N. Walters - Stroke of Sapphire

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.”

Sapphire stared at herself in the bathroom mirror. She looked the same with her curly hair tumbling around her shoulders, her dark-brown eyes and full lips. But she felt different.

Jake had broken the law in order to protect her. It was a heady feeling to know a man as honorable as he had done such a thing for her. She’d been halfway shocked and equally thrilled.

It was frightening to think of Ivan Gregor breaking the law to get his way in his business deals. She shivered as she remembered his face from yesterday. He truly expected to take her in his car, do whatever he wanted and suffer no consequences. She wondered if he’d ever done such a thing before and, deep in her gut, knew he had. The move was too practiced and he was too cocky. No, he and his flunkies had pulled that maneuver before.

She wondered if the woman involved had reported it to the police or if she’d been too ashamed, certain no one would believe her. That happened a lot in rape cases, especially if the man was powerful and good-looking. People didn’t want to believe such men could be monsters. Plus, if what Jake told her was true, Ivan probably had friends in high places who would help such charges go away.

It was scary to contemplate what had almost happened, what would have happened if not for Jake and his vigilance.

He’d had someone following Ivan for days, keeping tabs on him constantly, and all without telling her. That was Jake, a protector to his core. In his mind, he hadn’t broken the law at all, but had only helped where the law was hindered by rules and regulations. To his way of thinking, what he’d done was right. And she couldn’t disagree with him.

She shoved all thoughts of Ivan out of her head, grabbed her brush and dragged it over her hair. It was past time for her to meet her sister at Althea’s Bakery. She’d had to hurry home and grab some clean clothing, not wanting to wear the same thing she had last night.

The three-quarter-length denim skirt and long-sleeved burnt-orange sweater looked great together. She dropped her brush on the vanity and hurried to her bedroom. She slid her feet into a pair of brown leather flats, grabbed her purse and headed out. She was already late.

After she and Jake had showered, with him meticulously washing every inch of her body, they’d fallen into bed where he’d made love to her slow and easy. When she woke again, the sun was up and she was running behind schedule.

Jake had insisted on taking her home, but she’d drawn the line at him waiting for her. She didn’t think Ivan would try anything again so soon. Jake had given in, but not before letting her know he wasn’t happy about the situation.

A shiver of desire raced through her body as she let herself out of her apartment and headed to the elevator, making her nipples tingle and her pussy throb. She had to be careful with Jake. It would be so easy for him to take over her entire life. He wouldn’t mean to, but it could easily happen with his dominant, take-charge personality.

Luckily, she was no pushover and didn’t mind standing up to him. The funny thing was Jake respected her independence and was hugely supportive of her career. He was a man of many levels and moods.

The elevator door opened and she stepped inside, glad she was alone. She pressed the button for the lobby and the door swished closed. Her thoughts tumbled over themselves as the elevator began its descent.

She had to make a decision. And soon.

Every moment they spent together, she was falling more and more in love with him. It was impossible not to. Jake was loyal and lived by a code of ethics. It might be slightly different from that of normal society, but he was definitely one of the good guys. He was strong and determined, but used those skills to protect and defend. He’d already shown what lengths he’d go to in order to protect her.

She’d never have to worry about Jake cheating on her. He wasn’t made that way. If their relationship ever faltered, he’d tell her straight out things weren’t working between them. Not that she could ever imagine such a time.

They were like dynamite and a match when they came together—totally explosive.

She bit her bottom lip and stifled a moan. The elevator door opened and she stepped out, hurrying to the front door. Sapphire hesitated, checking both ways before beginning her trek to the bakery. She glanced at her watch and swore under her breath. Topaz would be waiting for her. Sapphire hated being late.

She picked up her pace, keeping her eyes open even as her thoughts drifted back to Jake and the incredible night they’d spent together.

Jake watched Sapphire hurrying down the sidewalk and smiled. He loved the long skirt and colorful sweater she wore. He liked the fact the skirt hid most of her legs. She had sexy legs, long and toned. No one would ever accuse him of being a modern male in many ways. That was okay with him, and Sapphire didn’t seem to mind.

If she wanted to dress sexy, he’d suck it up and live with it, but he was glad her normal style went more toward long, flowing dresses and skirts or slacks and jeans. No short dresses or mini-skirts for her. Well, not anymore. She seemed to have abandoned her short-lived foray into those styles.

He knew she’d be pissed if she caught him following her, but he couldn’t help himself. Until the shit hit the fan with Ivan Gregor and Jake was convinced he was no longer a threat, he’d be keeping his eye on her. She was much too precious.

He broke out into a cold sweat remembering how close he’d come to possibly losing her last night. Gregor would have certainly raped her. After that, who knew? Jake didn’t trust Gregor not to get rid of her. There was nothing in the guy’s past to suggest he was a murderer, but Jake wasn’t taking any chances.

Sapphire was his entire world.

Deep in his gut, Jake knew there would never be another woman for him. Sapphire was it. There was something about her that pleased him on all levels—intellectually, emotionally and especially physically. The way she gave herself to him so completely was a major turn-on. She made him feel complete and no longer alone in the world. That was everything and worth protecting by any means necessary.

He loved her.

The words scared the shit out of him. They gave her so much power over him. But only if he told her. Maybe it was better to keep the thought to himself. He could show her how much he loved her without actually telling her.

Cowardly bastard, he mocked himself. A woman like Sapphire would need the words. More than that, she deserved them. He’d have to consider his options and make a plan. That’s where he excelled.

He watched her walk toward the bakery, totally oblivious to the stares of many of the men walking down the street. He smiled. She sure as hell noticed him and had from the very beginning.

Her curly hair tumbled around her shoulders and over her back. A wide bracelet wrapped around her left wrist, the stones in it glinting in the morning sunshine. Her hips swayed and his gaze focused on her ass, which was hidden beneath her skirt. He loved her ass.

She reached the bakery, opened the door and stepped inside. Jake continued on down the sidewalk, making sure she didn’t see him as he passed by. Satisfied she was safe for now, he headed to work. He’d put so much time in on the Gregor project lately he was behind with his work for Knight’s Security. Not that John complained, but Jake knew his brother had taken up a lot of the slack lately. Time to rectify the situation.

He pulled out his phone and hit a button on his contacts list. She answered on the second ring. “Hi.” Her voice filled him, filling the emptiness inside him.