Dominant Deception [Black Ops Brotherhood 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (37 page)

Anna’s palms itched because she wanted to get back and lose herself in the kitchen like she used to before. Stepping into this environment, made her feel as if she’d shed some kind of tight-fitting outer clothing and was able to breathe again. Jack and Tammy had been encouraging her back into the kitchen after she left civil service and they were right. She belonged here, not running around fixing computers. She inhaled the spices and different foods cooking and baking. It was like breathing fresh air after being locked in a musty prison. The years of pent-up frustration left her because she was home.

Returning to Randolph late in the afternoon, Anna was in time to start cooking dinner. She hung her uniforms at the entrance and dove into her home kitchen, mapping out her tomorrow. It was a couple of hours later when Jack walked in.

“Hey! I see you got a job!” Jack exclaimed.

“Yes, I did. I’ll be working at the Menger Hotel, the Colonial Room,” Anna said with a smile.

“Where’s that?” Jack asked.

“It’s downtown, next to the Alamo. I hung my shift schedule on the fridge.”

“Did you remember to ask for next Friday?”

The Navy Birthday Ball was coming up soon and it was the date in question. Anna had asked for it off and quickly got two overtime shifts. There was a party and a wedding on the days after her
one
day she’d asked to take. Justin seemed a little too eager for Anna to get back into the swing of things. Jack was looking at her schedule.

“Yes, and because I took one day, I got two days of OT,” Anna said.

“Yeah, I see that. They’ve got you working after ten at night on some of these days, Anna.”

“Yes, I’m closing.”

Jack was quiet. Anna turned away from the stove and looked at him leaning against the counter, staring at her.

“I don’t like it, Anna. It’s dark and it’s late.”

“So? It’s dark when I go in for the morning and lunch shifts.”

“Why don’t I take you and pick you up every day?” Jack offered.

“Why?” Anna asked, irritated.

“Because, I don’t want you being alone in downtown San Antonio when it’s pitch black outside and there’s no one around.”

“Oh please, Jack, I’m perfectly capable of getting myself to work and coming home every day,” Anna said dismissively.

Jack was quiet again and Anna was getting more annoyed by the second. He seemed to always put a damper on things with his paranoia. She returned to the meal she was finishing.

“I would really feel better if I could take you and pick you up every day—” Jack started.

“
Damn it
!
Jack
!” Anna screamed.

Before Jack could respond, Anna unleashed her fury at his inability to understand she needed her own space in life.

“I told you about this! I told you about how crazy a chef’s schedule was! What the hell am I supposed to do when you travel? Which is all the
damn
time!” Anna demanded.

“Will you calm down and listen to what I want to say?” Jack asked patiently.

“
Calm down
?” Anna screamed hysterically.

“Anna…baby—”

“Don’t you
baby
me, damn it! We talked about this! What did you
not
understand? I can’t believe—”

“
Shut the hell up and listen
!” Jack shouted.

Anna stopped and took a deep breath as she waited for Jack to speak.

“While it is true there is someone in custody regarding what happened to you, there is more than just one person involved. Anna, I love you. I’m
concerned
for your safety. I can’t deal with you lying in ICU again, and I sure as hell can’t stand the thought of burying you!” Jack exclaimed.

“What did you say?” Anna asked.

“I said I’m concerned for your safety.”

“Okay, Jack, we’ll figure something out.”

The rest of the evening was quiet and routine. Anna went to bed early because she needed to establish a rhythm for the next week. Jack wasn’t far behind her. He lay down quietly next to her and relaxed against her back. She wasn’t finished with him yet. She turned, put her arms around him, and kissed him lightly.

“You said something earlier today, and I want to hear you say it again,” Anna said.

“What was that, baby?” Jack asked, kissing her.

“When you said you were concerned for me…”

“I am concerned for you. I worry about you all the time because you won’t listen.”

“No, right before that.”

“There’s someone in custody? I didn’t tell you that?” Jack asked with a yawn.

“Jack, try again, right after that statement,” Anna said flatly.

“Uh…” Jack started and then stopped.

“Come on, Jack, say it again.”

“Something about I didn’t want to see you get hurt again?”

“Quit being stupid! I know you’re not!” Anna snapped. She forced him onto his back and planted herself on top of him. “Now try again and quit screwing with me!”

“You heard me,” Jack said quietly.

Anna kissed Jack and rubbed her nose against his.

“Say it again,” Anna said softly.

“I love you,” Jack whispered.

Anna felt confused for a moment. She never expected Jack to ever say out loud that he
loved
her. When it had slipped earlier, she assumed it was just his emotional outburst but when he said it now, she could almost feel his heart. All her cute comments and smart-assed remarks were gone. He was being sincere and was opening up to her in ways she never thought he would. She wanted to process this new feeling that had anchored deep inside her as well.

“Cuidado con esas palabras,” Anna said, warning him to be careful with his words. Speaking to him in Spanish gave her the distance she needed from him to remain in control of this new feeling.

“Por eso, les digo,” Jack said sincerely,

“¿Es la verdad?” Anna asked. She wanted to make sure Jack had been honest with her.

“Te quiero muchísimo,” Jack said.

Jack cupped Anna’s face. He pulled slightly and kissed her tenderly.

“I’ve never said that to anyone else,” Jack said.

“I love you, too, Jack,” Anna whispered.

“Debe ser cuidadoso con su palabras demasiado,” Jack said, warning her to be honest with her words as well. “Don’t play games with this, Anna. You’ll hurt me.”

Anna swallowed hard, not knowing what to do with this sudden shift in him. Jack was vulnerable and she recognized she held the key to his happiness in her hands. Anna kissed him again.

“You lose your accent when you speak Spanish,” Anna teased as she slid off Jack and snuggled next to him.

“I told you I don’t have an accent. Everyone else does,” Jack said with a yawn.

“Checkmate, Jack.”

Jack chuckled. “This ain’t over, yet, just the end of level two.”

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

Field Grade Officer Housing

October 18, 2008/444 Zulu

Jack locked the door behind them and followed Anna into the house. He took off the heavy dinner dress jacket he’d worn to the ball and glanced at Anna as she started to untie her long formal cape. She’d performed her duties as a commanding officer’s wife flawlessly. He stepped behind her and slid the cape from her shoulders as he thought about how they’d gelled and become a team. The wife of a man in Jack’s position could be his greatest asset, and Anna had truly been a godsend tonight. He stared at the graceful curve of her shoulders and closed his eyes as her scent curled around him. Jack planted a kiss on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. He lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. She was by far the most sophisticated and intelligent woman he’d ever known and beauty was a bonus.

“Anna. I’ve been busy and I know I didn’t say thank you for helping us at the last minute. Everything was perfect and you did a really good job.
You
were perfect.”

“Thank you, Jack. I’m glad you were pleased.”

“No, thank you. I love you and I’m very proud of you,” Jack said, running his hands down her arms. “This was really important to me.” He took her hands in his and he felt the ring on her left hand.
His
ring.
His
Anna.

* * * *

Anna stared at Jack as he traced the ring on her left hand. She wanted to throw her arms around him protectively when she thought about all he’d endured for her sake. Jack was her husband, and whenever this man touched her, he stoked a fire. She’d tried maintaining control in this relationship much like she had in her first marriage but it was a futile effort. Jack wouldn’t allow it because he demanded equal say, even though he deferred to her judgment most of the time. She let down her guard at that moment because he truly was a good man and she’d really fallen in love with him.

Anna allowed Jack to pull her close and hold her. They seemed to fit so perfectly because holding him wasn’t awkward. Nothing ever felt so right and natural. She slid her hands up his arms as he kissed her in the low kitchen light. He was so different from anyone she’d ever known.

“Anna?” Jack whispered against her lips. “Tell me what to do.” She couldn’t say anything because his warm kisses on her skin were igniting a slow fuse. “Baby, you need to tell me. I want to make you happy,” he said.

Jack kissed her again as Anna tried for formulate a response. She knew she had to answer because he would take it upon himself to give her what he thought was best. There was no point in directing him, he knew. He’d always known how to give her what she needed.

“Anna, baby,” Jack whispered again. “Tell me what you want.”

“Jack…” Anna whispered breathlessly.

“Anna, tell me. What do you want?” Jack asked more urgently.

Time seemed to stand still.

“You. Just you,” Anna breathed.

* * * *

Without another word, Jack led Anna upstairs to their bedroom. He pulled her close and recalled the soft sway of her body against his as they’d danced earlier. He kissed her softly and held her gently against him. She clung to him as he ran his hands up and down her back as he kissed her. The white dress she was wearing made her glow. He pulled long zipper of her dress down slowly and took her arms from around his neck as they let the dress slip to the floor. He moved Anna onto the bed and sat down next to her as he kissed her.

The moon was full and bathed the room in soft light. Jack sat back momentarily and looked at Anna. She undressed him slowly, teasing his skin with her lips as she went. He gently pushed her back down into the pillows. He kissed the valley of her breasts and worked his way down to her belly. He moved up her body and kissed her, more urgently because he wanted to possess her body and soul.

“Do you trust me?” Jack asked against her skin.

“Yes, Jack. You know I do,” Anna whispered.

“Do you love me?” Jack took her nipple in his mouth and started his rhythmic licking and suckling. Anna moaned in response. “Anna?”

“Yes,” Anna cried.

Jack worked his way down her body once more and planted himself beside her.

“Anna, you’re so beautiful,” Jack said reverently.

Jack put his hands at her waist and moved downward, taking her panties with him. He slowly moved his hands down each leg, taking her silk stockings as well. As he cast the garments aside, he kissed her and shifted himself so he could tease her belly and abdomen with his hands and mouth. She moaned softly. Anna ran her fingers through his hair and cried out as he gently bit her belly. She was so sensual and always responded so passionately. He’d wanted for so long to fuck her every way he could imagine and tonight was the night he planned on doing just that.

* * * *

Anna was mesmerized by the sensuality of Jack’s touch. She felt his hand move up her body as he kissed her. Her nerves were raw because he seemed to sear every place he touched or kissed. He was driving her to the brink of madness with his mouth and his hands. She felt him kiss and lick each one of her ribs as he moved up to her breasts and teased her with his licking and suckling. She tried to control herself but her body wouldn’t obey. Jack could look at her and start her smoldering. She reached for him and ran her fingers through his hair.

Jack ran his hand over her pussy and the touch made her shake in anticipation. As she found his broad shoulders and dug her nails in, she was rewarded with his feral growl. His mouth was working her inner thighs as his finger gently pushed inside her cunt and started stroking. Anna moved her hips in time with his finger fucking. She screamed in delight as his mouth moved to her pussy. Anna writhed and wiggled as Jack licked and suckled her sensitive clit. His finger moved in and out, finding her sweet spot.

“Jack! Stop!” Anna called.

Anna was on the brink of the most powerful orgasm she’d ever experienced. Every nerve seemed to burn with his touch. Jack attached his mouth to her clit and sucked as he reached for her nipple and pinched. The slight pain was enough to send her over the edge as her body convulsed uncontrollably. He was relentless as he kept stroking her and sucking her clit. She had to beg him to stop. Jack laughed seductively as he continued teasing her body with his mouth. Anna was working to stop her body from shaking as he moved up. Anna knew she had to catch her breath otherwise Jack would render her unconscious.