Stroke of Sapphire

Chapter Eleven

Sapphire glanced at the large picture window of a travel agency as she walked down the street. The woman reflected back at her looked happy and confident, but there was an underlying sense of unease hovering just beneath the surface.

It had been a week since she and Jake had last made love. Since that time, he’d been attentive and gentle, nothing like the commanding presence she’d come to know and love. It was as though he was forcing himself to be something he wasn’t, something he thought she needed. She didn’t like it.

She knew what it was like to try to be something you weren’t and it wasn’t fun. The consignment shop had been the first thing on her to-do list today. She’d taken all the new clothing she’d bought—all the short skirts, low-cut tops and spiky high heels—and dumped them there for resale. Two of the guys she’d dated during her “new Sapphire” phase had called in the past three days and were gently turned away. She was happy with herself, the way she dressed and the way she lived.

She just wished Jake would be himself too.

Oh, she loved snuggling up next to him watching movies and it was nice to go out to dinner, but when it was time to go to bed, Jake either went home or lay beside her in bed, not touching her. It was enough to drive her crazy. She was horny as hell and he wasn’t doing anything about it. And the one time she’d come on to him, he’d gently put her off.

What was he doing? What was he thinking?

She didn’t know, but tonight she was going to find out one way or another. She shifted the bags in her arms, wishing she’d shopped at a market closer to Jake’s place. Next time she’d know better. She planned to cook dinner at his apartment to surprise him and, once she had him fed and happy, she was going to make him talk to her.

He had no idea what her plans were, but she knew Topaz and John were home. She’d get John to let her into his brother’s apartment. She brushed aside the niggling sense of doubt and guilt that she was invading his space without his permission, but she shrugged it off. If a relationship was going to work between them he had to learn to open up and let her in. Other than the one visit they’d made to his home, they’d spent all their time at her place.

If she were a suspicious woman, she’d wonder why he wanted to keep their lives so separate. But she knew Jake and he was not the kind of man who cheated on a woman. On the other hand, he was the kind of man who was almost fanatical about protecting his privacy.

She turned a corner and sighed with relief when his building came into view. Her purse started to slide down her arm, but she managed to hitch it back up without dropping her grocery bags.

“Let me help you with those.” The voice startled her and she stopped, warily staring at the man who’d appeared in front of her, seemingly from out of nowhere.

“Ivan. What are you doing here?” The last person she’d expected to see was Ivan Gregor. She’d honestly be happy if she’d never laid eyes on him again. Now she’d have to be polite.

“I can take these.” He tugged on one of the bags, but she stubbornly held on.

“No, that’s fine. I can handle them.”

His lips pinched together in a thin line and his eyes narrowed. “I said, I’d take them.”

“And I said no thank you.” Her heart was racing and her palms were sweating. She assured herself there was nothing Ivan could do to her in the middle of a public street, but that didn’t stop her from wishing Jake would come strolling around the corner. The bruises from their last encounter were finally faded and she longed to forget all about Ivan.

She took a step to the right to move around him, but he moved with her, blocking her path. Sapphire swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. Don’t let him see you’re afraid. Bullies thrived on making other people afraid and she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“I feel we didn’t end things on the right note the other night.” Ivan ran his hand absently over his red silk tie. Like the night of their date, he was dressed impeccably in a tailored suit and leather shoes, his hair styled and his nails manicured.

“Apology accepted.” The quicker this was done, the better.

The corners of his mouth turned down. “I have nothing to apologize for.” His face was turning a deep, mottled red. He was barely holding on to his temper. Her tension rose exponentially.

“We’ll have to agree to disagree.” She shifted to the side again, but again he blocked her. Sapphire was beginning to get extremely nervous. The street seemed suddenly empty. Where were all the people? They were virtually alone.

“I don’t think so.” Ivan stepped closer and she took a step back before she could stop herself. He smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant sight. “I think you should come for a drive with me so we can…talk.” As if by some prearranged signal, a dark sedan with tinted windows rolled up beside them.

Okay, now she was beyond worried. Now she was downright scared. The look in his eyes sent shivers down her spine. If he got her into that car it wouldn’t end well for her.

Sapphire tossed the bags of groceries at Ivan and ran. If she could reach Jake’s home, she could buzz for John. She ignored Ivan’s angry yell and raced toward the stoop, her low heels clicking on the concrete sidewalk.

A heavy hand came down on her shoulder and she was whirled around. She had a moment of deja vu, as it reminded her of the night of their date. Ivan grabbed her arm and started dragging her toward the car. Sapphire dug in her heels and started yelling for help.

Ivan swore and yanked her against his chest, slapping his palm over her mouth. Oh God, he was actually kidnapping her.

“Let her go.” The voice was male and deep, but not one she recognized.

“Stay out of this. My wife is ill. She gets like this when she’s off her medication.”

She couldn’t believe Ivan’s audacity. She shook her head and stared at the stranger, pleading for help. She lifted her legs, letting Ivan take her full weight at once. His grip loosened and she landed on the sidewalk on her butt. Wasting no time, she scuttled away before Ivan could grab her again.

But Ivan wasn’t about to be deterred and lunged for her, only to come up short when the stranger stepped in front of her. Ivan glared at the man. “Get out of my way. You have no idea who you’re fucking with.”

Sapphire inched away, chest heaving, limbs quivering. She had to get to Jake’s place to get help. She eyed the stranger more carefully. He was around six feet tall, broad with short black hair. But it was the way he carried himself that made her take a second look. It was familiar somehow.

It was like Jake, and John for that matter. This man had to be military or former military.

“No, I don’t think you have any idea who you’re fucking with, Gregor.”

Ivan stopped and stared more warily at the man. “Who the hell are you?”

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” Sapphire sucked in a breath. She really didn’t think the guy was kidding, nor was he finished. “You’ve got much bigger problems on your hands without bothering the lady here.”

“You don’t tell me what to do.” Ivan was furious, but he was also scared. She could see it in his eyes.

The man shrugged. “Just giving some friendly advice. You can take it or not. Up to you.” It was obvious the man didn’t care one way or the other.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sapphire caught a flash of something. She turned and almost started to cry at the sight of Jake bearing down on them, his long legs eating up the sidewalk. He glanced at her and she realized she was still sitting on the sidewalk. She pushed herself up, her legs trembling. “Hi.”

He ignored her greeting and went straight to Ivan. “You stay away from her.”

The front doors of Ivan’s car opened and two men in dark suits climbed out, both taking up position on either side of him. Ivan squared his shoulders, more at ease with his bodyguards beside him. It reminded Sapphire of a bad movie, and these guys were obviously the muscle.

“I don’t take orders from some bodyguard.” Ivan laughed. “I did some research on you and you’re nothing but a former army bum.”

“Think what you want, but stay away from Sapphire.”

The stranger shifted slightly to the side, moving closer to one of Ivan’s men. There was an air of alertness around Jake and this man that made them dangerous. Sapphire shivered. Jake didn’t even glance in her direction, but somehow he saw it. “Go on up to the house, Sapphire. I’ll be along in a minute.”

One of the bags of groceries was strewn all over the sidewalk. The other was still intact. She grabbed that one and walked as fast as she could to Jake’s place. She pushed on the security buzzer for his brother’s apartment and felt a huge weight lift when John answered. “Yeah.”

“John, it’s Sapphire. You need to come down. There’s trouble.”

No reply, but seconds later, feet pounded down the inside staircase. The door opened and John stepped out, gun in hand. “Get inside.” He ushered her into the foyer and shoved the door shut.

Sapphire set down her purse and bag of groceries and leaned against the door, watching out the window as John approached the group of men. He kept the gun down by his side, mostly hidden from view.

“What’s going on?” Topaz’s heels clicked on the stairs as she hurried toward Sapphire.

She shook her head. If she started talking she’d probably burst into tears. Plus, she didn’t want to take her gaze off the men. She released a deep breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding when Ivan climbed into his car with his goons and left.

Jake spoke to the stranger who’d stopped to help her. Sapphire’s gaze narrowed when the two men did some kind of complicated male handshake. Then John slapped the stranger on the shoulder and said something to him. It was clear that they weren’t strangers. Jake knew the man who’d helped her. A neighbor, maybe?

The stranger left before she could get the door open to thank him. One second he was there, the next he was lost in the growing evening shadows. Jake gathered the spilled groceries, dumping them back into the bag, and then he and John strode back to the building. She wanted to throw herself in his arms, but wanted to be strong. After all, she wasn’t hurt, only scared.

Topaz stood behind her, tapping her toe against the tile entryway floor. “Will someone tell me what is going on?” she demanded as soon as John walked in the door.

“That’s what I want to know.” Jake’s jaw was clenched and she could tell he was angry. “What are you doing here?”

She leaned against the wall, needing the support. “I wanted to surprise you with dinner.” She motioned to the bags with the slightly squished groceries. “Surprise.”

He lowered his head and released a long breath. “It was a surprise, for sure.” Jake raised his head and reached for her with his free arm, tugging her against his chest. He squeezed her so tight she could barely breathe, but she felt safe.

The adrenaline that flooded her system during the confrontation now left her feeling weak and slightly sick to her stomach.

“You okay?” The concern in his voice almost made her burst into tears, but she blinked them back.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Well, I’m not. Who was that guy and what was going on?” Topaz was using her big sister voice, the one that usually got quick results.

Sapphire sighed. “Can we talk upstairs? I need to sit down.”

Jake shoved the grocery bag at his brother. John barely caught it before Jake let it go. “Bring the groceries,” he ordered. Then Jake scooped her into his arms and started up the stairs.

“I can walk,” she told him. It was stupid to have him carry her up the stairs, even though it felt really nice to be cared for.

“No, you can’t. I need to hold you.” Jake buried his face in her hair and inhaled. His muscles were like iron as they surrounded her.

“Who was the guy who saved me? I need to thank him.”

“No one you need to know.” Jake’s curt reply made her frown.

“You know him. That much is obvious.” She glanced over her shoulder at John and could see the surprise on his face. “Who is he, John?”

Her future brother-in-law shook his head. “Not my place to say.”

Sapphire glanced at her sister and Topaz gave her a slight nod. She’d get the name and information out of John if Jake wouldn’t tell them. Sapphire knew she could count on her sister to get answers.

Jake set her on her feet and unlocked his apartment door, shoving it open. “Everyone inside. We might as well get this over with.”

Sapphire went straight for Jake’s favorite chair, slipped off her low-heeled boots and curled up in it, sighing with relief as she rested her head on the cushioned back. Topaz settled herself on the sofa with John beside her. Jake started to pace.

“Okay, who was that guy?” Topaz demanded.

Sapphire took a deep, calming breath, knowing she owed her sister an explanation. “His name is Ivan Gregor and I went out on one date with him. It didn’t end well.”

Jake snorted and Topaz turned her attention to him. “What your sister means is the guy figured he was entitled to sex because he bought her dinner.”

“Is that true?” Topaz demanded.

Sapphire rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. “Yeah, it is. He was a friend of a friend, but it didn’t take me long to realize he was a narcissistic idiot. When he walked me back to my place, he got demanding, but Jake came along and Ivan left.”

“Jake just happened along.” It was obvious her sister wasn’t buying it.

“No, I was watching out for her.” Jake’s blunt confession settled over them and Sapphire watched her sister, wondering what she would say. Topaz seemed momentarily speechless, but quickly recovered.

“What do you mean you were watching out for her?”

Sapphire decided it was time for her to intervene. “That’s between me and Jake.” He gave her a grateful look and came over to stand beside her. After a moment’s hesitation, he lifted her out of the chair and then sat with her on his lap. Once she was settled, she continued. “I honestly thought that was the last I’d see of Ivan.”

“I didn’t.” Anger tinged Jake’s voice. “I saw the look on the bastard’s face. He felt she owed him and I knew he’d try to collect.”

“We need to call the cops and lodge a complaint.” Topaz reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone.

“No.” Jake shook his head adamantly. “I’ll handle Gregor.”

Topaz hesitated. “I think we need to contact the authorities.”

John placed his hand over his fiancée’s. “Let Jake handle it.” He turned to his brother. “You are handling it, I assume.”

“Oh yeah. I planned to live and let live if he left Sapphire alone, but I’ve got enough information to fry his ass, if not with the authorities, then in the media.”

John smiled. “The personal project you were working on last week?”

Jake gave a curt nod.

“What do you mean you’ve got enough information to fry his butt?” Sapphire was totally confused.

Jake ran his hand up and down her arm and she was glad for the heat. She was chilled right to the bone from her experience. “I told you that Ivan Gregor wasn’t a good man, babe. His business dealings are suspect.”

“How did you dig up information?” Topaz demanded.

“You don’t need to know.” Jake’s blunt reply fell like a ton of bricks, leaving no doubt that was all he’d say on the matter.

“You going to take care of it or do you want me to?” John asked his brother.

Jake shook his head. “I’ll handle it this evening. By day after tomorrow, Gregor will have enough trouble trying to keep his ass out of jail to even think about bothering Sapphire.”

“You guys are scary, you know that?” Topaz stood and walked toward Sapphire, bent down and kissed her forehead. “But I’m glad you’re on our side.” She glared at Jake. “You take care of my little sister.”

“I plan to.” Jake didn’t flinch when Topaz kissed his cheek, but Sapphire noticed the flush creeping up his neck.

“Come on, woman. We need to leave these folks alone.” John hooked an arm around Topaz and led her to the door.

“Call me tomorrow morning and we’ll go out for breakfast.” Topaz waited until she’d nodded her agreement. It was only then she let John lead her out the door, shutting it behind them.

Jake stared down at her. “Are you really okay?” His hands were gentle as he touched her cheek.

“I’m fine, thanks to the stranger, whoever he was.” She nibbled on her bottom lip and felt something hard press against her hip. Jake was aroused. As tempting as it was to try to seduce him, she needed answers first. “You know that guy, don’t you?”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

She shook her head. This was too important to her and to them. If Jake couldn’t be honest with her then she didn’t know what that meant for their relationship. She needed him to be truthful to her.

“He’s a buddy of mine. I called him after the confrontation with Gregor. He’s been watching him ever since, which is why he was close by when Gregor tried to take you. He called me as soon as he saw you and, luckily, I was on my way home.”

“You had him following Ivan?” She couldn’t quite wrap her head around that one. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“Sapphire.” Jake threaded his fingers through her hair. “Don’t you know I’ll do anything to protect you? Nothing is more important to me than your safety.”

Her heart skipped a beat and her insides practically melted. For a man like Jake that was practically a declaration of love. “Promise me you’ll tell me from now on if you’re going to do something like that.”

Jake pressed his lips together in a firm line. Oh, he didn’t like that idea one bit. “You have to be honest with me about stuff like this, Jake.” They couldn’t have such big secrets between them or they would eventually drive them apart. As it was, she felt as though she hadn’t yet penetrated the wall he’d built around him. She knew he wasn’t consciously keeping her out. It was an ingrained habit to keep everyone at arm’s length, but she wasn’t just anyone. She was the woman who loved him.

Jake studied Sapphire and knew they were at yet another crossroads in their bumpy relationship. He was just glad she didn’t seem overly angry with him and seemed to understand his motives. He tried to make her see his point of view. “You’d have only worried if you’d known.” His first and only priority was protecting Sapphire.

“Yes, I would have worried, but I wouldn’t have been so scared to death when Ivan confronted me either. Not if I’d known there was someone watching.”

He conceded her point. “I’ll deal with Gregor and hopefully we’ll never have to handle a situation like this again.”

Sapphire sighed. “That’s not a promise.”

“It’s the best I can do, babe.” He tilted her chin up and brushed a kiss over her lips. “Your safety always comes first.”

She lowered her head and panic gripped him. He’d tried to show her this past week that he could be gentle, that he could court her the way she deserved. Now he was wondering if he’d gone about things all wrong. Maybe he should have spent that time solidifying their physical relationship.

No, he had a plan and he had to stick to it. This was too important to fuck up. He wanted to kill Gregor for frightening and threatening Sapphire. But since he couldn’t actually kill the bastard—Gregor’s sudden disappearance would raise too many questions and Sapphire would always wonder what he’d done—he’d make sure Gregor was no longer a problem. He was good at dealing with problems.

Although there was one problem that was persistent and nothing he did changed that fact. His cock had been rock-hard this past week, no matter how many times he’d jacked off. Not having sex with Sapphire was keeping the appendage primed and ready.

He tried to think of something else, anything else. His gaze fell on the grocery bags dumped just inside the front door. “You were going to make dinner for me?” He loved the idea that she’d wanted to surprise him. What was even more shocking was that he didn’t mind that she’d planned to invade his space without asking. With any other woman he’d have been pissed off. Of course, none of the other women he’d dated ever even knew where he lived. Sapphire was different. He liked having her here. Her presence made his apartment feel more like a real home.

It struck him like a bolt of lightning that was the reason he liked being at her place. It felt like home.

Her hand kneaded his shoulder through his shirt. “Hmmm, I’d planned to cook dinner, but now I have another idea, a better idea.”

His heart thumped heavily against his chest when her hands moved down his torso. “What do you have in mind?” His voice was hoarse and rough with arousal.

Her hand slid between their bodies, down his chest toward the front of his jeans. He sucked in a breath when her fingers skimmed over his cock. His well-thought-out plan of taking his time got chucked out the window. The hell with courting her, he wanted to fuck her. He could adapt his plan. He could do both. Yeah, that sounded good to him. Fuck her, then court her.

He could still see Gregor’s hands on her, taste the metallic tang of fear in his mouth at the thought of the bastard hurting Sapphire. Jake needed to know she was safe, that she was his. Needed to reassert his claim.

He took her mouth, savoring the sweet taste of her surrender as she opened under his sensual assault. Her soft moan fired his libido, which was already set to explode any second. Their tongues tangled and twined. Their breathing deepened. He kept his hands on her waist while hers roamed up and down his torso, always coming back to his aching dick. His jeans were so tight he feared by the time he undid them he’d have permanent zipper marks on his shaft.

“Take me to bed.” Her soft plea shattered any control he had left. He stood with her still in his arms and carried her down the hallway to his room.