Chapter 2

Jack grudgingly opened the door to the second floor guest room he was occupying during his visit with the Vachon family, allowing Irina to enter first. When Liz invited him to stay a few days after the party, he had viewed it as a welcome respite from Irina's constant attempts to meet with him and Sydney's pestering to do the same.

He had told his daughter that he would talk to Irina when he was ready and begged her to let it go. Of course, he should have known she would ignore his request.

Sydney knew Liz from her teen years and they had become reacquainted during their recent mission. Of course, the teenaged Sydney only knew Liz as a colleague from Jennings Aerospace. He had been very careful to keep the sexual part of their relationship private. Apparently, he had done this too well. He doubted Sydney would have asked for the favor if she realized how close he and Liz had been.

Irina relaxed into one of the chairs flanking the stone fireplace, her eyes taking in the luxurious appointments in the room. "This is very nice. Do all the guest rooms have their own bath?"

"I wouldn't know." Jack answered, curtly. "I assume so. Joseph mentioned that they were renovating the house so they could accommodate private business retreats."

Irina nodded absentmindedly, her eyes on the king sized bed. A bit unfortunate for her plan, she mused. A smaller bed would have provided a better opportunity for her to get close, but she would make do.

Jack went to the dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas. "I'm going to shower," he said, brusquely. "You can use my pajama top if you didn't pack any night clothes."

She had packed a very sexy and expensive negligee, which now would stay in her suitcase. The pajama top would be far more subtle and much more seductive.

In an effort not to think about Jack naked in the shower, she decided to unpack her luggage. She found a couple of empty drawers and placed most of her clothing in them. Of course, she had brought far more than she would probably need, but a woman had to be prepared for any possibility.

She kicked off her shoes and sat back down in the chair, staring thoughtfully at the en suite bath. Just thinking about her husband standing in the shower, water glistening off his tautly muscled body, made her ache. If she joined him now, so early in her quest, she could risk alienating him. Or, he could be waiting for her. Jack had been in there far longer than was usual. He had never been one to linger under the water, unless she was with him.

Just as she decided to act, Jack emerged from the bath, a towel casually draped around his hips. "It's all yours."

Irina searched his face for a clue to what he was thinking, but the years had taught him well. The impenetrable mask he had once only reserved for work was firmly in place.

"I drew a bath for you," he continued, his voice flat and emotionless. "Based on previous experience, I doubt you will be out any time soon. I don't plan on being awake when you emerge, and since it appears we will have to carry out this charade for the next few days, there will be ample time tomorrow to talk. I have to be in Paris on Tuesday. You may have my full attention until then."

Irina was taken aback by this bombastic pronouncement. "When did you become such a prick, Jack?"

"Your water is getting cold, Irina," he said distantly, ignoring her dig. "There was bubble bath, so I put some in for you."

Irina stared at his retreating back, not knowing what to make of the conversation.