Stroke of Sapphire

Chapter Twelve

Jake couldn’t get the image of Gregor threatening Sapphire out of his mind. The son of a bitch had tried to get her in his car. What he would have done with her when he got her there didn’t bear thinking about. Yet he couldn’t stop his mind from playing out various scenarios.

Gregor didn’t know how lucky he was. The only reason he was still alive was because Sapphire was safe with him. If he’d succeeded in taking her, Jake would have killed the fucker and dealt with the fallout. Sapphire was his.

Her head rested on his shoulder as he carried her, her arms linked around his neck. His throat tightened at the trust she showed him and had given him from the first time they’d been together. He cherished it and knew how special it was.

The bedroom was wreathed in early-evening shadows, but it wasn’t quite dark yet. There was plenty of light to see by and Jake needed to see every inch of Sapphire’s lush body. He set her feet down on the floor next to his king-size bed and her arms clung to him briefly before she reluctantly let him go.

She reached for the hem of her blouse, but he stopped her. “Let me.” He wanted to unwrap her like a present, slowly exposing every inch of her sweet body to his view. She belonged to him and he planned to take very good care of her.

“Okay.” She dropped her hands back by her sides and waited. Her breathing was shallow and she nibbled on her lower lip, her sharp white teeth worrying it.

He wanted her so badly his hands were trembling when he reached for her. His large fingers seemed incredibly clumsy as he slid one button out of its hole and then another and another until her blouse was open. She was wearing a rosy-colored bra that cupped and lifted her breasts in an enticing manner. He covered the lacy mounds with his hands, testing their weight. Her nipples were erect and stabbed at his palms.

“Jake.”

That was all it took, his name barely a whisper, a plea. He leaned down, opened his mouth and took one fabric-covered tip inside. He laved his tongue over it and soaked in the erotic moan that fell from her parted lips.

Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, and he found he loved the possessiveness in her grip. He growled and shifted his attention to her other breast but this time he pulled down the fabric of her bra and exposed the naked bud before lapping at it with his tongue.

She groaned, her nails digging into his scalp, demanding he pleasure her. He’d do more than that by the time the night was done. He wanted her screaming his name over and over as she came, begging him to fuck her until they were both exhausted and spent. His cock jerked in agreement.

He shoved her blouse down her arms and she removed her hands from him long enough for him to rid her of the garment. Her bra was next, leaving her naked from the waist up.

Jake leaned back, enjoying the erotic picture she made. “Take down your hair.” She wore it up or clipped back most of the time, but he loved the way her hair fell almost to her waist in wide curls that begged a man to run his fingers through them.

She reached up, making her breasts sway enticingly as she removed the clip. Her hair fell around her shoulders, one strand falling over a lush breast. He shifted the curly lock to one side, brushing against her nipple as he did. Sapphire sucked in a breath, her eyes wide and luminous as she watched him.

“Now your jeans.” He undid the button and zipper and shoved the stiff fabric down her thighs. She braced herself on his shoulders and stepped out of them. He quickly yanked off her panties and socks as well, leaving her totally naked.

He knelt at her feet and stared up at her. She was a goddess, unmatched by any other woman. Her skin was pale in the twilight, her dark-brown eyes liquid with arousal, her full lips slightly parted.

Jake ran his hands up her legs and over her curvy hips. Her waist dipped inward and then he moved his hands outward, cupping her breasts once again. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other and leaned into his touch.

He had to have her hands on him and he had to have it now. He surged to his feet and ripped his shirt over his head. His boots, socks, underwear and jeans quickly joined his shirt on the floor. Naked, cock hard and ready, he let her look her fill, stopping her when she reached for him.

He shook his head. “Not yet.” He patted his bed and waited while she climbed onto the mattress, then he stretched out on it beside her and stacked his hands behind his head, linking his fingers together to keep from reaching for her. “Touch me,” he commanded.

Sapphire licked her lips, hardly knowing where to begin. This was the first time in their short relationship that Jake had allowed her free reign to touch him as she wanted. Usually he told her what he wanted and how he wanted it. Of course, even this was a demand, but one she certainly didn’t mind fulfilling.

Feeling brave, she swung her right leg over his thighs and settled on top of them. His eyes were as blue as ice, but nowhere near as cold. They were more frozen fire. His lips were tight together and a muscle twitched beneath one eye.

There was no sense of being self-conscious, not with Jake. Sitting on top of him, totally naked, seemed natural. “Sapphire.” His tone was gravelly and she sensed his patience was wearing thin.

She closed her hand around his thick cock, curling her fingers over his shaft. It pulsed, alive and hungry. Her hand glided up to the top of his erection and she ran her palm over the moist tip, letting it dampen her skin. The muscles in his thighs turned to steel beneath her.

Sapphire released his cock and leaned forward, resting her palms on his chest. Her hair fell over her shoulder, caressing his skin as she moved downward, touching and kissing the hard planes of his body, teasing flat brown nipples. His penis brushed against her stomach, demanding attention, but she didn’t want to hurry, not yet. She was enjoying the way her nipples rubbed over his torso, sending shards of pleasure through her all the way to her pussy. She shifted slightly, rubbing her sex over the hard muscles of one of his thighs, wetting his skin with her arousal.

“Sapphire.” This time her name was a warning.

She sat back, smiled and took his cock in her hand once again. He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath and she began to pump. His shaft was so firm and alive, almost hot. Using her free hand, she cupped his balls, gently rolling them with her fingers. He groaned and his eyes shot open, ablaze with lust. She smiled at him and once again rolled the sensitive sac between her fingers.

Muscles coiling beneath her were the only warning she got. Once second she was on top of him, the next she was on her stomach with him kneeling between her legs. “Up on your hands and knees, babe.” His hand rested against her stomach as he helped her assume the position he wanted. His throbbing cock pressed against the crack of her ass and her pussy clenched hard, wanting it inside her.

Jake caressed the length of her spine before cupping the cheeks of her butt. “I love your ass.” Hot breath brushed over her skin just before his lips caressed the firm mound. She shrieked a moment later when his teeth nipped at her. He rubbed the sting away with his tongue and did it again. Heat flooded her core and she moaned.

He laughed, a deep masculine sound filled with pleasure. She wanted to see his face and raised herself enough to glance over her shoulder. He looked like some pagan god getting ready to claim his sacrifice—darkly tanned skin, blond hair, handsome and more than a little dangerous.

Long, clever fingers delved into her pussy, pushing into her molten sheath. Her head fell between her shoulders and she panted heavily. “That’s what I want,” he crooned. “So hot and wet.” His fingers tunneled in and out, curling slightly when they withdrew. “Come for me.” He hit her sweet spot and she cried out, her entire body clenching around his fingers. “Fuck yes,” he groaned.

Her orgasm swept over her and heat flashed through her body. Her vaginal muscles rippled and she cried out as pleasure filled her. But Jake wasn’t done. Before her body had a chance to recover, he fitted the thick head of his cock to her opening and pushed, stretching her slick channel as he forged his way inside. Jake gripped her hips and used short, hard thrusts to get past her initial resistance until he was buried as deep as he could go. He ground his pelvis against her ass, his balls hitting her pussy with each stroke.

Her fingers curled into the comforter and a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. “Yes,” she cried and came again, her slick channel gripping his cock hard. He held her while her body spasmed, but when she recovered enough to have her wits about her, she realized he was still hard.

Jake settled back on his knees and lifted her off the bed until she was completely upright in his lap, her back to his chest. The position drove him even deeper, made him feel even bigger. The muscles of her pussy rippled and stretched to accommodate him. His hands cupped her breasts.

Her head fell back against his shoulder in complete surrender. He gave a low growl and nipped her shoulder hard enough that she knew he’d leave a mark. She shuddered and his arms gripped her tighter.

While his cock pulsed inside her, he toyed with her nipples, tugging and rubbing them until she thought she’d go mad. She hooked her arms around his neck, giving him total access to her body. He didn’t say anything, but she knew she pleased him when his cock jerked and his fingers tightened around her breasts.

One of his hands slid down her torso and delved between her thighs. He found her clit and brushed it with his thumb. She arched into his touch, loving the way he made her feel.

“Tell me what you want,” he ordered.

Sapphire knew him well enough now to know what he wanted, no, what he needed to hear. “Fuck me, Jake. Take me.”

His hands closed around her waist and he started to thrust, short, hard stabs that had every nerve ending in her pussy alive and wanting. He shifted his grip to her breasts and leaned forward slightly, leaving her feeling as though she was falling. She started to put her hands on the bed for support, but he stopped her.

“No, keep your arms locked around my neck. I won’t let you go.”

Trust. It all came down to trust. Sapphire kept her arms locked around his neck and held on as he powered in and out of her molten core. She’d already come several times but knew that wouldn’t stop her from coming again.

Jake’s entire body tensed and then she felt the hot flood of his seed filling her. He leaned back into a seated position and fingered her clit, teasing it until the combination of that and his pulsing cock sent her plummeting over the edge.

She cried out his name, embracing her orgasm, shaking with desire as he continued to grind his pelvis against her, wringing every drop of pleasure out of the sexual act.

They were both panting hard and their skin was practically sticking together in spots, but he didn’t let her go. Jake turned and fell onto the mattress, staying buried inside her. She didn’t mind. With his arms locked around her and his cock still throbbing within her, she was surrounded by Jake, by his caring. And he did care about her. Of that she had no doubt. Whether or not he could ever admit to loving her was another thing altogether.

“You okay, babe?” He brushed a kiss over her ear and she shivered.

“I’m very okay.”

A low laugh vibrated in his chest. “You’re more than okay. You’re spectacular.”

She smiled into the growing darkness. Jake was always complimenting her, so much so that she no longer harbored any doubts about herself as a woman. His cock hardened within her again and Jake began to thrust, gently this time.

“I didn’t use a condom.” He kept thrusting. “This is the second time that’s happened.”

She’d noticed he’d felt hotter and her orgasm was more intense, much like that morning a week ago. “That’s okay. I’m on the Pill and I’ve never had sex without a condom before so I’m disease free.” That was one thing she didn’t need to worry about.

He froze behind her. “You’re on birth control?”

“Hmmm.” She snuggled closer to him, needing his warmth as the perspiration on her skin began to dry, leaving her slightly chilled. “I saw my doctor before I tried to seduce you.”

She could feel his lips curving against her shoulder. “Lady, you’re full of surprises.”

Sapphire felt mysterious and sexy and powerful. “I am indeed.”

“Then I guess we don’t need to worry about this.” He started moving his hips and lifted one of her legs over his thigh for better access.

“Already?” She couldn’t believe he was recovered enough to go again.

“Oh, babe. I’m just getting started.”

Time lost all meaning as the night closed in around them. Jake couldn’t get enough of Sapphire, needing to claim her again and again to know she was safe and she was his. She didn’t protest. Indeed she gave herself completely over to him. It was such a turn-on that it kept his dick hard for hours.

He had her ride him until she came, then he put her on her back, hooked her legs over her shoulders and fucked her until they both came. Then he piled several pillows under her head, cupped her breasts together, fucked her that way until he came in her lush, talented mouth.

And he couldn’t count the number of times he went down on her. He loved the taste of her, even better, he loved the taste of him on her. Like a primitive animal, he wanted to mark her entire body with his seed.

Only when she finally slept with total exhaustion did he rise from the bed, pulling the covers back so he could see her in the dim light that came in through the window. He checked the clock. It was just after three in the morning and they’d been fucking for hours. He rubbed a hand over his chest, knowing they both needed a shower. But that would wait until morning.

She was turned away from him, one leg pulled up, exposing her pretty pink pussy to him. He licked his lips and fought the urge to go down on her again. She was going to be sore. Hell, he was going to be sore.

He grinned, pulled the covers over her and leaned down to place a kiss on her temple. She emitted a small snuffling sound and snuggled deeper into the covers. Jake turned away from the tempting picture she made. The quicker he took care of business, the quicker he could crawl back in bed with Sapphire.

Naked, he padded out to the kitchen for a drink of water. On his way, he noticed the bags of groceries still sitting on the floor. He detoured long enough to grab them and carry them to the kitchen. His stomach growled, a reminder that neither of them had had dinner.

He put away the fresh vegetables she’d purchased and wondered if the chicken was bad after being left out for hours. Shrugging, he tossed it into the bottom of the refrigerator. Sapphire could decide in the morning and they could keep it or toss it out.

Jake pulled out some mustard, tomatoes and sliced roast beef he’d picked up at the deli and quickly made himself a sandwich. Grabbing a beer to go with it, he carried his snack into his office. While he waited for his computer to boot up, he ate half his sandwich.

He swore under his breath and then padded back to the bedroom, digging his throwaway phone out of his pants pocket. Sapphire was still fast asleep. He left her, went back to his office and settled in.

It was late, but he knew his buddy wouldn’t mind. He dialed the familiar number, and it was answered on the first ring. “I’m trying to sleep.”

“Trying being the operative word.” Jake knew what it was like to have nights like that, nights when the memories of the past wouldn’t let him go.

His buddy chuckled. “You got that right. The lady okay?”

“Yeah. Thanks again, man. She was pissed she didn’t get the chance to thank you herself.”

“No problem. I live to serve.” There was some slight rustling on the other end. “What do you need?”

Jake took a swig of beer, swallowing the cold brew. “I’ve got several envelopes I need delivered.”

“I’ve got a courier service I use. Very discreet.”

“Good enough.”

“I’ll pick them up in about forty minutes.”

“Thanks.” Jake let out a breath and felt the tension leave his shoulders.

“She’s important to you, isn’t she?” his buddy asked.

“Yeah.” Jake raked his fingers through his hair. “She’s the one. She’s…” He tried to think how best to put it into words. “She’s everything.”

“I’m glad for you. You deserve everything.”

He rubbed his hand over his face. “You do too.”

“Some of us aren’t meant to have a normal life so you need to do it for us. See you soon.” The line went dead and Jake tossed the phone on the desk. He ached for his buddy, knowing he was having a hard time dealing with everything they’d done over the course of their career. Even those of them who made it home without physical injuries had psychological ones. And sometimes those were the worst.

A slight sound alerted him that he was no longer alone. Sapphire appeared in the doorway wearing his shirt, which practically swallowed her whole, and a frown. “Why are you up?”

He set his beer down and opened his arms. “Come here.”

She came, her eyes widening when she got a good look at him. “You’re naked.”

He grinned. “I sure am.” And there was no hiding the fact that his dick was wide awake and ready to go again. His small head had no sense of discretion at all when it came to Sapphire.

She settled on his lap and reached for his beer, taking a sip. “That’s good. Nice and cold.” Her eyes fell on his sandwich. “Is that roast beef?” Her stomach rumbled and he laughed.

“Go ahead. You can have that half.” Taking him at his word, she grabbed it and began to eat.

Between bites she pointed to his computer. “What are you doing? And who were you talking to?”

Jake knew he could easily lie to Sapphire and say it was work and she would believe him. But that didn’t sit right with him. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d ever known and, deep in his gut, he knew if he lied to her he’d damage something very special, possibly even lose her.

On the other hand, she might not like what he was doing. Better to find out now if she could live with the kind of man he was than to have her discover it later and leave him.

She was watching him as she ate with those expressive brown eyes that saw so much. Would she understand his sense of justice or would she be disappointed in him for bending the law to his favor?

Sapphire put what was left of the sandwich back on the plate. “What is it? What’s wrong, Jake?”

“I told you earlier I’d deal with Gregor.” She watched him intently but only nodded. “This is me dealing with him.”

She frowned. “I don’t understand.”

Jake stood and set her on her feet. He went to his safe, unlocked it and removed the envelopes he’d brought home from work days ago. “These are documents that prove Ivan Gregor is bribing officials and that many of his deals are suspect.”

“Where did you get this?”

This was the hard part. He had no idea how she would react. “I hacked into his accounts and records and those of the people he deals with.”

“You what?”

Jake shrugged, totally unapologetic, and tossed the envelopes on his desk. “If Gregor had left you alone I would have left him alone. Since I can’t kill him, I can make him too busy to bother about you. If the authorities do what they should with this info, Gregor should go to jail. At the least, he’ll have a lengthy trial.”

Sapphire sat down heavily in his chair. “You found all that out about him?” She picked at the hem of his shirt.

He crouched down in front of her, grabbing her hands, holding them until she met his gaze. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to protect you. Uncle Sam taught me many things, and developed my two natural talents—I’m hell on wheels with a rifle and I can pretty much hack any system out there. It’s what makes me so good at designing security systems.”

Sapphire’s fingers curled against his, giving him hope that all was not lost. “The police and others are hampered by laws. I’m not. I can send these in anonymously and that will give the authorities enough to act on.”

She nibbled on her lower lip and his cock immediately went to attention. He forced himself to ignore it. “But if what you say is true, what if Ivan bribes officials to make this go away?”

Jake smiled. “That’s the beauty of this. I’m sending it to the media too. There are several investigative reporters who would love to sink their teeth into a story this juicy. If the authorities don’t act, the media will, and then the authorities will have no choice.”

“What if you get caught?” She grabbed his shoulders, her nails digging into his bare skin. “You could go to jail.”

He caught her hands and brought them to his lips, kissing her clenched fingers. “No, babe. They can try to track me, but it’s not going to happen.”

“You’re that good?”

He wished he could tell what was going on in that nimble brain of hers. “I’m that good.”

“Okay, but promise me you’ll never do anything like this again. Not on my account. I couldn’t stand it if you got in trouble because of me.”

His heart swelled and he stood, sweeping her out of his chair and into his arms. “You understand why I had to do this?”

She shook her head and his heart sank. “I wish you’d let me call the cops and lodge a complaint. But I know that doesn’t always work, not with a determined stalker. I saw what my sister went through when she had one.”

Jake was sorry for what had happened to her family, but was secretly grateful for Emerald Jewel’s stalker. Without him, he’d never have met Sapphire. Since everything worked out okay in the end, he didn’t need to feel too guilty for thinking that way.

“I understand why you think you had to do this,” she continued. “But let’s stay on this side of the law from now on.”

“Promise.” Then he added a disclaimer. “Unless you’re threatened again. Then all bets are off.”

She cupped his face and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “I guess that will have to do.”

“You call that a kiss?” he grumbled. He showed her what a real kiss was, lifting her in his arms as their tongues dueled for supremacy. He started to carry her into the bedroom when the buzzer to his door sounded.

Sapphire broke their kiss, looking slightly bewildered. “Who in the name of heaven would that be this time of night?”

Jake gave her a grin. “That would be the guy who’s going to take the packages to the delivery company for me.”

She was instantly concerned. “Can he be trusted?” She grabbed his face. “Maybe we should mail them ourselves.”

Jake laughed when the buzzer sounded again. “He can be trusted.” He lifted her to one side, grabbed the envelopes from the desk and started toward the front door.

“Jake Knight, you’re stark naked. Go put some clothes on.”

He pressed down on the buzzer.

“It’s me.”

“Come on up,” he told his buddy.

Sapphire stood in his living room, tapping her bare toe against the floor. She looked totally tousled, her lips moist and red from his kiss. “Maybe you should wait in the bedroom.”

“If you can answer the door naked, I can be here.”

Swearing, he tossed the envelopes onto the table beside the door and raced down the hallway. He grabbed his jeans and had one leg shoved into them when a knock came on the door. “Don’t open it,” he yelled, even knowing he was too late to stop her.

He heard her voice greet his buddy. Jake finished pulling on his jeans, grabbed a T-shirt from the closet and practically ran to the living room. Dolan, the bastard, was standing there with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Thank you so much for your help earlier this evening.” Sapphire had hold of his friend’s hand, shaking it.

Dolan looked slightly bemused. “No problem, ma’am.” He glanced toward Jake. “You got something for me?”

Jake grabbed the packets and used the T-shirt to wipe them clean of his prints before handing them over. “Make sure you’re not seen and that the envelopes are clean.” There could be no telltale fingerprints to lead back to either of them.

Dolan raised one eyebrow. “Not a problem.” And it wouldn’t be. Not for a man with Dolan’s skills.

Jake nodded. “We’ll grab a coffee sometime soon and exchange new numbers.” He knew his buddy understood to meet him tomorrow. They’d both have new phones and would destroy the ones they were currently using. No one would ever be able to trace their calls or conversations about Ivan Gregor.

His buddy stilled and slowly nodded. “Okay.” Then he was gone.

“A man of few words, isn’t he? He wouldn’t even tell me his name.” Sapphire stared at the closed door.

“He keeps to himself.”

Sapphire chuckled. “He makes you seem like you’re an outgoing personality.”

Jake didn’t want to talk about Dolan or about Gregor any longer. As far as he was concerned the matter was done. Settled. He had more important things to deal with.

He scooped Sapphire into his arms. “I think we could use a shower.”

Everything inside him settled when she wrapped her arms around him and nodded. “I think you’re right.”