Stroke of Sapphire

Chapter Thirteen

Sapphire stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She looked the same with her curly hair tumbling around her shoulders, her dark-brown eyes and full lips. But she felt different.

Jake had broken the law in order to protect her. It was a heady feeling to know a man as honorable as he had done such a thing for her. She’d been halfway shocked and equally thrilled.

It was frightening to think of Ivan Gregor breaking the law to get his way in his business deals. She shivered as she remembered his face from yesterday. He truly expected to take her in his car, do whatever he wanted and suffer no consequences. She wondered if he’d ever done such a thing before and, deep in her gut, knew he had. The move was too practiced and he was too cocky. No, he and his flunkies had pulled that maneuver before.

She wondered if the woman involved had reported it to the police or if she’d been too ashamed, certain no one would believe her. That happened a lot in rape cases, especially if the man was powerful and good-looking. People didn’t want to believe such men could be monsters. Plus, if what Jake told her was true, Ivan probably had friends in high places who would help such charges go away.

It was scary to contemplate what had almost happened, what would have happened if not for Jake and his vigilance.

He’d had someone following Ivan for days, keeping tabs on him constantly, and all without telling her. That was Jake, a protector to his core. In his mind, he hadn’t broken the law at all, but had only helped where the law was hindered by rules and regulations. To his way of thinking, what he’d done was right. And she couldn’t disagree with him.

She shoved all thoughts of Ivan out of her head, grabbed her brush and dragged it over her hair. It was past time for her to meet her sister at Althea’s Bakery. She’d had to hurry home and grab some clean clothing, not wanting to wear the same thing she had last night.

The three-quarter-length denim skirt and long-sleeved burnt-orange sweater looked great together. She dropped her brush on the vanity and hurried to her bedroom. She slid her feet into a pair of brown leather flats, grabbed her purse and headed out. She was already late.

After she and Jake had showered, with him meticulously washing every inch of her body, they’d fallen into bed where he’d made love to her slow and easy. When she woke again, the sun was up and she was running behind schedule.

Jake had insisted on taking her home, but she’d drawn the line at him waiting for her. She didn’t think Ivan would try anything again so soon. Jake had given in, but not before letting her know he wasn’t happy about the situation.

A shiver of desire raced through her body as she let herself out of her apartment and headed to the elevator, making her nipples tingle and her pussy throb. She had to be careful with Jake. It would be so easy for him to take over her entire life. He wouldn’t mean to, but it could easily happen with his dominant, take-charge personality.

Luckily, she was no pushover and didn’t mind standing up to him. The funny thing was Jake respected her independence and was hugely supportive of her career. He was a man of many levels and moods.

The elevator door opened and she stepped inside, glad she was alone. She pressed the button for the lobby and the door swished closed. Her thoughts tumbled over themselves as the elevator began its descent.

She had to make a decision. And soon.

Every moment they spent together, she was falling more and more in love with him. It was impossible not to. Jake was loyal and lived by a code of ethics. It might be slightly different from that of normal society, but he was definitely one of the good guys. He was strong and determined, but used those skills to protect and defend. He’d already shown what lengths he’d go to in order to protect her.

She’d never have to worry about Jake cheating on her. He wasn’t made that way. If their relationship ever faltered, he’d tell her straight out things weren’t working between them. Not that she could ever imagine such a time.

They were like dynamite and a match when they came together—totally explosive.

She bit her bottom lip and stifled a moan. The elevator door opened and she stepped out, hurrying to the front door. Sapphire hesitated, checking both ways before beginning her trek to the bakery. She glanced at her watch and swore under her breath. Topaz would be waiting for her. Sapphire hated being late.

She picked up her pace, keeping her eyes open even as her thoughts drifted back to Jake and the incredible night they’d spent together.

Jake watched Sapphire hurrying down the sidewalk and smiled. He loved the long skirt and colorful sweater she wore. He liked the fact the skirt hid most of her legs. She had sexy legs, long and toned. No one would ever accuse him of being a modern male in many ways. That was okay with him, and Sapphire didn’t seem to mind.

If she wanted to dress sexy, he’d suck it up and live with it, but he was glad her normal style went more toward long, flowing dresses and skirts or slacks and jeans. No short dresses or mini-skirts for her. Well, not anymore. She seemed to have abandoned her short-lived foray into those styles.

He knew she’d be pissed if she caught him following her, but he couldn’t help himself. Until the shit hit the fan with Ivan Gregor and Jake was convinced he was no longer a threat, he’d be keeping his eye on her. She was much too precious.

He broke out into a cold sweat remembering how close he’d come to possibly losing her last night. Gregor would have certainly raped her. After that, who knew? Jake didn’t trust Gregor not to get rid of her. There was nothing in the guy’s past to suggest he was a murderer, but Jake wasn’t taking any chances.

Sapphire was his entire world.

Deep in his gut, Jake knew there would never be another woman for him. Sapphire was it. There was something about her that pleased him on all levels—intellectually, emotionally and especially physically. The way she gave herself to him so completely was a major turn-on. She made him feel complete and no longer alone in the world. That was everything and worth protecting by any means necessary.

He loved her.

The words scared the shit out of him. They gave her so much power over him. But only if he told her. Maybe it was better to keep the thought to himself. He could show her how much he loved her without actually telling her.

Cowardly bastard, he mocked himself. A woman like Sapphire would need the words. More than that, she deserved them. He’d have to consider his options and make a plan. That’s where he excelled.

He watched her walk toward the bakery, totally oblivious to the stares of many of the men walking down the street. He smiled. She sure as hell noticed him and had from the very beginning.

Her curly hair tumbled around her shoulders and over her back. A wide bracelet wrapped around her left wrist, the stones in it glinting in the morning sunshine. Her hips swayed and his gaze focused on her ass, which was hidden beneath her skirt. He loved her ass.

She reached the bakery, opened the door and stepped inside. Jake continued on down the sidewalk, making sure she didn’t see him as he passed by. Satisfied she was safe for now, he headed to work. He’d put so much time in on the Gregor project lately he was behind with his work for Knight’s Security. Not that John complained, but Jake knew his brother had taken up a lot of the slack lately. Time to rectify the situation.

He pulled out his phone and hit a button on his contacts list. She answered on the second ring. “Hi.” Her voice filled him, filling the emptiness inside him.

“Hey, babe. Did you get to the bakery okay?”

“I was just going to call you. I’m here and I’m fine.”

He knew that, but he wasn’t stupid enough to admit he’d followed her. He might not totally understand women, but he wasn’t clueless either. In this case, what she didn’t know was better for him.

He crossed the street and backtracked toward the parking garage where he’d left his car. “Great. I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll be working at home this afternoon.” He could hear the muted conversations at the bakery in the background. “I’m going to the store this morning but hope to be finished up there by noon.”

“Get a cab home.”

“Jake, it’s not that far to walk.” He could hear the exasperation in her voice, but he wouldn’t budge on this.

“Until we know for sure my plan is going to work you need to play it smart.” Otherwise, he’d have to leave work to skulk around her workplace and wait for her to leave at lunchtime so he could follow her home. Dolan was still watching Gregor, but that didn’t mean the bastard couldn’t hire someone else to snatch Sapphire.

“For you.” Her voice was low and intimate. His cock stirred, the greedy bastard. Jake didn’t think his dick would be able to get up at all today after last night’s workout. “I’ll do it for you.”

“Thanks, babe.” He headed into the parking garage, keeping all his senses alert. “I’m not trying to be difficult or controlling.” He worried she might think he wanted to dominate her life outside the bedroom and nothing could be further from the truth. “I just want you safe.”

“I know. I gotta go.”

“Me too. Talk to you later.” He hung up and headed to his car, determined to get a full day’s work in at Knight’s Security.

“Jake, right?” Topaz tapped her fingers against the side of her coffee cup, her half-eaten apple muffin beside it.

“Yes.” Sapphire slipped her phone into her purse and tucked the bag on the floor between her feet. “He’s worried about my safety.”

“Good. He should be.”

Sapphire’s gaze flew to her sister’s face. She’d expected Topaz to start in on Jake and about his controlling manner. She’d been ready to defend him. Instead, her sister was on his side.

Topaz gave a throaty chuckle. “Don’t look so surprised. I want you safe too and if he can keep you that way he has my full support.” She picked up her mug and had a sip. “Besides, I’m marrying his twin. They’re not so different.”

Sapphire didn’t correct her sister. She had a feeling the men were very different when it came to the bedroom, but that was between Jake and her.

“So, you and Jake are serious?” Topaz crumbled a piece off the side of her muffin.

Sapphire took a fortifying gulp of her mocha latte and a bite of her chocolate chip muffin before answering. After last night, she needed the extra chocolate to keep up her strength. “Very serious.”

Topaz shook her head. “I have to admit, I didn’t see that one coming.” She paused and a slow, sexy smile crossed her face. “Of course, I didn’t see me and John together either. What is it about those Knight brothers?”

Her sister’s engagement ring flashed when she lifted her coffee cup and Sapphire swallowed the envy that threatened to fill her. She wanted that kind of commitment from Jake. But she quickly realized she wouldn’t get it until she made a commitment of another kind to him. The ball was in her court and he’d wait for her to make her decision.

Jake was a very patient man.

She pressed her thighs together to help ease the growing ache in her pussy. God, what was he doing to her? All she had to do was think about him, about them being together and she was aroused. And in a public place, sitting across from her sister, no less.

“You okay? You look a little flushed.” Topaz reached out and rested her hand on Sapphire’s arm.

She shook her head and scrambled to come up with an excuse. No way was she telling her sister her face was red because she was aroused. “I’m fine. Just thinking about last evening.” She left Topaz to draw her own conclusion and sighed when her sister zoned in on the attack.

“No wonder. I still can’t believe that awful man tried to drag you into his car.” Topaz sat back, her eyes narrowing. “I’m not convinced we shouldn’t have called the police.”

Sapphire shook her head. “No, that would only make him more dangerous.” Jake was right about that. Ivan was like a snake and would strike even harder if he felt cornered or attacked. Better to let his problems come from other sources. Ivan would never know it was Jake who set the authorities on him, and that would keep them all safe.

“You may be right,” Topaz conceded. She hesitated and then shook her head. “I told myself I wasn’t going to butt into your business, but are you sure you know what you’re doing with Jake? I admit that John is a lot of man to handle, but Jake seems even more intense.”

“This is you not butting in?” she shot back.

Topaz grinned. “What can I say? Big sister’s prerogative.”

Sapphire grinned back, feeling very lucky to have a family that cared so much about her. “I love him.” It was as simple and as complicated as that.

Topaz blew out a breath. “I figured that. I don’t know whether to commiserate with you or congratulate you.”

Sapphire laughed. “Maybe a bit of both.” Jake was a complex man, one she might never fully understand. There were walls he kept up, blocking the world out of his innermost thoughts. She would be content if she could break through half the barriers. There were things from his past he might never want to share and she was okay with that. As long as he was committed to her, loved her and didn’t shut her out in the future.

She wasn’t one of those women who thought she could change a man. Jake was what he was and he was content to be that way. It wasn’t up to her to change him any more than he should try to change her.

Relationships were a compromise and both of them were learning where and how to give.

Topaz popped the last piece of muffin in her mouth, following it with a sip of her coffee. “Finish up. We need to get to work. Enough talk of men for now.”

Sapphire broke off a hunk of muffin. “Well, what about the wedding then? How are plans coming along?”

Topaz’s eyes gleamed. “I thought we might stop in at the boutique down the street later this morning. I think I’ve found the perfect dress.”

Sapphire finished her mocha latte and muffin while she listened to her sister expound on the virtues of the dress and lay out all her other wedding plans. The wedding was a simple affair, close friends and family only, but it was going to be beautiful. The ceremony and reception were going to be held at their parents’ home in upstate New York and their mother was working closely with the caterer and florist. She was so happy for Topaz, but her thoughts kept straying back to Jake.

What was he doing? Was he thinking about her?

Topaz stood and grabbed her purse. “We need to get going.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got just enough time to get to the store so I can show you the new merchandise that just arrived. I want your opinion on how to best feature it.”

“I’m ready.” She reached under the table for her purse and slung the strap over her shoulder. The day was sunny and she enjoyed the walk with her sister. By the time they’d reached the boutique, she had her mind on business. She could think about Jake later.

There was a very special piece of jewelry she wanted to finish this afternoon. It was time for her to let Jake know her decision.