“Okay.” He allowed the silence to hang between them. When he’d been a cop he’d always been an expert interrogator – because of the things he didn’t say and the times he knew when to remain quiet. He was a good detective – could’ve been a great detective if they hadn’t kicked him off the force.
The waitress brought over another drink for Astrid. This time she cradled it. “There’s this new technology the Quinlans are investing in – or which they want to invest in. My job as a federal health-and-safety inspector is to check the safety of the project, but they’re ignoring me as if I’m an inconvenience. They treat me like the enemy, but the government just wants to protect the people of America. Why don’t they understand that?”
Jake tried not to let his guilt tear him apart. “I’m sorry to hear they’re giving you such a hard time, Astrid.”
She rested her elbow on the table, and her chin on her hand, and sighed heavily. Then her face suddenly lit up. “Oh, I love this song!”
Jake listened. He loved this song too. “You wanna dance?” he asked.
She gazed at him in shock. “A guy who likes to dance? Man, you must be too good to be true.”
He chuckled. He’d always loved to dance, but a few weeks ago his kid brother Joseph had given him a few tips on how to look reasonably cool on the dancefloor. Now it was time to put them to the test.
He stood and offered his hand. “Come on, or the song’ll be over.”
She giggled and stood up. No one else in the bar was dancing – in fact, they were all watching the game on the huge TV suspended at the other end of the room.
Jake led Astrid a little way from their table, and they halted opposite each other. He reached out and put his arms around her, holding her securely. She stiffened.
“Relax,” he whispered.
Astrid stood on the spot. “I feel like a teenager at the prom.”
“Look into my eyes,” Jake said. “And enjoy yourself.”
He brushed his fingers across her cheek. She gasped at his touch, and it turned him on to see her so aroused. He smiled powerfully into her eyes, then he rested one hand on her shoulder, wrapping the other arm behind her waist.
She stepped forward so their bodies were pressing together.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
The saxophone solo kicked in, and they stepped in time together. Astrid swayed her hips and loosened up. Jake lowered his face and smiled into her eyes. He wished he could kiss her again – it felt natural to do so, but this time he had no excuse and he didn’t want to push her. She smelled so good – of honeysuckle and oranges. Arousal washed through him, but he knew he couldn’t have her – it was too complicated. This dance would be the end of their time together, and he’d go back to stalking her for his brothers like the sleaze he was.
The slow song faded and the next tune started up – which was much more upbeat, so Astrid stepped away and twirled her under his arm, then she twirled back into him and laughed, seeming free and relaxed. He smiled, glad he’d managed to take her mind off her problems and make her smile sincerely. But now he wanted to know what she looked like in bed, climaxing from the best orgasm she’d ever had – which he was desperate to give her.
They danced together for another few songs, moving in time to the music and enjoying the present moment in its entirety. Astrid’s cheeks flushed with a warm glow of happiness – and Scotch. She seemed out of breath from the dancing, so he gestured to their table. She nodded, then hugged him tight. “Thanks for the dance, Jake!”
“My pleasure.”
He wanted this evening to continue forever, but – like all good things– he knew it would end. They drifted to sit back down. He pulled out her chair.
She gazed at him. “So are you really for real?”
He laughed. “I think so.”
She remained standing. “Jake, will you take me home?”
Jake’s cock twitched in his pants at the suggestive tone in her voice. He’d gladly bend her over the table and fuck her here and now…
“In case Graves is still lurking…” she added.
“Sure, come on.”
Jake realized how drunk Astrid was as they left the bar and she swerved into him. He put his arm securely around her shoulders and she sunk into his body as they made their way to the parking garage, where his Ferrari was parked. Unlike his newly-found biological family, Jake had never had much money, and he refused to take handouts from them, despite how wealthy they were. But – as a ‘welcome’ gift – they’d given him this gorgeous car. He loved it, and he secretly hoped she’d be impressed. But at the moment, she was having trouble walking straight. She headed toward the driver’s side, so he guided her to the passenger side and opened the door for her. “I’ll drive,” he joked.
She laughed. “Sorry. Simon drove a British car. He was British. They drive on the other side. The British.”
“I know. Come on, get in.”