Stroke of Sapphire

Chapter Ten

Jake’s fingers flew over the computer keys. He’d hacked into Gregor’s cell phone records and was making note of the people he talked with. There were some numbers that were untraceable. He figured those belonged to the more savvy criminals. But there were always those greedy bastards in positions of power who didn’t think they needed to bother with such security protocols. Either that, or they were too stupid to even think about such things. Made his job easier.

It was surprisingly easy for him to connect the dots and he was soon hard at work hacking into bank records, both for Gregor and several of his associates. He shook his head, amazed at the idiocy of some people. Several high-ranking civil servants had deposited money in their accounts on the same day that Gregor had removed the exact same amount from his account.

Arrogance and entitlement would trap them all. The police might be hampered by their need to get proof through legal channels, but he had no such constraints on him. When he was done, he erased all traces of himself. Those he couldn’t erase, he buried beneath myriad layers. If any officials cared to dig that deep, they’d trace the signal back to an old woman in Hungry via twelve different other people scattered over the world. No way they could trace it back to him here in New York.

By the end of the day, Jake had several envelopes filled with information—phone records, bank account records and more, every document carefully handled to ensure there were no fingerprints on any single page.

Several of Gregor’s projects had been on the verge of being derailed when suddenly they’d been passed. He had copies of the documents signed by certain city officials, along with copies of their bank accounts that showed they had suddenly gotten much richer.

Jake planned to send the envelopes to the media and the cops. If Gregor had some dirty cops in his pocket he’d still get fried in the court of public opinion. He’d be much too busy to even think about Sapphire, which was Jake’s ultimate goal.

That work done, he sat back and picked up his coffee mug, grimacing when he tasted cold coffee. Still, he drank it down. Caffeine was caffeine, cold or hot.

A tap came on his door. “Come on in.”

John stuck his head through the door. “I’m heading out to meet a client.”

His brother had been bearing the brunt of the work these past few weeks. Jake freely admitted his head hadn’t been in the game. “Thanks, man.”

John grinned at him. “No problem. I expect you’ll be kept busy when I’m on my honeymoon.”

Jake laughed. “Decided where you’re going yet?”

His brother leaned against the doorjamb. “Not yet. I want to go somewhere warm and secluded. I keep telling Topaz all she’d need to pack is a bikini.”

“Bet that goes over well.”

John laughed. “Some days it does. She wants to tour Ireland, which is fine, but she’s not going to wear a bikini while we’re there.”

“Good luck with that, bro.”

John hesitated and shook his head. “Be careful with Sapphire, okay?”

“That goes without saying.” Jake shoved away from his desk, walked over to the large safe in the corner of his office and stuffed the envelopes inside.

John motioned to the envelopes. “Anything I should know about?”

“No.” Jake didn’t want his brother involved. “A private project. Nothing major.” He shut the safe door, locking the evidence he’d collected inside.

“If you need help…”

“Thanks, man.” He knew that John was there for him, would help him without hesitation. He was lucky to have a brother like him.

“Have a good evening.” John left him alone in his office. He felt tense and out of sorts all of a sudden. He needed to talk to Sapphire. He grabbed his phone, brought up his list of contacts and hit the top button. Her phone rang several times before she answered.

“Hello.”

“Hey, babe.” Some of the tension bled from his muscles the moment he heard her voice. That was the kind of power she had over him. It should worry him, instead it made him feel more grounded, as if he had a place he belonged, or at least someone he belonged with.

“How was your day?” He could hear the smile in her voice.

“Good. I’m on my way out now.” He shut down his computer and left his office, locking the door behind him. “Want me to pick up something on my way to your place?”

“Hmmm,” she answered absently. He could hear her doing something in the background, but couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“Babe? Food? Do you want me to pick up food?” He engaged the alarm and locked the door to Knights’ Security, making sure everything was shut down tight for the evening.

“Sure. That would be great.”

“What are you doing?” He took the stairs down from the second floor of the three-story building.

“Oh, I’m working.”

That made sense. Sapphire got lost in whatever she was doing when she worked on her jewelry designs. He couldn’t wait to see her latest work. “How about Chinese?” He knew what she liked from his time working as her bodyguard.

“No. I think I’ll make something instead. I’ve got some chicken marinating. Won’t take me long to throw something together when you get here.”

“You sure?” He didn’t mind springing for dinner, but his mouth watered at the thought of eating something she made for him. Sapphire was a very good cook.

“Positive. I just need to finish up what I’m working on.”

He smiled, taking the hint. “I’ll let you go. See you in about forty minutes.”

“Okay.” Her soft voice sank into him like a hug and he smiled. He ended the call and stopped before he stepped out onto the sidewalk. Old habits died hard. He checked all around him to assure himself there was no one watching him. When he was satisfied, he headed out. Sapphire was waiting.

Sapphire stared down at the piece of jewelry she’d finished. The design had come to her yesterday—a bracelet that featured the logo of Jake’s company Knights’ Security. The logo consisted of a shield with two crossed swords on top of it. She’d made the piece out of a combination of silver, brass, copper and steel. She planned to set the pommels of the swords with small sapphires. But that was for tomorrow.

Pleased with the amount of work she’d done so far, she packed away the unfinished piece and the design, not wanting Jake to stumble across it if he came into her office. He always seemed interested in what she was making, and it wasn’t feigned either. When he’d been her bodyguard, he’d spent hours watching her work and asking questions.

She left several pieces from her new line sitting on her work counter. She could show him these if he asked to see how she’d spent her day.

Her workspace tidied, she stood and stretched, her back muscles complaining that she’d been sitting in one spot for far too long. It was an occupational hazard. When she got into her work, hours could pass in the blink of an eye. It was only when she tried to move she’d realize just how long she’d been sitting in one spot.

Sapphire ambled to the kitchen, trying to decide what to serve with the chicken. Maybe some fried rice with veggies. The apple pie she’d made after lunch was cooled and sitting on the kitchen counter. She knew Jake particularly liked apple pie.

Maybe it was silly, but she wanted to cook for him. She had the feeling that Jake hadn’t had a whole lot of home-cooked meals in his life. When he was guarding her, he’d always seemed to appreciate every time she made a meal and shared it with him.

She pulled out pots and pans and started to work. Forty minutes later, she had everything under control and was thinking about changing her outfit when the buzzer rang. Grabbing a kitchen towel, she wiped her hands as she walked to the intercom.

“Yes.”

“It’s me, babe.” Butterflies fluttered in her stomach at the sound of his voice.

“Come on up.” No time to change now. She glanced at herself in the foyer mirror and frowned. Her hair was half up and half down and her makeup had long ago disintegrated.

“Damn.” She stuck the kitchen towel in her back pocket, yanked the clip from her hair and raked her fingers through the curly locks. It wasn’t great, but it was an improvement. No time to do anything about makeup.

A heavy knock came on the door and she took a deep breath, uncertain why she was suddenly so nervous. She checked the peephole, knowing Jake would scold her if she didn’t—the man was very security conscious—and then she opened the door.

As always, the sight of him made her heart race. He was wearing jeans and a dark-blue sweater under his leather jacket that made his eyes appear even paler. He looked big and strong and totally kissable.

“You look good enough to eat.” His husky voice went straight through her, making her toes curl. He leaned down and kissed her.

Their lips clung, lingered. But he didn’t deepen the caress, keeping it light. His tongue swiped across her bottom lip and she shivered as arousal shot through her.

He raised his head and gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I missed you today.”

Those few simple words sent warmth flooding through her body and she had to fight to keep from wrapping her arms around herself in a hug to keep the feeling close. “Come on in.” She shut the door and locked it, using the mundane task to center herself.

Jake removed his jacket and hung it in the closest before removing his boots. He was making himself comfortable, treating her home like it was his. Her skin tingled and she cleared her voice, determined to do something to stay calm. “I’m going to check on dinner.” She headed to the kitchen and, at the last second, remembered to yank the kitchen towel out of her back pocket. That was certainly not sexy. She tossed the towel onto the counter and lifted the cover off the rice. Everything was ready to serve.

She lowered the lid and took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. She had no idea what was going to happen tonight. Would Jake stay with her or would he go home? Would they have sex or not? The not knowing was making her crazy.

Her breasts swelled and pushed against the cups of the lacy blue bra she wore and the matching panties were damp. She’d bought the lingerie set during her shopping spree several weeks ago. The new clothing might not suit her personality, but she found that she actually liked the new undergarments. They made her feel sexy and womanly so she’d kept them.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, surrounding her in masculine strength. “What’s wrong?”

She thought about denying anything was wrong, but figured he wouldn’t buy it. She opted for total honesty. “I’m nervous.”

Lips brushed over the top of her head. “Why?”

It was hard to think while his lips were working their way down her neck. “Because,” she gasped when he nibbled on the lobe of her right ear.

“Because?” he prompted, his warm breath sending goose bumps racing down her arm.

She gripped her thighs tight when his tongue traced the whorls of her ear, but it didn’t help ease the growing ache between her legs. “Because I don’t know where we’re going or what’s going to happen tonight.”

Jake turned her until she was facing him, a soft smile playing at the corners of his mouth. His pale eyes should look cold, yet they were anything but. Heat scorched her as he gazed at her. “We’re going to eat the wonderful dinner you made, then we’re going to relax and watch a movie. And then…”

“And then?” Her voice was little more than a breathy gasp of anticipation.

“Then I’m going to run you a hot bath so you can soak away some of the aches from last night.”

She frowned, slightly disconcerted. How could he know she was still feeling a bit sore from last night?

He chuckled. “You should see your face.” He tenderly touched her cheek. “It’s no big secret. You have to be sore the way I was on you like a rutting bull last night. I have to take care of you tonight.”

“We could skip dinner.” Was that really her suggesting they go straight to the bedroom? What a hussy she was becoming. Anticipation shot through her only to crash and burn.

Jake shook his head. “Food first. You need to keep up your strength.” His big hands ran up and down her spine, making her arch into his touch like a well-petted cat. “Then you need to relax, then a bath.”

She gave him a disgruntled frown. “And then?”

“And then”—he gave her a wicked grin—“then I’m going to make you feel so damn good.” He cupped her ass and squeezed, making her jump. “You’re going to spend all evening thinking about what I’m going to do to you.”

He traced his fingers over the seam of her pants. Wet heat flooded her pussy.

“By the time I take you to bed you’re going to be so ready to come that you’ll do it whenever I want you to.” His voice was thick with arousal. She could have told him she was more than ready now. Her body was so primed it wouldn’t take much to push her over the edge.

Jake dropped his hands and took a step back. “Dinner first.”

Sapphire leaned against the counter for support as she struggled to get her body back under control. It wasn’t easy. Every cell in her body was screaming at her to jump on Jake, rip open his jeans and impale herself on his hard cock. And he was hard. There was no mistaking the bulge in the front.

Jake motioned to the stove. “Anything I can do to help?”

She shook herself out of her sexual haze. “No. Yes. You can pour the wine. There’s a bottle of white chilling in the refrigerator.”

While Jake dealt with the wine, she got dinner on the table. They worked well together and the evening turned into something cozy and wonderful, but always with a sexual edge pulsating just under the surface.

They chatted about their day, or she mostly talked and he listened. She knew he couldn’t talk much about his work because of client confidentiality, but he did seem to enjoy listening to her talk about her work.

Dinner passed quickly and, with Jake’s help, the mess was cleaned up in no time. They took their coffee and pie into the living room. He forked up a piece and tasted it. He closed his eyes and made a sound of pleasure. “This is exceptional.”

Sapphire smiled, loving his reaction. It was all she’d hoped it would be. “I thought you’d enjoy it.”

“It’s incredible.”

They finished their dessert and, when they couldn’t find a movie, settled on a baseball game instead. She left long enough to dispose of the dishes and use the bathroom and then she quickly returned. Jake sat in the center of her sofa, arms spread across the back.

“Come here.” He patted his lap. Her pussy clenched as she made her way toward him. She sat on his lap and waited to see what he would do next.

Her legs were on the outside of his and when he moved his feet apart, he spread her thighs wide. “Lean back against me.”

She did as he asked and felt the hard press of his cock against her lower back. His hands came around to the front, one of them cupping a breast and the other delving between her thighs.

Sapphire waited, balancing on the edge of desire, but Jake simply settled back and watched the game. The man was diabolical. Every inch of her body was like a live wire. She could feel the heat from his hands through her clothing. Even though all he did was rest his hand against her breast, the mound swelled and the nipple puckered almost painfully.

And her pussy was wet and aching with need. She started to squirm, but he clamped his hands down tight, preventing her from doing so. A low moan broke from her lips. “Jake.”

“What do you want?” His breath teased her neck and she could feel the hard pulse of his cock against her back.

“I want you to touch me.”

“I am touching you.” The man was infuriating.

“Really touch me.” She managed to move an inch and his fingers rubbed over her distended nipple, drawing a low moan as pleasure rushed through her.

“You have to show me.” His low voice was almost hypnotic. “Take off your clothes and lie on the coffee table. I want to see your pretty pussy.” He muted the television and silence surrounded them.

Sapphire was surprised her skin wasn’t on fire with the amount of heat rushing through her. She stood and looked at him, uncertainty filling her. Jake’s eyes blazed with passion and something more, something she couldn’t quite identify. But the passion was enough. She pulled her top over her head and let it drop.

Jake reached out and turned her coffee table around so it sat perpendicular to the couch. He patted the wooden top.

She gathered her courage and slowly removed her shoes and pants, leaving her clad only in her sexy lingerie.

Jake’s eyes lingered on her breasts before moving to her mound. “The lace is sexy as hell, but I want you naked.”

She knew Jake needed to be in charge of their lovemaking, but was quickly realizing it was a double-edged sword. As much as she was getting aroused, so was he. His skin was flushed and his shoulders and biceps strained the seams of his sweater. He might be playing it cool, but he was as tense and wound up as she was.

That gave her the confidence to make her next move. She reached behind her back and undid the hooks of her bra. Bending forward, she let the straps fall down her arms. The bra dropped to the floor. Jake’s breath hitched and his gaze narrowed.

Oh yeah, she was turning him on big time.

Turning her back to him, she hitched her thumbs into the band of her panties and wiggled out of them. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her ass as she bent over, heard his sharp intake of breath.

“On the table.” Gruff and commanding, he left no doubt that he expected her to comply.

Sapphire sauntered to the table and sat on the edge before lying back on it. The wood was cool against her heated skin and she arched up, displaying her breasts for him.

“You are exquisite.” The reverence in his voice washed over her like a warm wave. “Put your feet on the edge of the table and let your knees drop open.”

She knew the position would leave her pussy wide open and exposed to him. Her heels were on the edge of the table by her butt before she could truly think about it. She dropped her knees and moaned as the cool air brushed over her sex.

Jake leaned forward and cupped her pussy with one large hand. “Who does this belong to?”

The possessiveness in his tone should frighten her, but it made her feel powerful and womanly and sexy. “You.”

“That’s right. This is my pussy.” He stroked one long finger over her clit and she couldn’t suppress a moan of pleasure.

Jake stood and she almost cried out as his hand lost contact. She swallowed it back and waited, her body trembling as she anticipated his next command. He walked around the table, studying her.

He leaned down and tweaked one puckered nipple, making it tighten even more. She arched into his touch and his low, pleased laughter washed over her. “Jesus, you’re so responsive.” He lightly pinched her other nipple and she cried out, her pelvis lifting off the table.

“Touch your breasts, baby. Pinch your nipples as light or as hard as you want. But keep your legs open. I want that pussy nice and hot and needy.”

Oh God. She didn’t know if she could stand much more of this. She took both nipples between her thumbs and forefingers and teased them. It felt even better than it usually did because she knew he was watching her pleasure herself.

Jake walked back to the sofa, his eyes never leaving her breasts. He ripped his sweater over his head, exposing his chiseled chest and washboard abs. She longed to touch him, to lick every inch of his body.

He settled back on the sofa and opened his jeans. He wasn’t wearing underwear so his cock sprang forward, eager and ready. He grasped the hard length in his hand, stroking once, twice.

Sapphire was panting harder now, her pussy wetter than it had ever been before. Jake motioned to his cock. “I want your mouth on me.” He crooked his finger at her.

She sat up and gracefully knelt between his spread thighs, remembering to keep her legs wide apart.

“Hands behind your head.”

She placed her hands in position, linking her fingers together to keep them there.

“That’s perfect,” he praised. He sat forward and fed the flared head of his cock into her open mouth. She closed her lips and sucked. “Fuck, that’s good.”

She used her tongue and the light scrape of her teeth on his shaft as he moved his length in and out of her mouth. One large hand cupped the back of her head while the other toyed with one of her distended nipples. Her hips swiveled and she whimpered with growing need. She felt so empty without him inside her.

He suddenly gripped her hair and pulled out of her mouth with a wet pop. “Come here.” He lifted her in his arms and laid her out on the sofa, lifting one leg so her foot sat on the back. She was wide open and totally exposed once again.

Jake knelt between her legs, lifted her hips and brought his mouth to her. The second his tongue touched her clit she exploded. She cried out, her entire body jerking. Jake licked and sucked at her pussy while she came, pushing her into another orgasm. The room went dark around the edges, but she hung on, wanting to see him.

He was such a big man, tanned and muscled. So much larger than she. He hovered over her like some dark avenging angel, strong and ready to defend what he considered his.

He leaned back and swiped a hand over his jaw, wiping away her essence. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a condom, quickly sheathing himself. Then he sat back on the sofa and reached for her, lifting her easily until she was straddling his lap and facing him.

She loved him. It hit her like a ton of bricks. She really loved this man even with his insecurities and controlling ways. She knew he would always put her first and would never cheat on her. In their time together, she’d come to know him well. He was genuinely interested in her as a woman and as an artist and was supportive of her career. He might want to control her in the bedroom, but outside they were equals and neither of them would have it any other way.

All that went through her head in a split second and then the ability to think disappeared when he impaled her on his cock. He stretched the swollen sensitive tissue in her channel as he forged inward. The rough brush of his jeans against her thighs was arousing. Sapphire dug her nails into his shoulders and clung to him.

Dark pleasure coursed through Jake, feeding his voracious sexual appetite. Sapphire satisfied him in a way that no other woman ever had or ever would. He knew she was special, knew she was the only one who could quell the growing darkness within him. She gave him peace and an anchor in this world.

He could still see her naked and spread across the coffee table for him, so fucking perfect, her nipples straining, her pussy wet. And the way she sucked his dick was like a wet dream.

But nothing compared to having his dick buried deep in her pussy. There was resistance at first, because he was so big and her channel was swollen from her orgasms, but there was no stopping him.

This wasn’t what he’d planned. He had intended to run her a hot bath and then gently love her. But having her sit so close to him while they watched the ballgame had challenged his control and pushed his libido to his limits.

He had to have her.

Her fingernails dug into his shoulders and he savored their erotic bite. Her breasts rubbed against his chest and her pussy clasped him tight. He was in heaven.

He started to move and she moaned, her head falling back to expose the long, slender column of her neck. He leaned forward and gently nipped at the tempting curve where her neck and shoulder met.

Her sweet cries of passion grew louder the more he nipped and sucked at her neck. Her hot sheath clamped down tight around his shaft. His balls grew impossibly tight and he knew he’d run out of time.

Jake gripped her hips and lifted her an inch or two before dropping her back onto his lap. His cock pulsed hard, loving the way her wet channel surrounded him.

“Jake.” His name was a whisper from her lips, but he heard it as loudly as if she’d roared it, felt the telltale tightening of her slick walls around him, experienced the ripples as she came yet again.

His balls tightened and his orgasm erupted, shooting up his shaft and spilling into the condom. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to his heart. His cock continued to pulse as her sweet pussy wrung every last bit of juice from him.

When he was done, he dropped his head on her shoulder and inhaled her sweet scent mixed with the darker tang of sex. She nuzzled against his neck and sighed, resting against him, trusting him to hold her.

He never wanted to disappoint her again. That she’d given him another chance was nothing less than a miracle. He knew that and wasn’t about to fuck things up again. Sapphire was it for him. She might be younger and more innocent than he’d ever been, but somehow she was perfect. It was as though she’d been made specifically for him.

He’d pushed her even though he’d told himself to back off and give her time to adjust to him slowly. But she’d risen to every occasion, with little or no hesitation.

She squirmed on his lap and moaned. He needed to take care of her. Carefully, he lifted her off his chest. She shivered and he frowned. It was chilly here and the last thing he wanted was for her to get sick.

He had to take better care of her. He hitched up his jeans, ignoring the condom for now. Sapphire’s eyes fluttered open when he lifted her. “Where are we going?”

He started down the short hallway. “I’m putting you in the tub and then to bed.”

Her hand rested over his heart. “Are you staying?”

“Yeah, I’m staying.” He sat her gently in the edge of the vanity in the bathroom. “But no more sex for you tonight.”

She looked at him with a question in her eyes.

He cupped her cheek in his hand, marveling at the softness of her skin. “I want to hold you all night long.”

She sighed. “I’d like that.”

He didn’t just want to hold her, he needed to hold her through the long hours of the night. He needed to know she was safe and that she was his.

She shivered again and he turned away to start the water running into the tub.