Then he thrust deep, grasping her hips as he withdrew and thrust again, his tempo increasing slowly until he felt his own release coiling at the base of his spine. Then he thrust once more, shouting as he came.
For several breathless moments, they remained motionless, allowing their ragged breathing to slow. Finally, Jack withdrew on a groan. But before he could say a word, Maddie reached behind her, unzipped her dress and pulled it over her head, tossing it into the adjoining bedroom.
“What are you doing?” Jack asked, taking in every gorgeous inch of her.
Maddie stepped forward and pulled off his tie, tossing it aside, a slow, sultry grin curving her lips. “We should probably shower again, don’t you think?”
Jack didn’t even bother arguing. He dragged her into his embrace and kissed her, hungry for more.
* * *
Maddie took Jack’s face in her hands and dragged him to his feet, grateful her back was pressed against the shower wall after the orgasm she’d just experienced. They’d been gentle with one another at first, concerned and careful of their still tender wounds, but now that she had Jack back in her arms, the desperation and fear for him that she’d been trying so hard to suppress came rushing to the surface, and this time there was no gentleness as Jack joined their bodies.
She urged him on, her nails digging into his skin as she hung on to his shoulders, loving the way they fit together, the way they clung to each other. Making love to Jack had always been an amazing, mind-blowing experience—but now it also made her feel alive in a way she’d never felt before.
And in that moment between them, there was no fear, no sorrow. Only life—complete and perfect.
When they finally managed to drag themselves from the shower, they still paused to kiss, touch, caress, share a loving glance as they hurried to dress and make themselves presentable once more.
Damp curls still clung to Maddie’s neck when Jack led her into the party already underway downstairs. Her sister, Sarah, was bustling around, coordinating the caterers, making sure that the champagne was flowing and the hors d’oeuvres plentiful before dismissing them.
Maddie hadn’t considered the logistical difficulties in planning the evening’s festivities until her sister had described the fifty-page document she’d been given after volunteering to serve as hostess. Although each individual had been carefully screened and hand-selected from the catering company owned by a trustedconfrere,they were still outsiders and would be sequestered in Jack’s guesthouse until they were needed. Maddie could only imagine the nightmare Sarah was in for when it came to planning her and Luke’s wedding.
When Sarah saw Maddie, she gave her a radiant smile. Maddie’s younger sister looked amazing, her thick waves of auburn hair arranged beautifully, her black dress clinging to her figure in a way that drew more than just Luke’s admiring gaze.
“I was beginning to wonder about you two.” Sarah grinned, winking at them.
“God, are we that transparent?” Maddie whispered, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.
Sarah hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Only because it’s easy to see how incredibly happy you are.”
Maddie hugged her back, having to blink away the tears that suddenly blurred her vision. “Thanks, sweetie. Love you.”
Sarah drew back, grinning from ear to ear. “Love you too.” She then turned her smile on Jack and hugged him, pressing a kiss to his cheek as well. “Everything’s ready, Jack.”
Sarah grinned at her sister again before drifting away to stand with Luke and their father, Senator Hal Blake, saying something to them that Maddie wasn’t able to catch over the murmuring of the various conversations.
She sent a quick glance around the room, taking in the numerous faces—some familiar from her time with the Alliance; others familiar because of her father’s political connections, who’d apparently been allies of the Alliance; others entirely unknown to her. She imagined they were the most trustedconfreresandconsoeurs.But before she could ask Jack to introduce her to the people she’d yet to meet, he took her hand and pulled her into the center of the foyer.
“Good evening and welcome,” Jack said, his voice easily heard over the din of the guests. They immediately grew quiet and turned their attention to him.
Maddie stepped closer to Jack, suddenly feeling exposed.
“Thank you for joining us on this momentous occasion,” Jack continued, nodding his thanks as someone handed him a champagne flute. “Tonight we celebrate Madeleine Blake and her initiation into the Alliance. I couldn’t be more proud to serve at Maddie’s side and to welcome her into the order.”
He raised his glass, prompting the others to raise theirs in solemn salute.
“But I hope we’ll soon have something more to celebrate,” Jack continued, handing his glass off to one of the other guests.
Maddie sent a suspicious glance his way. “Jack . . . ?”
He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertips. “Maddie, the day I met you I didn’t even know what to think. I just remember being utterly captivated by this woman who at such a young age could enter a room and command it as if she were royalty. And I fell in love with you before I even knew what was happening. Although we were separated by time and distance and circumstances, it seems fate had other plans for us—for we always seem to find our way back to each other.”
Maddie’s eyes began to sting as tears blurred her vision. She dabbed gently at her cheeks to remove the few tears that had escaped, her heart beginning to pound.
“And it took nearly losing you, nearly losing my own life,” he continued, “to make me realize that you are the person I want at my side for whatever precious moments we still have left—as my lover, my partner, my friend.”
Maddie’s heart swelled with joy as Jack eased down on one knee and took her hands in his. “Maddie, my love, earlier tonight you made a vow to the Alliance. Now,Iwould like to make a vow toyou. I promise to love you for the rest of my life, to worship and adore you, and to endeavor every day to be the man you deserve. Will you marry me?”
