TouchofTopaz (4 page)

And that was the biggest danger of all. She could easily
come to depend on him, and that just wouldn’t do.

“You’re right about that.” His fingers flexed around her
shoulders. “The job is over so I can finally do this.”

He swooped down and caught her lips with his. His tongue
plunged into her mouth and staked a claim. Heat suffused her body, racing in
hot streams to her breasts and between her legs. Her fingers curled inward
around his shirt and held him tight. His tongue boldly stroked hers. Not to be
outdone, she did the same as their tongues dueled for supremacy.

When she finally tore her mouth away, she was breathless and
more confused than ever. “This is insane.”

He shook his head. “No. This is the only thing that makes
sense. I want you, Topaz.” He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it over the
back of the sofa. Then he reached for her coat.

She took a step back and held the coat closed. “This is not
a good idea.”

He cocked his head to one side and studied her. His eyes
were burning with lust. She felt scorched by his gaze. “What are you so afraid
of?” His gentle tone was at odds with the sexual tension that gripped him. His
large body practically vibrated and she was torn between running from him and
throwing herself into his arms.

He was the only man she’d ever met who confused her to such
an extent. She had plans. Ambitions. And they didn’t include having a husband
or a significant other, at least not yet. And even when the time came, she
would settle down with a nice, ordinary man—a businessman—one she could easily
understand. Not someone intense and demanding like John Knight.

“I can practically see the wheels turning in your pretty
head. You’re already pulling away from me and putting up walls between us. Once
we hit the city, you’ll find every excuse not to see me again.”

He tugged on her coat until she was forced to fight him or
let him have it. She didn’t want to fight, so she let him have her coat. The
time had come for one of them to be sensible about the situation. “You know as
well as I do that great sex doesn’t make a relationship.”

“So you’re not denying that the sex was something special?”

Topaz shook her head, turned away from him and headed to the
large picture window overlooking the front of the cabin. It was too dark to see
much of anything. John stepped in behind her, his large body reflecting in the
glass. She was a tall woman, even more so in her high heels, but he was so much
broader than she.

She knew just what his body looked like naked, how his
muscles rippled and moved when she touched him. She rubbed her hands over her
slacks, ignoring the sexual tingles that threatened to distract her.

“So what do you want? A night of hot sex for old times’
sake? We’re both consenting adults. We can do that just as easily in the city
as we can here.” Better to remove all emotion from the issue and keep it
strictly physical.

John wrapped one massive arm around her and pulled her back
against his chest. His erection pressed against the small of her back, tangible
evidence that he wanted her. Her knees turned rubbery and she locked them to
keep from melting against him.

He leaned down and nuzzled her ear. His teeth tugged at her
lobe and hot shivers threatened to send all her common sense running for cover.

“Yeah. I want a night of smokin’-hot sex. I want you naked
and spread across my bed. I want to taste every inch of your body. Touch it
until you’re shaking with need and calling my name. Then I want to fuck you
until you scream with pleasure.”

His graphic words were seducing her more with each passing
moment. Her breasts ached for his touch and her panties were already damp. With
each passing second, Topaz was finding it harder to breathe. Even though they
were both fully dressed, the heat from his body soaked into her.

She swallowed hard. “So, we’re agreed. One night of sex and
you’ll take me home in the morning.” She had a feeling that this night would
haunt her for the rest of her life. She also knew she’d regret it to her dying
day if she didn’t take the chance, throw caution to the wind and make love with
John.

His arm tightened around her. “No, we’re not agreed. I want
more than just sex, Topaz. I want to take care of you. I want to wake up in the
morning next to you.” His tongue trailed over the whorls of her ear and his hot
breath made her skin sizzle. “And I don’t just want it for one morning, but for
all the mornings to come.”

She tugged at his arm and he released her. She gripped the
windowsill, almost afraid to turn around to face him. “I’m not looking for a
relationship, John.” And she wasn’t. She’d been burned by a man when she was
young and foolish and in love. She’d been played for a fool and was determined
it would never happen again.

Not that she thought for one minute John was after her
family connections or money. He was much too proud and independent for that. In
fact, she knew he’d be insulted if he thought for one moment that had even
crossed her mind.

No, that wasn’t the problem.

A man like John didn’t settle down to a wife and family. His
entire life had been about action, about living on the edge. He’d be bored with
domestic life in no time at all. She wasn’t about to let him have her heart
just so he could destroy it, whether or not he meant to. Deep inside, she knew
that she could love John, and that made him dangerous to her well-being. She
had to keep him at arm’s length to protect herself from emotional hurt.

“I wasn’t looking for one either.” His voice was rough and
slightly angry.

She flinched at the reminder that she was right in her
assessment of him. He didn’t want the emotional attachment. It was fine to say
he wanted to take care of her, to have a long-term relationship. But she didn’t
think she could survive something like that. Her plan had always been to find
Mr. Right and settle down and have a family. She wanted the security of being
part of something special. She wanted what her parents had. What her sister
Emerald had found.

John’s expression was more serious than she’d ever seen it,
and that was saying something as the man rarely smiled. “But I’m not about to
turn away from this thing between us.”

“John,” she began, but he placed his hand gently over her
mouth.

“Don’t say no. Give me tonight and tomorrow. After that, if
you want to go back to the city, I’ll take you back the next morning.”

Two nights and one day. Could she do that and not fall in
love with John? Could she have sex with him and protect her fragile emotions?

She wasn’t sure. But now that they were here, she wanted
this time with him. Loving him might hurt, but she knew she’d have to live with
regrets if she didn’t stay.

The tension around John had kicked up another notch. He
looked ready for anything. She wished she were half as self-assured.

“Okay.” The word came out of her in a rush and some of the
tension seeped from the room. This was crazy. She knew it was, but she couldn’t
seem to stop herself. Her life had been a roller coaster for months now. Why
not end this chapter of her life with one hell of a big bang? She almost
laughed aloud at her unintentional pun.

“Okay,” he repeated and reached for her.

She expected him to take her straight to the bedroom, strip
off her clothes and make love to her. After all, that’s what this was about.

Instead, he took her hand and led her down a short hallway
to a bathroom. He flicked on the light to reveal a dated space with faded blue
paint and chipped linoleum flooring. But the one thing the room had going for
it was a large claw-foot tub.

John released her, put the plug in the tub and started the
water running. “You take your time and soak while I bring in the luggage and
fix us something to eat.”

He leaned down and kissed her. This kiss was a complete
contrast from the earlier one. Their lips barely touched, the caress as gentle
as a summer breeze. It left her feeling off balance and unsettled.

She should probably resent his heavy-handedness. And on one
level, she did. But she also couldn’t help being pleased he’d gone to such
trouble to get her here. It certainly fed her female vanity. Then there was the
off-the-charts attraction between them. If she was honest with herself, she
wasn’t quite ready to let him go yet.

He pulled back from the kiss and brushed his hand over her
hair. Then he was gone. As his footsteps faded and she heard the door of the
cabin open and close, she stared into the mirror that hung over the small sink,
ignoring the crack in the upper right-hand corner. Her eyes were huge and her
lips were moist. She touched her mouth, almost able to still feel his lips on
hers.

What was she getting herself into?

Chapter Four

John did his best to ignore the sound of water splashing
just a few yards away. The only thing separating him from a naked Topaz was his
own self-control and a rather flimsy door.

He’d taken the liberty of packing some supplies in
anticipation of bringing Topaz to his cabin, so they had plenty of food for
their stay. He thought about opening a can of soup and slapping together some
sandwiches, but he really wanted to feed her well tonight. Not only because she
hadn’t been eating much lately, but also because eating could be a very sensual
experience if done correctly.

He enjoyed cooking and often whipped up interesting meals
for himself and his twin. But he’d never cooked for a woman before. When he
dated, he usually took them out to eat or ate at their place, as he didn’t like
having someone he just met in his home. Call him paranoid, but he liked his
privacy.

But Topaz was special. He wanted her in his home. Hell, he’d
move into hers if it would make her feel more secure. He didn’t care as long as
he was with her.

He’d already whipped the cream for the strawberries, which
were washed, cored and waiting in a bowl in the refrigerator. The water for the
pasta was boiling and the sauce was simmering away. Everything was under
control.

He wiped his hands on a towel and grabbed one of the glasses
of wine he’d poured. The red had a full flavor he knew Topaz would enjoy. He
went down the hallway and knocked once on the door before letting himself in.

There was a cry and a splash as she sat up in the tub and
pulled her legs to her chest. The steam had dampened her hair and the fine ends
were stuck to her nape and forehead. “What are you doing? Get out.”

Her eyes flashed with heat, some of it anger and, he hoped,
some of it arousal. John crouched by the side of the tub and held out the
glass. “Thought you might like some wine.”

Her skin looked so soft and touchable. He reached out with
his free hand and stroked his fingers down her arm. Several beads of water
skimmed her flesh before dripping back into the tub. He wanted to lick them
from her skin.

“It could have waited.” Her tone was terse, but not quite as
angry. “I’m naked.”

She glared at him and his cock jerked. He almost laughed
aloud at the way his body responded to her even when she was annoyed with him.
Instead, he settled on being privately amused. No need to let her know just how
much power she had over him. Hell, all she had to do was breathe and he wanted
her.

“Believe me, I’m well aware of that fact.”

His wry tone had her studying him closer. Her gaze dropped
and he was grateful that he was crouched down and the tub hid the bulk of his
lower body from her view. She looked back at her face, her eyes questioning. He
ignored her unspoken question and lifted the wineglass closer.

“Here, try it.” He held the glass to her lips and waited.
She sighed and parted them, allowing him to tip the glass enough for her to
have a taste. She swallowed and he watched the long column of her throat
ripple.

“It’s good.” She shook her head and sighed. “But it could
have waited. What am I going to do with you, John?” The last was said with
exasperated affection.

“Anything you want.” His jeans were uncomfortably tight, but
he didn’t care. For too many years he’d gone through the motions of living.
He’d lost interest in sex. Until Topaz.

He hadn’t been to bed with another woman since he’d met her
and didn’t want to. There was something about her that spoke to him on every
level. The more primitive part of him wanted to throw her over his shoulder and
drag her off to his cave and keep her.

A reluctant grin tugged at his lips. Come to think of it,
that’s pretty much what he’d done by bringing her here.

“What are you grinning about?” She snagged the glass from
his hand and took another sip of the wine. A ruby drop lingered on her lips and
he watched, mesmerized, as she licked it off with her tongue. His cock twitched
and his balls ached. He wished she’d uncoil her body so he could see more.

“I don’t think you’d appreciate it.” He stood, not bothering
to hide his erection. He couldn’t if he wanted to. The damn thing had a mind of
its own.

Her gaze went to the front placket of his jeans and then
flew to his face.

“I want you.” His words were blunt, just like he was. “Never
doubt that for a minute.” He stared at her for a few more moments, enjoying the
view of her naked body.

Even free of makeup, her face was beautiful, maybe even more
beautiful than when she wore the stuff. Her skin was smooth, her eyelashes long
and dark, her eyes a golden brown that pierced his soul. And her lips, her lips
were plump and full and so very kissable. It was easy for him to imagine her
incredible mouth wrapped around his dick, sucking him off.

He shifted his weight to his left foot as his arousal grew
even more uncomfortable. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. I left your
suitcase on the bed. Wear something comfortable.”

She raised the wineglass in a smart salute. “Yes sir.
Anything else, sir?”

Her sassy answer teased a reluctant smile from him. It also
made him realize that he was issuing one order after another to her. He rubbed
the back of his neck, wishing he had more finesse with women. “I’ll be in the
kitchen.”

Better to get out before he said something to make her
angry. Right now, she was going along with his plan, and he didn’t want to do
anything that might cause her to want to leave.

“John.” He looked back at her and she waggled the wineglass
at him. “Thanks for the wine.”

He grunted and left the bathroom. “I’m putting the pasta on
now. You’ve got about fifteen minutes ‘til dinner is on the table.”

Topaz watched the bathroom door close and slowly uncoiled
her body, letting her knees slip back into the water. She shivered and sank
down until the water lapped at her neck. She was hot and cold at the same time.

She’d had sex with a variety of talented lovers over the
years, but never had she met a man as elemental as John. He exuded raw
magnetism and sexuality that drew her like a lodestone.

She took another sip of the wine, knowing she needed
something to fortify her for the coming evening. At some point they would make
love and, if it were anything like their last encounter, it would be explosive
and intense.

“What am I doing?” she whispered.

The logical thing to do would be to get out of the tub, get
dressed, eat and then sleep on the sofa for the night. The last thing she
needed was a one- or two-night stand. John Knight was an exciting lover, but he
was also a man who lived a life of secrets and adrenaline rushes. Why else
would he start a security firm after a twenty-year career in the Army?

She wanted a man who would be satisfied with coming home to
her every night, a man who didn’t have such a dangerous edge. In short, she
wanted the kind of man like the ones she’d been dating for the past five years,
the kind of men who’d bored her to death and left her cold.

“I don’t know what I want anymore.” She set down the
wineglass on the chipped linoleum floor and climbed out of the tub. After
pulling the plug, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her. The air was
chilly after the warmth of the water and goose bumps raced down her arms.

She grabbed her wine and her clothes and hurried into the
bedroom. It wasn’t hard to find as it was the only other room in the short
hallway. She could hear John rummaging around the kitchen and she quickly shut
the door. She set her glass on the ancient dresser and looked around the room.

Like the rest of the place, it was utilitarian. There was a
dresser, a large bed with just two pillows, a single nightstand and a chair in
the corner. John’s suitcase sat beside the dresser.

A small lamp on the nightstand was the only illumination in
the room and it sent a dull glow over everything. A pair of depressing beige
curtains covered the window on the far wall. They were closed, shutting out the
night and the outside world. As promised, her bag was on the bed. She unzipped
it and pulled out a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt.

She paused and wished she were home where she’d have more of
a selection to choose from. Chewing on her bottom lip with indecision, she
withdrew her nightgown and robe. The matching set was a silky dull bronze that
brought out the color in her eyes and made her pale skin gleam. She loved
beautiful lingerie and indulged herself frequently.

It was silly to wear it to the dinner table. But she was
realistic enough to know that she was going to end up naked at some point
tonight. What did it matter if she wore her nightgown to eat in? It was the
sexiest thing in her suitcase. John had her at a disadvantage because he’d
planned this. She’d packed mostly work clothes that would suit a courtroom. She
wanted to feel self-assured, wanted to knock him back a step or two.

“Five minutes,” he called from the kitchen.

Topaz dropped the towel and grabbed her nightgown. It only
took a moment to yank it over her head. It settled over her skin like a caress
and she shivered, but not because of the cool air. Anticipation filled her as
her nipples puckered against the soft material, while the silky folds caressed
her waist and hips. She grabbed the matching robe and slipped it on, belting it
tightly.

Her slippers matched the robe, of course, and she shoved her
feet into them. Too bad they were flats instead of heels. That put her at a
slight height disadvantage. At five-ten, she was used to being as tall as most
of the men she dated, taller when she was wearing heels. But John was about
six-three, so that gave him almost half a foot on her.

There was a small mirror hung over the dresser and she
checked out her appearance as best she could. She turned one way and then
another but couldn’t see much. There was no full-length mirror in the room, so
she made do.

She dug out her brush and dragged it through her hair. It
was short and well cut so it didn’t require much more than that to make it look
good. She thought about makeup but decided against it. Instead, she simply
slicked a pale lip gloss on. She dumped everything back into her suitcase and
moved it to the chair in the corner, leaving the bed free and clear.

“Topaz. Dinner’s ready.”

“You can do this. You’re a mature woman,” she reminded
herself. “And he’s a man you want.” She grabbed the damp towel off the floor
and hung it over a hook behind the door, squared her shoulders, picked up her
wineglass and left the bedroom.

John added the pasta to the sauce and then ladled it on the
plates. The table was set with mismatched plates and glasses, but it didn’t
look too bad. He’d remembered to buy some placemats and cloth napkins and had
brought them with him. Too bad he hadn’t thought about flowers. That would have
been a nice touch.

The pots were soaking in the sink and dinner was on the
table. All he needed now was Topaz.

The soft sound of footsteps had him turning away from the
table. He caught his first sight of her and lost the ability to breathe. She
flowed down the hallway. There was no other way to put it. She was wearing a
robe that fell to her ankles and the silky material clung to her curves, giving
him a glimpse of her ankles and calves as she moved.

The neck came down in a low V and tantalized him. He
narrowed his gaze and watched her breasts move easily beneath the thin fabric.
She wasn’t wearing a bra. He wondered if she was wearing anything at all under
the robe.

She cleared her throat and he raised his eyes to her face.
Her cheeks were flushed and her lips were slick with pink gloss. He wanted to
kiss them, to taste them.

“Supper smells good.”

Right, food first.
Get your head into the game, Knight
,
he sternly ordered himself. He held out a chair for her. “I know you like
pasta.” It was one of the reasons he’d chosen the dish.

“I do. Thank you for cooking for me.” She slid into the
chair and he caught a whiff of the soap she’d used in the tub. It was his and
the woodsy smell affected him much differently than when he used it. He leaned
down and breathed against her neck, letting his lips nuzzle just below her ear.

“You look good enough to eat.” John was suddenly very hungry
for her and not for the food he’d cooked.

She shivered and he forced himself to move away. One step at
a time. He didn’t want to simply seduce her body. He wanted her mind and her
emotions as well. He’d been on enough military ops to know that the way to
winning was to have a good solid strategy and to be fluid as situations
presented themselves. Now was the time to feed her, to show her he could look
after her.

A modern, independent woman might scoff at such a thing if
he said it out loud, but underneath all the glossy layers, people were still
basic at heart. He’d seen enough during his deployments in war-torn countries
to know this for a fact. A woman might be able to take care of herself, but
that didn’t mean she didn’t want a strong man, one she would be able to depend
on when the shit hit the fan. He wanted to show Topaz that he was the man for
her, the one she could depend on to protect her and put her needs above his
own.

He took the seat across from her and reached down to adjust
his erection to a more comfortable position. Wasn’t much he could do at the
moment except grin and bear it. “Go ahead, try some.” He wanted her to like the
meal he’d prepared for her. There was something very elementally appealing
about cooking for her, having her eat what he’d provided.

She twined the pasta onto her fork and lifted it to her
lips. He almost came when her mouth parted and she slid the fork into her
mouth. She closed her eyes and made a soft humming sound as she chewed. “This
is delicious,” she murmured after she swallowed. She opened her eyes and smiled
at him. “Thank you.”