Chapter 5
Irina lazed against the pillows, the glow of their lovemaking still warm on her skin. The last two days had been spent in constant confrontation. When Jack had reached for her during the night, she had been hazy with sleep. More than a little surprised by his actions, considering the terrible argument they had just before going to bed, she had given herself to him willingly. Sex between them had always been great and this had been no different. Jack was a considerate lover and made sure her needs were satisfied before seeking his own.
Wrapped in his arms, she had dozed off, finally able to rest. She woke only when he rolled off the bed and headed for the bathroom. She shivered. In the heat of their lovemaking, neither had noticed the fire dying out. When Jack came back she would have him stir the embers back to life. She smiled happily. Then she would see if she could stir up a few embers of her own. Burrowing under the blankets, she waited, anticipation making her impatient for his return.
Jack came back into the room and headed for the closet.
"Jack?" He stopped short. "It's cold. The fire is out."
Irina saw the clothes in his hand. "You're not coming back to bed?"
"I need to get something from town. I didn't mean to wake you."
She stared at him, confused. "But, this morning-"
"This morning meant nothing." He shook himself, digging deep for his composure. "Thanks. You really are quite accomplished at the art of seduction, Irina. I really must congratulate you. The sex was good."
Irina cocked an eyebrow, puzzled. "Good?"
"I realize I'm not the best judge, since my experience isn't as broad as yours, but I found it immensely satisfying. Since I'm retired, I really don't have any information to trade and the Rambaldi artifacts were destroyed. I do get a nice pension, though. Just let me know how much I owe and I'll write a check. You do take checks?"
Irina's eyes glittered dangerously. "You're calling me a whore?"
"I was thinking hooker, but if you prefer whore, who am I to quibble? Well worth the price, whatever it is," he added affably.
"Get out."
Ignoring her, he stepped into his jeans.
"Get out, you smug bastard, before I kill you."
"You should at least wait until you're paid." He shook his head reprovingly, pulling the shirt over his head.
Irina searched wildly for something to throw. She grabbed the half empty bottle of vodka on the bedside table. "You have five seconds to leave the room before this bottle connects with your head." Irina snarled. "One, …two, -"
"You prefer cash? I don't think I have enough on me, but when I go to town-"
"Three."
He looked at her finally, seeing her rage.
"Four."
He left.
*
Jack slumped against the door, not sure what to do next. He was tired. Not physically so; more emotionally drained. Every morning since Irina had arrived, she had stayed firmly on her side of the bed. Until this morning. Sometime during the night, she had shifted to him, her body warm against his. Without thinking, he had drawn her closer. She woke at his touch and when he looked into her eyes, he was lost.
Irina's request for reconciliation had caught him off guard. When she had been Laura, he had loved her with his whole being. There was nothing he would not do for her. After the CIA arrested him for conspiracy, his whole world collapsed. Locked in solitary for six months, he relived every profession of love, every moment of intimacy and knew them for a lie. The memories had castrated him, both physically and emotionally. It had been a long, dark, struggle just to regain some semblance of his manhood and when he finally pulled himself from the abyss, he vowed he would never give that power to a woman again.
Even Liz had been unable to break past that barrier. He cared for her, had loved her in a way, but it wasn't enough. When she finally understood that he couldn't give her what she needed, she left.
With Irina, he knew keeping his resolve would be much more difficult. Her power over him was strong and so he had fought against his desire in the only way he knew how. But this morning proved his undoing. Their lovemaking was wild and passionate. When they were finally sated, he knew she had caught him again and like any caged animal, he lashed at her with the only weapon he still had left. He had expected her to be angry at the insult, but the strength of her fury had stunned him.
He stared down at his feet, absently noting they were bare. Not unlike his soul, he mused. There had been similar fights during their marriage. She had almost clocked him once before, not long after Sydney was born. Of course, at the time, he thought the marriage real and had dealt with it as any man would. A cock crowed, signaling the advent of dawn. The family would soon wake and he did not want to be caught lurking at his bedroom door. He straightened. Irina's anger was not feigned. Could she be telling him the truth this time? Was being with him her only agenda? He considered his options, but knew with total clarity there was only one choice.