Jackie was sitting on the plush chairs of a clothing store sipping their complimentary champagne while barely tasting it. Her mind was a million miles away as it struggled to process yesterday's events.
Her friends had catapulted into her life again and as pleased as she was to see them, Jackie also resented them for confusing things. She was just beginning to understand Hyde again and the possibility he might once more fit into her life.
And now she was being forced to make a decision that she didn't feel able to make. Should she ask to be moved with him or did she avoid what was inevitably going to be messy and hard, picking to going with Kelso or Fez? What if all the complications were worth it?
She'd spent an almost sleepless night with Donna by her side. She'd grilled Jackie mercilessly for details about Hyde, her new life and why the handsome FBI agent kept mooning at her. Jackie had protested that description but mostly it was nice to have someone to gossip with endlessly.
Donna had thankfully woken up early in a fit of panic about what to wear to the gala. As she explained she'd not really "packed for event extravaganzas."
Jackie had the perfect person to call. All she'd said was "clothing S.O.S" into the phone and Nancy rushed right over.
It was weird having the two women meet for the first time and having two worlds collide. But Jackie had explained that she knew Donna from high school and she happened to be in town for a last minute meeting. When they'd consulted Annette she said Donna may as well use her real first name as she wouldn't be here much longer.
Donna to her credit managed to hold her tongue and only rolled her eyes when Jackie had patted her on the shoulder and confided to Nancy that Donna had been at her school on a scholarship. Jackie was worried that they might not get along, being two entirely different personalities but she needn't have fretted. She'd clearly underestimated Nancy's ability to make friends with just about everyone.
They quickly found common ground when they discovered they were reading the same book. This led to a lengthy literacy discussion which lasted until they reached the dress shop. Jackie had managed to discreetly hide her yawns.
Nancy had pulled some strings and gotten them a last minute appointment in a gown shop across town. The saleswoman and seamstress were fussing around Donna as they tried to find a dress that was flattering and would fit her tall frame.
Jackie was pleased she wasn't the one being poked and prodded. Her Victor Costa was already hanging in her cupboard ready to go. She instead she got to enjoy her time with Nancy. She would miss her when she had to leave and Jackie still hadn't decided the best way to say good bye. She supposed she'd also be saying farewell to any business venture they might have embarked on together. Jackie's throat felt tight and so she banished those thoughts and tried to enjoy the moment. If Nancy sensed Jackie's mind was elsewhere, then she kindly kept those suspicions to herself.
They were meeting Betty, Dorothy and Patricia for lunch to go over last minute details but then they all had hair and make-up appointments. Jackie had been perfectly happy doing her own but Nancy had insisted that it wouldn't be nearly as much fun if Jackie didn't join her. She'd arranged for a few ladies to come to her home and wouldn't hear any more excuses about Jackie not wanting to intrude. She'd generously extended the invitation to Donna. Another reminder that while her life was mostly fake, Jackie had made real connections that would be hard to give up.
…
Since most of the FBI were busy frantically trying to coordinate their relocation, Hyde, Kelso, Eric and Fez were basically left unsupervised in the mansion.
Annette had informed him they had no reason to believe their cover had been compromised and moving was merely a precaution. But since she had barked this information at him over her fourth cup of coffee, Hyde was guessing it had made her tense all the same.
Their morning had been filled pretty completely getting clothes suitable to wear to the dance. Unlike Jackie, Hyde had always intended on getting organised at the last minute.
Free from regulation, Hyde had sought out David and got his hands on enough weed to conduct a circle.
The four boys sat at the outdoor setting in the backyard and passed the joint around. Rich people even had access to better weed.
Hyde had needed to sand the edges off his anxiety more than usual. A number of things weighed on his mind. Not the least of which would be ensuring that Kelso and Fez behaved themselves at this fancy ball and that was followed closely by his attendance. He'd dressed up before for school dances but that had been in the small town of Point Place. There would be far more judging eyes in the room tonight.
He was also worried despite Annette's assurances. The mobster meant business and he'd gone far enough to go through his store trying to find clues about his and Jackie's location. He'd naively been hoping that his name and hers had remained unknown, even if he had seen both their faces. After everything they'd been through, the idea of Jackie getting hurt now made him sick to his stomach.
Which brought him to problem number three. Jackie.
Annette had given them the option of choosing whether they would stay together or be separating. And if Jackie had kept her silence just a second or two longer, Hyde would have said 'keep us together.'
But she had spoken and she'd decided that she needed to consider. He couldn't be too mad about that – god knows he'd been confused about what was happening between them. But he had also known instantly that he'd rather take his chances than let her out of his life.
However, he hadn't been hurt the way Jackie had and so no doubt she had to think about it carefully and he was still uncertain as to whether he should try and influence her decision.
…
Jackie made the last finishing touches on her dress, finally allowing herself to feel excited. Her hair and make-up were subtle but elegant and went perfectly with the dress. She delicately tied the sash around her waist, forming a looping bow in front of her. The rich emerald satin complimented her eyes Jackie noted as she examined her reflection in the mirror. Like the BBQ, Jackie had made the decision to wear another strapless dress, remembering the way Hyde's eyes had roved over her in awe.
She wasn't sure about much these days but she was confident that in this dress she looked amazing. Donna's delighted smile and applause indicated she agreed.
Still, Jackie lingered a beat longer in front of the mirror and twisted her wedding ring. Would this be the last night she had to wear it? If she did decide to go with Hyde would they still be married for their cover? These questions floated uninvited to the forefront of her mind and with concerted effort, Jackie pushed them away.
Donna was clipping back her blonde hair – the Californian sun had already given her shoulders a light pink tinge. She still looked beautiful in a slinky silver number that was reminiscent of the 1940s.
"Eric will have a heart attack when he sees you looking like that," Jackie observed.
Donna grinned widely. "At least he'll have company because I think Hyde will drop dead when he sees you like that."
"Do you think?" Jackie reached up to nervously adjust an earring.
"I know," Donna corrected. "And if that falls through that FBI agent was super hot. Like super hot!"
Jackie responded to her friend's teasing with a gentle shove to the shoulder. She checked the time and realised that the car would be there to pick them up soon. Nancy had outdone herself again and was sending an honest to god limo to collect them. She had been so excited about Jackie's high school friends visiting that she organised it all.
Donna linked arms with Jackie and together they made their way towards the front entrance.
"This will be a hard house to leave," Donna said, still getting used to the sheer lavish nature of the mansion.
"It might be harder to leave other things behind," Jackie mumbled circumspectly.
Donna halted them where they stood. "Are you thinking about saying no to Hyde?"
"I'm thinking about both options," Jackie confessed. "And I don't know which one is right."
Donna tugged Jackie's earring affectionately. "You'll make the right call."
Jackie wished she shared Donna's certainty. They were interrupted by Annette's appearance. The agent was wearing a dress that was slightly shorter than would have been expected for such a formal occasion. But judging from the way the skirt strategically flared out, Jackie suspected that she had a gun strapped to her thigh.
This didn't do much to reassure Jackie that they were safe but reminded herself that Annette would just be erring on the side of caution.
"We'll follow behind you in our car," Annette explained without preamble.
"Nothing says fun like an entourage of law enforcement," Donna quipped.
Annette managed a rueful grin. "We'll try and blend in when we're there. Don't look for us and you'll forget we even exist."
"Doubtful," Jackie disagreed, "but I appreciate the sentiment."
"Have you made up your mind?" Annette asked, lowering her voice.
Jackie shook her head. "Not yet."
"It would be easier to reuse existing covers and IDs," Annette stated innocently, "but it's your life, so your call."
Jackie blinked in confusion. Had Annette been trying to subtly influence Jackie's decision?
"Anyway, we should keep moving," Annette continued as if she'd said nothing at all. "You both look beautiful by the way."
…
Would there ever be a day when the sight of Jackie in a beautiful dress didn't render him speechless?
Unlikely.
Hyde had swallowed twice when he'd first caught sight of Jackie all done up. She could still steal his breath.
The shy smile she shot in his direction made him seriously contemplating shouting at everyone to get out and leave them alone. He would have then carried her right back to the bedroom she'd just exited.
He had his glasses in hand ready to slip on but in an impulsive moment he dropped them on the side table and took a small step away. He wouldn't be using them tonight. If anyone noticed the significant gesture they didn't comment.
The mood was high and electric as compliments threw left, right and centre. Annette tried to give them all a stern talking to about the importance of remembering that Jackie and Hyde were the married couple Melissa and Greg. His friends paid suitable attention but he didn't know if they absorbed the message in its entirety. Well, Eric, Fez and Donna seemed to take it on board.
Kelso was practically breaking his neck trying to ogle all the women at once. Even Annette wasn't immune from a leer. Hyde was so used to her being their responsible adult that he sometimes forgot that she was only in her early thirties and pretty in her own right. Though he predicted all others would fade in comparison to Jackie.
The limo ride was raucous. Annette had barely concealed a groan when she saw the Myers had also sprung for a few bottles of champagne.
"If any of you makes a scene or blows the cover, I'll shoot you." She patted her thigh and walked away where Clyde had the BMW's door open. Hyde caught sight of Carlos who was looking just as good in a suit as Hyde had expected. He was like James Bond but Hyde was feeling more charitable towards the guy since Jackie had barely spared a second glance at the man before clambering into the limo.
"Dude, is she serious?" Fez asked as he reached for the champagne simultaneously.
"Oh yeah," Hyde stated. Annette probably wouldn't shoot any of them, too much paper work, but it didn't hurt to let the threat stand.
They'd be better behaved if they thought Annette would appear from nowhere guns blazing.
"She's reasonably attractive," Kelso mused thoughtfully.
Jackie wrinkled her nose in amusement and caught Hyde's gaze. "She'll shoot you if you hit on her. That I promise."
Kelso sulked a little bit upon hearing that. He tugged at his blue tie and shrugged. "I doubt she'll be able to resist my charms."
"He's going to get shot," Hyde concluded, speaking directly to Jackie. She laughed lightly at his assessment and Hyde experienced a rush of warmth at the sound. Not even Donna nudging Eric knowingly in the corner could ruin that sensation.
…
Jackie grinned with pride as she assessed the summer ball and all its glory. From its twinkle lights to the gorgeous flowers, it looked like a magical land come to life. This combined with the throngs of beautifully dressed people and Jackie could barely contain her glee.
She spotted Dorothy across the crowd looking resplendent in the dress Jackie had chosen for her. She was talking to an elegant man that Jackie guessed was her husband. Too far away and separated by too many people to exchange proper greetings, Dorothy waved in her direction.
Her friends spotted the source of food and wine, making a beeline towards it. Jackie sent them on ahead, just wanting to enjoy this moment for a while longer. Hyde put his hand on her lower back in the way she found most distracting and asked if she wanted him to get her anything.
"A drink?" Jackie requested over the loud music.
"You got it."
Her smile broadened at his consideration, but was short lived when she realised she had to make a decision about whether they would remain together. Additionally she had to find Nancy and politely refuse her offer to invest in Jackie's business. That made her stomach churn with sadness. She had gotten so close to actually creating something she could be proud of but because of timing she would never be able to accept.
Squaring her shoulders, Jackie decided biting the bullet sooner rather than later would be the best course of action and began scanning faces for Nancy.
Before she found her, something small but forceful collided with her middle. Her breath rushing out in a woosh, Jackie looked down to discover that Jenny had wrapped herself around her midriff in a tight hug.
Jenny was wearing the dress they'd chosen together. It was primarily made of black lace but with red ribbon that cinched in around the waist. Jenny had declared it both cool and pretty.
"You're late," Jenny scolded half-heartedly.
Jackie lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not really," she argued but was secretly pleased her absence had been noticed.
"My mum has been looking for you. She wants you two to drink champagne and congratulate each other on how well this all turned out."
"And what do you think of it all?"
Jenny shrugged. "It isn't half bad." She poked her tongue out in Jackie's direction to let her know she was just teasing.
Jackie reached out and tugged the younger girl's ponytail with affection. Jenny was another person she was going to have to say goodbye to. To her horror she could feel tears welling up. She hastily tried to brush them aside before they could be seen but no such luck.
"Are you crying?" Jenny asked, simultaneously concerned and incredulous.
"I'm not crying," Jackie denied, "You're crying!"
Jenny's eyebrows lifted and opened her mouth, probably to tell Jackie she was being ridiculous but she never got a chance to speak.
"It's probably because she looked in the mirror," a cold voice cut across them.
Jackie glanced up to see that Magdalene had swooped in. Her dress was blood red and to Jackie's extreme annoyance, she looked amazing. Didn't make up for her pretty terrible personality unfortunately. Jackie recalled the way she had picked and prodded at her at the BBQ. She forced her spine straight and stared down the older, taller woman as best she could.
"Did some high schooler write that insult for you?" Jackie fired back, crossing her arms and carefully keeping a neutral expression. "I know you aren't very smart but surely you can do better than that."
Jenny smirked at her side, not having to come to her rescue this time. Magdalene's nose wrinkled and recoiled.
"How surprising – somehow I knew you'd behave as crass as you looked."
Jackie shrugged. "Whatever."
That response threw Magdalene who was clearly unfamiliar with the zen philosophy.
"Whatever?"
"Are you deaf? She said whatever," Jenny interjected, rolling her eyes.
"No one asked the vampire child to talk," Magdalene hissed.
Jenny paused for a beat then imitated Jackie's half-shrug. "Whatever."
Jackie wanted to reach out and hug Jenny for easily falling in sync with her approach even if Magdalene's unkind words made her blood boil. It was one thing to insult Jackie, but there was no need to attack a teenager barely taller than a puppy.
"And I'm the crass one? Why don't you pick on someone your own age? Just FYI, that's not me either." Jackie batted her eyelashes at her. Colour rose in Magdalene's cheeks.
"I don't need commentary from the girl who probably picked out her dress from the thrift shop."
Jackie snorted, "Like I care what you say about my dress. I don't think a woman who married a geriatric could be accused of having good eyesight."
Jackie experienced a twinge of guilt then. Not for Magdalene, she was a witch, but for her husband who had never said or done anything mean to Jackie before. She felt bad dragging him into it but Madge deserved to be hit below the belt for her better-than-thou attitude.
Magdalene spluttered out an offended response. "How dare you?"
"Madge, it's a party and this is dull. Run along now," Jackie flicked her fingers in the direction she wanted Magdalene to go.
"You have no power here," Jenny added in a commanding voice.
This was the final straw for Magdalene who stormed off, almost crashing into Hyde, Kelso and Fez who were bringing drinks.
Hyde saw Magdalene's face and turned to Jackie in concern. "Everything all good?" He passed her a glass of champagne.
Jackie nodded with a grin, elation making her giddy. "I took care of it."
Kelso had been watching Magdalene vanish into the crowd. "She was hot! Is she single?"
"Dude!" Jenny exclaimed and shook her head.
…
The dance wasn't half bad as it turned out. There were so many people that it was easy to fade away and become part of a crowd. Aside from a few conversations with Hank, Hyde made a concerted effort to be near Jackie.
He caught her staring at him in contemplation a few times, and he took that to mean that she had yet to make up her mind about whether to stay with him or not. He was tempted to weigh in with his opinion but instead sealed his lips. He had influenced her life enough through his bad decisions. It was her turn to pick the direction she went in. Whether he would be included or not was up to her.
His friends were on their best behaviour too. Fez was sitting at the table with Nancy and her friends, completely charming them. He was in his element, with a champagne glass in hand, telling stories with dramatic flair. Kelso flittered in and out of sight, and Hyde assumed he had taken to trying to woo some of the more attractive ladies there. Hyde was certain that his good looks would eventually make up for the lack of conversation.
He'd caught sight of Carlos floating around amidst the mix of people but he seemed to be primarily concerned with doing his job and hadn't approached Jackie. Which hadn't stopped half the female attendees approaching him. He flirted and conversed but his eyes never stopped scanning faces and the doors in and out of the venue. Hyde tried to muster some anger for the other man but couldn't quite manage it.
Eric and Donna barely left the dance floor, completely returned to the honey moon stage since their reunion. Hyde was pleased to see they'd reconnected while barely missing a beat. He was also envious as hell. Maybe if he was as brave as they were, as prepared to wear his heart on his sleeve, he wouldn't be watching Jackie from the shadows.
Hyde fixed his tie, loosening it around his neck and glanced at Jackie again. She was still without a doubt the most beautiful woman in the room. She lit up from inside and all her sparkle manifested in her grin. He had missed that most about her.
As if sensing his eyes on her, she turned and their gaze locked. The smile became slightly more delicate, like a beautiful carving in glass. There was no fear in her eyes, just apprehension and anticipation in equal measure.
He would never have the words to describe actually how glad he was that she no longer regarded him with dread.
Seizing the moment, Hyde took a step closer and held out his hand. "Do you want to dance?"
"Yes." She accepted his offer without hesitation. Her smaller fingers slid neatly into his waiting palm. The sensation of her skin against his sent a shiver down his spine.
Hyde led her to the dance floor and ignored the way his mind was swirling and his heart was in his throat. All he wanted was to memorise the way she looked there in that moment. Who knew how many more moments they'd have together?
The song changed as they dodged through the numerous people and found a small space that was entirely their own. The music was slower and more intimate.
After a second of awkwardness, which prompted a breathy laugh from Jackie, Hyde placed his hand on Jackie's waist. He expected her to simply place her hands on his shoulders but instead she wrapped her arms around his neck, encouraging him to move so his palm was now resting on her back, winding each around the other.
Jackie tilted her head against his shoulder and he felt her exhale heavily against him. Meanwhile, Hyde couldn't even breathe.
For a long time they didn't talk and simply held on as they swayed on the floor. It wasn't the first time they'd danced together but she hovered against him like something new and precious.
Maybe they would have danced in silence for a while longer but Jackie spotted Kelso talking to that horrible vulture, Magdalene against a wall. Surprisingly she didn't seem to be interested in escaping him.
"What are the odds that she some sort of black widow that will kill him after they mate?"
Jackie's mouth twitched into a rueful smile. "Probably higher than he'd like."
Hyde shook his head and mock sighed. "Being that handsome was always going to get him into trouble."
"If you think he's so handsome, you probably have a shot with him," Jackie teased.
Hyde raised an eyebrow and glanced down at her. "He's not my type."
"What is your type then?"
Hyde pretended to consider it. "I like annoying, bossy chicks."
"Oh you do, do you?"
"Mmhm. I like it when a girl isn't afraid to give me her opinion. Wouldn't hurt if she was tall but wouldn't mind if she was short if she had nice hair and the prettiest eyes I've ever seen."
He couldn't look at her while he spoke. The words were just bubbling up inside of him and spilling forth.
"That's quite a list." She sounded breathless.
"Oh it's not even finished."
"It's not?"
"My type of chick is strong willed, determined and smart. And most of all she believes in me even when I'm too much of a dumb-ass to be worthy of that faith."
Jackie's fingers laced through his hair at the nape of his neck. He desperately wished he had brought his sunglasses to shelter behind but cowardice hadn't served him in the past.
"Why are you saying all these things now?"
Summoning his courage he finally looked down at her. She shifted back so that she could stare back, eyes wide and soft.
"Because I don't know if I'll get another opportunity. You might be gone tomorrow."
"We both get to choose," she pointed out.
"You and I both know that it has to be you," Hyde disagreed sadly. At some point they'd stopped dancing and were just standing there watching each other.
Jackie hesitated before asking, "But if I did want to know your view, what would you say?"
"I'd say do what made you happy."
"Oh," Jackie said quietly and with disappointment. Hyde knew instantly that he'd fucked up. He had been so obsessed with letting Jackie exercise her free will that he was pushing aside what every nerve in his body was screaming at her to do.
Cursing internally and almost trembling from anxiety, Hyde tipped her chin up so that their eyes met once more. "I'd tell you to stay with me. I can't promise much except that I will try really, really hard not to make you regret choosing me."
Jackie didn't respond and Hyde's heart hammered so loudly in his chest that he was sure she would hear it. Then a smile slowly spread across her face. "I was really hoping you'd say that."
She lifted onto her toes in invitation and Hyde, not wanting to be an idiot a second time this evening, bent to kiss her.
…
Jackie had never known silence to feel heavy before but it did now. It closed around her like a cocoon.
Gentle lips were on her neck and rough hands trailed down her shoulders, making her shudder.
"Are you alright?" Hyde's voice behind her had dropped several octaves and the husky quality traced over her skin like a physical sensation.
Jackie nodded wordlessly. Her lips were red and tingling from all the kissing they'd done at the ball. The rest of the evening had flown by in a whirl of laughter and good company. They're managed to tear themselves away from each other but just barely and even then, they were loath to give up contact completely. So at any given time they were touching; fingers lightly brushing, thighs pressed together when they sat, reassuring hands on a lower back.
And when they'd piled into the limo to go home, the others noticeably drunk and loud, Jackie's head was crystal clear.
Hyde had paused to wish her goodnight but Jackie hadn't relinquished her hold on him and tugged him towards her room.
"What about Donna?"
Jackie arched her eyebrow in response. Eric and her best friend had been increasingly devolving into public displays of affection. There was no chance in hell that they wouldn't be finding somewhere private to finish what they started.
"Oh right." Was he nervous?
"I mean, only if you want to," Jackie mumbled softly.
His grip on her had tightened. "Sometimes you say stupid things," he chided lightly with no sting behind his words. In fact they made Jackie's stomach swoop and tighten.
And now he was slowly easing the zipper of her dress down, fingertips following in its wake – gliding over the soft skin of Jackie's back.
Her head fell back as the sensations overwhelmed her. She briefly wished she'd worn a bra but the dress hadn't warranted it.
And as she stood there, naked but for her underwear, Jackie fought the urge to cross her arms across her body. Hyde had seen her like this before but more than a year had passed since and she was somewhat self-conscious to be exposing herself to him again. If only she'd drunk more of the champagne.
The heat in his eyes chased away all her concerns.
"You're perfect," he breathed and then shockingly blushed. He'd never been comfortable with grand sweeping statements of romance. But even while he fidgeted in his discomfort, Jackie could tell he meant every word.
She reached up to cup his face and pulled his down so his lips were slanting over hers. Just the barest flutter at first but then all that tension that had built between them rose like a wave and took over.
Hyde clutched her hips so hard it might have hurt if Jackie wasn't pulling him to her just as forcefully. She was tangled up in his hair as he kissed her like she might disappear if he didn't map every inch of her.
Unable to resist, Jackie nipped lightly at his bottom lip. He was still almost entirely dressed except for the jacket and the tie which had been discarded at some point during the evening. With clumsy hands, Jackie began to unbutton the white shirt he'd looked so handsome in. His blue eyes seared into her, setting her skin on fire with their intensity.
Every part of him was familiar. She knew the way his muscles would tense and pull in her shoulders, that the light dusting of chest hair wasn't enough to be coarse but still enough for Jackie to find delightfully masculine, and all the lean lines and angles of his torso.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Hyde suggested in jest. His delivery was slightly hitched all the same.
Jackie smirked, ignored this advice and pushed the shirt over his shoulders. Hyde finally helped, shrugging his arms out and throwing the fabric behind. Then his mouth was on hers again and coherent thought vanished. His thumb was outlining the curve of her chin as her tongue skimmed against his.
With a bold hand enclosing on his belt, Jackie pulled them towards her bed. In a flurry of movement, shoes and belts were discarded.
Jackie was twisted into knots of excitement and apprehension as she stretched out along the bed. She reached for Hyde but to her surprise, instead of joining her, he went to his knees at the foot of the bed. Jackie densely didn't know what he was doing until he dragged her to the edge with her legs basically over his shoulder.
Jackie fell back against the bed awash with anticipation. Gone were the days where Hyde was more sexually experienced than her but there had been a point early in their relationship where he'd gone over the finer points of foreplay. It was something Michael had completely glossed over being largely more interested in what he called the grand finale. At first, Jackie had thought there must have been something wrong because he was going so slow and she'd been scared maybe he was just prolonging it because he didn't find her attractive. But then he'd made her see stars and she realised the opposite was true.
At some point, her underwear had disappeared and god's name came tumbling out of her mouth. Her toes flexed as her body tensed in response to the electricity curling through her.
Hyde might not have been good with words but he found plenty useful ways to let her know how much he desired her. The sheets bunched under Jackie's grasp as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes were squeezed shut as he overwhelmed her with the practised and familiar use of his tongue.
Jackie swore expressively as the pressure built, her whole body poised on the edge. His fingers pressed into the soft skin of her hips, holding her in place while she twisted beneath him.
And then her words were stolen as was the oxygen in the room. Her heartbeat expanded until every part of her was alive and pulsing. Jackie collapsed, boneless and satiated. Her cheeks were flushed and sweaty. Hyde was smug.
She wanted to scold him for the expression of self-satisfaction but she couldn't speak. He crawled up her body, watching her with hunger.
Jackie found her voice. "Do you want me to…?" She trailed off, knowing he'd understand. Their dynamic in the bedroom had been very reciprocal and Jackie had enjoyed that complete surrender to pleasure, both hers and his.
"I want to say yes but I don't think I'd last."
That confession evoked a sense of pride in her. She was pleased to hear that she could undo him just as completely as he'd undone her.
"Girls are superior in that respect."
His fingers ran the length of her stomach. "No arguments here."
Hyde seemed to be caught up in just looking at her, which was nice but Jackie wanted more. She impatiently pushed at his pants.
Her eagerness made him chuckle and he stilled her efforts by taking her wrist. "I need to go get some protection."
"I'm still on the pill," Jackie informed him.
"Still…"
Rolling her eyes and sighing with exasperation, Jackie rolled off the bed and darted to the ensuite. She came back with a condom.
Hyde stared at it incredulously. "Why do you have that?"
"I'm nothing if not prepared," she told him primly. "Now take off your pants, Steven."
"How could I refuse after such a romantic proposition?" Hyde retorted but he complied, clearly not fazed by his own nudity.
Jackie disregarded his snarky comments – he wouldn't be Hyde without them.
Frantic hands roamed over her body as he pulled her back onto the bed, conversation once again forgotten. He settled between her thighs, face suddenly serious.
"Are you sure?"
While it was tempting to respond with sarcasm, Jackie was sincere instead. "Completely."
It was like being completed again after so long being half-finished. They fit together perfectly, like they'd always meant to. More in sync here than on the dance floor, their bodies shifted and flowed towards each other.
Jackie's nails dug into his back as she moaned into his neck. He pressed kissed against her skin wherever he could reach. She wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him in deeper, encouraging to go faster.
She was still sensitive from her last orgasm and once he'd found the right angle it wasn't long before Jackie climaxed again, using his blue eyes to keep her tethered.
Hyde's jaw clenched with concentration but from the way his movements became increasingly hurried and disjointed, he wasn't far behind her.
He captured her lips with his own and kissed her furiously as he reached his own peak. He stayed where he was for a long time afterward, both of them unable to do much more than stare and gasp for air.
…
He tugged at the collar of his suit in the back of the car. Even with the air conditioner on full blast the muggy air outside was distinctly different to the climate of Chicago.
He didn't really enjoy travel but when you get a phone call from the boss, you did what you were told. Prison hadn't diminished his reach much at all. Especially not the piss weak security they used for inmates 'awaiting trial.' Innocent until proven guilty and all. Which would never happened because a phone call had been made and He'd been called to duty.
The two goons in the front seat tried to hide their wide eyed excitement as they peered out the window. They'd never so much as been out of state. He was glad they hadn't had to go to Las Vegas, they'd be completely distracted. Not that they were much help now. They were mostly there to provide back-up bullets if He failed. Which hadn't happened yet.
Finding an address had been remarkably easy. Stupidly easy but he supposed he owed it to the dumb kids running straight to the Chicago Police HQ. He would never have thought to check there, never would have suspected they'd be lax enough to keep a record of witness protection in an office that anyone with a uniform (stolen or not) could walk into. The FBI wouldn't be shonky enough to do that but thankfully this was a collaborative mission.
He would kill Mr Hyde and Ms Burkhart the first opening He had. Then He could head home to the cool.
AN: oohhh ominous! I am seriously self-conscious about writing love scenes so please be kind. And please review. It makes everything wonderful.