Page 26 of Jack

“He said to tell you he’ll come and get you.”

Astrid saw the question in Decker’s eyes that he left unsaid and didn’t give in to the pressure to offer up any information. She knew the team were close like the women of Zenobi were, and they’d have questions about what had happened, and she’d answer those at the meeting. She owed them that for bringing this to their door but what was going on with her and Jack was nobody else’s business but theirs. “Okay, I’ll be ready.”

Astrid closed the door and nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice behind her.

“Nice dress, Ace.”

Astrid spun laughing and threw herself at her friend. “Bebe, I’m so glad to see you.”

Bebe hugged her back. “Heard you needed some back up so here I am.”

Astrid tugged her towards the chairs in the huge suite, which also had terrific views over Toronto. “Did you hear about Ravelino?”

“Yes, Jack called Roz after you did. He was losing his mind over it, wanted to know exactly what happened.”

Astrid pulled her lip between her teeth. “He was on the beach with me when they attacked. It would’ve been different if I’d been alone. I couldn’t have fought them all, and if they’d gotten to the building I hate to think what might have happened.”

“Thank God he was.” Bebe wiggled her eyebrows. “Talking of that, why was he on the beach with you alone at night?”

“We were on a date.” Astrid waited for the inevitable warnings to come her way.

“Wow. How did you manage that?”

Astrid threw up her hands and let them fall to her lap. “No clue. We went from me messing with him and him growling at me, to somehow him asking me on a date.”

Bebe gave her a look and stood, walking to the bar. “I’m gonna need a drink for this.” She held up the bottle of wine in question, and Astrid lifted her hand, pinching her fingers an inch apart. “A small glass, I’m on the clock.”

Bebe poured and brought the drinks back to her. “So, start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out.”

Astrid did, telling her about the meeting at Eidolon, the way he’d opened up on the beach, and that they had kissed and how she’d suddenly felt afraid and pulled back. Then about Jack asking her on a date to get to know him, which ended in gunfire and an entirely new headache in the form of Iago Ravelino.

“Wow, he’s romancing you.”

Astrid snorted. “I don’t think it’s that, more like he wants in my pants and I’m a challenge.”

“Has he treated you like one? ’Cos if he has, I can kick his ass for you.”

Astrid shook her head. “No, he’s been nothing but honest and respectful.”

“So why the change of heart?”

“Honestly, when I thought he had no interest in me, it was safe to flirt, but now it’s serious.”

Bebe threw her head back as she laughed, spilling her wine down her leg. “Oh shit.” She swiped at the mark and sucked her thumb.

“What’s so funny?”

“That you think he wasn’t interested in you. That man has been eye-fucking you for months.”

Astrid sat up straighter, hating that she was so eager to hear this. “No, he hasn’t.”

“Yup. He tried to fight it, and clever man that he is, he’s accepted his fate.”

“Up until now Jack has done nothing but snap his teeth at me.”

“Well duh. That’s because he’s been fighting his attraction to you. You rattle him, Astrid, and a man like Jack doesn’t like to feel rattled. He likes to control the narrative at all times.”

“Hmm, interesting.” The thought that Jack had wanted her for so long and fought it was a bit of a double-edged sword. She liked that he wanted her, but why would he fight it so hard and why give in now? “Either way, he’s made it clear he only wants casual and that he has no room for a relationship.”