Stroke of Sapphire (5 page)

Her heart cried at the very thought and tears filled her eyes.

“Sapphire?” Jake tugged the covers down to her waist. “Let me pleasure you. Let me touch you.” His hand snaked across her stomach and over her waist before dipping in to settle beneath her breasts.

“Let me taste you.” His tongue traced her collarbone, his nose nuzzling along the edge of her nightgown.

“I want to make you come, to hear your moans and those breathy cries you make when you’re aroused. I want to taste your cream when you reach your pleasure and eat it all up.”

Sapphire could barely breathe, mesmerized by the sensual spell Jake was casting over her. He was seducing her with nothing more than words and a light caress.

Her pussy pulsed and she ached for his touch. Her nipples pebbled into hard nubs, easily visible through the fabric of her gown. Jake rubbed his thumb over one of them and she gasped.

“You’re so responsive. So perfect for me,” he praised. “Let me touch you. Taste you.” The intensity of his gaze should have frightened her, but it didn’t. This was Jake and she trusted him not to physically hurt her. She knew from their one night together that he would bring her a pleasure so deep it would almost hurt, but it wouldn’t cross that line.

“That’s as far as it will go. I give you my word.” His gaze met hers and she read the sincerity there. “I’ll leave right after to let you rest and give you time to think.”

She knew what her answer was going to be even before she spoke the one word that would change both their lives forever. Sapphire took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “Yes.”

Jake rolled off the bed and undid his shirt one button at a time, exposing a broad expanse of muscled flesh when he shrugged it off. Her breath caught in her throat as his chest and abs were exposed. He pulled the covers back, but made no move to remove her nightgown.

She was glad he didn’t try to strip her naked. She wasn’t sure she could have handled that quite yet. The risk she was taking with her heart was enormous and she hoped it didn’t backfire. After only one night with Jake, his leaving had devastated her. What would happen after days or weeks or months together?

It didn’t bear thinking about. For better or worse, she’d made her decision. She only hoped she didn’t live to regret it. Jake would have to take her as she was, but she’d have to do the same with him. Only time would tell if they were making a mistake or not.

Jake settled back on the bed between Sapphire’s legs. He wished to hell he knew what was going on in that nimble brain of hers, but it was impossible to tell. Of course, his throbbing cock wasn’t making thinking very easy.

He couldn’t believe she hadn’t kicked his ass to the curb. Oh, she’d made a couple half-hearted efforts to show him the door, but she hadn’t really ordered him out. He’d come to know her well in the time they’d spent together and he knew what she looked and sounded like when she meant business. Her earlier efforts to eject him had been weak at best.

That gave him hope that there was a chance for them. Of course, he knew he was on borrowed time and that she could change her mind at any moment. Where once she’d been open and willing to give him everything, now she was guarded.

Still, he could make this work. He’d give her so much pleasure she would eventually open up to him again. He would make it work. He had to. Because in the long dark nights he’d spent staring out his living room window, peering at the nothingness that was his life, he knew he needed Sapphire in a way he’d never needed anyone. And that included his twin.

Sapphire smoothed the jagged edges of his soul and gave him a sense of peace he’d thought was lost to him forever. He wasn’t even sure he’d ever really had it, even as a child. Until he’d left her, he hadn’t realized just how much he’d grown to depend on her quiet presence to soothe his inner demons.

Now she’d cracked the door and allowed him back into her life. Okay, so he’d practically battered the door down, but still. He was going to take advantage of the situation to gain his objective.

He lowered himself over her, supporting his weight on his forearms, so their bodies were barely touching. Her breathy gasp gripped his balls in a vise of pleasure.

“You’re so soft.” He brushed his lips over her cheek, down her nose and across her jaw. He’d dominated her the last time. This time he wanted to show her he could be slow and gentle. And he’d do it, even if it killed him.

Her lips parted and he drew his tongue over the bottom one, then the top, tracing their shape. A low moan escaped her mouth and he covered it with his, sliding his tongue inside the hot, moist cavern. He took his time, exploring and tasting, pulling away when his control was tested to the limits.

His arms strained to hold his weight off her and his cock was hard as a railroad spike. But he wasn’t going to come tonight, at least not here with Sapphire. Tonight was all about her. He’d given his word.

He sat back and hooked his fingers in the thin straps of her gown and drew them down to her elbows, exposing her full breasts to his gaze. He was normally more of a leg man than a breast man, but a guy would have to be dead not to appreciate the bounty before him.

Her nipples were taut pink buds, perched on full, round breasts. He gently captured one nipple between his teeth and flicked it with his tongue. Sapphire moaned and moved sensuously beneath him. Her hands caught at his shoulders, her nails scoring his skin in an erotic caress that had his cock head leaking.

He growled and released her nipple, blowing on the tight bud. Then he moved on to the other one. He licked and caressed, using his mouth and hands to arouse her to even greater heights. Her fingers tangled in his hair, dragging him closer, silently urging him on. He wanted to yell and pound his chest with satisfaction.

Sapphire still wanted him.

His jeans grew incredibly tight and his cock ached to the point of pain, but he ignored it, focusing all his attention on Sapphire.

He drew back and lifted the hem of her nightgown, letting his fingers trail over her calves, behind her knees and up the smooth inside of her sleek thighs. He touched an edge of lace and knew she was wearing panties. He shoved the gown up to her waist and grabbed the band of her panties, pulling them down and off, unable to bear having anything between them any longer.

Her dark curls were damp and the pink folds were swollen and moist. “Oh yeah.” He lifted her butt and lowered his head, inhaling her sweet, musky scent before he touched his mouth to her pussy.

Sapphire didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Every nerve in her body was alive, energized, waiting. Jake was still wearing his jeans, but his torso was bare, allowing her to see and touch his incredible chest. Every muscle was sculpted to perfection by years of hard work. His abs belonged on the cover of some men’s exercise magazine. His broad shoulders tapered down to a trim waist, giving him a chiseled appearance that made her ache to touch him.

Then his tongue caressed the slick folds between her legs and she was lost. She didn’t know what she’d expected, maybe bold and blunt and straight to the point. Instead, his touch was light and gentle, more featherlike as he brushed over her sensitive clit.

She arched her hips. “More,” she groaned. She needed more of his touch. Maybe in the morning when he was gone and she was alone, she’d regret what they were doing. Now, she wanted more, as much as he would give her.

He raised his head and licked his lips. They were moist with her essence and it was a huge turn-on. One corner of his mouth kicked up in a wicked grin before he lowered his mouth back to her heated core.

Sapphire fisted one hand in his hair and the other in her nightgown as she was tortured on the rack of pleasure. His tongue teased her clit, circling the sensitive nub before flicking over it. He explored every pink fold and dark crevice.

He slid two fingers into her tight sheath, parting them to stretch her. Sapphire knew it wouldn’t take much more for her to come. As much as she wanted it to happen, she didn’t want this night to end.

But it was too late to stop the impending explosion. Like a runaway train, her orgasm couldn’t be stopped. Jake flicked her clit at the same time his fingers filled her again and she exploded. Lights flashed behind her eyes. She tipped her head back and arched her hips, crying out as tremors shook her entire body.

How long it lasted, she couldn’t say, but she became aware of her surroundings when she shivered. Now that the moment had passed, the perspiration on her skin was cooling.

Jake released her and pulled the covers up around her shoulders. He kissed her and she could taste herself on his lips. She shivered again and Jake grabbed a throw from a nearby chair and spread that over her as well.

He brushed his hand over her hair and frowned when he touched her hammered silver hairclip. Most of her hair had escaped from the clip, leaving it half down and half up. He removed it and ran his fingers through the thick mass. “That’s better,” he murmured. He set the clip down on the bedside table and reached for his shirt.

She watched him pull it on and button it. He was going to leave, as he’d promised, even though a hard ridge ran down the front of his jeans, leaving no doubt that he was aroused. It would be easy for him to talk her into letting him stay, but neither of them was ready for that yet.

He’d exposed himself emotionally to her and she’d exposed herself physically to him. They both needed to step back. If he was feeling anywhere near as raw as she was, he needed some time alone.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay.” She had a lot to think about between now and then. He looked as though he might say something more, but simply nodded instead.

She listened carefully and marked his progression through her apartment. He put on his boots and coat and closed the front door behind him, making sure it was locked. She sighed, knowing she should get up and wash off her makeup. At the very least, she should straighten out her nightgown and turn off the light.

She did neither. She lay there a long, long time, her mind awash with emotions and possibilities. Sapphire recognized the dark and controlling nature that drove Jake and made him the man he was, but she also saw the gentle man who iced her bruises and brought her to sexual satisfaction with no thought for his own.

There would be no easy path for them, no easy solution. Only time would tell what would become of them.

Chapter Five

Jake strode up the sidewalk toward the four-apartment brownstone he co-owned with his brother. John was probably home, but Topaz was more than likely with him. The last thing Jake wanted was to run into Sapphire’s older sister.

He hurried up the front steps and let himself in. Bypassing the first floor, he went up to the second floor, which was all his. John’s apartment took up the entire top floor with the two smaller apartments they rented out occupying the first.

He knew he was still way too keyed up to sleep, his body tense and aroused. Swearing, he pulled off his coat and hung it on a hook by the door. Without bothering to turn on any lights, he headed for the bedroom. What he needed was a shower—preferably a cold one.

Sapphire’s taste was still on his lips and he could almost hear her sweet cries of release echoing in his ears. “Fuck!” He emptied his pockets, tossing his keys, phone and wallet on the dresser. With an economy of movement, he stripped off his clothes, dumped them in the hamper and headed to the master bath.

The tile was cool beneath his bare feet, but his body still felt overheated, his cock hard and hurting. He wanted Sapphire so much it made his teeth ache, but since that wasn’t happening, it was up to him to take care of the problem.

He flicked on the overhead light and squinted until his vision adjusted. His face appeared grim in the mirror, tough and unforgiving. He looked away and started the water running in the shower, letting it flow cool, but not quite cold.

He stepped beneath the spray and sucked in a breath as it flowed over his skin. The water didn’t dim his lust one little bit. He grabbed the soap from the built-in dish and rubbed the bar over his arms and chest, working up a thick lather. Tossing the soap aside, he ran his soapy hands over his belly and then lower.

Gripping his dick in one hand, he closed his eyes and pictured Sapphire as she’d been earlier this evening. Skin flushed a delicate pink, hair wild and tangled across her pillows, neck arched, mouth parted, those lush lips wet and welcoming.

Oh yeah, he could remember every last detail. They were etched on his brain for all eternity. He worked his hand over his cock, hard and fast.

Her breasts swayed when she moved and they were topped with tight nipples, like juicy berries. He licked his lips and kept pumping.

And, man, did she have killer curves. A waist that dipped inward and hips that flared out. And her ass was first class all the way.

His balls drew up closer to his body and the water continued to rain over him, slightly colder than it had been a minute ago.

Her sleek thighs parted in welcome, exposing her wet, pink pussy to him. He licked his lips again, tasting her sweet musky flavor. He could still hear the little noises of pleasure she made when he touched her, licked her, devoured her.

He increased his speed, his hand pumping faster up and down his turgid length. So good, but not nearly enough. It wouldn’t be enough until he was buried balls-deep inside her sweet pussy again.

He gritted his teeth and pictured her orgasm, the sweet cry she’d made, the way she’d abandoned herself totally to it, to him. His cock exploded and he came all over his hand and belly. He kept stroking, kept milking his dick until there was nothing left.

Lungs working hard, he slapped one hand on the tiled wall and let his head fall forward. The water poured over him, like little stinging needles now. He raised his head and embraced the cold, letting it cool the pounding need that still had a stranglehold on his cock. He grabbed the soap and cleaned himself up, not lingering any longer than he had to.

The silence seemed deeper than before when he turned off the water and stepped out. He grabbed a towel and quickly dried off, tossing the wet towel over the bar to dry before padding naked into the bedroom.

The bed beckoned but Jake knew he wouldn’t sleep, not yet. He had too many other things on his mind. He tugged on a pair of faded gray track pants, but didn’t bother with a shirt or socks. Leaving his bed behind, he walked silently down the hallway and into his office. Usually, he found the masculine space relaxing with its dark-green walls, wooden bookshelves and comfortable leather desk chair, but it would take more than that tonight to make him relax.

He was wide awake and figured he would be for hours yet. But that didn’t bother him. He didn’t need a lot of sleep and had long ago learned the art of taking combat naps. He thought about making coffee, but decided it would take too long. He wanted a shot of caffeine and he wanted it now.

Jake sat at his desk, flicked on the lamp and turned on his computer. While he was waiting for it to boot up, he reached into the mini fridge that sat next to his desk and pulled out a can of cola. He popped the top and took a long swallow, enjoying the cold beverage as it flowed down his throat.

Sapphire was still foremost in his thoughts and he glanced at the picture propped up on one corner of his solid oak desk. It was one he’d taken last year, the first time he’d been her bodyguard. She was standing in the park on a beautiful sunny day, wearing a flowing dress with small printed flowers all over it, her long, curly hair blowing in the breeze. But it was the smile on her face that always captured his attention. It was intimate and mischievous, as if she knew a secret that the rest of the world wasn’t privy to. He gently touched his finger to her cheek and then settled in to work.

There was a lot he had to learn about Ivan Gregor. He didn’t trust the bastard, not one bit. He’d seen the way the guy had looked at Sapphire before he’d left. He was angry, but more than that, he’d felt deprived, as though he was entitled to have her simply because he wanted her.

Jake had run across his kind before and knew Gregor wouldn’t stop until he felt he’d gotten what he deserved. Wasn’t going to happen. Sapphire belonged to him and Jake knew how to protect what was his.

He had friends in high and low places too, probably more trustworthy ones than Gregor had, and would call in whatever favors were owed him to keep Sapphire safe. But there was a lot he could do on his own. The authorities might be constrained by the law, but he wasn’t. “Let’s see what you’ve been up to, Ivan.” Jake hunched over his keyboard and went to work.

The sun was rising when he leaned back and studied the screen in front of him. He had pages of research that his printer had spit out in a neat pile. Gregor was definitely working the shady side. There had been questions about some of his land acquisitions and developments from concerned citizens groups, accusations of bribery, complaints from other developers, but no charges had ever been laid.

He’d have to dig into Gregor’s finances to find out more. It was illegal as hell, but Jake didn’t care. His only concern was keeping the bastard away from Sapphire. If Gregor stayed away from her, he wouldn’t have any problems. If he approached her again, Jake wanted the ammunition ready to turn Gregor’s life into a shit storm. Neither the politicians nor the mafia would take kindly to having their laundry aired in public. If Gregor wasn’t careful, he could end up in jail or worse. Some of the boys Gregor was alleged to have done business with didn’t exactly play nice.

He reached into his desk drawer, pulled out a disposable phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. It was to another disposable phone that would be tossed once this job was done. Then his friend would send him his new number.

“Yeah.” The voice on the other end was gruff, but alert.

“I’ve got a job if you’re interested.” He’d known the other man for years and trusted him to do the job right. Neither of them used names, and wouldn’t. They were both careful as hell. Some would say paranoid, but those folks didn’t know what they did—the government or someone else was always listening.

“Go.”

“Ivan Gregor. Stockbroker. Dirty, but there’s no concrete proof I can find, not yet.”

“You want him taken out?”

Jake almost smiled. His buddy had a very simple view of the world. If you had a problem, you got rid of it, permanently.

“No. I want you to follow him. I want to know where he goes and who he sees.” Jake paused before adding, “This is personal.” He rattled off Ivan’s home and work address. “I’m sending you a picture of him and one of a woman. If Gregor gets anywhere near her let me know right away. Her safety is top priority.”

“I’m on it.” There was a click and then the line went dead. Jake hung up, knowing that end was being handled. His job was to keep Sapphire safe.

He pushed out of his desk chair and stretched his arms over his head. A bone snapped and his muscles protested. He rubbed his hand over his jaw and figured it was time to have a shave and get dressed. He could catch a nap later if he needed one.

But first, he needed coffee and fuel. He ambled out to the kitchen, which was large by New York standards. The granite countertops and the stainless steel appliances gleamed. The coffeepot was new and fast. He might not cook much, but he needed his coffee.

When he had a pot brewing, he wandered over to the dining room window and peered out over the city. He wondered if Sapphire had slept at all last night. On impulse, he went into his bedroom, grabbed his phone and punched in her number. It was just past six, but she’d always been an early riser.

“Hello.” Her sleepy, sultry voice had his cock rising to full attention in a heartbeat.

“Hey.” He wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to say, he only knew that he needed to hear her voice.

“Are you okay?” He could hear rustling in the background and knew she was still in bed. He swallowed hard. She would be tousled and warm, surrounded by her soft sheets and comforter, still wearing that sexy-as-sin nightie she’d worn last night. His cock stirred and he wished he were there with her.

“I’m okay. Just called to make sure you were.”

“I’m good.”

The conversation was stilted, which wasn’t like them at all. They’d never lacked for something to talk about before. “I probably shouldn’t have called this early.” He should say goodbye and hang up.

He went back out to the kitchen, took down a large black mug and filled it almost to the brim with the fragrant brew.

“No, that’s okay. I was awake anyway. Just trying to convince myself to get up.” More fabric rustled in the background. He could easily picture her silky nightgown falling over her legs as she climbed out of bed. He could hear her walking now.

“What are you doing?”

She gave a little laugh. “Going to the kitchen to put on coffee. I can’t think before I’ve had coffee.”

“I’ve got some at my place.” He took a sip and made a sound of satisfaction.

“Beast.” She ran water and then he could hear her pouring it. A few more seconds of silence and then she gave a satisfied sigh. “That won’t take long.” She paused and he could almost see her trying to figure out how to broach the subject of what had happened last night.

“I want to see you today.” Better to take the bull by the horns and state what he wanted. If she said no, he could try to work around her objections.

“I have a meeting this morning and I really need to work this afternoon.”

“Tonight, for dinner. We can go out or I can pick something up and we can eat in.”

Sapphire paused. “Okay. Call me later and we can decide then what we’d rather do.”

Jake smiled, feeling as though he could take on the world. “Sounds good to me. And Sapphire.” He waited until he was sure he had her full attention. “Thank you for giving me, for giving us, a second chance. You won’t regret it.”

“I hope not.” There was worry in her voice and he knew he hadn’t come anywhere near to winning this battle yet. But he was back on the playing field and that was all that mattered.

“Have a good day, babe.” He hesitated, not wanting to worry her, but his concern for her safety overrode all else. “And watch out for Ivan Gregor. I don’t trust him.” The fact he had a buddy watching Gregor gave him some peace of mind. The bastard wouldn’t get near her without his knowing about it.

“I’ll be careful. I don’t think I’ll be hearing from him again.”

Jake didn’t agree with her assumption. He knew men like Gregor a lot better than she did. “Call me if you get the least bit worried. Promise me.” His grip tightened around the phone and he had to force himself to relax before he broke the damn thing.

“I will. Coffee is done. Have a good day.”

“You too.” He waited until she ended the call before signing off.

He decided he was on a roll and hit another button. He picked up his coffee and strode into his living room. It was a masculine domain, filled with sturdy, comfortable furniture and a large flat-screen television. His favorite chair—a slightly battered brown monster—beckoned, so he sat down and put his feet up on the matching ottoman. The call was answered on the first ring.

“What in tarnation are you doing calling an old man this early in the morning?” The voice was gruff and as familiar as his own.

“You don’t sleep anyway, old man.” His grandfather had raised John and him from the tender age of six. A retired army man, Bernard Knight was rough and tough, but there had never been any doubt he’d loved his grandsons.

His grandfather laughed. “What are you doing up this early?”

“Working.” He took another sip of coffee and set the mug on the small table that sat next to his chair.