Stroke of Sapphire (2 page)

The mounds were firm and large, tipped with tight pink nipples. He reached out and thumbed one hard point. Sapphire moaned and leaned into his touch. He reluctantly pulled his hand away, knowing his control was tenuous.

“The panties.” His voice was hoarse and deep.

Sapphire hooked her fingers in the band and slowly shoved her panties over her hips and down her thighs. When they were around her ankles, she stepped out of them.

“Turn around. Slowly.” He almost came on the spot when she made a slow circle, letting him see every inch of her. “Lovely.”

She offered him a shy smile. “Like what you see?”

“Very much.” He crooked his finger toward her. “Come undress me.”

There was no hesitation as she came forward and splayed her hands over his long-sleeved waffle-weave shirt. “With pleasure.” She pushed it up and he helped her remove it. She gave a small murmur of pleasure and leaned forward to nuzzle his chest.

He groaned and stepped back. “Finish it.”

Her clever fingers had the snap open and the zipper open on his jeans before he could blink. She pushed them down but they got stuck around his ankles. She knelt before him, unlaced his boots and then lifted one foot and began to tug. When the boot was gone, she removed his sock and the jeans. Then she did the same on the other side.

Jake thought his body might implode at the sight of her kneeling naked at his feet. It didn’t get any sweeter than this. She was giving him everything he wanted without question. The amount of trust that took was staggering. After all, he was eight inches taller than she and outweighed her by at least sixty pounds.

She looked up at him, a mischievous expression on her face. Like she’d done with her own panties, she hooked her fingers into the band and tugged his boxer briefs down his thighs and off. His cock jerked toward her, more than happy to be free from confinement. She gave a low murmur of approval and captured his dick in her hands.

The feel of her soft palms wrapped around him made his balls unbearably tight. She slowly stroked up to the tip of his cock before sliding down to the base. “You’re so big and hard.”

He swallowed and called on every ounce of restraint he possessed to keep from coming. “Take me in your mouth,” he commanded. It couldn’t be for more than a few seconds or he’d lose it and come in her mouth. And while he’d love to fulfill that particular fantasy, he wanted to taste her sweet pussy, to come inside her hot, slick channel this first time.

Sapphire leaned forward, opened her mouth and closed it over the broad head of his penis. She flicked her tongue over the slit in the tip, taking delicate licks.

“Suck me.” He needed more than she was giving him. Wanted her to take all of him into the hot depths of her sweet mouth.

Several more inches disappeared past her lush lips and she hollowed her cheeks and sucked.

“Fuck.” Jake caught her head between his hands and showed her how he wanted her to move. “Take more of me. You can do it.” She had to. He was caught between heaven and hell with about half his dick in her mouth.

She sucked in a breath and moved down his hard length until he felt the head of his cock touch the back of her throat. She gagged slightly but didn’t back down.

It was fucking amazing. He eased out of her mouth until only the tip remained inside and then slowly pushed in again, going as far as he could. She was so close to taking all of him. His fingers tangled in her long, curly locks, anchoring her to him, moving her how he wanted.

He stared down at her naked form, watching his dick slip past her lips until he couldn’t take the torture any longer. He withdrew, leaned down and lifted her into his arms. Before she could speak, he had her flat on her back on the bed. He knew he should turn down the covers, but he was in too much of a hurry to bother.

Her lips were moist and her eyes slightly glazed as he knelt between her thighs, her legs on either side of him. The position opened her legs wide, giving him unrestricted access to her pussy. She was pink and swollen and wet.

“Now it’s my turn.” He cupped her hips in his hands and lifted her to his waiting mouth, feasting on her essence. There was no part of her he left untouched, unexplored. Her clit was hard and pushed out of its protective hood. He flicked his tongue over it and she moaned his name, so he did it again.

“Jake, it’s too much.” She gasped for air and tried to pull away from him.

He shook his head, his hands tightening around her to keep her where he wanted her. “It’s not enough.” He slid one thick finger into her tight channel, groaning as it closed around him. “That’s it, baby. Come for me.” He eased a second finger in to join the first one, slowly separating them.

“Oh God. Jake.” Her fingers gripped the quilt that covered the bed and she tugged on it, her entire body arching.

He closed his lips over her clit and sucked hard. She came apart in his arms, crying out his name as her climax swept her away. He reveled in her surrender, drinking in every sound, every taste, the way her thighs gripped his head and the quiver of her body as she gave herself over to her passion.

But he wasn’t done. Not by a long shot. He stroked and licked and aroused every inch of her amazing body, taking particular time on her fabulous breasts. Sapphire climaxed three more times, screaming his name each time, before he grabbed a condom out of his jeans pocket, slid it on and forged his way into her hot pussy. It wasn’t easy for him to get inside her. The delicate tissue was swollen from her multiple orgasms and she was tight to begin with.

She cried out and a single tear seeped from the corner of her eye. He leaned down and licked the salty drop, unsure if she was crying because of pleasure or pain. He hesitated, but she hooked her legs around his flanks in silent encouragement. He forged ahead and when his cock was locked deep inside her, he stopped and simply enjoyed the sensation of her wet sheath clinging to him.

He began to move, but he was too on edge to last long. Three strokes later, he came. Reaching between her thighs, he stroked her clit and she came again, joining him as he went over the edge. He yelled his release and buried his face between her breasts.

He rested there until he felt Sapphire shiver beneath him. Jake carefully eased out of her, but she winced. He frowned as he looked at her. She was pale and her eyes were unfocused. He was ready to go again and she was utterly wrecked.

Swearing under his breath, he lifted her into his arms and shifted her so he could yank down the covers and tuck her into bed. She was practically lifeless as she lay there, totally spent.

He turned on the bedside lamp and swore under his breath. There were already bruises coming out on her hips where he’d held her so tight and his five o’clock shadow had left a rash on her magnificent breasts.

“Sapphire?” When she didn’t answer him, his concern grew. “Baby, talk to me.” He patted her cheeks and her eyes gained some focus.

“Jake?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

He swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, baby, it’s me.”

“I’m sore.” She winced and moved, obviously trying to find a more comfortable spot to rest.

He thought about running her a bath for her to soak in. “I know, baby. I’m sorry.”

She nodded and closed her eyes. “Okay.” She drifted off to sleep seconds later.

He stared down at her for the longest time, noting the fatigue on her face and the dark circles beneath her eyes. There was another slight bruise on the inside of her inner right thigh. He couldn’t even remember what he could have done to put it there.

Swallowing hard, he turned off the bedside lamp so he wouldn’t see the marks he’d left on her. Jake pulled on his clothes, sat in the chair in the corner of her room and kept an eye on her all through the long night. He examined what had happened between them over and over as the dark of night turned into the dim light of dawn.

There was no way Sapphire could handle the sexual demands he would make of her. Not many women could. She was so sweet, so innocent. She deserved a gentle lover, one who would go slow and careful. Not a rutting bull who wanted to fuck her hard all night long and left her with bruises.

What they’d done tonight was barely the tip of the iceberg of what he wanted to do to her and with her, and she’d ended up sore and completely exhausted. And the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her.

No matter how he looked at the situation, it seemed he had little choice. He had to walk away from Sapphire before he hurt her worse than he had tonight. He was obviously too rough, too demanding for her.

He cursed the universe for showing him a glimpse of heaven only to tear it from him. It was obvious to him that while Sapphire was enthusiastic, she wasn’t experienced enough to handle his needs in the bedroom. He couldn’t bear to think what would happen if he really took control and did all he wanted to.

He couldn’t risk harming her again. Better a quick break now than to hurt her continuously. No matter how he played it out in his head, there was no way for either of them to win. He was too controlling, too dark for her to handle.

For fuck’s sake his intense brand of lovemaking had left bruises on her soft skin. What kind of animal did that make him?

And there was no way he wanted her to lose the sweet innocence she had. That’s part of why he’d fallen for her in the first place. She’d shown him all sides of herself, but he’d held his darker side in check, keeping it hidden until tonight.

She moaned in her sleep, as she’d been doing for the past few hours, and it hardened his resolve. It might kill him to lose her, but better to set her free than to see her come to dislike him, or worse, fear him.

It was well past eight in the morning when her eyelids fluttered open. She seemed disoriented and winced when she rolled over. Jake felt like kicking his own ass. He was too much beast for this innocent beauty.

“How do you feel?” He kept his voice level, letting no emotion show. What he really wanted to do was fall on his knees and beg her forgiveness, promising her he’d change. But he knew he couldn’t change who or what he was. He was forty years old and knew himself too well to lie.

“Jake?” She tried to push herself up, but didn’t quite make it. She licked her lips. “That was…intense.”

Jake nodded. “It was too much. I know and I’m sorry for that.” He pushed out of the chair and went to the end of the bed, looking down at her body huddled beneath the covers, wishing he could see her naked one more time. “It’s best for us both if we don’t see one another again.” Each word was ripped from his soul, leaving him bare and bleeding inside.

“What?” She blinked up at him and frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m too much for you, demand too much in the bedroom.” He raked his fingers through his hair and took a deep breath. “I know you’re sore from last night, but even now I want to roll you onto your stomach and fuck you. What the hell does that say about me? I don’t want to hurt you any more than I already have, so it’s better if I just leave.” He turned and walked to the door, reaching it far too quickly. Each step away from her was agony.

“Jake.” She called his name and he glanced over his shoulder. “I don’t understand. Stay and talk with me.” A tear ran down her cheek, piercing his gut like a knife.

“I’m sorry, baby.” He hurried away. For the first time in his life, he was too much of a coward to stay. He grabbed his coat from the closet and opened the front door. It closed with a finality that almost brought him to his knees.

The only thing that sustained him was knowing he was doing what was right for Sapphire.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jake shook off the dark memories that threatened to consume him. He’d replayed that night over and over in his head, wondering what he might have done different. Could he have stayed and tempered his sexual demands, been more careful? Could he have changed enough to make a relationship between them work? There was no way of knowing and it was too late. He’d panicked at the thought of hurting her, physically and emotionally, and had severed all ties with her. Sapphire had moved on with her life and quickly.

For the first week after he’d left her, she’d tried to reach him, calling every night, but he hadn’t answered, instead letting her calls go to his voicemail where he listened to them over and over, torturing himself with the sound of her voice. It had taken every ounce of strength he’d had to turn away when her name flashed on his phone.

Thankfully, his brother didn’t know about what had happened between them and Sapphire must not have told her sister either. If Topaz knew what had happened, she’d tell John and his twin would kick his sorry ass for what he’d done.

The day after she’d stopped calling, she’d gone on her first date. Obviously, he’d done the right thing by walking away from her, even if it didn’t feel that way.

Jake picked up his cup and downed the last of his coffee. It was cold and bitter now, much like him. He’d taken on the task of watching over her, a sort of penance for what he’d taken and how he’d hurt her.

Chapter Two

Sapphire wondered what in the name of God she’d been thinking to accept a date with Ivan Gregor. She’d met him through a mutual friend, more of an acquaintance really, and he’d seemed like a nice enough guy, if slightly self-centered. All he’d talked about the entire evening were his real estate deals, how much money he made and his new Manhattan apartment.

What in hell was she doing? She’d gone out on a multitude of dates over the past few weeks, all of them with seemingly perfectly nice men, but there wasn’t an ounce of spark with any of them.

None of them was Jake.

Tears pricked her eyes and she blinked several times to push them back. No way was she going to cry over Jake Knight. She’d shed far too many tears the week after he’d made love to her and left her. Thankfully, Topaz had been too wrapped up in work and her new relationship with John to notice. Sapphire had retreated to her jewelry studio where she’d spent more time curled up on her chaise lounge than actually designing or creating.

She missed him. There was a hole in her heart where Jake had resided. Since the first moment she’d seen him, she’d wanted him. He was tall with extremely broad shoulders, huge biceps and rugged good looks. And he filled out a pair of jeans in a way that should be illegal. His blond hair brushed the top of his shoulders and his icy-blue eyes didn’t miss a thing.

Funny how his twin brother didn’t do a thing for her, but put Jake in a room with her and all her senses flared to life and her skin practically tingled with excitement. He was self-contained and quiet, a thoughtful man, a man with secrets. She’d sensed that much about him over the months he’d been her bodyguard.

He’d actually guarded her twice and she’d had a hard time getting over him the first time he’d left and they hadn’t even kissed. This time they’d had mind-blowing, rock-her-world sex and Sapphire knew she’d never be the same again.

She could still picture him standing near the edge of her bed staring down at her, telling her he was leaving because he was too much for her in the bedroom, his sexual needs too intense. Translation, she wasn’t enough. It had devastated her.

“Sapphire, more wine?” Ivan was looking at her, a slightly annoyed expression on his face. Obviously, he knew she hadn’t been paying attention. Had he said something that required an answer? Other than the question about the wine, that is. She didn’t think so, but she couldn’t be one hundred percent sure.

She shook her head and forced herself to concentrate on the here and now. She ruthlessly shoved Jake Knight from her thoughts and smiled at Ivan. “No thank you, I’ve had enough.”

“Just a bit more.” He ignored her request and topped up her glass. She frowned at him. As the night had gone on, she noticed more and more his tendency to be overbearing and ignore what she said or what she wanted. This would be her first and last date with him.

The waiter strolled up to their table. “Can I get you anything else? Desert, coffee or tea?”

Sapphire opened her mouth to ask for coffee, but Ivan beat her to the punch. “No, nothing else. Just bring the bill.”

The waiter inclined his head. “Right away, sir.”

That was another thing she’d noticed. Ivan was abrupt with the waitstaff, bordering on rude. She really should have stayed home and curled up on her sofa with a good movie and a bowl of popcorn. Live and learn.

The waiter returned with the bill and she glanced away, letting her gaze travel around the upscale restaurant as her thoughts returned to the mess that was her life.

Her experiment over the past few weeks was a total bust. After Jake had shredded her feminine confidence with his abrupt departure, she’d taken a good long look at her life and decided she was way too boring.

She’d decided a change was in order and had moved into her own apartment. It only made sense since Topaz was moving into John’s place until their wedding. The happy couple was still trying to decide if they were going to get a new place or just continue living in John’s. The three sisters owned the apartment they’d shared together and had decided to sell it and split the profit, sending their sister Emerald’s share to her in her new home in Maine. The large, well-situated apartment sold almost immediately and she’d used the money to put a down payment on her own place. She’d also gone on a mini shopping spree, purchasing new clothes and shoes, and started dating.

But as of tonight, she was calling a halt to all of it. She couldn’t change who she really was and trying to do so wasn’t making her happy. Maybe she wasn’t enough of a woman for Jake Knight, but she liked herself just the way she was, or at least she had.

Her new shoes hurt her toes, she felt her blouse showed a bit too much cleavage and her skirt was about two inches too short for comfort. She was more of a jeans-and-T-shirt girl anyway. When she did dress up, she favored flowing feminine dresses and skirts and more sensible heels, not short skirts and low-cut blouses.

She felt totally fake and phony, not herself at all. Jake might have been the catalyst for this abrupt change, but she had only herself to blame for following through. No one had made her do it.

Ivan was talking again about his latest real estate deal. Honestly, she hadn’t heard half of what he’d said tonight, but one thing was obvious—he loved talking about himself and what he saw as his accomplishments. Nothing wrong with that, but he hadn’t asked her one question about herself or her work.

When he wound down enough to reach for his wineglass, she offered him a smile. “I need to get going. I have an early meeting in the morning.” Not really a lie. She was supposed to meet Topaz at their favorite bakery for coffee to talk about her sister’s upcoming wedding plans. They hadn’t spent any real time together over the past few weeks—a quick phone call here and there, and her several fast trips into their boutique Sisters’ Jewels didn’t count.

Sapphire hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone about what had happened between Jake and her. But her older sister knew something was wrong. Topaz wasn’t being put off any longer and had demanded they meet.

Ivan frowned and inclined his head toward her still-full glass of wine. “Aren’t you going to finish that?”

She shook her head. “I told you I’d had enough.”

He lowered his glass to the table where the base made a sharp cracking sound. Ivan wasn’t happy with her. Well, he’d have to get over it. Not that it mattered. She had no plans to see him after tonight.

A shiver raced down her spine and she turned, peering around the room. If she didn’t know better, she’d say that someone was watching her.

Then she inwardly chuckled at herself. Of course there might be someone watching her. The restaurant was filled with people.

“Of course we can leave if you’re ready.” That quickly, his entire demeanor changed and he became a charming companion once again, all signs of his previous annoyance gone. She had a feeling the man she was seeing was the one he showed to the world, like a mask he wore when dealing with most people. She had a sinking feeling the real man was much different.

He smiled, stood and came around the table to help her with her chair. His fingers slid down her back when she stood. It could have been an accident, but Sapphire didn’t think so. She didn’t believe Ivan did anything without having a purpose or goal in mind.

It was only early May, but the days had been warm and she’d only worn a light jacket over her outfit. Ivan lifted it from the back of her chair and held it as she slid her arms into the sleeves. His fingers brushed her nape and she had to fight the urge to lurch away from him. Instead, she casually took a step to the right, turned and offered him a casual smile. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” Ivan placed his hand on the small of her back and urged her through the restaurant to the front door. She quickened her step, trying to keep ahead of him so he wasn’t so close, but to no avail. He simply lengthened his stride to keep pace with her. Out of the corner of her eye she caught movement off to her right, but got distracted when Ivan’s hand slid down to the curve of her ass.

She walked faster, practically running, leaving Ivan behind her. The quicker she could get home, the better.

He was going to break Gregor’s goddamn hand. Jake wasn’t far behind the couple as they strolled down the busy New York street. The bastard had touched Sapphire’s fine ass as they’d been leaving the restaurant. It had taken all his considerable control to keep from leaping on the guy and pounding him into the ground. He still hadn’t completely dismissed it as an option.

And what the fuck was Sapphire thinking to let the guy get away with it? Okay, that wasn’t quite fair. He’d seen the way she’d jumped and hurried ahead of Ivan. He’d have much preferred if she’d turned around and slapped the guy’s face. But that wasn’t her style.

She needed a fucking keeper.

When he realized how much he was swearing, even if it was only inside his own head, he tightened the reins on his temper. How much he swore was a good gauge of how angry he was.

Jake kept to the shadows as he followed them through the boisterous groups of people all out taking advantage of the clear, cool night. The bastard was using the crowded sidewalk as an excuse to put his arm around Sapphire’s waist.

No doubt in his mind that Gregor was expecting to get lucky tonight. Gregor was the type to spring for an expensive meal and expect to be paid back for it in sexual favors. The guy oozed entitlement and elitism, thinking himself above everyone else, including the law.

As much as Jake itched to pound the crap out of the guy, he knew in the long run that was the wrong approach. He had some research and surveillance to do over the next few days. The cops might not have the manpower and resources to watch this guy, but he did. If Jake had his way, in a matter of days, Ivan Gregor would have his hands much too full trying to stay out of a media firestorm filled with scandal and charges of corruption to even think about Sapphire Jewel.

Men like Gregor usually took one look at a guy like him and dismissed him as nothing more than muscle, brawn with no brain, but he’d used that perception to his advantage many times before. No doubt about it, he was built to protect, but he also had a high IQ and understood computers and how they worked. More than that, he understood people—what motivated them and what they desired most. He couldn’t wait to get at his keyboard and start digging deeper into Ivan Gregor’s life.

But that was for tomorrow. Tonight was all about getting Sapphire home safe and sound. No way was he letting Gregor enter Sapphire’s apartment building. Unbeknownst to her, Jake had checked out her new place when she’d moved in. It had good security, but could be better.

Thankfully, she only lived six blocks from the restaurant and, since this was New York City, they would walk. It was a nice evening for a stroll, not too warm and not too cool. He frowned as he watched Sapphire hurry down the sidewalk and noticed she was limping slightly. Damn high-heeled shoes. She wasn’t used to wearing them that high. The things were like walking on toothpicks.

He wanted to scoop her off her feet and carry her. Yeah, like she’d let him do that after the way he’d left her. He’d be lucky if she didn’t start yelling and take a swing at him when she finally saw him. Not that he’d blame her.

And why didn’t that bastard Gregor notice she was in pain?

Sapphire’s feet were screaming by the time her building came into view. She sent up a silent prayer to the heavens in gratitude for making it home, even though she knew she’d have blisters. It was a lesson she wouldn’t soon forget—never wear new shoes on a date when you’ll be walking.

She’d gotten a cab there to meet him, not wanting him to pick her up at her apartment. It paid to be cautious, even if a friend had vouched for Ivan. But he’d insisted on walking her home, and she was quickly coming to realize that he expected to get his own way. She’d decided to let him walk her as far as her building. No way was she letting him come inside.

She stopped outside the double-glass door, grateful for the bright foyer lights. “Thank you for a lovely dinner.” She smiled and offered him her hand.

He frowned and glanced down at her extended hand. “What the hell is this?”

Now it was her turn to frown. “This is me thanking you for the evening.” She couldn’t even say it was an overly nice one. Ivan Gregor was losing more of his shine by the second. She had a feeling his charm was something he put on like a cape to hide his true self.

“I’m coming up.” It was a demand, not a request.

She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry, you’re not.”

“I paid for an expensive meal. You owe me.” He wasn’t joking. He really expected her to have sex with him because he’d bought her supper.

She reached into her clutch for her emergency money and pulled out a hundred dollar bill. “If that’s the problem, then here you go. That should cover my share. If it doesn’t, just let me know and I’ll send you a check.” When he didn’t take the money, she tucked it into the pocket of his jacket.

All she wanted was for this date to end. “Good night.” She turned her back on him and inserted her key in the outside lock.

A heavy hand landed on her shoulder and yanked her around. Ivan’s face was red and his green eyes glittered with anger. For the first time this evening, fear snaked into her consciousness. This man was more dangerous than he appeared. He might be wearing a designer suit, but he was anything but civilized underneath it.