by S. E. Rose
We head back to our hotel and shower. Jack laughs at the incredibly hot water I have allowed to rain down on me. It feels divine and I tell him this.
“I know something else that feels divine,” he says as his hand slowly runs down my belly and between my legs. I gasp and look up at him. He pulls me from the shower and leads me to the bed tossing me on it. “I think you should properly stretch before your muscles ache,” he says slowly bringing my legs up so that my feet rest on his shoulders.
I roll my eyes. “Really, stretching?”
He nods and positions his erection at my entrance before pushing himself into me. “Yes, stretching,” he says in an incredibly sexy voice. I cry out as he plunges deep inside me.
After making me come twice before finding his release, we lie on the bed side by side. “I’m spent,” he says.
“Well, I’d like to go walk around a bit,” I say. He gets up and starts dressing.
“Jack, lie back down. The kids can come with me, really, rest.” I encourage with a pat on the bed. He sits down.
“Are you sure?” he asks. “I’m not really comfortable with you going off by yourself.”
“I’m not by myself if the kids come,” I protest.
“Fine, just be careful, please, love,” he says, kissing me.
I salute him and give him a “yes, sir,” to which I get a playful frolic on the bed before I’m allowed to get dressed.
I knock on the kids’ door and Lily opens it. “Oh, hey, Mom. Nick’s still in the shower. What’s up?”
“I was going to walk around. You guys up for it?”
“Sure, give us a few minutes, OK?”
I nod and tell her I’ll wait in the lobby. I check my emails and discover I have a revised draft to look at, to which I roll my eyes. It’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I send a few emails and then see Lily and Nick stepping out of an elevator.
We walk around until we get to the North Sea. The kids want to continue walking the beach, but I’m ready to check out some boats at the marina ahead of us. I tell them to meet me at a pub nearby in about thirty minutes and we part ways.
I weave in and out of small buildings in the Footdee area, an old fishing village. As I turn a corner, I look up and stop cold in my tracks. I see Leo walking with two girls. They look young, maybe in their late teens. They are leaning on him and I’m fairly certain they are on something by the movement of their legs. I quickly turn back around the corner and brace myself against a wall. I peek around and see him walking toward the water. There’s a fair number of tourists, so I make sure my sunglasses are in place and pull out a hat I remember packing in my bag earlier. I try to blend in with groups of tourists as we make our way down one small lane in the village. At some point he veers off and I follow him down smaller paths until I realize we are at the water. The boats are looking larger and more like giant yachts. I follow them jumping behind boats here and there until I see them stop. And then I shiver as I see why they have stopped. Alexei stands by steps that lead up to the entrance of a giant yacht. It has a helicopter on the back of it and it is at least three stories high above the water. I slam myself against the boat I’m standing next to. I can’t hear them from here, but I manage to snap a few photos with just my arm moving out from my hiding place. They seem deep in conversation, so I video them. Eventually, Leo shakes Alexei’s hand and then places the girls in the arms of some other guy that is now standing by Alexei. Alexei motions back to the boat and Leo shakes his head. Oh shit, he’s going to come back this way. I frantically look around and see the gangplank to a boat is across from me. I run onto the boat not caring who sees me and crouch down. I can hear footsteps coming my way and I hold my breath. The footsteps slow and I hear Leo yell something. Oh no, he’s seen me, I know it. I hold my breath and hope that I go unnoticed. For a minute I hear nothing and then I hear footsteps. I breathe a sigh of relief because they are now going away from me.
I peek over the side of the boat I have just used as my hiding place and I can see the yacht. Alexei is nowhere to be seen. I turn the other direction and see Leo heading back into the fishing village. I follow him for a while until I see him get in a black SUV with tinted windows. Ben is standing outside of it and I quickly duck inside an alley. When I look back, Ben is getting in the driver’s side and then the car pulls away. What the fuck was that about? I send Agent Banks a quick text and then realize the time. Shit, the kids are going to be freaking out now that I’m twenty minutes late for our rendezvous. I look at my phone and see I’ve missed four texts from them.
“Mom, where the hell have you been?” Lily cries out walking toward me. She gives me an unexpected hug and then pulls back and looks at me. “Are you OK? You look a little pale, Mom.”
I touch her cheek. “I’m fine, sweetie, really. Just a little tired.”
“Well, let’s get you back to the hotel then,” Nick says as he grabs my arm and the three of us head back. I glance over my shoulder and every time I see a black SUV approach I dodge behind Nick. The kids are giving each other looks that tells me that they think I’m losing my mind.
“Mom, are you sure you’re OK?” Lily asks. She has a look of true concern on her face.
“Yep. I just need a nap.”
I walk the rest of the way in a daze and make my way up to my room. I open the door and see Jack is sitting in bed watching a soccer match. He glances in my direction and is smiling until he sees my face. He is out of bed and at my side in a matter of seconds.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” His hands are on either side of my face and he is very concerned. He leads me to the bed and I sit. He kneels in front of me, searching my eyes.
“Alexei,” I whisper, but I’m not sure if it was audible.
“What? I don’t understand.”
“Alexei is here,” I say a little louder.
“Here, as in Aberdeen?”
“Yes.”
“Where, when?” Jack is starting to get more frantic as we talk and then he lets out a big sigh and takes a deep breath. “Where exactly did you see him?”
“I was at the fishing village with the kids. They wanted to play on the beach some more and I wanted to walk. So I went to Footdee and then I saw Leo.” Jack’s eyebrows rise in surprise. “He was walking with two girls. They were young, Jack, maybe sixteen or eighteen. I followed him for a while and he took them to a yacht and Alexei was there. They spoke and someone came and took the girls and then I hid. Leo left and I followed him. He got in a black SUV with Ben and then they took off and I lost them.” The realization of what I just saw hits me and my hand flies to my mouth as I finish the last part. Those girls were just sold into the sex slave trade. “Oh my God, Jack, the girls. I have to talk to Agent Banks now. I texted him, but he didn’t respond.”
Jack is staring at me and saying nothing. He puts his hands on my face and kisses my forehead. “It’s going to be OK, love. I promise.”
“Wait, wait. I took photos, video. I have evidence.” Jack’s hands drop from my cheeks.
“Where, love, on your phone?”
“Yes,” I say, frantically pulling my phone out of my pocket. I show him and he nods.
“This is good, Laura, very good,” he says. He sends them to Agent Banks from my phone and then sends a copy to his phone.
“Do you think that will be enough evidence?” I ask him.
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I think they’ll need a little more, but we’ll see.”
He looks at me again and sits down next to me on the bed. I’m suddenly exhausted. He crawls up to the headboard and pulls me into his lap. I lay my head there and he rubs my arm. After a few minutes, I can feel my eyelids starting to get heavy and I know I’m on the verge of sleep as the adrenaline has left my body and fatigue has replaced it. Then my phone starts buzzing and I shoot up off of Jack’s lap. Jack already has my phone in his hand and he answers it.
“Yes…yes…I understand…no…I won’t agree to that…fine.” And then he hangs up and looks at me.<
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“What? Who was it? Agent Banks? What did he say? Are we—”
“Laura…first, slow down.” He pulls me back against him and I push off his chest so I can look at him. “He says this is great evidence and he wanted us to do some more sleuthing, but I said no. His team is on the way. He wants us to stay here at the hotel.”
I let out the air that I have kept trapped in my lungs since Jack took the phone call. He pulls me to him and I oblige. I close my eyes and let him stroke my hair and my back. As I relax, my mind begins to wander and I tense again.
Sitting up again, I look at Jack. “I’m not sure I’m cut out to be an informant.” I glance down, ashamed that the words have come out of my mouth.
Jack reaches for my chin and pulls my face up to his so that our foreheads are touching. “Baby, you shouldn’t have ever been put in a position where you felt you had to be an informant. I’m so sorry, Laura. Please forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” I ask, somewhat confused. “Jack, I did this. I had Oliver make phone calls. I agreed to meet Agent Banks. This is all my fault.”
“You only did it because you were trying to protect me. God, I was such a young idiot. Everyone I loved tried to fix me and I just wouldn’t stop. And now…,” he trails off and stares at me.
“And now, you have me.” I try to muster a smile and I can feel the corners of his mouth turn up as his lips press against mine.
Chapter 28
Laura’s Playlist: “Sabotage” by Beastie Boys
We wait for hours and Agent Banks finally arrives at our room right after lunch. I’d sent Nick and Lily to the museum down the street and a late lunch while we waited. I didn’t want them knowing what was happening.
“I think it’s best if you all head back tonight as planned. It’ll be less suspicious,” he explains.
“The yacht is gone. It pulled anchor just after you saw them, Laura. But we have the water being patrolled, so hopefully, we will intercept them. If we can catch them and those girls are on board, then we may just have the major break we are looking for in this case. However, we still want to find out where the money is going in your area. Jack, you know what needs to be done, yes?” He gives Jack a glance and Jack just nods. I look at each of them, but clearly, they think this is above my security clearance because neither pays me any attention. What the hell, hadn’t he asked me to follow Jack? Was I just double-checking the intelligence? I’m suddenly feeling used and a bit vulnerable. Who the hell can I trust? I want to trust Jack, but can I? I push the thought from my head. I can’t think about that right now.
“Well, then pack up and head out, we’ll be in touch.” He leaves, shutting the door behind him as he walks out of the room.
I toss myself down on the bed and pick up the bedside phone to dial Lily and Nick. “We are leaving in a bit so get ready, OK?”
We are all packed up and back in the car in about thirty minutes, which for my kids is record time. They sleep the whole way except for a brief stop for dinner.
“I thought we could all stay here tonight,” Jack says as he pulls up to the estate. “Well, I had something a bit more posh in mind for you two.” He glances at Lily and Nick. He keeps driving past the gatehouse and up to the main house. I know exactly what he has in mind. Clearly, Jack already arranged this. I can see Oliver at the front steps and Rose is standing next to him.
Rose runs down to greet us. I get a big hug and she looks over at my kids.
“You must be Laura’s children!” she exclaims and gives them each a hug. They all introduce themselves. “Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms. You’ll love them! They are in the west wing and face the garden. It is so lovely out there. I always ask Dad to move my room there, but he insists I stay in the east wing with him.” I can hear her continue to talk as Lily and Nick follow her up the stairs and into the manor. I catch Nick’s eyes quickly as he enters the great hall and he gives me a thumbs-up and a giant grin.
“Thanks, Oliver,” I say, giving him a quick hug and kiss. I can feel Jack tense as I stand back from Oliver.
“No worries, happy to help,” he says very quietly. “Plus, Rose loves having company.”
“Jack.” Oliver nods in Jack’s direction and Jack nods back.
“Come on, love, let’s get some sleep. We’ll be up for breakfast in the morning and then we can take Rose to Mal’s if you like,” Jack says as he looks over at Oliver.
“Yes, that actually works out perfectly. I have an appointment on my schedule at half past nine,” he agrees.
“Great, thanks again, Oliver,” I say and he winks at me and heads up the stairs toward the giant doors leading inside the manor.
We head back to Jack’s house and Jack opens a bottle of wine and pours me a generous helping.
“You need this,” he says. And he pours himself a smaller glass. I take a big sip and close my eyes. Tomorrow, my babies will go to Glasgow and then they will be back home safe in Maryland. I begin to relax a bit. He comes behind me and massages my tense back muscles and I lean against him. I take a few more sips of wine before he takes my hand and leads me upstairs for more de-stressing.
My eyes flutter open and I glance toward the alarm clock. I can hear the shower running, which means Jack already went for his jog. I walk out toward the garden and realize it’s raining. I head back up to the gym room and stand in the doorway. I could walk on the treadmill, use the elliptical or…I glance at the boxing bag in the corner of the room. I see Jack has boxing gloves and I put them on. They are a bit big for me, but they will do. I start going through my kickboxing motions. It’s been a few years since I took a class at our gym. However, it comes back to me and I find myself getting lost in the motions and repetitions. I am actually having quite a lot of fun. I concentrate as I jab, cross, jab, cross, jab, cross. At some point, I feel, rather than see Jack. And I turn to look at him. He’s standing in the doorway, his jeans on and no shirt. His hands are up on the top of the doorframe and he’s watching me with a grin on his face.
“Don’t stop on my account,” he says smiling.
“I’m done.” I smirk at him. “Show’s over.”
I toss his gloves down and sashay over to him. He grips my hips and pulls me against him.
“Good workout?” he asks.
“I’ve had better,” I say, giving him a wink.
“You’re not bad,” he says, glancing over at the bag.
“I may or may not have had a few lessons.” I smirk at him again.
My phone buzzes and I reach over to the table.
Lily: Mom, Rose has decided that I need to take her to town to shop for a new dress. Can you take Nick with you and meet us there later? We can all grab lunch before Nick and I get on the road.
Laura: Sure thing, sweetie. Drive safely, don’t forget—left side of the road!!!!
Lily: Please…I was born to drive here. LOL
Laura: Really, I thought you were born to drive me crazy. ;)
Lily: Yeah, that too…hahahaha <3
I look up at Jack who is watching me text and laugh to myself with some amusement.
“Sorry, change of plans, Lily is taking Rose to town to dress shop. I guess we are picking up Nick on the way in and grabbing a late lunch before they head out to Glasgow.”
I’m temporarily caught off guard when he grabs me and pulls me to him.
“So…what you are saying is I have time to give you another workout?”
I laugh. “I suppose you do.”
He grins and leans down to kiss me. I oblige and my mouth opens to allow his tongue access to mine. Damn, he is a good kisser. I don’t think I could ever tire of his kisses. I jump up into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist as he walks back down the hall to his bedroom.
He lets me slide down his front till my feet hit the ground. I start to pull my shirt up over my head, but he stops me.
“Let me do that.” He smiles, winking at me. “I like to undress you. It’s like opening my favorite gift over and over again.”
I blush. And he pulls my chin up so my eyes meet his. “You. Are. Beautiful,” he says, pausing between each word.
He takes my shirt off and then my sports bra. Then he bends down and sucks gently on each nipple making me clench my teeth together. I can already feel myself getting wet. He continues to trail kisses down my stomach and then bends down to take off my shoes and socks, one foot at a time. He trails kisses up each leg and then pulls my shorts and panties down. His strong hands clasp my thighs and push them apart as his fingers find the folds of my sex. I groan, and his fingers push farther into me while his thumb teases my sensitive flesh. My hands fist in his hair as he pushes a third finger inside of me and I cry out.
He stands and kisses me. “I love watching you come undone, baby,” he murmurs against my lips.
He walks me backward until I hit the edge of the bed where he picks me up and scoots me onto the middle of the bed. He spreads my legs again and continues his assault. I begin to get lost in the sensations, my mind focused on just one thing. As he slides a third finger inside of me again, I grip the sheets and cry out his name. I can feel my muscles clenching around his fingers as his thumb rubs circles over my clit. As I come back to reality, I feel him moving up my body and I reach down between us to grasp his cock in my hand. I run my hand up and down as I squeeze gently. He groans and then pulls himself from my hand as he rams into me. His rhythm is not fast. Instead, he takes his time, pounding into me slow and hard. I feel my orgasm building again as he continues this pace. I move my hips to match his thrusts and it isn’t long before we both cry out and Jack collapses down on me.
“Well, that was an excellent workout. Do you normally do trainer house calls? If so, I would like to book you for the next few weeks,” I say, kissing his hair as he nuzzles my chest.
“I think that can be arranged. Perhaps ring my office and we can set that up.” He tugs lightly on a nipple with his teeth and I gasp.
