s happening. You know about the new CYBERCOMM going in at Lackland?”

Anna nodded.

“That’s why I’m here. This war is not just being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s being fought in cyberspace with computers and cell phones. They’re terrorists, Anna. They’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

“Is that who you think was there tonight?”

“I don’t know who it was and I can’t explain it. I just know something was wrong,” Jack answered honestly.

Anna shifted nervously in her seat.

“I want you to be very careful, Anna. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of the work you’re doing with me,” Jack said.

There was a tangible heaviness between them because of the events tonight. Jack knew he’d scared her but he justified it to himself because she could be so careless at times. Suddenly Anna’s stomach growled loudly. It brought a light humor into the room as they both started laughing. She looked down and blushed slightly.

“I’m hungry. The food was awful,” Anna said.

“Yeah me, too. I didn’t eat much, either. I’ll pay for pizza,” Jack offered.

Anna looked away, still smiling. “I don’t eat out that much.”

“Why?” Jack asked with a frown.

“I’m a chef, remember?”

“Well, get in the kitchen and start
chefing
. I’m hungry, woman!”

Anna stood and walked into the kitchen. Jack followed closely behind and watched as she started pulling food out of the refrigerator.

“What do you like?” Anna asked.

“Whatever.”

Anna bent over as she dug through the refrigerator and he could hear the snake in his head start to hiss so he forced himself to look away. Jack found a stool at the end of the island and sat down.

“Do you want pizza?” Anna asked.

“Sure, I like Domino’s.”

Anna frowned. “I can make pizza, if that’s what you want.”

I want you…giving me one hell of a lap dance, baby.
The snake in his head hissed. Pushing his demon aside, Jack narrowed his eyes.

“Are you sure? I’m from the pizza capital of the world,” Jack said.

“Oh? I can tell you’re not from Texas. Where are you from?” Anna asked as she moved through her kitchen.

“Really? You can’t tell?” Jack asked sarcastically.

“I don’t know, somewhere out east, I guess. New England?”

“New York City. I was raised in the Bronx.”

“Ah, that’s where that accent is from…” Anna took out some pans and placed them on the stove.

“I don’t have an accent. Everyone else does.”

They made small talk as she prepared the pizza
.
As the sauce was cooking she walked back to the refrigerator.

“Do you want something to drink?” she asked again.

“Whatcha got?”

“I have tea, water, juice, soda, wine, beer…”

“I’ll take a beer.”

“I’ll need to go outside for that,” Anna said walking around the island.

Jack felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He fished it out as Anna stepped into the garage.

“Boss? There was no one here that shouldn’t have been here. There’s traffic on either side of the club, but it’s a busy street. What the hell am I looking for?” Mac asked.

“Didn’t find anything? There wasn’t anyone sitting out in the parking lot?” Jack asked.

“Nope. We looked all over the place. There was a guy not far from here waiting for his daughter outside one of the base housing units. I see your truck’s still here. Where are you?”

“I’m at Anna’s house. I brought her home. Something was wrong out there, Mac. You know the feeling.”

Anna opened the beer bottle, placed it in front of Jack and he watched her start building the pizza as he took his first sip.

“Well, whoever it is, it’s gone now. I’m heading out and I’ve sent the guys home, too. Do I need to come and get you?” Mac asked.

“No, I’ll call if I need you.”

“Are you spending the night?” Mac shouted.

“I’m not planning on it …” Jack hesitated.

Jack took another drink from the bottle and held it out before him. This was damn good beer.

“Say what? Just what the hell are you doing?” Mac asked.

“Drinking a beer and waiting for something to eat,” Jack said.

“Is she cooking for you? You’re making yourself kinda cozy there, ain’t you, Rock?” Mac teased.

“Not really.”

“I’ll bet. Got a hankerin’ for candy apple red?” Mac asked.

Jack smiled, glanced at Anna and didn’t reply. “You know you should eat before you go to an event like that. The food is crap, I got an offer for pizza and I’m taking it,” he said, trying to play off the comments at the other end.

“Call me when you leave,” Mac said.

“Yes, Daddy.” Jack winked at Anna.

“Good night, boss.”

“Night, Mac. I’ll call you later.”

Anna put the pizza in the oven and a moment later, Jack’s phone rang again.

“Yeah, Mac,” Jack said.

“
Get your ass home
!” Liz screamed.

Anna stared at Jack because she’d heard the screeching on his phone.

“Look, Dragon Lady—” Jack started.

“Don’t ‘Dragon Lady’ me! You sorry shithead!
Get your ass home
!”

“I heard you the first time, so did people in the next house. I’ve got to go now. I’m busy, I’m about to eat,” Jack said as Liz started another rant. “Night, Lizzy.” Jack ended the call.

“Is something wrong?” Anna asked.

“No, it’s Liz. She’s kidding around. This is really good beer, Anna.” Jack took another drink.

“You like it? It’s Negra Modelo. It’s a dark beer from Mexico.”

“It’s good. Now about that pizza…”

“Yes?” Anna challenged.

“What did you do to
my
pizza? That looks like something you’d find in California, not New York.”

“You never did tell me what you liked or didn’t like.”

Jack laughed as uncertainty crossed her features.

“Anna, I’m not a picky eater. The Navy cures you of any fastidiousness you may have quickly. In fact there’re probably things I’ve eaten you really don’t want to know about.”

They retreated back to the living room where they watched a movie as they waited for the pizza to cook. When the pizza was done Anna sliced it and brought it into the room where Jack was still watching TV. He took a bite and had to keep his eyes from rolling back into his head. It was delicious! Holy crap! He’d marry her just for her cooking. They ate and finished the movie at one in the morning.

Anna looked at Jack expectantly.

“What now?” Anna asked.

“I’ll be staying right here so go to bed, Anna,” Jack said, making himself more comfortable on the couch.

Anna nodded and walked up the stairs. She returned a short time later with pillows and a blanket.

“Good night,
Jack
,” Anna said softly as she turned.

He watched as she disappeared up the steps.

* * * *

Jack woke startled. He didn’t know why, but something wasn’t right again. He lay still, waiting, listening, and watching. He saw Anna slowly creep down the stairs and walk to the couch. He lay still as she knelt down and watched him for a few minutes. He felt the light brush of her hand on his. He closed his eyes and folded his fingers around her hand.

Jack didn’t move as he felt Anna shift to sit on the edge next to him. He slowly ran his hands up her arms and gently tugged her toward him. Pulling her down to him, he put his arms around her as she rested her head on his chest. Jack inhaled deeply and took in Anna’s scent.

“Anna…” Jack whispered.

“Shush…” Anna said, and she kissed him.

Jack allowed himself to go liquid into the couch as Anna’s kiss took him under. He didn’t want to make any sudden movements that might shatter this delicate balance, so he closed his eyes and relinquished himself allowing her to control what would happen next. She pushed up from him and his eyes flew open in protest.

“Come with me,” Anna whispered.

Anna walked away. Jack got up and followed her up the steps. He stopped at the threshold of the bedroom door.

“Come here, Jack,” Anna commanded softly.

Jack walked forward and stopped next to her bed. Briefly he wondered if he were dreaming. Anna knelt on the bed and started to undress him. He felt himself go weak as she traced his chest and belly with her lips and tongue. Her hand run the length of his hard cock through his pants. Jack felt his cock swell as he put his hands under her arms and lifted her against him.

“What do you want?” Jack whispered.

Anna was silent as she latched her mouth onto his and gave him a slow, bone-melting kiss. Jack wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. What little control he had slipped away as he lowered his hands and squeezed her sexy ass. He pushed her onto her back and slowly ran his hands up over her body up to her ample breasts. Anna shuddered as she arched into his groping. She released a sultry moan as his thumbs moved over her nipples. He moved his hands away and planted them near her head as he bent down and came nose to nose with her.