Touch of Topaz

Awakening Desires - 7

by

N. J. Walters

Thank you to my husband, who inspires me every single day of my life. Thank you to my editor, Shannon Combs, for her tireless dedication to making each of my books the best it can be. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to all my readers who allow me to do a job I love. There are not enough words to express my gratitude.

Chapter One

The damn woman was making him crazy.

John Knight stood at the back of the courtroom, ignoring the legal proceedings and watching the woman on the witness stand instead.

Topaz Jewel lived up to her name. In her red power suit and killer high heels, she shone in the dull courtroom like a beacon of light, drawing the attention of everyone seated there. Her black hair was cut into a short, sleek hairstyle, which framed her heart-shaped face. John liked it even though he was usually attracted to women with long hair. Her golden-brown eyes were serious and nothing the defendant’s attorney said or did could shake her as she gave her testimony.

He was intimately familiar with her long legs and slender torso. Her breasts were etched in his memory and the full, firm mounds with pink-tipped nipples were enough to bring a strong man to his knees.

That’s exactly what had happened to him six months ago when he’d first laid eyes on her. He’d broken the first rule of the job as a professional bodyguard—never get involved with the client.

He still wasn’t quite sure how it had happened. Topaz was a take-charge, confident businesswoman, who had made it abundantly clear she had no time in her life for a man, especially one like him. If she dated at all, she tended toward lawyers, CEOs and financial types, men in three-piece Italian suits, certainly not an ex-Army Ranger who co-owned a security company with his twin brother.

John dragged his attention away from Topaz and let it graze over the crowded courtroom. It was his job to protect her, and he took his work very seriously. He’d originally been hired to protect her when her sister Emerald attracted a nasty stalker last summer. Now that same man was on trial for his crimes, and the media hoopla surrounding it had brought the crazies out of the woodwork, which was why her father had hired him again as protection, much to Topaz’s objections.

Why couldn’t she have been from a normal family? That would have made his life much easier. But no, her parents were Moon and Aloysius Jewel, a famous folk duo from the sixties and seventies. The media was having a field day with their past and that included their three daughters Topaz, Emerald and Sapphire. Famous parents, three beautiful women and a stalker all made for a great story and the media was milking it for all it was worth.

The fact that the sisters owned Sisters’ Jewels, an upscale boutique in New York, only added to the hype. Since the trial started, none of the sisters could go anywhere without paparazzi following them. Emerald’s husband was looking out for her, but he and his brother Jake had been hired, once again, to protect the other two sisters.

If only Topaz would cooperate. The woman gave new meaning to the definition of stubborn. He’d lay odds that her picture was beside the word in the dictionary. And he should know. He’d spent several weeks with her last summer and almost a month this time. In the time in between, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind, and he’d sure as hell tried.

Memories of that one hot-and-sexy tumble they’d shared on the last day of the job this past summer were etched in his brain. He could remember it as though it happened only yesterday…

* * *

Topaz pushed through the front door of her apartment with John right on her heels. “You had no right to do that.” She slammed her purse down on the antique sideboard that sat to the left of the door in the small foyer.

“I had every right.” John shut the door and engaged all the locks before resetting the alarm system. “Until your sister’s stalker is caught you shouldn’t be making dates with strange men. Hell, you shouldn’t be dating at all. The stalker could be someone you know.”

She shot him a glare and put her hands on her hips. Fire lit her golden eyes and energy crackled between them. Every muscle in John’s body tensed, ready for whatever the little hellcat could throw at him. In the back of his mind, he realized he was actually looking forward to it. Anticipation thrummed through him, his dick stirred.

Now was not the time for this. He tried to will his body back into submission, but it wasn’t easy, not with Topaz standing there looking cool and classy in a deep-blue sundress and tissue-thin, white summer sweater. Her shoes matched the dress, a little detail that caught his eye. Didn’t matter if she was hanging around the house, going to work or running errands, the woman was always put together in a way that looked as though it took her hours. But John could attest to the fact that it didn’t take nearly that long. Her sense of style came easy to her, as easy as breathing.

“I hardly think that an investment banker is my sister’s stalker.” She stood with her shoulders thrown back and a gleam of triumph in her eyes.

John shrugged. “You never know.”

“Aarrggh.” She threw up her hands in disgust. “There’s no talking to you. The man was simply asking me out for a drink and you had to go all Neanderthal and intimate that we were a couple.”

And it hadn’t taken much to chase off the stuffy banker. John didn’t let his grin of triumph show. He didn’t think Topaz would appreciate it.

She stalked toward him and drilled her finger against his chest. “You have to stop doing this. This thing has taken over my entire life.”

He felt sorry for her, for about two seconds and then irritation took over. “Look, your sister has it much worse than you do.”

Hurt flashed over her features, and she ducked her head and turned away. John immediately wished he could call back his words. Topaz usually met all challenges head-on. He’d never meant to hurt her, only to take her mind off the banker. “Topaz,” he began, but she waved him off.

“No, you’re right. I’m being bitchy. Just tired I guess.”

He dropped his hands on her shoulders and gave them a squeeze. “No, I’m sorry. But it’s my job to protect you.”

She whirled around and his hands dropped back by his sides. “I know I’m a job to you. I get that.”

His own temper flared. “You’re more than just a damn job.” The minute the words were out of his mouth, he knew they were the truth. He’d been watching her for several weeks. Hell, he was basically living with her. They ate meals together, he went to work with her and they even shared a bathroom. The only thing they didn’t share was her bed. And he’d spent many a long, hot night lying awake in her guestroom, listening to the swish of her sheets as she moved restlessly in bed. Topaz fascinated him with her quick mind, her focus on her business and her killer body.

“Right.” She started to turn away, but he caught her and spun her back around.

They stared at one another and heat flared between them. Both of them were breathing heavy and he wasn’t sure which one of them moved first. Their lips met and he groaned as he wrapped his arms around Topaz to hold her close.

She tasted sweet and tart, like the lemonade she’d had while they were out running errands. It suited her. He ran his hands over her spine and down to her butt. She groaned and parted her lips, and he slid his tongue inside, exploring her mouth, claiming it as his own.

His cock jerked hard and pressed against the zipper of his jeans when her tongue touched his. Her fingers speared through his short blond hair, holding him to her. Oh yeah, this was what he wanted. He didn’t want to talk, only wanted to feel.

He ignored the warning bell clanging in the back of his brain, didn’t need to hear it to know he was being stupid. But, for the first time in his life, he didn’t care. He wanted Topaz Jewel.

It was a living, breathing need that had taken over his entire life.

He cupped her first-class ass in his hands and lifted her against his rock-hard erection. She was a tall woman and the heels she wore added another few inches, bringing her up to a little more than six feet. He was six-three so she fit against him perfectly.

She tore her mouth from his. “This is crazy.”

He turned so her back was against the wall. “It is.” He dragged her sweater down her arms, letting it drop to the floor. The straps of her dress were thin and he didn’t see a bra strap. His balls just about exploded.

“Are you wearing a bra?”

A seductive smile crossed her lips, but before she could say anything, he tugged down one of the straps. Bare skin met his gaze. Holy hell, she’d been walking around all day without a bra. If he’d known, she might never have made it out of the apartment.

His fingers made quick work of the three buttons at the front of the dress. With each button he opened, he exposed more of her creamy white flesh. His knees almost gave out when he folded back the flaps to expose her magnificent breasts.

They weren’t too big or too small. They were perfect mounds tipped with pale-pink, velvety nipples. He touched his fingers to one, feeling it pebble beneath his touch. “You are so fucking beautiful.”

She made a small sound of pleasure in the back of her throat. Encouraged, he leaned down and took a delicate nipple into his mouth and sucked. Topaz moaned and clutched at the back of his head, her fingernails digging into his scalp.

Oh yeah, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Was there any bigger turn-on to a guy? He didn’t think so.

He shoved her dress down to her waist and over her slender hips. It pooled at her feet, leaving her clad only in a pair of silky midnight-blue panties. The dark color emphasized the creamy white of her skin and they also matched her dress. The woman never missed a trick.

He kissed his way up her neck and found her mouth, needing her lips on his. He slanted his lips over hers, taking and giving at the same time. He slid his hand over the curve of her waist and down her hip until he hit the band of her panties. He toyed with the lacy edge for a moment before dipping beneath it. The curls covering her mound were damp, but not nearly as wet as the slick folds they protected.

He slipped two fingers over her labia, caressing her gently. She hooked her right leg over his hip, opening herself to him. He took immediate advantage and pressed his fingers into her tight sheath.

They both moaned with pleasure. Her inner muscles clutched at his fingers and he knew he couldn’t keep this up much longer. His cock was going to explode if he didn’t get inside her soon. He’d wanted Topaz for too long to linger this first time. He’d buried his attraction to her these past weeks, and now it was like a volcano simmering beneath the surface, ready to finally explode.

“John.” His name was little more than a breathy gasp, but it was more than he could take.

He withdrew his fingers and ripped at the opening to his jeans. Her hands were busy with his shirt and several buttons pinged off the walls, falling to the floor as she spread the fabric wide to caress his broad chest. He almost lost it when her clever fingers found his flat nipples, but he managed to get his wallet out of his back pocket and yank out one of the condoms he had stashed there.

He had it ripped open and rolled on in record time. With a growl, he hoisted her right leg high on his hip, positioned his cock at her moist opening and pressed inward. She gasped, holding her breath as he pushed, not stopping until he was seated to the hilt. Her pussy held him in an iron grip that threatened what was left of his control.

“Don’t move,” he ordered. He buried his face in the curve of her neck and took a deep breath. Big mistake. The seductive perfume of woman, summer heat, sweat and her light, floral scent filled his nostrils.

Topaz canted her hips the slightest bit and he broke. He gripped both her hips in his hands and began to thrust, his rhythm getting faster and faster as he pounded into her welcoming heat. Topaz cried out, her fingers gripping his shoulders, her breasts rubbing against his chest.

His balls pulled up tight to his body and John knew time had run out. “Come for me, baby.” He circled his hips, grinding his pelvis against hers. She whimpered and one of her hands grabbed his butt, yanking him closer.

John swore and managed to maneuver one hand between them. His thumb found her clit and he pressed against the taut bundle of nerves. Topaz arched toward him and called his name.

Her tight channel closed around his cock, squeezing it, massaging it in moist heat. John yelled and pumped his hips several more times. His orgasm started at his balls and shot up through his dick, and he emptied himself into the condom.

Had sex ever been this good, this explosive with any other woman? John knew the answer was no and swore under his breath as he gave two final thrusts.

He leaned heavily against her, desperately trying to catch his breath and order his chaotic thoughts. When he finally did, he realized she was in just as rough a shape as he was. Calling on reserves of strength, he slowly disengaged their bodies, hiked his jeans up, lifted Topaz into his arms and carried her to her bedroom.

They’d spent the rest of the day in her bed until she’d gotten the call to tell her that her sister’s stalker had been caught and that Emerald was in the hospital. That had ended their day and his time with her.

She’d pulled her independent cloak around her and quickly dressed and packed a bag. He’d tried to get her to talk to him, but she was focused on getting to her sister. He respected that even if he didn’t have to like it.

He’d called her when she’d come back to the city, but she hadn’t returned his calls.

* * *

“Thank you, Ms. Jewel.”

John’s attention snapped back to the room and he cursed his inattention. Not only had he not been doing his job, but he also had a raging hard-on that would have been impossible to hide if he didn’t have his leather jacket lying across his lap. It was late March and an unexpected cold front had hit the East Coast in the past few days. The forecasters were even predicting it might snow.

Topaz walked back to her seat with her family near the front of the room. He watched her carefully, but she didn’t even look at him. It was frustrating as hell.

She’d kept a polite, respectful distance between them the past month and he was getting tired of it. It was time for them to talk, even if that meant he had to take her somewhere so she would listen.

The woman was making him crazy. He would have passed off what had happened between them last year as simply a crazy one-night stand except that, on numerous occasions, he’d caught her watching him when she thought he wasn’t looking. And he recognized the emotion in her eyes. The woman wanted him even if she wasn’t particularly happy about it.

He could relate.

This was the last day of testimony and her part in the trial was over. Both sides would make their closing remarks later this afternoon and then the jury would be sequestered to make their decision. John knew it wouldn’t take them long to bring down a verdict. The stalker would be going away for a very long time on multiple charges of attempted murder. The defense had tried to argue that he wasn’t psychologically fit for trial, but that was a load of bull. The guy knew what he’d done was wrong. He just didn’t care.

Now that her part in this was over, John could do what he’d wanted to for the past few weeks. It was time to confront Topaz about their relationship. John was forty years old and had spent half of that time in life-and-death situations. He knew there was something special between them. Now it was only a matter of getting her to admit that and give them a chance.

An hour later, the judge stood and so did everyone else in the courtroom. John slid his leather jacket on in anticipation of leaving. The car was in the parking garage next door and they’d leave by a side entrance to avoid the bulk of the media. They wouldn’t be looking for Topaz anyway. All the attention would be on her sister. He felt bad for Emerald, but his concern was for Topaz.

The judge and jury exited and people began to quickly file out of the courtroom as the defendant was taken away. John waited patiently for Topaz and her family to make their way down to the entrance of the room. He stepped in beside her as soon as they reached him.

“Ready to go?”

She shot him an annoyed glare. “I was thinking about having lunch with my family.”

He shook his head. “Not a good idea until the trial is finally over. Better to split up and divide the media’s attention.”

Aloysius Jewel heard his comment and nodded his agreement. “He’s right, baby.” He put his arm around Topaz’s shoulders and dropped a quick kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll take your mother, Emerald can go with Jackson, Sapphire will go with Jake, and you can slip out with John.”

Her frustration was palpable. “I’ll be glad when this is finally over.”

John caught the subtext. She’d be glad when he was finally out of her life. Not going to happen. Not until they’d talked. If, after that, she wanted him gone, he’d go, but not until he tried to talk her into giving their relationship a chance. They had been together under nothing but stressful situations. John wanted to be a part of her everyday life when it wasn’t quite so crazy.

“Let’s go.” He took her coat from her and held it until she reluctantly accepted his help in putting it on. He caught a whiff of her subtle perfume and his fingers brushed against her neck as he fixed her collar. A delicate shiver went through her, but she squared her shoulders and turned toward her family. He patiently waited while she hugged and kissed her sisters and mother. He’d been around the Jewel family long enough to know they never went anywhere without saying a prolonged goodbye. They were fascinating to watch and he found himself drawn to their warmth and the obvious love they shared for one another. He wanted that for himself.

He glanced toward his brother, but Jake had eyes only for Sapphire. He stood behind her, his big body blocking her from the view of all but her family. He understood his brother’s need to protect his woman, and it went far beyond just doing a job, for both brothers.

As if sensing someone watching him, Jake turned his head and met John’s gaze. He inclined his head, but the connection between them was broken seconds later when Sapphire spoke. Jake leaned down to listen to whatever she was saying to him.

He wished his brother luck with her. He’d need it. They both would. Although, he thought he had it harder than Jake did. Topaz was the eldest sister and the most stubborn and bossy of the bunch.

John stood back and kept one eye on Topaz and the other on the people milling in the hallway. If they stayed here long enough the media hounds outside might think they’d already sneaked out and disperse. They should be so lucky. Some of those guys would do just about anything for a story and a few minutes waiting wouldn’t deter them.

Topaz finally turned to him, her smile slightly strained. “I’m ready.”

He wasn’t sure either of them was ready for what was coming, but he knew it was what needed to be done. He glanced at her father. “I’ll take care of her.”

“I’ll see you this afternoon,” she promised her family.

John put his hand on the small of her back and led her toward an elevator at the far end of the corridor. It would take them down to the basement so they could slip into the parking garage where he’d left the car.

Chapter Two

John’s hand burned where it rested against the base of her spine. Topaz had never been so aware of a man’s touch. It frightened her and made her angry at the same time. What was it about John Knight that drew her like the clichéd moth to a flame? He was always ordering her around in his overbearing, arrogant way.

No, that wasn’t fair and she knew it. He was simply doing his job, which was to protect her. It wasn’t his fault that she didn’t like taking orders from anyone, especially not a man who fired up her sex drive in a way it never had before.

That made him dangerous to her peace of mind and her plans. She had too much she wanted to accomplish with her life before she was ready to take on a full-time relationship. She had goals and plans, and John Knight threatened all of that simply by existing.

She took a deep breath and slowly released it, trying to pull her tattered composure around her. She’d be glad when this trial was behind them and their lives could go back to normal. The media that had hounded them for months would quickly find another story and leave them to pick up the pieces of their lives.

And John Knight would disappear from her life once again.

She counted off the seconds as the elevator descended to the garage level, acutely aware that they were alone. She could hear his even breathing but she couldn’t see his face. The moment the elevator doors slid shut, he moved in front of her, maneuvering her behind him, his manner protective. When the bell pinged and the door slid open, she didn’t move. After all this time, she knew the routine. John stepped out ahead of her and scanned the area before allowing her to leave the safe confines of the elevator.

His hand on her back once again, he guided her toward the car. His gaze never rested on one thing but was constantly moving, checking to make sure no one was lurking, waiting for them to appear. He was always hyper-alert, hyper-aware of his surroundings.

She’d never met anyone like him. And that was part of the problem.

Topaz knew how to deal with men who wore three-piece suits, civilized men who conformed to the standards of society. She knew what to expect from them and how to act.

John made his own rules and didn’t care what anyone else thought of them. He dominated a room simply by walking into it. He didn’t need to flex his muscles or throw his weight around to get people to defer to him. All he had to do was breathe.

It was annoying as hell. And, if she was being honest, incredibly hot too.

“Watch your step,” he murmured. She glanced down in time to keep from stumbling over a slight rise in the concrete floor.

His arm tightened around her waist as they hurried across the almost deserted lot. There were several other people getting into their vehicles but, thankfully, they weren’t paying any attention to them. John unlocked the car and held the door while she slid onto the leather seat. He shut the door and she locked it immediately. It was second nature to her now after all these weeks.

She couldn’t help but watch him as he walked around the front of the black Mercedes, his ever-watchful gaze continuing to study his surroundings. He was six-foot-three and all of it muscle. The brown leather jacket he wore clung to his broad shoulders and the black pants clung to his thick thighs. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him.

She knew that for a fact after getting naked with him last summer.

He kept his blond hair cropped short, which emphasized his icy blue eyes and high forehead. The cleft in his chin accentuated his stubborn jaw. The only softness on his entire face was his lips. They were incredibly smooth and full for a man, sexy as all get out.

And she had to stop thinking about his lips. Heat climbed up her face and she feared she was blushing. John slid into the driver’s seat and locked his door before glancing her way.

“You okay?” His deep voice slid over her skin like an expensive silk and she barely suppressed a shudder of arousal that snaked down her spine.

She stared out the front windshield, refusing to look at him. “I’m fine. The courtroom was a bit warm.” That wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either. “I’m glad the trial is wrapping up today.”

John started the car and pulled out of the lot, smoothly maneuvering on to the road. In the distance, Topaz could see the front of the courthouse and the large group of reporters all clamoring for a quote. She knew they were just doing their jobs, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.

She shivered as a chill went through her. The nightmare was almost over for her family and her life would soon go back to normal. She absently toyed with the wide band of silver around her neck. It was set with chunks of amber and was her favorite necklace, and not only because her sister Sapphire had made it for her.

She’d be happy to get back to work at Sisters’ Jewels, the boutique she co-owned with her sisters. They sold accessories, scarves, journals, stationery, cards and jewelry. Her sisters were more of the creative force behind their line of products. Emerald used her creativity and artistic ability to design their accessory line, while Sapphire designed all their jewelry. But she ran the store itself on a day-to-day basis. It was her baby, and she loved it. Her sisters might not like the business aspect of owning a store, but she thrived on the challenge of making everything work.

“You hungry?”

John broke into her musings. “Not really.” She hadn’t been hungry since the trial started.

He gave her a quick frown before returning his gaze to the road. “You need to eat. You’re too thin.”

Her spine straightened and she shot him a haughty glare. “Whether I eat or not is none of your business.”

“Sure it is. It’s my job to keep you safe and healthy.”

Topaz snorted. “I don’t think worrying about what I eat falls under your job description.” She never missed a chance to remind herself and him that this was a temporary situation, that she was a job. He’d leave her soon, probably within a day or two, and she’d probably never see him again.

Which was for the best. They had little in common, other than explosive sex.

She chewed on her bottom lip and desperately tried to put that September afternoon out of her mind. One minute they’d been fighting, and the next they’d been having smoking-hot sex in her foyer. She fought the urge to fan her face with her hand and managed not to squirm in her seat. With arousal slowly seeping through her body, it wasn’t so easy.

John stopped the car and Topaz was pulled out of her reverie and back to the present. They were in the parking lot of a small family-style restaurant. “Come on. You might not need to eat, but I do.”

John slid out of the car and came around to the passenger side. Resigned, Topaz unlocked the door and climbed out when he opened the door. He kept her close to him, blocking the bulk of her body with his own. She could smell the earthy scent of his soap, mingled with the musky smell of the man himself.

Her nipples tightened beneath her bra and she was thankful she was wearing a blouse, suit jacket and coat. He watched her like a hawk and wouldn’t miss the telltale sign of her arousal.

His left arm was around her waist and she felt the heat of it through all the layers of her clothing. She concentrated on the restaurant and not on the man beside her, which was next to impossible. John Knight was not a man any woman ignored.

He was rough looking and tough as nails, but he exuded an animal magnetism, a sensuality that drew female attention wherever he went. There was no denying he was a dominant male and Topaz knew he could easily take over the life of any woman who was with him, and without even trying or meaning to.

It was one of the reasons she was determined not to fall under his sensual spell again. She was afraid that the one time they’d been together had already spoiled her for other men. After being with John, all the other men who asked her out seemed less somehow. Which wasn’t fair to them.

John held the door open for her and they walked inside. The heat and wonderful aroma of food hit her and her stomach growled. When he grinned at her, she knew he’d heard her stomach complain. Thankfully, he said nothing about it as he led her to a table in the far corner. If he’d gloated she didn’t think she’d be able to keep from committing violence against his person.

She slid off her coat, which he hung over the empty seat next to her. Then he seated her with her back to the room so people wouldn’t be able to easily see her face, which was plastered all over the media these days. He kept his coat on and sat with his back to the wall, where he commanded a full view of the place.

It was how they always sat when they went out. He was always security conscious no matter what they were doing.

A young twenty-something waitress, wearing a black skirt and white blouse, hurried to their table and set menus in front of them. “Afternoon. Today’s soup is chicken noodle and the special is stuffed chicken breast with mashed potatoes and peas.” She flashed a bright smile at John. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Coffee for me.” He glanced over at her.

There was no way she wanted coffee. She was jittery enough as it was. “Just water for me, please.”

John frowned, but the waitress simply nodded and went to get their drinks. Topaz looked down at the menu. She could feel John’s eyes on her and barely resisted the urge to squirm. Honestly, the man could make her forget she was a successful, polished businesswoman with no more than a look. Another strike against him.

“Do you know what you want?” His voice was low and intimate even though they were in a crowded restaurant.

Now that was a loaded question if she’d ever heard one. What would he do if she said she wanted him in her bed once again? That she wanted another afternoon of unforgettable, hot sex.

Not that she would. She wasn’t the kind of woman who indulged in one-night stands. John was the only exception she’d ever made to that rule. She had to date a man for quite some time before they went to bed together. And then both parties knew it wasn’t going to lead to anything more serious. It sounded colder and more calculated than it was in reality. She had a genuine affection for the men she’d had in her life. She just hadn’t wanted any of them there on a permanent basis.

Their waitress came back and plunked a glass of water in front of Topaz and set a mug of coffee in front of John. She gave him another dazzling smile. Topaz noticed that she’d freshened her lipstick since she was here last. Unaccountably, jealousy began to creep into her brain and she was filled with the urge to tell her to stop looking at John, that he belonged to her.

Which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

They’d spent a steamy afternoon together. Nothing wrong with sex between two healthy, consenting adults, but they didn’t have a relationship beyond that. He’d walked away when his job was over last summer and would again this time. Yes, he’d called her once or twice, but she hadn’t returned his calls. There was no point. They both had their own lives. She had to remember that.

Topaz glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the chicken noodle soup and the chicken sandwich on multigrain bread with mustard, not mayo.”

The waitress, whose nametag read Maria, dutifully wrote down her order before turning to John. “And what will you have, sir?”

Topaz wasn’t imagining the flirty tone in the waitress’s voice, nor the way she shifted closer to John. To give the man credit, he didn’t acknowledge the flirtation in any way.

“I’ll have the same.” He handed his menu back to the waitress. “Thanks.”

Topaz could clearly read the other woman’s disappointment, but she smiled, took the menus and left them. “Should be about ten or fifteen minutes.”

John sat back in his chair and his jacket fell open to reveal a tight, black button-down shirt. The material clung to his broad chest and Topaz’s fingers itched to slide her fingers under it and touch his bare skin.

“Everything will be okay. This entire ordeal will be over soon.” His sincerity struck her hard and she blinked back tears. This past year had been hell for her family, and it was hard to believe it was almost coming to an end.

“I know. Emerald’s been so amazing through it all.” She was so proud of her sister and the strength she’d shown. Topaz wasn’t certain she would have fared half as well.

“You did great today in court.” He picked up his coffee and brought it to his lips. Topaz watched as he parted them and sipped the hot liquid. Her panties grew damp, and she grabbed her glass and guzzled half of the tepid water to keep from saying something stupid.

“I’m going to the ladies’ room.” She hated having to announce such things, but John had to know where she was at all times. “Please don’t follow me. It’s only right there.” She pointed to a sign just off to her right.

John rose when she did and walked her to the corridor. She knew he was checking for other possible entrances to the building, but he relaxed when he saw the small corridor was a dead end and the only doors were those to the restrooms.

“Don’t be long,” he ordered.

She felt like sticking her tongue out at him, but managed to refrain from such a childish gesture. Honestly, the man constantly rubbed her the wrong way, except for that one afternoon when he’d rubbed her the right way. Her pussy clenched hard at the memory and she stumbled through the bathroom door. Thankfully, it was empty.

She shut the door, locked it and used the facilities. When she was done, she washed her hands and splashed water on her face.

This wouldn’t do. She wasn’t some young impressionable woman. She was thirty-two, owned her own business and had dated her fair share of successful men. Why then did John affect her so greatly? She wasn’t sure she was ready to delve into the answer.

Topaz dearly loved her parents, but her childhood had been less than conventional. They’d grown up with famous people dropping by, taking trips to exotic locales and being on the road with her parents when they were performing. It had been a wonderful, if unpredictable childhood. They’d never known when their impetuous parents would whisk them away, never stopping to ask their children if they’d actually wanted to go.

She wouldn’t trade her childhood for anything, but Topaz craved stability and she’d made a life for herself that was predictable and calm. And she liked it that way.

John was anything but calm. He made her feel hot and uncomfortable in her own skin. She liked fine clothes and wine, and he was jeans and beer. Nothing wrong with that, but their lifestyles didn’t mesh. Her mother would say that it would add spice to her life, but she much preferred it bland, thank you very much. Her childhood had had enough spice in it to last her a lifetime.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was pale and there were dark circles under her eyes that no amount of makeup could cover. She pulled a compact out of her purse and dabbed at her skin. She hadn’t slept well these past two weeks and planned on sleeping for two days straight when the trial was finally over.

She knew she couldn’t procrastinate any longer or John would be barging into the ladies’ room. She dumped the compact back into her purse, took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and walked out of the bathroom and back to their table. Her timing was perfect, as the waitress had just arrived with their meal.

Topaz slid into her chair, thanked the waitress and picked up her spoon. The soup was warm and surprisingly good. She could feel John watching her, but she concentrated on eating. The quicker they were done, the quicker they could go back to the courthouse. She wanted this day over and done. Then it would be a matter of waiting for the jury’s verdict.

John scrutinized Topaz as she ate her soup. She even did that with style, her movements graceful and precise. She looked a little pale and very tired. The circles under her eyes were getting darker with each passing day. He knew she wasn’t sleeping, had heard her tossing and turning in her bed at night while he’d slept in the room next to hers. He’d wanted to go to her, take her into his arms, and make love to her until she was too tired to stay awake.

But he couldn’t. Not until the job was done.

He’d spent months trying to forget Topaz Jewel, desperately trying to get her out of his system. It hadn’t happened. If anything, her absence in his life made him want her all the more. He was forty years old and knew himself better than most and he knew that his attraction to Topaz wasn’t going away anytime soon.

He also knew she wasn’t happy about being attracted to him. A less-confident man might have slunk off to nurse his hurt pride. But he wasn’t most men, and he was confident that, with time and effort, he could make her see how good it could be between them. Wouldn’t be easy to do once his job was done. She’d go back to her life and do her best to avoid him. Again.

He needed time. As he ate, he mulled over the plan he’d set in motion several days ago. Topaz might be mad as hell at him at first, but he was willing to take the chance.

John watched her sip her soup and was grateful she was eating something. She’d lost weight over the past few weeks and she was already slender to begin with. He wanted to take care of her, to shoulder some of her burdens. It was frustrating as hell for him to watch her handle her business, the trial and the media hoopla by herself. She was a strong woman, but he wouldn’t be attracted to a weak one. He loved the way her mind worked, how she always had an opinion on everything from politics to movies and all subjects in between.

The silence between them wasn’t awkward, but comfortable. He knew she was thinking about the trial. He was just glad she was eating and didn’t want to say anything that might disrupt that. When she pushed away her plate, which still had about three-quarters of her sandwich on it, he knew she was done. He finished the last of his coffee. “Ready?”

“Yes.” She stood and picked up her coat. He held it for her and she murmured her thanks as he slid it on. He paid the check and ushered her back to the car.

With ideas still spinning in his head, he drove them back to the courthouse, this time parking in a lot next door. He’d already scoped out the back entrance. “It will soon be over,” he reminded her as he helped her out of the car.

“I know.” She looked sad for a moment and he squeezed her hand to reassure her. She might think differently now, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

Chapter Three

Topaz closed her eyes and sank back into the headrest on the car’s passenger side. It was finally over. The jury’s verdict had come in and her sister’s stalker was going to be locked up for a long time. A weight she hadn’t even known was there slid from her shoulders. Life could finally get back to normal.

She turned her head and opened her eyes to gaze at John. This was their last day together. Once he drove her home and dropped her off, he would no longer be her bodyguard. Officially, he was finished with the job, but he’d insisted on taking her back to New York.

John Knight always completed an assignment.

The bitterness in that last thought surprised her and she realized she didn’t want to just be another job for him. She turned her head away, sighed and stared out the window, watching the rugged landscape pass by. Now she was just being stupid. She and John might have set the sheets on fire that one afternoon last year, but there wasn’t much between them to sustain a long-term relationship.

“That was a big sigh.”

His deep voice slid over her skin like a lover’s caress and she shivered. Topaz pulled her coat more tightly around her. “It’s hard to believe it’s finally over.” The long months of media coverage and speculation would finally end. She gave it a week before the reporters and photographers were on to another juicier story.

He was the most observant man she’d ever known and she wasn’t surprised when he reached out and turned up the heater, angling the vent so it blew toward her. He’d seen her shiver and had misinterpreted it, for which she was supremely grateful. Better for him to think she was chilly than turned-on by the sound of his voice.

“It’s been hard on all of you.” He gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “Why don’t you try to get some rest? It’s a long drive.”

The sleepless nights were catching up with her and the heat only added to her lethargy. Topaz closed her eyes and let the steady roll of the tires on the pavement lull her. She yawned once, settled more comfortably against the seat and drifted off.

John glanced over toward Topaz a few minutes later and was satisfied she was asleep. He didn’t like the dark circles beneath her eyes and worried about her overall health. Whether she knew it or not, she needed a few days of rest and relaxation before she stepped back into the busy grind of her normal life.

He grinned when he imagined her reaction to his plan. She wasn’t going to like it. Not one bit. But she needed it. She’d pushed herself hard these past weeks, trying to juggle a successful business and the hoopla surrounding her family. She was one classy lady and he admired the hell out of her.

She was also the most frustrating woman he’d ever met. He knew that better than anyone, save maybe her sisters, and he could practically see the walls she was rebuilding between them. She was getting ready to boot him out of her life again. This time he wasn’t going. Not without a fight.

His fingers tightened around the wheel and he took a deep breath. Immediately, he caught a whiff of her sweet scent. It was some light, floral blend that he always associated with Topaz and it never failed to give him a hard-on. It wasn’t perfume, but the lotion she used after she showered.

He’d spent many hours listening to the water running in her bathroom and picturing her wet and naked in the shower. And he didn’t have to stretch his imagination. He knew what she looked like with no clothes on.

He cursed under his breath as his cock sprang to life as if on cue. Only Topaz could do this to him. He was forty years old, for fuck’s sake. His body didn’t do anything without his express permission these days. But his dick didn’t listen to him one bit. Not when it came to the beauty sleeping next to him.

Traffic was thick, but he maneuvered the vehicle easily, making the unscheduled turnoff. Oh yeah, she was going to be spitting mad when she woke up. His jaw tightened with determination. She’d have to get over it. He deserved a chance to show her how good they could be together. They deserved a chance.

John had no idea why she dated men she could easily keep at a distance. He’d watched her flirt and smile at men, but she never let her emotions become involved. She remained unruffled and always in control of the situation.

Except for that one day last year, where she’d lost control and given herself to him in one glorious afternoon of loving. It was the memory of that fateful afternoon that gave him hope and assured him he was doing the right thing.

He rubbed the back of his neck as he turned off onto a secondary rural road. Traffic was almost nonexistent now and the distance between towns grew. The forest seemed to reach out for them and the road narrowed even more as he drove.

He could only hope she wouldn’t have him arrested when all this was done. After all, it wasn’t every day that a bodyguard kidnapped his client.

Topaz was jarred awake and it took her a few minutes to remember she was in a car on her way home. They hit another bump and she opened her eyes and peered out the window. She frowned as she looked at the surrounding area. There were rolling hills and forests and a low mountain peak in the distance.

“Where are we?” She rubbed her face, trying to fight off the muzzy feeling that clung to her. Had they had to take some kind of detour?

John ignored her and wrestled with the steering wheel, moving them along the rutted path.

Amusement pulled at her lips. Maybe he was lost and didn’t want to admit it. Men were like that. But that didn’t make sense either. The car was equipped with the latest in GPS technology.

“John?”

“We’re almost there.” He glanced at her and his stern expression softened slightly. “How are you feeling?”

She ran her fingers through her short hair and rolled her shoulders. “Good. I didn’t mean to sleep for so long.” The sun was sinking in the sky and night would soon be upon them.

A small, rustic cabin came into view, the car headlights reflecting off the weathered wood. A porch ran the length of the house and there was a swing situated on the far end. It was quite charming, if you liked that sort of thing. She was more of a city girl.

Or she was now. She’d grown up with hippie parents on a large rural estate. She and her sisters had run wild in the surrounding woods. Plus, her parents had loved camping and, when they were kids, the family had often done so.

Shaking off the sense of nostalgia, she frowned when John stopped in front of the cabin. “Where are we and why are we here?” What had happened while she’d been sleeping?

He turned off the ignition, pulled out the key and pocketed it. “We’re in upstate New York and this place belongs to me.” He opened the door and slid out, stretching after the long drive. He closed the door and came around to the passenger side.

Dusk was falling quickly and with the car lights off it was getting harder to see. John pointed at her lock and she reluctantly opened her door. “I don’t understand. Why are we stopping here? We should be on the road home to the city.”

He scowled and a muscle in his jaw twitched. “We’re not going to the city.”

Topaz pulled her wits around her, thankful for the brisk breeze chilling her skin. It pushed the remnants of her long nap away and left her more levelheaded. “Of course we are. I have to work in the morning.” She’d been away for almost a week now and was eager to get back. Yes, she trusted Susie, her assistant manager, to run the boutique. But she longed to get back to what was familiar, what she knew.

He clasped her hand with his, tugged her out of the car and toward the cabin. “No, we’re not.”

Topaz dug in her heels until he had no choice except to stop. “What is going on? I want an answer and I want it now.” In her experience, it was better to be firm when dealing with men. She shifted her weight and one of her heels sank into the soft dirt. She stumbled slightly and his arm came around her shoulders, catching her before she could fall.

“Careful. I don’t know how you walk in those things in the city, but those shoes definitely weren’t made for the country.”

Before she realized his intent, he’d swept her off her feet and into his arms. He strode toward the front porch of the cabin and up the two steps to the door. He set her on her feet again, but kept one of her hands gripped in his. She could feel the tension in his muscles, sense the underlying unease surrounding him.

Now she was starting to get worried. What in the name of God was he doing?

John pulled out his keys, fitted one of them in the lock and opened the door. He pulled her inside and shut the door with a heavy thunk. The air inside was fresh, not musty, as though someone had recently aired the place out. The scent of pine-scented cleaner filled the room.

He released her briefly to turn on a switch. At least there was electricity. For that, she was extremely grateful. The room was large, a combination living area, kitchen and dining room all in one. The furniture was overstuffed and looked well-worn but comfortable. There were no knickknacks or personal items to soften the stark space. No pillows on the sofa and only a few tattered paperbacks on the shelf. It was spartan and obviously male.

Topaz’s patience had run out. She crossed her arms over her chest, drew herself up to her full height, using every inch of the three-inch pumps she was wearing to make herself even more authoritative. “I want to know what’s going on, and I want to know now.”

John stood before her in a pair of jeans that he’d obviously had for a while. They fit him like a second skin and were slightly faded in the knees and crotch area. Not that she was looking there. Of course, she wasn’t.

She pulled her gaze up toward his face. His leather jacket creaked slightly when he moved, revealing a tight black T-shirt beneath. His face was half in shadow and half in light, giving him a menacing look. She swallowed and took a half step back before she stopped herself.

She was being silly now. This was John, the man she trusted with her life.

Tension permeated the room until her nerves were stretched to the max. They stared at one another, neither of them blinking. Topaz was beginning to feel as though they were in a standoff of some kind, and she was determined not to give an inch.

John was the kind of man who could overwhelm a woman if she wasn’t careful. He wasn’t a bully, quite the opposite in fact. He’d be very protective of a woman if he cared for her, but his dominant personality would be hard for any woman to stand up to and he would gently but inexorably steamroll her into doing whatever he wanted.

“Well?” She couldn’t stand the silence any longer. She tapped the toe of her Christian Louboutin pumps against the wood floor and glared at him.

He took another step toward her and this time she held her ground. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. Topaz was suddenly overheated as memories of his mouth sliding over her neck, teasing her breasts and tasting between her thighs swamped her. This was no time for her to allow those erotic memories to come to the fore.

He raised one hand and slid his fingers over her cheek and she had to struggle not to close her eyes and simply sink into the gentle caress. “It’s simple, really.” He dropped his hand back to his side and she immediately missed his warmth.

Her hands tightened into fists to keep from smacking him. The man was making her crazy with his cryptic answers. “What’s simple?”

“I’ve kidnapped you.”

At first she didn’t think she’d heard him properly. She shook her head at him, certain she was mistaken. “You what?”

He put his hands on his hips and widened his stance, which made him appear even larger. “You heard me. I kidnapped you.”

“You can’t do that.” It was ludicrous. Absurd. He was a professional bodyguard for heaven’s sake.

“I already have.” He raked his fingers through his short hair and let out a large sigh. “Look, you’re tired and you need a few days rest.”

“I can do that at home.” She glanced around the cabin. “Probably better there than here.”

His eyes narrowed, and if his jaw clenched any tighter she was afraid he might damage his teeth. “I know it’s not what you’re used to.”

It struck her that she’d hurt his feelings. That he thought she was rejecting the cabin because it was rustic.

“Don’t be an idiot, John. It’s got nothing to do with the cabin. It’s lovely and has a rustic charm. But I have to get home.” It was sweet of him to want to give her a few days away. Really it was. But she didn’t have the time for it.

She ignored the pang of regret that gripped her and carried on. “We need to get back on the road.” She glanced at her watch. It would be late by the time they reached the city so she would cut herself some slack in the morning and go into work late.

“No.” His one-word reply brought her internal plans to a screeching halt.

“What do you mean, no? If you don’t want to drive, just give me the keys and I will.” She held out her hand, but he ignored it.

“No, I’m not taking you back to the city tonight.” He clasped her shoulders and pulled her toward him. She placed her hands on his chest to keep some distance between them.

“I don’t understand, John. Why not? Your job is finished and it’s time for both of us to get on with our lives.” She swallowed hard at the thought of never seeing him again.

The weeks they’d spent together had passed so quickly. Having a full-time bodyguard should have been an ordeal, but having John around hadn’t bothered her half as much as she’d thought it would. He’d slid seamlessly into her life until he seemed a part of it.

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.”

John felt as if he was ten feet tall. It was stupid for the approval of one woman to mean so much to him, but there was no changing the facts. He grunted and dug into his own food. He was hungry and his mind was busy mulling over the coming evening, and he didn’t look up again until his plate was almost empty.

Shit, he was supposed to be talking to her, putting her at ease. She’d finished about half of what he’d put on her plate, but was pushing it away. “Did you have enough?” Could he ask a more stupid question?

“Oh yes. It was exactly what I needed. The spices in the red sauce were perfect.” She lifted her wineglass and sipped. He noted that she’d only drunk about half of what he’d poured. Good, he wanted her relaxed, not tipsy.

“There are strawberries for dessert.” He stood and removed both plates, dumping them on the kitchen counter.

She gave a small moan of pleasure. “I love strawberries.”

He knew that from his time with her last summer. It was why he’d hunted around several grocery stores and paid a fortune to get the ripe berries out of season. He had to remember to thank his brother for keeping an eye on both sisters at the hotel while he’d run his errands. He owed Jake, big-time. “I have whipped cream too.”

“Now you’re just spoiling me.” Topaz got up from the table and walked to the large picture window, staring out into the darkness.

He wanted to spoil her, but she probably made as much money as he did, if not more. He wasn’t the type of man to be bothered by that, but he still wanted to provide for her and give her what she needed.

He pulled the bowl of strawberries out of the refrigerator and spooned several dollops of cream onto them before taking the bowl into the sitting area and placing it on the scarred coffee table. He wondered what she was thinking about, but decided it was probably better not to ask. An intimate atmosphere surrounded them and he didn’t want to do anything to jar it.

John turned off the overhead light, leaving a single lamp in the corner lit. The room was wreathed in shadows but Topaz didn’t turn around. He went to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Come have some strawberries.”

She looked up at him with questions in her eyes. He shook his head, took her hand and led her to the sofa, relaxing slightly when she followed him without comment. He sat and pulled her down onto his lap. She squirmed around for a few seconds, settling herself into a comfortable position.

He deserved a medal for not tossing her on the overstuffed cushions, shoving up her robe and mounting her right then and there. His control was near the breaking point and having her sweet ass rub against him was pushing it.

John leaned over and pulled the bowl close so he could easily reach it. For a brief moment, his mouth was only a hairsbreadth from her breasts. It took a Herculean effort not to latch on to one of her hard nubs pressing against the front of her robe.

Instead, he leaned back and carefully selected one ripe, red berry. Cream swirled on the tip that he brought to her lips. “Taste.”

Chapter Five

Topaz opened her mouth and let John feed her the strawberry. She bit down on the sweet juicy berry, savoring the flavor of it mixed with the thick, rich cream. Strawberries always reminded her of a summer day and she loved them. She licked her lips in anticipation of more.

Every muscle in John’s body was rigid beneath her and his erection prodded her hip. Yet, he seemed to be in no hurry to get her to bed. There was no pressure on her to do anything but sit here in his lap and let him feed her strawberries.

She was relaxed for the first time in months, even with the low sexual buzz fizzing through her veins. “Dinner was delicious. These berries are divine.”

She knew he could cook because he’d taken over the chore several times in the past few weeks while guarding her at her apartment, surprising her each time with various dishes. He grilled a great steak and fried a crisp chicken cutlet, but it continued to surprise her that such a big, tough guy seemed so at home in the kitchen. She supposed she was guilty of stereotyping.

“You’re welcome.” His voice seemed deeper, rougher and she fought the urge to simply turn and straddle his body. Her breasts ached to be pressed against the hard wall of his chest, but she wanted this moment to last, to enjoy simply relaxing with a man who fascinated and rang her bell on every level.

“My turn.” She leaned forward and plucked one of the berries out of the bowl and brought it to his mouth. He parted his lips and allowed her to feed him. His sharp teeth closed around the treat, but not before his tongue made contact with one of her fingers.

The tiny caress sent shock waves of pleasure careening all the way to her toes. A sense of rightness came over her. She could let down her guard with John. He didn’t want her money or her family connections. He was the kind of man who made his own way in the world. All he wanted was her.

He swallowed and she watched his Adam’s apple ripple. He wasn’t the most handsome man she’d ever met in her life, but he was the most compelling one. She pressed her hand against his strong jaw, feeling the rasp of his five o’clock shadow. Her fingers played over his chin and a low rumble came from his chest.

He watched her as a tiger might watch its prey, alert and aware of everything. His pale-blue eyes never left her face.

There was so much they should talk about but, at this moment, Topaz could think of nothing to say. All her reasons for not getting involved with John were lost in her growing need. She could have this time with him before they went their separate ways. Topaz was a realist and knew John Knight lived on the edge of danger, was accustomed to the adrenaline rush of excitement, while all she wanted was stability and a family.

It wasn’t wrong for them to want different things but it did make any kind of relationship between them a temporary one. It saddened her to think so, but she shoved the unwanted thought out of her head. It had no place between them tonight.

His hand closed around her hip, his fingers flexing. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath and slowly released it.

Her body was on fire for him. Her skin tingled and felt over-sensitized, as though all the nerve endings were exposed. She wanted his large calloused hands on her, touching her, caressing her. His hands were rough and capable, the hands of a hardworking man.

“John.” His name was little more than a whisper on her lips, but he heard her. She leaned toward him and he lowered his head. Their lips met and she could taste the sweetness of the berry she’d fed him.

His tongue stroked over her top and then her bottom lip. He caught the lower one between his teeth and carefully nipped. Hot, molten pleasure shot downward and her core went moist. Her nipples ached so she turned and pressed one of her breasts against his chest.

He ripped his mouth from hers and lifted her as though she weighed nothing at all. His biceps rippled as he settled her on his lap so she was facing him, her legs straddling his. Her slippers slid off her feet and dropped to the floor with a light thud. The new position pressed her mound against his heavy erection and she wiggled against him, wringing a moan from them both.

“It’s been making me crazy all night wondering if you have anything on under that damn dressing gown.” John pulled at the tie at her waist and spread the ends of the material back to reveal her nightgown. A slight smile tugged at his lips. “I might have known.”

“What does that mean?” She couldn’t tell if he liked it or was disappointed.

He pushed the bathrobe down her shoulders and pulled it away, draping it over the sofa beside them. His hands slid up her bare arms to her shoulder, leaving a trail of goose bumps in their wake.

“You’re the most damn coordinated woman I know. Last summer, your panties matched the dress you were wearing.” His fingers toyed with the thin strap of her nightgown. “It’s sexy as hell.” He drew one finger down toward her cleavage and her nipples became more pronounced against the silky fabric. “I play a guessing game with myself every day, wondering what you’ve got on beneath your clothes. Makes me crazy.”

His deep voice was pure seduction and his touch was setting her skin on fire. She reached down, grabbed his hand and placed it on her breast. He squeezed and plumped the mound even as his thumb circled the straining nipple through the fabric.

“Oh yeah. This is what I want. You’re so damn sexy.” He slid his hands back up to the straps and slowly pulled them down to her elbows and then lower, exposing her breasts. The top half of her nightgown pooled around her waist. “You’re perfect.”

He moved her back slightly on his lap and leaned forward. Her eyelids half closed in anticipation of having his mouth on her. But he shifted to the side and reached into the bowl of strawberries, plucking one out. The berry was mounded with cream. She shivered in anticipation, wondering what he would do.

John brought the berry to her breast and circled her nipple with it, leaving a dollop of cream on the tip. Topaz moaned as the cool berry came in contact with her heated skin. Then he went on to the other one and did the same.

“Your nipples are even sweeter than the strawberries. Red and ripe and ready for me to taste.”

No man had ever said such things to her. Her pussy ached for his touch. She was empty and aching for him, wanting him to fill her, take her. Her entire body was alive, nerve endings firing, straining, waiting for his next move.

“I never did get enough dessert. Did you?” He brought the berry to her lips. “Taste.” She took the strawberry into her mouth and bit into the succulent treat. John leaned down and circled one taut nipple with his tongue, licking off the surrounding cream.

“Mmm.” I think my treat is better than yours.” Her head fell back as he closed his mouth over the cream-covered bud and sucked. Her thighs tightened around his and she grabbed his shoulders for support.

He released her nipple, circling it with his tongue. “Can’t miss any of the cream.”

“No,” she agreed, her voice hoarse with need. “Can’t do that. It would be wasteful.”

His low laugh made her pussy clench and she grabbed his head and drew him to her other breast. He plumped the mound in his hand and lapped at cream covering it. He stroked and licked, teasing the rigid bud at the tip with his tongue until she thought she might go crazy.

She touched his chest and realized, while she was half naked, he was still totally dressed. She yanked at his shirt, needing to feel his warm, hard flesh beneath her hands. He leaned back and let her pull it over her head. She tossed his shirt aside and skimmed her hands over the rigid muscles. There was not a single ounce of fat on the man. He was all rippling muscles and strength.

“Let’s get this off you.” John gathered the fabric of her nightgown and pulled it over her head. She raised her arms, helping him to remove it. Naked, she sat on his lap and let him look his fill. She was tall and slender with minimal curves. Her build was more lanky than curvaceous, but her breasts were a decent size and well-shaped.

His hands closed around her hips and he slid them over her waist. His thumbs trailed over her abdomen, stopping beneath her breasts. “You are so fucking sexy.” He cupped her breasts, molding them with his hands. He caressed and teased them, plucking at her nipples with his thumb and forefinger.

She moved against him, pressing her lower body against his jean-covered erection. Not satisfied with that, she tugged at the zipper.

Every cell in John’s body screamed at him to take Topaz. Now. He could taste the combination of sweet berry, rich cream and warm woman on his tongue, could still feel the tight bud of her nipple. Her skin was like the cream he’d put on it—soft and rich and addictive. Her nipple was sweeter than any berry he’d ever eaten.

Having her naked, sitting on his lap was a fantasy come true, but he wanted her to find her pleasure before he sought his. It would make the entire experience even better for both of them.

Topaz began to tug at the zipper of his jeans, letting him know she wanted him. He sucked in his breath, waiting in anticipation. Her capable hands had his jeans open in no time and she pushed his boxer briefs aside. His cock, free from its confinement, bobbed between them. The head was dark and slick, the shaft heavy and engorged with the blood that pumped through the dark-blue veins that ran up and down its length.

She closed her fingers around his dick and he almost lost it.

Knowing time was short, he trailed one hand down her slender torso, over her soft belly and into the nest of tight curls covering her mound. She gasped when he went deeper, letting his finger stroke over her clit. Her hand tightened around his cock and he groaned, his entire body clenching. His balls pulled tight to his body, a tangible reminder that he had to hurry.

Her slick folds met his questing fingers and he reveled in the fact that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. He stroked her once, twice, before slipping one thick finger into her tight channel. She quivered beneath his touch and he wanted to yell his pleasure.

His thumb found her clit and he rubbed it lightly. Topaz’s breathing changed, getting quicker as she panted for air. Her hand released his cock and rested on his shoulder. He wanted to yank it back, but didn’t, figuring it would give him more self-control.

She began to move her hips, undulating against his hand, finding a rhythm that she liked. Her pussy was hot against his hand. He loved that she was so wet, so fucking ready for him. He pressed another finger into her slick passage to join the first one, stretching her, making her ready to take his cock.

“John.” His name fell from her lips like a plea and he didn’t disappoint her. He worked his fingers in and out of her core. He felt her inner muscles quivering around him, felt the tension thrumming through her.

He leaned forward, captured one pert nipple in his mouth and bit down gently. Topaz threw back her head and screamed, her hips pumping frantically against his hand.

He pressed his thumb firmly against her clit and thrust his fingers deep. Her pussy clamped down hard around him as spasms shook her. She cried out again, riding out the storm. John wanted nothing more than to lift her onto his cock and fuck her, but held back. He was in this for the long haul, not just for a one-night stand. He had a strategy and he was going to stick with it, even if it killed him.

And he wasn’t sure it wouldn’t.

His balls ached as they never had before and the tip of his cock was leaking constantly now. It wouldn’t take much to shove him over the edge, but he wanted Topaz to find as much pleasure as possible, needed to show her what it could be like between them before he came.

When she finally collapsed against his chest, he caught her and nestled her head on his shoulder. She fit there perfectly and felt incredibly right.

Her damp, hot mound was pressed against his shaft and John found himself naming countries and world leaders just to get his mind off the bundle of soft, hot woman snuggled against him. But he wouldn’t change this moment for anything. Having her in his arms and knowing he’d satisfied her was perfect.

Topaz felt sated and relaxed. John’s body radiated more than enough heat to keep her warm, even though there was a slight chill to the air. The orgasm she’d just had was off-the-charts amazing. As she recovered and got more of her wits about her, she realized that every muscle in John’s body was tense. His cock flexed against her mound and she felt a stirring deep within her once again.

John had given her an amazing experience and she planned on returning the favor.

Topaz raised her head and smiled at him. A muscle twitched beneath his eye and his face appeared strained, but his eyes were soft and he smiled at her. “Feeling okay?” He brushed a short strand of hair off her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. The tender gesture made her heart ache.

“Perfect, thanks to you.” She used his chest as leverage to push herself to her feet.

“Hey, you don’t have to go anywhere.” He gave her butt cheeks a squeeze and she almost settled back onto his lap before she remembered her plan.

“I’m not going far,” she reassured him. She leaned down and plucked at the laces of his boots. “Help me take these off.”

John stacked one heel against the toe of his other boot and pushed. Topaz pulled and the boot came off. Then he did the other one. She pulled off his socks and then went for his jeans. “These next.”

His face looked hard and his body seemed even bigger as he raised his butt off the couch and shoved his jeans and briefs down his thighs. She tugged then down his legs until he was naked. She stood between his slightly spread rock-hard thighs and stared down at him.

His jaw was clenched and his hands were fisted by his sides. She could tell he was exerting an enormous amount of control over himself. But that was John. He had more self-control than any man she’d ever met. It could be maddening at times, but she also admired that about him.

As she studied him, his cock flexed, as if to remind her it was still there waiting for her. Thick slabs of muscle delineated his abs and his shoulders were impossibly wide. Even when he wasn’t moving there was a sense of coiled power about him, as though he could erupt into action at any given second.

Topaz licked her lips and slowly knelt in front of him.

John’s breathing deepened and the tension surrounding him kicked up another notch.

“Move forward.”

John moved so fast she almost fell back, but he caught her shoulders and kept her close. She grinned at his enthusiasm.

The bowl of strawberries and cream sat next to her on the table. She reached out and chose one that was covered in cream.

“Topaz.” His voice was strained and she couldn’t tell if he was warning her off or telling her to hurry.

She brought the cream-covered treat back to his cock and dragged it over the mushroom-shaped tip. He groaned and dug his fingers into the edge of the sofa. “Fuck, that feels good.”

“Then you’ll like this even better,” she promised. Topaz circled the berry ‘round and ‘round the top of his shaft, leaving a trail of cream behind her. Watching him get more and more aroused was having a definite effect on her and before long her nipples ached and her core throbbed.

She’d never used food to seduce a man in her life, but she wanted to do this for John, to give him the same erotic experience he’d given her. He was different from any other man she’d ever met and he’d tapped into something deep and primal within her. She felt alive and desirable and powerful and brazen all at once.

She brought the strawberry back to the head of his cock and stroked it slowly over the slit, capturing some of the liquid seeping from the tip. “I wonder what that tastes like?” She raised the berry as if she was going to let him eat it, but at the last second popped it in her own mouth.

Sweet juice squirted in her mouth, mingled with the more musky, salty taste of John. “Mmm. Now that tastes delicious.”

“Tease,” he muttered. He caught her head between his large palms and brought her mouth close to his straining cock. Cream still coated the top and ran down the sides of his shaft.

“Can’t waste good cream.” She started low and swept her tongue up one side of his cock. His fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer. She laughed, knowing what he wanted and knowing she would give it to him.

“You’re killing me, babe.” He angled the head of his cock closer to her mouth in a silent demand.

She trailed her tongue over the tip, lapping off the thick cream. “Tasty.” John was practically vibrating now and she took pity on him, giving him what he wanted. Topaz opened her mouth and took his cock deep.

John groaned and swore and called her name, his thighs closing around her to keep her between his legs. Even when she was in control, John seemed to dominate. His sheer size and presence demanded it. She was even beginning to get used to it, to anticipate and enjoy it.

She dragged her tongue over his rigid shaft, feeling the heavy pulse beating within it. Her pussy contracted in response to his pleasure, feeding her own growing desire.

She sucked and licked and took him deep in her throat. She wanted him to come, to feel the same kind of satisfying completion that he’d given her. John was close and she knew it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. The rim around the top of his cock was sensitive and she drew her tongue over it before she took as much of him as she could into her mouth. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking hard.

John knew he couldn’t hang on any longer. The sight of her kneeling between his legs with his cock in her mouth was more than he could take. He couldn’t believe she’d coated his dick with cream and licked it off. He’d never see strawberries and cream again without remembering this night.

He eased her head back and she reluctantly released him with a wet pop of her mouth. She frowned at him and he almost smiled. She was more than ready to have him come in her mouth. As much as he wanted that, he wanted to be inside her hot, wet pussy even more.

“Next time,” he promised as he stood and pulled her to her feet. He snagged his jeans and yanked out a condom he’d put there earlier in anticipation. It paid to be prepared. “This time I need to be inside you.”

She started to sit on the sofa, but he guided her around to the side of it. “No. Here. Lean down and rest your weight on the arm.” Topaz looked at him, her lips wet and moist, her eyes slightly glazed.

He almost came as he rolled on the damn condom. When it was in place, he moved in behind her. “Bend down, babe.” He placed his hand on her back and urged her forward.

He almost howled with pleasure when she put her hands on the arm of the sofa and pushed her sweet ass toward him. He used his legs to spread hers wider. “I’m going to fuck you until you scream with pleasure.”

He lined up his cock with her wet opening and plunged inside. Her cry was almost lost in the echo of his yell as the slick walls of her cunt closed around him. He drew back and pushed inward again. “More. Take all of me,” he hotly demanded. He plunged deeper this time and gritted his teeth to keep from coming.

God, she was tight. Her inner muscles gripped him like a vise. “Hold on tight,” he told her.

Her fingers tightened around the arm of the sofa and she tensed in anticipation of what he was about to do. He held her hips in his hands and began to fuck her. Hard. Her height made them fit perfectly together and he hammered his hips against her ass, loving the slap of his balls against her pussy.

“You’re so fucking tight and hot around my cock.” He pumped his hips against her, loving the way she stretched around him, taking all of him with each heavy thrust.

She was so fragile next to him, the line of her spine delicate. Her nape was exposed as she leaned forward and he wanted to kiss the sensitive spot and then nip at it with his teeth until he gave her a hickey that wouldn’t be noticeable when her hair covered it. Only she would know it was there, a tangible reminder of his possession of her.

He refrained from doing it. Just barely. Raw, primitive emotions coursed through him, egging him on, but he didn’t want to frighten her.

He slid one hand around to her front and found her clit with his finger. He rubbed the tiny bundle of nerves, urging her to come with him.

Topaz didn’t know how much more she could take. She felt completely overwhelmed by John and his claiming. His cock seemed to get bigger with each stroke. This position had his shaft hitting all her sweet spots with each stroke. Her grip on the arm of the sofa wasn’t enough to ground her and she felt adrift, lost in the tempest swirling around her.

A storm was brewing within her and it was only a matter of time before it broke. She was afraid that when it did, she would splinter into a thousand pieces and be unable to put herself back together again. John would have parts of her she would never be able to reclaim. It frightened and she began to panic.

Then John slid his finger across her clit, sending lightning bolts of pleasure zinging through her. Her body didn’t care what this might cost her. It reached for the promised orgasm, grasping it eagerly.

Her body exploded and her channel tightened around his cock. Spasms of pleasure rocked her to her core. John yelled and pumped several more times, his shaft swelling and flexing. He half collapsed on top of her, his arms banding around her waist to keep her from falling forward onto the arm of the sofa.

They both stood there panting hard, like two combatants in a war they’d both won. Topaz shivered as she became aware of the cool air and the slight twinges in her body. She felt as though she’d survived a hurricane and would never be the same again.

John slowly withdrew from her body and straightened behind her. She was afraid to look at him, afraid she’d lost part of herself to him. She’d never given up such control before, especially not to a man.

He didn’t say anything as he lifted her into his arms and she buried her face against his broad chest. He carried her to the bedroom, setting her down long enough to tug back the covers. He urged her to crawl onto the bed and when she was settled, he covered her quickly and went to the bathroom. The pipes rattled and groaned as he ran water. She could easily picture him standing in the ancient bathroom, cleaning himself off, running a cloth over his semi-aroused cock.

Topaz stared up at the ceiling, totally replete, yet unsatisfied. The sex was exceptional, the best she’d ever had, but something was missing. She was too tired to even consider what that might be. Her eyes drifted closed but shot open again when the covers were pulled off her and cool air rushed over her skin.

John stood beside her with a warm cloth in hand and proceeded to clean her breasts and between her legs. It was embarrassing and she batted at his hands, but he was relentless. Finally, she gave in and let him do as he pleased. After what they’d just done in the living room there was really no need for her to be self-conscious about him washing her in such an intimate manner.

When he was done, he pulled the cover up to her chin and kissed her forehead. “Sleep. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”

She let her eyes close and wished she was wearing her nightgown, needed it like protective armor to help keep her heart safe. It might already be too late for that. John Knight had come into her well-ordered life and blown it apart, by doing no more than simply being what he was.

She shivered and thought about getting her nightgown, but it was in the living room and she wasn’t prepared to leave the bed for it. The sounds of dishes clinking reached her and she knew John was dealing with the remains of their meal. She’d forgotten all about that. It was a very domestic sound and it soothed her.

Her thoughts drifted along, refusing to touch on anything for long and, before she knew it, John was back. She knew the second he stepped into the room. The texture of the air seemed to change when he was there—thickening and filling with anticipation. The sound of fabric against fabric filled the silence and she knew he’d brought their clothing into the room.

She tensed when he crawled into bed beside her but relaxed again when he put his arm around her and pulled her back against his chest, spooning behind her so her back rested against his chest and her butt was cradled against his groin.

It was then she realized she’d been unconsciously waiting for him. Now that he was here, everything was right. She felt his lips brush against the top of her head as she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Six

Topaz woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee and frying bacon. She gave an experimental stretch, feeling the slight muscle twinges in her legs and other more intimate areas. She’d slept long and hard, except for the hour around dawn when John had woken her to make love once again. This time had been long and slow, but no less explosive than what had occurred the night before.

She was still naked and with John gone the bed was much cooler. Sitting up, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and yawned. She really needed some coffee. The covers started to slip down to her waist so she grabbed them and pulled them back up to cover herself. Shower first and then she’d get her coffee.

Before she could move, the door opened and John walked in. It wasn’t fair. No man should look that good first thing in the morning. He was wearing a pair of worn jeans that fit him to perfection and had topped it with a long-sleeved Henley shirt in a heather-gray color that went well with his pale-blue eyes.

Unlike her hair, his was so short it was impossible for it to be disheveled. Even though he’d been out of the Army for two years he was still cutting it with military precision.

He smiled and held out his hand, offering her a steaming mug of coffee. She grabbed it like a lifeline and sipped. “Thank you.” The heartfelt desperation in her words made him laugh.

“Glad I could help.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling this morning?”

She took another sip of the rich, dark coffee, fixed just the way she liked it with sugar and no milk, and pondered how to answer his question. She wasn’t about to tell him about her physical discomforts. Overall, she felt good. “I slept well.” That was certainly the truth. She hadn’t slept so deeply in months.

“Good.” He tucked a finger under her chin and tilted it back so he could drop a quick kiss on her mouth. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

“Is there time for me to shower?” In spite of his efforts last night, Topaz felt sticky and sweaty and desperately wanted to clean herself up.

“Make it a quick one.” He turned and left the room. When the door closed she realized she was staring at his butt.

“Get a grip,” she mumbled. Tossing back the covers, she shivered and grabbed her robe off the chair. It covered her, even if it wasn’t very warm, and that was all that mattered.

It didn’t take her long to dig through her suitcase and pull out clean clothes, her brush and toiletries kit. She dragged all of it, as well as her coffee, into the bathroom and shut the door.

There was a showerhead installed above the cast-iron tub and a curtain that enclosed it. She turned on the water and while it was heating, drained her mug. The caffeine kick-started her brain and got it firing on all cylinders. When the water was warn enough she discarded her robe and stepped beneath the spray, letting it cascade over her head and body.

What had she done?

She’d made love to a man who was dangerous to her sense of well-being, a man who could destroy the emotional equilibrium she’d managed to build over the years. She tilted her head back and wiped the water from her eyes.

Was last night worth the emotional upheaval it would cause?

Yes. Topaz grabbed the bar of soap from the edge of the tub and began to wash. She couldn’t regret her time with John no matter what happened when they returned to New York. He was what he was and she was what she was. This was a time out of time. And it belonged to them.

She reached out of the shower long enough to grab her shampoo out of her toiletries bag and then washed her hair and rinsed her body. When she turned off the water and stepped out onto the bathmat, she felt like herself again—calm and in control.

She noted several small bruises on her legs and arms while she moisturized, but that was to be expected given their vigorous lovemaking. She donned a pair of jeans and a turtleneck sweater in a russet color that set off her black hair. She didn’t have a hairdryer but it didn’t matter with her short hairstyle. She brushed it and fluffed it with her fingers. Then she added mascara and some lipstick. Nothing heavy.

Topaz stared at her reflection. She looked like herself, but yet something wasn’t quite right. There was a knowledge, a haunted quality in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. She thought the first time they’d made love last year was a fluke, that the explosion of passion between them was an anomaly. But it had happened again last night. If anything, the heat between them had skyrocketed, leaving her wondering how long it could continue without burning out.

A knock sounded on the door. “You almost ready?” He didn’t sound impatient, but concerned.

“Be right there.” She waited until she heard his footsteps fade, gathered her belongings and left the bathroom. She dumped everything in the bedroom for now, grabbed her coffee mug and hurried to the kitchen.

John had two plates on the table filled with bacon, eggs and toast. There was a glass of orange juice in front of each plate. “Want more coffee?” He held up the coffeepot.

“Please.” She offered him her mug and thanked him when he filled it. They sat at the table and ate in silence for a few minutes until she couldn’t stand it any longer. “What are our plans for the day?”

John shrugged. “Thought we might take a walk, maybe have a nap after lunch. There are a few books tucked away on the shelf and a few more in the bedroom closet if you want to read.” He reached out and cupped her cheek in his large, warm palm. “You need to have a day where you don’t do anything but relax.”

Well, that wasn’t exactly what she’d expected him to say. Of course, what could he say? I want to get you naked and make love to you all day. She squirmed uncomfortably on her seat before she could stop herself. She was aghast that she was slightly aroused just sitting at the breakfast table with John. Something about last night had splintered all the barriers she’d erected to keep that from happening.

“What’s wrong?” He skimmed a finger down her jawline, worry in his pale eyes.

“Nothing.” She leaned back and his hand fell away from her face. To cover her awkwardness, she grabbed her mug and drank deeply.

She sensed John’s frustration, but he let things be, at least for now. He cleared his plate and sat back, resting his hands on his flat belly. “Last night was special,” he began.

Topaz jumped up from the table and started clearing the dishes. “You cooked, so I’ll clean up.”

John shook his head and slowly pushed back from the table. “I know you’re not ready to talk about us. But you’ll have to before we leave tomorrow morning.”

Tomorrow morning was a lifetime away. Right now, all she wanted to do was enjoy the moment. She’d spent her entire life setting goals and attaining them. She was tired of thinking and planning. Tired of making decisions and wondering about the consequences of her actions, both in life and in business. For the next twenty-four hours, she wanted to do whatever she wanted and damn the cost.

“Do you want more coffee?” She didn’t even acknowledge what he’d said. He shook his head and sighed.

“No. I’m good. I’m going to take a quick walk around the cabin. I won’t be long.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, grabbed his coat and headed out the front door, leaving her alone.

She set the pot back on the coffeemaker burner and turned off the machine. The room seemed so much larger now without John in it. She scrubbed her hands over her eyes, pushing back the tears that threatened to fall. “You’re just tired,” she assured herself.

Pushing up her sleeves, she went to work on the dishes. Work would help keep her mind off her troubles. It always did. She scoured and scrubbed the dishes and pans before wiping down the table and countertops.

When she finished in the kitchen, she made the bed and tidied the bedroom, then she set her sights on cleaning the bathroom. Anything to keep her mind off what was happening between her and John.

Snow crunched under John’s boots, breaking the silence of the morning. Frustration ate at his gut, but he wouldn’t allow it to rule his actions. Topaz was afraid. It was like a punch in the gut when he’d realized it this morning. She didn’t want to talk about a future between them, and it wasn’t because she wasn’t attracted to him. There was no question that they were physically compatible.

So what was the problem?

He was tempted to call one of her sisters and ask, but knew he wouldn’t. Whatever was happening between him and Topaz was private.

His phone vibrated and he yanked it out of his pocket and read the display. He might have known. He thumbed the button and held the phone to his ear. “Yeah.”

“You okay?” His brother’s voice rumbled on the other end. Jake and he had a connection that went deeper than simply being brothers. They were twins and always knew if the other one was upset about something. There was an unspoken communication between them that had helped save their lives many times over their years in the Army and during their time with the Rangers.

John rubbed a hand over the back of his neck and settled against the trunk of a birch tree. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. How are things going with Topaz?”

Jake was the only person he’d told what he was doing. And that was only because it was so ingrained for him to have a backup just in case of emergency. “I don’t know.” Saying the words aloud unsettled him. He’d been so certain if he could just get her away from all the distractions of life he could get her to see that they had something special together. Now he wasn’t so sure.

“They’re complicated women.” John could hear the humor and the underlying strain in his brother’s voice.

“They are that.” He knew that Jake had a thing for Sapphire Jewel and was trying to come to grips with his own feelings. “I’m forty years old, Jake. We’re forty. I know what I want out of life.”

“And you want Topaz.” Jake finished John’s thought.

“She’s the missing piece. What I need for my life to make sense.” He wasn’t quite sure how to explain it. “She quiets the demons, you know? She gives my life focus. Direction. A reason.” Shit, it sounded stupid to say it out loud and he wouldn’t say it to anyone else but Jake. He felt like a pansyass talking about his feelings.

“I know what you mean.” Jake’s quiet response made John feel not quite so stupid.

“Yeah, I guess you do. What a pair we are.”

Jake laughed. “We are at that. But we know how to fight for what we want, how to get around barriers and gain the objective. We don’t give up. Ever.”

His brother was right. He wasn’t a quitter. If this weekend didn’t work, he wouldn’t give up. The main thing he needed to do was uncover why Topaz seemed afraid to talk about a future with him. He couldn’t fix the problem until he knew what it was.

“Thanks, man.” John knew he could always count on his brother to be there for him.

“Take it easy and call if you need anything.”

“Will do. And right back at you.” John ended the call and tucked his phone back in his pocket. He strode toward the cabin, needing to see Topaz. He wanted to kiss her full lips and touch her smooth skin. Mostly, he simply wanted to be with her.

He hurried up the two steps to the door and let himself in. The kitchen area was cleared away, the dishes draining in the rack. He didn’t think the counters had ever gleaned quite so well before. Even the stove was shining in the sunlight streaming in through the window.

From down the hallway, he could hear her humming, and was suddenly filled with the need to hold her in his arms to convince himself he wasn’t losing her. He wiped his boots on the mat and walked silently down the hall.

She was bent over the tub, scrubbing the sides and humming a song he didn’t recognize while she worked. It was the most relaxed he’d ever seen her. He leaned against the doorframe and observed her, paying particular attention to the way the material of her jeans clung to her heart-shaped ass.

As he watched her work, he wondered what it was about this woman that attracted him like no other. Intelligence, obviously—that was a given. She loved her family, was loyal and honest. She had a great laugh and enjoyed going to art movies. She also had a passion for action movies. He wasn’t aware of too many other people who knew her secret vice, but they’d spent many nights during their time together on opposite ends of her sofa with a big bowl of popcorn between them while bombs exploded on the screen in front of them.

As though she felt his eyes on her, she turned around. “Hey. I didn’t hear you come in.” She pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and offered him a tentative smile.

She was also the most put-together woman he’d ever known. She was wearing jeans, but they had a discreet designer label. And since breakfast she’d slipped on a pair of earrings with stones that matched her sweater. She was also wearing a coordinating bracelet. She should have been high maintenance, but she wasn’t. Dressing that well came as natural to her as breathing.

Most women wore sweats to clean the house, but not his Topaz.

“Want to go for a walk? There’s a stream not too far from here and there’s hardly any snow on the path.”

“Sure. Just give me a minute to finish up here.”

“Take your time.” He enjoyed watching her. A sense of rightness settled over him and John knew that he’d do whatever it took to claim this woman. They belonged together. Whatever objections she had he would find a way to get past them.

As she rinsed the tub, she glanced over her shoulder at him several times. “You can wait in the living room if you want.” He was making her nervous, which wasn’t good, but he wanted her to be aware of him and he couldn’t do that if he wasn’t nearby.

“I like the view from here,” he drawled, looking pointedly at her butt.

A burst of laughter escaped her before she could stifle it and she gave him a mock glare. “I can see I’m not going to get any more work done in here.” She tossed the sponge onto the side of the tub and straightened. “We might as well go for a walk now.”

Topaz came toward him, but he didn’t move and continued to block the entrance to the room. She stopped in front of him, hands on her hips, and raised an eyebrow in question. Damn, she was hot when she went all authoritative on him. He could easily picture her giving that same glare to some supplier and having that person fall all over themselves trying to fix whatever the problem was.

But he was made of sterner stuff.

“You gotta pay the toll, babe.” He pointed at his lips.

She laughed again and cocked her hip to one side. “Is that so?”

“Yup.” He enjoyed playing with her, teasing her. She hadn’t had a lot to laugh about these past months. He liked her smile, the way the corners of her mouth turned upward, and the sparkle that illuminated her golden eyes so they appeared to shimmer.

“Hmmm.” She took a step closer to him and pressed her hands against his chest. She ran them up to his shoulders, teasing his nape with her fingers.

“Is the toll expensive?” she asked.

“You have no idea.” His voice was lower than normal, arousal making it deeper, rougher. It took every ounce of strength he had to keep from kissing her. He wanted her to initiate the kiss.

She went up onto her toes and pulled his head toward her. “I think I’m up to it,” she whispered just before her mouth touched his.

There was no doubt in his mind she was up to the challenge. She tasted like mint toothpaste and the faintest hint of coffee. He opened his mouth over hers and devoured her. He’d eaten breakfast, but he was a starving man. And only she could sate the hunger inside him.

His tongue tangled with hers as they both stroked and teased. She moaned and he broke, grabbed her butt in his hands and pulled her into the cradle of his groin. Her mound pressed against his cock, a perfect fit.

He groaned and moved against her as they continued to kiss. With her in his arms, he lost all track of time and place. Whether she knew it or not, the woman in his arms was everything to him.

He ran his hand up her spine and back down again. She made little sounds of pleasure that sparked the growing lust within him, setting it aflame.

It was only when he felt her palms push against him that he found the strength to pull back from the kiss. She stared up at him and licked her lips. He groaned, leaned down and licked her lips for her.

A deep shudder went through her. “I think,” she began. “I think we should probably take that walk now.”

He shook his head to clear it. She wanted to go for a walk. Now. His body was yelling its denial even as his head told him to suck it up and get back in the game.

She pushed him aside and eased by him. Heading toward the bedroom, she glanced over her shoulder. “I think that more than paid the toll. You can put the rest on my tab for future payment.”

A slow smile broke over his lips as he watched her sashay into the bedroom. “Yes ma’am,” he whispered under his breath. He’d thought to tease her, to get her all hot and bothered before they went for their walk.

Well, the idea had partly worked, except he was the one all hot and bothered. Although, he knew the look in her eyes very well and knew she was feeling the effects of their kiss just as much as he was.

Satisfied he’d set the tone for the day, John sauntered back to the living room to wait for Topaz.

Chapter Seven

Topaz gave John a sideways glance before looking back at the path in front of her. Her body still hummed from the kiss they’d shared in the bathroom. She couldn’t believe she’d been brazen enough to tease him about it. John brought out a side of her she hadn’t even known existed. She’d never teased a lover before, or thought about sex as something to laugh about. It was fun and liberating.

The bright sun warmed her face as they walked. The crisp air made her face tingle and the light snow covering the ground crunched beneath her boots. It was the perfect morning for a stroll. Winter was hanging on, but she could practically smell spring in the air.

The woods were quiet but they weren’t silent. Crows cawed and a squirrel scampered up the trunk of an oak tree off to their left. In the distance she could hear the distinct burble of a brook. It was so different from New York and reminded her of the simpler times of her childhood.

“Not too cold, are you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s not that cold.” In fact, she wasn’t even wearing her gloves. They were stuffed in her pockets along with her hands. She’d wanted to reach out and take John’s hand, but she hadn’t been able to make herself do it.

It bothered her that she was unable to do such a simple thing. Why was she so afraid to reach out to him in such a simple way? She’d had no trouble making love to him last night, or early this morning. Maybe it was because their lovemaking had happened in the heat of passion. Reaching out to hold his hand seemed like more of a commitment.

God, could she be any more messed up about her feelings?

She glanced at him again and sighed. John had been quiet since they left the cabin, the easy humor they’d shared over the kiss in the bathroom gone. She wondered what was on his mind, but was afraid to ask, not wanting to ruin the beauty of the moment.

The toe of her boot caught on an exposed root and she started to fall. She threw her hands out in front to catch herself, but John stopped her descent before she’d done more than stumble. Her boots looked great on a stroll down Madison Avenue, not so practical for a walk in the woods.

“I’ve got you.” He helped her stand upright again and brushed his thumb over her cheek. “All good?”

“Yes.” There was worry in his eyes, but behind it she saw the familiar flames of desire. His leather jacket crinkled beneath her hands as she clutched his shoulders. His gaze narrowed and his nostrils flared.

She had no idea what devil inside her made her go up on her toes and kiss him. It was like baiting a bull with a red cape during a bullfight. She wanted him to lose control.

At first he stayed as still as a statue, unmoving and unresponsive to her kiss. Just as embarrassment started to creep in and she began to pull back, he caught her head between his hands and held her while he devoured her. His kiss was filled with dark passion, with relentless need. As always, her body responded readily to his touch.

She wanted him and she wanted him now.

There were no thoughts of tomorrow and what it might bring. There was only now and the heat that sizzled that arose every time they touched.

“Topaz.” Her name was a tortured whisper on his lips. His hand skated down her back to her butt. He lifted her against his erection and ground his pelvis against her.

She had to touch him, had to feel his hard, hot flesh beneath her hands. The zipper of his jacket posed no problem and she slid her hands inside, shoving it down his arms. He released her long enough for her to push it off. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and she simply thrust her hands beneath it.

His body jerked when her cool hands hit his hot skin. The man was always so warm, so irresistible to her.

While she’d been busy removing his jacket, he’d opened her coat and now slipped his hands beneath her turtleneck sweater, finding her lace-clad breasts. His fingers closed around the mounds and he moaned deep in his throat. “I love your breasts, so full, so perfect.”

He took a step forward, forcing her to move backward until her spine connected with the broad trunk of a tree. John leaned down, shoved her sweater up and covered one nipple with his mouth, sucking on it through the delicate fabric of her bra. The tight nub stood at attention, the combination of the heat from his mouth and the cool air on her skin ratcheting her arousal up a notch.

This was crazy. They were in the middle of the woods and there was still snow on the ground. Plus, they were out in public. She had no idea how close they were to other people. Knowing John, not very close. He was a man who valued his privacy. But still, she wasn’t the type of woman to take these kinds of chances, to be this wild and impetuous.

He shifted his mouth to her other breast, wringing a moan of pleasure from her, and she forgot all her objections, all the reasons why this wasn’t a good idea. Her panties were damp and the familiar longing grew within her. “John.” She groaned his name as he sucked hard and used his tongue on her straining nipple.

“Right here. Right now.” He pulled back and yanked down the zipper of her jeans and tore open the button.

His sense of urgency fired hers and she found herself agreeing, even helping. She shimmied her hips and he pulled her jeans down around her knees, taking her panties with them. Cool air hit her bare butt and her pussy and she shivered.

Her boots prevented her clothing from going down any farther. John swore and spun her around so she was facing the tree. “Bend forward.”

A blast of heat beat back the cold when she realized what he wanted to do. She placed her hands on the rough bark of the tree and leaned down. Behind her, she could hear the sound of a zipper. Fabric moved over fabric and then she felt the hard, hot head of his cock pressed against her opening.

John swore and pulled back. “Condom,” he muttered. She felt exposed and vulnerable just waiting for him, yet every nerve in her body tingled in anticipation.

The crinkle of the foil packet sounded extremely loud to her ears, unnatural amidst the sounds of nature.

“Done,” he muttered. He caught her hips in his hands, positioned his cock at her opening and pushed inward. There was no pause, no hesitation as he pushed past her body’s natural resistance until he’d seated himself to the hilt.

She felt deliciously stretched as he invaded her, giving no quarter. She squirmed, trying to take him even deeper. It was a tight fit in this position and there was slight discomfort as her body adjusted to his, but it hurt so good.

He pulled back until only the tip of his cock was lodged in her pussy. Then he slammed home again. She arched her back and cried out.

He froze. “Topaz?”

“Again,” she moaned. God, she needed him to fill her, to drive out all her insecurities and misgivings. All she wanted to do was feel.

His hands tightened around her hips and he drove into her over and over, pushing them both closer to the edge of oblivion. Around them the sounds of the forest grew quiet until all she could hear was the sound of their heavy breathing and the occasional groan of pleasure. He shifted and the snow scrunched beneath his boots.

She should have been cold, half-naked as she was. But she was hot, burning with need.

John banded one arm around her waist and reached his free hand down between her legs. His thumb grazed her clit, setting off a series of small explosions in her core. She cried out and then caught her breath when he pulled her away from the tree, so she was standing upright with his cock buried deep in her pussy.

The position made his cock seem even larger and she wasn’t sure how he fit inside her. The pressure in her groin grew with each passing second until she knew she couldn’t hold out any longer.

John held her close, his hips rocking hard against her ass. His movements were fast and frantic now. She cried out his name and gave herself over to the explosive orgasm that ripped through her.

He swore under his breath as his arms tightened around her. His hips jerked and his cock rippled, setting off another round of spasms within her. Her vision dimmed and she gulped in mouthfuls of cool air. A shiver snaked down her spine. She suddenly felt the cold air on her bare legs and butt.

“God almighty, but that got out of hand.” John withdrew carefully from her. In spite of his effort to be gentle, she flinched. She was feeling raw, physically and emotionally.

She used one hand to steady herself against the tree and tried to pull up her clothes with the other. It was harder than it should have been. Her limbs weren’t responding to her commands. Her legs felt like jelly and her arms weren’t much better.

“Here. Let me help you.” John tugged her panties and jeans around her and zipped them shut before pulling her sweater back down. He pulled the sides of her jacket closed and pulled her into his arms.

She buried her face against his chest and breathed in his musky, woodsy scent. This man could make her do things that no other could. He could make her forget herself and her surroundings. He could make her lose herself in passion. It was crazy. It was addictive. But mostly it was dangerous to her peace of mind.

“Everything will be okay.” His promise brought tears to his eyes. She didn’t know how everything would be okay, but she didn’t want to argue with him. Not now. Time was growing short.

He leaned back and caught her chin with the edge of his hand. His blue eyes studied her face. She had no idea what he was looking for or if he found it. He kissed her forehead and stepped back, taking the time to zip her jacket closed. “Are you too cold to keep walking? Do you want to go back?”

She jammed her chilled hands into her coat pocket and pulled out her gloves, slipping them on. “No, I’m okay.” She didn’t want to go inside just yet, was afraid she’d feel the walls closing in around her if she did.

“The brook isn’t far from here.” He grabbed his jacket and slipped it on. Then he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her down the rough trail. Five minutes later they came out at a small, burbling brook. A large boulder had settled on its side next to the water. John drew her to it and sat, pulling her down in front of him. He wrapped his arms around her and urged her to lean back against his chest.

They were silent for several minutes as she waited for him to speak. She could tell he had something on his mind. The time had come for them to talk and she knew there would be no putting him off this time. She braced herself for what was to come.

John felt Topaz stiffen in his arms but he didn’t let her go, nor did it deter him from what he was about to say. They needed to talk. Time was running out. Soon they’d both be back to their busy lives and if they didn’t settle their relationship, he was afraid she could easily slip away from him.

His body was still humming from the orgasm he’d just had. He still couldn’t believe he’d stripped her pants down to her knees and taken her in the middle of the cold woods. Really smooth there, Knight.

Still, he couldn’t really regret his impulsive actions. She’d been right with him all the way, her sweet pussy closing around his dick and clenching it tight. His cock stirred again, but he ignored it. He’d only put one condom in his pocket and he’d already used it.

Plus, he was determined to find out why she seemed so opposed to an actual relationship with him. If he were a less self-assured man she’d have crushed whatever ego he did have weeks ago.

“Talk to me, sweetheart.” He kept his voice low and neutral. “Why are you so afraid of what we have together?”

He waited for what seemed like forever, but his patience was finally rewarded. “You lead such a different life than I do, John. You were in the military. You’ve done things I could never dream of.”

He stiffened. Was it his past that was keeping them apart? He’d spent more time in war zones than he wanted to remember, had done things no man should ever have to do. But he’d done them because they’d needed doing and he wasn’t ashamed of his actions.

She continued to speak, totally unaware of his internal turmoil. “I mean, you jump out of planes and blow things up and do all kinds of death-defying things. The most dangerous thing I’ve ever done is hit an after-Christmas sale at Macy’s.”

John relaxed slightly. “What does that matter?” He was totally perplexed and wished he understood exactly what was going on inside her mind. Women were complicated creatures. Men were much more straightforward and easy to understand.

She turned in his arms and looked up at him. “What does it matter?” She was looking at him as though he wasn’t very smart, which might have been amusing under other circumstances. Now it was frustrating as hell.

“I’ll tell you why it matters,” she continued. “You’ve lived with adrenaline and adventure your entire life. Even after you left the military you chose a profession that was filled with more thrills and danger. I can’t live like that. I’m a homebody. I want security and a man who is content to stay home with me.”

Topaz paused and fear clouded her eyes. “I wouldn’t be enough for you, John. Maybe at first, but over time…” She let her words trail off and he thought his heart might split in two when a lone tear rolled down her cheek.

He caught the tear on his thumb and wiped it away. “Hey. That’s just crazy.” He had to make her understand how he felt about her. “I’m forty years old, sweetheart. I’ve been shot at more time than I care to think about and bailed out of more than enough airplanes to last me a lifetime. I’m ready to settle down and live a quieter life.”

She pulled out of his arms and turned, sitting tailor-style on the rock facing him. “That’s not true. Not really. You’re a professional bodyguard, John. That means you’ll still be in danger and people might very well be shooting at you.”

“The chances of me being shot because of my work are very slim. We specialize mostly in corporate security, going into businesses and finding the weaknesses so we can plug the holes.” Not only was it satisfying work, but it paid a hell of a lot better than the military ever had.

Topaz frowned at him. “But you’re a bodyguard too.”

He shook his head. “Only in very rare cases.” He reached out and ran his fingers over her hair. “When I saw you for the first time last year, I knew I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”

She licked her lips and his cock jerked in response, but he held a tight rein on his body. This was too important for him to fail now. This was the most important mission of his life. He could not fail. Topaz had to give them a chance.

Topaz felt a warm fuzzy feeling in the vicinity of her heart, but she had to stay strong. John was trying to refute the reasons they couldn’t have a real relationship but she wasn’t quite ready to believe him yet.

Oh, she knew he meant it when he said he was finished with all the excitement in his life. It was one thing to say it, another to actually live it.

He touched her cheek, his eyes steady and warm. “Give us a chance. Give me a chance to show you I mean what I’m saying.”

Could she do that? Could she risk her heart? “But we don’t really know one another.”

John laughed and shook his head. “Babe, we’ve been living together for weeks this winter, not to mention our time together last summer.”

She felt her cheeks heating and knew she was blushing. She detested the weakness and pushed onward with her objections. “That’s not real. The situation was tense. You were my bodyguard.” He couldn’t refute those facts.

He shrugged. “So. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t real.” He caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and leaned in closer. “All those meals we shared, movies we watched, arguments about business and politics, they were all real.”

She closed her eyes, needing to escape the intensity of his gaze. “But the situation wasn’t a normal one. What happens when the day-to-day drudgery sets in and I’m nagging you to pick up your socks off the floor or you’re pissed off because I don’t want to go skydiving or something?”

He kissed her and her eyes flew open. He took her hands in his and gave them a squeeze. “First of all, I’m neat. I don’t leave my socks on the floor. If we’d been sharing a bed these past weeks you’d already know that. As for skydiving or anything else like that, if I want to do it I can always ask Jake to go with me. I don’t expect you to be anything other than what you are.”

He was refuting all her arguments one by one. Still, she was unsure what to do about them. She was beginning to think the problem wasn’t with John at all, but with her. It was an eye-opening revelation and something she needed to consider.

John brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles one by one. “Every relationship has challenges, Topaz. Life doesn’t come with guarantees. But we can make this work.”

He stood and pulled her to her feet beside him. “Only you can decide if what we have is worth the risk to you. I think it is. And I’m willing to give it everything I’ve got.”

He stepped down off the rock and helped her down. “Let’s go back to the cabin and get something warm to drink. I don’t want you to get a chill.”

Topaz walked beside him, her mind scrambling to come up with an argument to refute his. But as much as she tried, she couldn’t. Bottom line, she had to decide if she was willing to take a chance on John and on herself.

Chapter Eight

Topaz slipped her cellphone back into her purse and tried not to feel the clock ticking down on their time together. Susie had assured her that Sisters’ Jewels was running just fine and she should take her time in coming back to work.

It was depressing to think the business could function so well without her. But it was also a testament to her skill as a businesswoman. She’d trained all her staff extremely well. Yes, she’d have piles of paperwork to deal with and then there was the Christmas line to finalize. It might only be March, but in retail that meant it was time to start planning for the big holiday season.

There were also several messages from both her sisters and her mother, demanding to know where she was. She thought about answering them, but wasn’t up to an inquisition, not when she was so uncertain herself.

She rubbed a hand over her face and wondered what the hell she was going to do about her and John. She’d cleaned up in the bathroom, but she could still feel the echoes of their wild lovemaking in the woods. Her body might be humming with satisfaction, but her emotions were totally messed up.

She picked up her brush and ran it through her hair. Not that it needed it. She was stalling and she knew it. John was out in the kitchen making hot chocolate for them. The man was always trying to take care of her in little ways. She could easily get used to it if she wasn’t careful. And would that be such a bad thing?

She’d needed a few moments to herself and had slipped into the bedroom on the pretext that she had to call the boutique to make sure everything was running okay in her absence and to let her assistant know she’d be back in the city sometime tomorrow.

She was feeling indecisive, a very unusual state for her and she didn’t like it. She was always calm, able to see all sides of a situation and make the best decision. And she thought she’d done that with her and John’s relationship. Now she was conflicted.

Personal relationships were a lot more confusing than business ones. They weren’t cut-and-dry. Topaz was forced to face the fact that she’d only dated men she could deal with the same way she did any business transaction. That wasn’t flattering to her or fair to the men she’d dated.

John defied being categorized or pigeonholed. A relationship with him would be emotional and messy and potentially devastating. But it could also be wonderful if she could find the courage to reach out and take what he was offering.

It was sobering to discover she was a coward when it came to relationships. She didn’t like seeing this side of herself, but she had to face it and deal with it if she was going to move forward.

The question was, did she want to move forward or was she happy living exactly the way she was?

She tossed her brush down on the dresser and headed toward the kitchen. She wasn’t going to come to any conclusions simply standing there. Might as well have some hot chocolate. All women knew you could think better when you had chocolate. It’s hardwired into the DNA.

John’s back was turned to her when she entered the kitchen, but she didn’t for one minute think he didn’t know she was there. She studied his competent movements, the way he poured hot water and stirred the contents into the mugs. The man did so many things well he sometimes could be intimidating to be around. But Topaz knew that beneath his hard exterior was a man of great substance.

As he worked, the gray long-sleeved knit shirt he wore clung to his broad shoulders and emphasized the size of his biceps. He set the spoon in the sink, turned and handed her one of the mugs.

“Thanks.” She took a sip, disconcerted by the unease that slid through her. It belatedly occurred to her that she’d always felt relaxed around John, not having to watch her words or behave in a certain manner. She’d always been herself around him and the silences had always been comfortable ones. Until now.

“You’re welcome.” He used the pad of this thumb to wipe the corner of her mouth. “You’ve got some here.”

She felt the light touch all the way to her toes and took a step back. “Ah, thanks.”

John sighed. “You know, I’m not going to jump you again. You don’t have to decide what you want to do about our relationship right this moment.” His exasperation was evident and it made her smile.

“First of all, the jumping was mutual.” No way did she want him to think any differently. “And are you sure you want a relationship with me? I seem to frustrate you quite a bit.”

That got her a chuckle and a smile. “That’s the God’s truth.” He touched her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her skin, making it tingle. “But you’re worth it.”

Topaz wasn’t quite sure how to take his answer and chose to store it away to think about at a later time. She held her mug tight in her hands, enjoying the way the heat seeped into her skin. She wouldn’t say anything to John, but she really was chilled to the bone from their walk in the woods.

She wandered into the living room area and sat in the corner of the sofa, pulling her legs up close to her body to conserve heat. John followed her and set his mug down on the coffee table. “You’re cold.” His words were almost accusing and angry, and she immediately knew he was blaming himself.

“I’m fine. Just a little chilly is all.”

He ignored her, grabbed the box of matches from the mantle and crouched in front of the fireplace. He lit a match and set it to the kindling. The fire crackled and caught the logs. When he was satisfied with the growing blaze, he set the screen in front and joined her on the sofa.

He grasped her by the waist and tugged her until she was curled up in his arms. His warmth surrounded her. It was nice to sit in front of a cheerful fire with John, neither of them speaking. The silence wasn’t strained, wasn’t completely comfortable either, but somewhere in-between.

He ran his hand absently up and down her arm, all the while staring into the flames. She rested her head against his shoulder, her mind whirling with the possibilities. Could they make a long-term relationship work?

“Stop thinking,” he admonished her. “Just enjoy the rest of the day. We’ll head back to the city in the morning and take things from there.”

He knew her so well. It constantly surprised her just how in tune he was with her moods. And it shouldn’t. He was right about one thing. They had lived together for several weeks last summer and again this winter. They might not have been sleeping together but they had been sharing a living space. He’d seen into all aspects of her life, but she knew very little about what he did and how he lived when he was away from her.

“What’s your life like?” If they were to have any chance at a relationship, she needed to know more about him. “When you’re not being my bodyguard,” she clarified.

John rubbed his chin against the top of her head. “I work, I eat, I exercise and keep my skills up.”

She gave him a mock punch in the stomach. He reached down, caught her fist in his hand and brought it to his lips. “That tells me exactly nothing,” she protested.

He sighed. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything. Do you live alone or do you and Jake share a place? What’s it like having a twin brother? Where are your parents?” It appalled her to realize she didn’t already know the answers to these questions. She’d really been self-centered during their time together. Of course, he’d been her bodyguard, not her best friend, but still.

“Jake and I own a four-apartment brownstone. We each have our own place and rent the two other units.” He shifted slightly, and she moved so she could watch him while he spoke.

His face was more rugged than handsome, with his strong, stubborn jaw and high forehead. But it suited him. His eyes were like blue lasers, seeing everything in one sweep of a room. That gaze was pinned on her now.

“Our parents were killed in a car accident when we were six and we went to live with our granddad—Bernard Knight. He’d spent most of his life in the Army. Grandma died of cancer before we were even born. So there he was with two rambunctious six-year-olds to raise.”

She could easily picture two blond-headed boys in stained shirts and ripped jeans. They would have been a handful and then some. “I’d say it was a challenge for all of you.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, it was. He was strict, but fair. We lived in Brooklyn and he worked at a garage. He kept us off the streets and out of trouble until we joined the Army.”

“He must have been proud of you both.” What grandfather wouldn’t be proud of such brave, wonderful men? She didn’t know Jake nearly as well as she did John, but she couldn’t imagine him being much different in his core values. Sapphire liked him and that was enough for Topaz to know he had to be a good man. Her sister had a keen nose for sniffing out phonies.

“I guess. He expected us to make something out of our lives.” John’s hand squeezed her hip, kneading her curve before floating back up to her waist.

“Is he still alive?”

John snorted. “Oh yeah. He’s eighty-two years old and still lives in the apartment in Brooklyn. Jake and I wanted him to move into one of the apartments in our building, but he informed us he liked where he was living and was staying. Stubborn old goat,” John muttered.

Topaz couldn’t help it. She burst into laughter. “Takes one to know one,” she managed to get out between bouts of laughter.

A slow smile curved his lips. “You think I’m stubborn?”

She pressed her finger into the slight cleft in his chin. “I know you are.”

“Honey, I’m positively laid-back compared to Granddad.”

“I’ve got to meet him.” He sounded like a fascinating man and she’d bet he could tell her all kinds of stories about John when he was a boy.

John’s arms tightened around her. “I’d like that.”

It was only after she’d said it she realized that spoke of them having some kind of a future together, at least in the short-term. She nodded but said nothing more, not wanting to commit herself further, not yet. Still, she wanted to meet the man who had such a hand in rearing such a wonderful man like John.

“What about you? What was it like growing up in the Jewel family?”

They’d talked about her family some. More the facts than how she actually felt about it. “In many ways it was the perfect childhood.” She sighed and rested her head on John’s shoulder once again.

“But not always?” he countered.

“No, not always. There were always photographers and reporters hanging around outside the family estate hoping to get a shot or a story, especially when we were younger. We couldn’t go outside the gates without at least one of them chasing us.”

“That must have been tough. And having the reporters hounding your family again this past year must have brought it all back.” Topaz wasn’t surprised by John’s swift and accurate assessment of the situation. Having to deal with the paparazzi had brought back all those negative memories.

“You’ve had a taste of it since taking the job as my bodyguard, so you know what it’s like. It certainly has added to the pressure. When we were kids, all the attention eased off when Mom and Dad stopped touring. The media hounds eventually lost interest in our family and went away. The times have changed, though, and things move faster now. Thankfully, it won’t be long until we’re old news.”

She offered him a smile. “I don’t want you to think I had a miserable childhood. Quite the opposite, in fact. My sisters and I were always close. We didn’t go to regular school often. We were mostly homeschooled.” She laughed as one memory jumped to the fore. “We never knew when Dad would take it in his head to do something crazy.”

“Like what?” John relaxed, settling back against the sofa cushions. The fire crackled in the hearth, warming them both.

“Like waking up one morning and deciding we should go to Italy. We were on a plane by just after lunch and spent a month touring the country.”

“That must have been exciting.”

Topaz smiled at the memory. “It was. We ate so much pasta.” She laughed. “Sapphire decided she wanted to swim in one of the fountains in Rome. Instead of trying to stop her, my dad joined her while Mom took pictures of them.”

She traced circles on the front of his shirt, lost in the past. “It really was special. We were always going somewhere. We never knew from one moment to the next what might happen.”

“And that made you want a quiet, stable life.” There was no judgment in his tone, but Topaz felt herself growing defensive.

“I suppose so.” She really couldn’t deny it. John was an astute man. She should have known he’d see beyond the fond memory to the effect it had on her adult life.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with wanting stability. I want it too.” He brushed his hand through her hair. “And you have it whether you realize it or not. Your family is your stability. I’ve watched you and your sisters together. There’s nothing you wouldn’t do for one another.”

He was right. She knew she would never be alone in the world, never have to face life by herself, not as long as she had her sisters and her parents.

“It’s like that for me and Jake,” he continued, his fingers massaging her scalp before moving lower to her neck. Muscles she hadn’t realized were even tense began to loosen under his tender touch. “Granddad might be a tough son of a bitch, but we always knew we could depend on him. I could call him right now if I needed him and he’d climb in his 1968 Camaro and come as fast as he could. Which would be pretty damn fast in that car.”

John was making her look at her life in a different way. It was strange to take what she’d always seen as a chaotic childhood and turn it on its head so she could see the bedrock of support, the stability that was there. Deep down, she’d always known she could count on her family, but she’d never translated it to the security she’d craved. No, her life wasn’t normal, would never be. But that was okay. What was normal anyway?

She moaned when his fingers dug into a particularly stiff shoulder muscle. “Babe, you need to relax.”

“I know,” she groaned. She fully realized she was a type A personality, always needing to be in control of a situation. It was what made her excel at business. It also led to the downfall of many relationships. Not to mention the tension headaches and stress.

He lifted her off his lap. “How about we play a game?”

Her eyes widened and her interest grew. “What kind of game?” Was that her own voice so low and husky? They’d only had sex an hour ago in the woods, for crying out loud.

“How about Monopoly?” He grinned at her as if he knew where her thoughts had gone. “I figure you’d like that game. You can try to whoop my butt by stealing all my property.”

She picked up her mug and sipped at the cooling chocolate. “You’re on. And I promise I won’t have any mercy.”

He gave a theatrical groan and clutched his heart. “Don’t be too rough with me.”

She looked at his crotch and licked her lips. It was gratifying to watch his cock flex and grow beneath his jeans. “I won’t be too rough. Just rough enough.”

This time his groan was real. “You’re killing me, babe.”

“You’re the one who wanted to play games,” she pointed out.

He leaned down and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “So I did.” He straightened and went to the almost empty bookcase and pulled the game off the bottom shelf. “Loser makes dinner.”

“You’re on.”

* * * * *

Hours later, John put a perfectly grilled cheese sandwich in front of Topaz. “Hope you like it.” He’d already dished up the canned tomato soup to give it time to cool.

“I’ll love it. Nothing tastes better than a winning bet.” She lifted one golden triangle and bit into it. “Mmm, nice and gooey. Just the way I like it.”

John was pleased that she appeared to be totally relaxed and content, which had been his plan all along. She’d been so uptight when they’d returned from their walk, he’d half expected her to pack her bags and demand to be taken home. She needed some time and breathing space so he’d made a tactical retreat. Now he was sneaking closer again and planned to catch her off guard.

“I should have known better than to play a game of business against you.” She was as sharp at the game as she was in real life. And lucky too. “Tactics are more my speed. That and strength. Maybe we’ll play touch football next time.”

“Maybe we will,” she grinned. “I think I can take you.”

He wouldn’t mind her taking him. Not at all. His dick flexed in agreement. He’d been hard all damn afternoon, ever since she’d looked at his cock and licked her lips. The tease. She’d known darn well what she was doing to him.

They’d skipped lunch and munched on chips instead. Neither of them wanted to stop playing long enough to cook, so they were having an early supper. It was already getting dark outside, making the cabin seem cozy and warm.

He’d learned a lot about her this afternoon. They’d chatted as they’d played the board game, both of them sharing memories from their childhood. It had pleased him when she’d asked personal questions about his life, something she’d refrained from doing up until now. Whether she realized it or not, that was a major victory for him. She wouldn’t ask if she wasn’t thinking about taking their relationship to the next level.

Topaz was a very complex woman, on one hand so courageous and independent and, on the other, she was uncertain and needed to feel secure. He could have told her there was no such thing as security, not really. Life happened and you dealt with what it handed you, for better or worse.

What she didn’t seem to realize was she had the inner strength to deal with whatever came her way. If building a business from scratch with her sisters hadn’t taught her that, the turmoil from the past year should have.

John wanted to be the one she leaned on when things got tough. He wanted to be the one she turned to when she was feeling insecure or needed to talk, the one who held her through the night, who was beside her for better or worse.

He already knew she was the one for him. Being with her made him feel as though he’d finally found his place in the world. He’d been content with his life before he’d met her. But when he was around her, he felt happy, as though a missing part of himself had finally been found.

They ate mostly in silence, only making the occasional comment. John felt the weight of the coming morning, knowing he would have to take Topaz back to the apartment she shared with her sister. Sapphire would already be there waiting for Topaz. He knew them well enough to know they’d want to talk about everything that had happened since they’d last seen one another. He had to try to secure his place in her life before they left.

He set his spoon down and stood. Topaz glanced up at him, her gaze widening. He wasn’t sure what she saw when she looked at him, but he knew how he felt—aroused and territorial. “Come with me.” He held out his hand to her and waited.

She wiped her mouth with her napkin and pushed away from the table. Triumph filled him when she took his hand. He led her down the hallway to the bedroom, leaving the messy kitchen behind them. He shut the door and turned to her, determined to make love to her so well she’d never forget this night for as long as she lived.

Chapter Nine

The intensity surrounding John, the tense set of his shoulders and the muscle twitching in his jaw should have frightened her. Instead, she relished it. He wanted her. And, God help her, she wanted him with a passion that kept growing.

A sense of desperation crept into her. What would happen to them when they returned to their everyday lives? Would John’s job keep him away from her? She knew he’d told her he was mostly involved in security systems now and helping out businesses, but she worried about him. Would he choose to work as a bodyguard again? If she agreed to give them a chance, would she be enough for him?

That was the real question. She wondered if she was enough to hold a man like John’s attention. She frowned, not liking where her thoughts were headed. It wasn’t like her to be so insecure.

“Hey. Where did you go?” John captured her face between his large, warm hands and stared into her eyes. There was worry in his blue gaze.

She shook her head. “Nowhere.” She didn’t want to talk about it. Not now. “Where were we?” She wanted to make love with John once more. For that’s what it was for her—making love.

Topaz had known last summer that John Knight was a very special man, one who could shake up her well-ordered life if she allowed him. He’d gone away for a while, but come back again, this time rocking the foundations of her world.

He’d done what no other man had done before. He’d made her fall in love with him.

She raised her hands, sliding them beneath his shirt and resting them on his chest. The muscle beneath her fingers was rock-hard, his skin supple. She went up on her toes and kissed him, letting her lips slide over his. He was still watching her with concern in his eyes and she didn’t want that. She wanted to see them glaze over with passion. She wanted to love him so long and hard he’d fall in love with her too.

“Topaz.” He said her name, but she shook her head.

“No talking. Not now.” They’d talked this morning and all afternoon. Now all she wanted to do was feel.

She thought for a moment he might object, but he nodded and released her. He took her hand in his and led her to the bed. There was nothing hurried about his actions. He was acting like a man with all the time in the world.

He reached out and carefully removed one of her earrings. A shiver raced down her spine as his fingers grazed the sensitive outer shell. Then he did the other side. He set both earrings on the nightstand and leaned forward, letting his breath warm her ear before catching the lobe between his teeth and gently tugging.

“John,” she groaned. Her neck and arm began to tingle and the shivery sensation went all the way down to her nipples. They puckered, pressing against her bra.

“What?” The puff of breath against her neck had goose bumps running down her arms. “Don’t you like this?” His tongue traced the whorls of her ear, his tongue flicking over the edge. She fought the urge to press her thighs together. Her panties were already damp and her pussy ached for his touch.

She curled her fingers and used her nails to lightly rake his chest. He groaned and caught her hands, tugging them from beneath his shirt. “Not this time. This time I want to take my time and taste every inch of your body. I want to trace every lush curve with my tongue and taste the sweet cream between your thighs.”

Topaz couldn’t speak, could barely blink. She was going to come just listening to him talk about what he wanted to do with her.

He tugged at the hem of her sweater, drawing the turtleneck up and over her head. Then he removed her bracelet and set it alongside her earrings. He traced his thumbs over the curve of her breasts, following the outer lacy edges of her bra. “Your skin is softer than anything I’ve ever touched.”

His fingers trailed up her arms to her shoulders and he caught the straps, slowly easing them down. She swallowed hard as he exposed her breasts to his view. He’d seen them before, several times now, but each time it felt new. The worshipful look in his eyes made her feel like the sexiest woman in the world.

“My turn.” She grabbed his shirt and tugged it up. He took over and dragged the garment over his head, dropping it to the floor.

John rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, causing them to pebble even more. Her skin felt raw, exposed, as if it was pulled too tight over her frame. His fingers slid along the band until he found the hooks at the back. Then her bra was gone and he lowered his head.

She caught her breath as his mouth closed over one puckered nipple, drawing it into his mouth. He lashed his tongue over the tip and she clutched at his head to keep him there. John worked his way over to her other nipple and lavished it with the same attention.

“So sweet,” he murmured. “Let’s get the rest of your clothes off.”

Like a woman in a daze, she allowed John to undress her. Lost in a sensual haze she was flat on her back on the bed before she could catch her breath. John stood next to the bed, towering over her.

He undid the button of his jeans and slowly lowered his zipper. Her mouth went dry and she licked her lips to moisten them. John sucked in a breath and swore. He quickly toed off his boots, and then dragged off his jeans and briefs. Once he was naked, he stretched out next to her on the bed, swallowing up most of the room on the mattress.

His cock nestled against her hip, hot and pulsing and she reached down and caught his shaft in her hand, but he pulled it away. “I want you too much, babe.” He lowered himself over her, his hands on either side of her head, his legs trapping hers. “I want to touch you, to taste all of you.”

She shivered at the intensity of his words. Was it possible theirs could be a relationship that would last? She caught his shoulders and pulled herself up, rubbing her breasts against the hard wall of his chest. “Love me, John.” Desperation tinged her words, but she didn’t care. She was feeling slightly desperate, her body coiled and ready for release, her mind counting down the moments until they had to return to their normal lives and her emotions scattered all over the place.

He kissed her then, stealing her breath with the enormity of his need. His tongue swept in and claimed her mouth. She met him stroke for stroke, angling her head for better access. He tasted like strong black coffee and slightly spicy like the tomato soup they’d eaten. Delicious.

His hands worshiped her body, stroking up and down her arms and torso, tracing her subtle curves. She touched him wherever she could reach, his chest, his shoulders, his back. He was so warm, so alive, muscles rippling beneath the skin wherever she touched.

He tore his mouth from hers and left a trail of hot kisses down her throat. He paused at the sensitive spot where her neck met the curve of her shoulder and bit down carefully. Attention to that particular place was like lighting a match to gasoline and her hips jacked up, pressing hard against his erection. She thrashed her head back and forth on the pillow. She needed John inside her.

“Now, John.” She dug her fingers into his taut butt, trying to pull him farther into the cradle of her hips.

“Not yet.” He was panting hard, his skin growing slick with perspiration. “Need to taste you.”

The next half-hour was nothing more than a blur of erotic sensation for Topaz. John used his hands and mouth on her, missing not an inch of her skin. He stroked her shoulders and arms before ending at her hands, where he proceeded to suck on her fingers one by one. His tongue swirled between them, teasing the sensitive web of flesh at the base. She had never realized just what an erogenous zone her hands were until tonight.

He nibbled on the pads at the base of her thumbs and laved her speeding pulse in her wrist.

Her breasts were stroked and licked and petted until she thought she might go mad. But no matter how much she pleaded with John, he wouldn’t enter her.

His tongue dipped into her bellybutton before moving lower. Her breath caught in her throat when he spread her legs wide and stared down at her glistening pussy. “You are so fucking hot.” His voice was little more than a feral growl. She opened her legs wider, tempting him to take what he wanted.

He caught her hips in his hands and lifted her to meet his mouth. Heat flashed over her and through her. John found her clit and teased her mercilessly with his tongue and lips and teeth. She was on the edge now, almost ready to come.

She lifted her hips and dragged his head closer. He couldn’t stop now. She wouldn’t let him. She was so close, so close.

He pressed one thick finger into her sheath and everything around her exploded. She heard herself cry out, but it sounded as though it was coming from far away. She squeezed her thighs tight around his head to keep him from leaving her, not wanting to lose his magic touch. The room spun away, lost in darkness. Spasms racked her body and tremors shook her to her soul.

John never stopped loving her with his mouth and hands, helping her wring every last ounce of pleasure from her orgasm. When it was over, she managed to pry her eyes open to slits. Her muscles felt like jelly and she was floating on a cloud of pleasure.

He carefully released her and sat back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His blue eyes seemed to glitter from within and there was a feral set to his face, his features harsh.

He banded his arm beneath her back, lifted her slightly and entered her in one swift, firm stroke. What breath she’d managed to get was lost as he filled her. She gasped and then groaned as her slick channel stretched around his pulsing cock. It felt so good. Too good.

“John,” she managed to gasp. “Protection.”

“Fuck.” He pulled out and practically threw himself across the bed, yanked open the drawer of the nightstand and pulled out a box of condoms. It didn’t take him long to open one and put it on. Then he was back, his shaft forging into her, sweeping her away.

He took her hard and fast, both of them gasping for breath. Arousal caught fire within her once again, feeding off the flames of his passion. She met him stroke for stroke, grinding her pelvis against his, not able to get close enough. Their skin slapped together, mingling with their breathy groans in a symphony of seduction.

John gave a growl of frustration and hooked his arms beneath her legs, spreading them wider. His hips hammered her, driving his cock deep into her core. He stretched and filled her with each stroke until it was a blur of pleasure.

He suddenly threw back his head and yelled. His spine went rigid and she felt his cock jerking deep within her. She wished he wasn’t wearing a condom, wished she could feel the hot wash of his semen filling her.

“Come again. Come for me, babe.” There was a sense of desperation in his words and he ground his pelvis against hers, stroking her clit just right. Ripples of pleasure washed over her and her pussy spasmed, wrapping around his cock like a wet glove. She cried out as she came again, throwing her arms around his neck and holding on.

He collapsed facedown on the bed with a groan, angling his torso off hers just enough so she could breathe. Their bodies were still joined, and they both shook with aftershocks of pleasure.

The sheets were cool against her back, but Topaz didn’t mind. Her skin felt overheated, almost tender. Her pussy continued to have little spasms that caused John to groan. Finally, he raised his head and the look he gave her was filled with such tenderness it brought tears to her eyes.

He disengaged from her body and went to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. Without him beside her, she felt cold. She dragged down the covers and pulled them over her, shivering slightly in the bed.

His erection was only slightly diminished when he returned. He climbed into bed and took her into his arms, settling her head on his shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair and down her back, making her feel cherished and content.

She didn’t know why she was waffling so much about their relationship. What could it hurt to give it a try? She loved John. That wasn’t going to change if she sent him away. Better to take a chance than to be a coward her whole life, afraid to take a chance on love for fear of being hurt. Maybe he didn’t love her yet, but he certainly wanted her. That was a start.

Men were different from women. Women started with emotions and worked up to the physical, while men did the reverse. Or at least that’s what all the women’s mags said in their advice columns. She could work with that.

Topaz had always been able to focus on a goal until she got what she wanted. She could do this. She’d never wanted anything more in her life than she wanted a permanent relationship with John.

His warm hand on her back and the aftermath of her explosive orgasms made her sleepy. She yawned and nestled closer to John, enjoying the feel of his heart beating against her cheek.

She needed to think about this a bit more, but in her heart, she knew what she was going to do.

John knew the minute Topaz drifted off to sleep. His cock was hard once again and ready for another round of lovemaking, but that wasn’t going to happen, at least not for a few hours. His lady was down for the count.

He loved the way Topaz responded to his touch. Christ almighty, he’d thought the top of his head might come off during his last orgasm. He’d felt it building deep in his balls before it exploded up his dick and out the top. He shouldn’t have been able to get it up again for at least an hour. But around Topaz that wasn’t a problem.

He smiled and continued to stroke her back. He could still taste her on his tongue, sweet and salty. There was no way he was going to lose her. If she thought that she could shake him when they got back to the city, she had another think coming. He was going to stick to her like white on rice until she understood that he wasn’t going anywhere, and that she could depend on him to be there for her.

It all came down to trust.

She might trust him with her life, but not her heart. Not yet. But their time here had moved him a step closer to his goal. He planned on marrying Topaz Jewel. He was smart enough to know a treasure when he found it and he’d cherish her forever.

* * * * *

The sound of the wheels on the pavement was hypnotic. Topaz put her hand over her mouth to stifle yet another yawn. She’d barely gotten any sleep last night. John had woken her several more times to make love to her. Once, he’d lifted her on top of him and she’d ridden them both to pleasure. Another time, he’d rolled her onto her belly, lifted her hips and taken her to paradise. This morning, she’d opened her eyes to find him spooned behind her, his cock already buried in her. She’d moaned her pleasure as he’d rocked them both to orgasm.

John had jumped out of bed, showered and packed while she’d lain in bed with a pillow over her head. He’d eventually bullied her out of bed and into a bath he’d drawn for her. He’d helped her wash, taking special care with her tender breasts. She was sore between her thighs but she wasn’t about to let him know that. He’d eventually left her with orders to hurry.

By the time she dressed in a pair of black slacks, a silk blouse in a dull gold color and topped it with a black blazer, he was back to collect her luggage. He’d poured coffee in two insulated cups, bundled her aboard the car and locked up the cabin.

Now they were headed back to the city and she had no idea where their relationship stood. She reached for her coffee and took a fortifying sip, it was sweet, just the way she liked it. Her body ached in some very intimate places, a very real reminder of what they’d done last night. She’d even found a small mark on her neck where John had nibbled on her not quite so gently. Her core spasmed at the memory and her hand went to the area hidden by the high collar of her blouse.

“You doing okay? Not too cold are you?” It was the first time John had spoken in a half-hour.

She let her hand fall back to her lap and took another sip of coffee. “I’m fine.” How inane. They were acting as if they were total strangers, not lovers who’d just spent an amazing time together at a secluded retreat.

“About our relationship,” she began.

John shook his head. “No need to talk about it now. There will be plenty of time when we get back to the city.”

Topaz frowned. Didn’t he want to discuss their future? She’d made up her mind what she wanted to do and now she wanted to talk about it. She opened her mouth to speak again, but he reached out and turned on the radio, cranking the volume up loud.

She had no idea what was wrong with John, but she decided to let it be for now. Maybe he was as exhausted as she was from their long night of lovemaking. It struck her that she didn’t automatically think he’d changed his mind. With any other man she might have jumped to the conclusion that he’d changed his mind now that he’d gotten a couple days of hot sex. But that never occurred to her. Not with John.

He wasn’t the type of man who would change his mind about such a thing. He’d stated he wanted a relationship with her and she believed him. Whatever was bothering him this morning, she’d give him the time and space to work it out. Sipping her coffee, she settled back against the seat and watched the scenery roll by, absently tapping her foot to the music.

John was sweating bullets as the radio played a bluesy song. He didn’t want Topaz talking about their relationship, not after last night. He’d been on her like a rutting bull all night long, barely giving her time to rest in between bouts of lovemaking. He hadn’t missed the way she gingerly walked this morning, or the way she flinched when he’d accidentally grazed her breasts when she was in the bathtub.

She had to be sore and exhausted. Not exactly the mood he wanted her in when she was making any kind of decision about their future together. He needed to make a strategic retreat. That meant getting her home before she got a chance to kick him out of her life.

He couldn’t believe he’d turned into such a primitive caveman last night, wanting to fuck her and mark her, claiming her as his. Yeah, as if that would work. Shit, could he get any more stupid when it came to Topaz? He’d wanted to romance her, make her relax and have a good time, not fuck her into a state of exhaustion.

He glanced her way and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw she’d fallen asleep. He plucked her coffee mug out of her hand and placed it back in the slot on the console. With any luck she’d sleep until they were back in the city. He’d take her home and make plans to take her to dinner, maybe a movie. He’d romance her in the way she deserved, even if it killed him.

That meant no more lovemaking for a while. He lost all control the minute her clothing came off, and there was too much at stake here for him to mess this up any further. His dick jerked in disagreement, but he ignored his smaller head. Time to think with the big brain. Besides, he’d had enough sex last night to hold him for a while.

And he was lying to himself. He wanted her again. Now. This minute. His fingers tightened around the wheel. It was going to be a long few weeks.

John turned his attention to the traffic as it grew thicker, but in the back of his mind, he was trying to come up with ways to make Topaz fall in love with him.

Chapter Ten

“Enough is enough,” Topaz muttered as she stormed into of her apartment and tossed her purse and keys onto the table just inside the front door.

John was driving her crazy.

Ever since they’d come home from his cabin he’d been distant. Oh, he’d taken her out to dinner and the theater several times and he called her every day. But they never spent any time together alone. There were no more nights snuggled up on her sofa watching movies as if they used to do when he was her bodyguard. There were no more heated kisses and certainly no lovemaking.

It was enough to make a woman take drastic measures.

Sapphire had moved into her own place a few days ago, citing her need to have her own space now that the threat to their family was over and the media frenzy had dissipated. Topaz was happy for her sister, glad to support her no matter what she wanted, but it felt weird to have her own apartment, to not be sharing it with one of her sisters. It was a big space for just one person.

Thankfully, her sister had only moved two blocks away. As much as she missed being roommates with Sapphire, right now having her gone fit in perfectly with Topaz’s plans.

John had avoided her for the last time. Just when she’d decided she wanted to give their relationship a chance, that she loved the big lug, he started keeping her at arm’s length. She couldn’t figure it out.

If she weren’t sure that John still wanted her—and there was no mistaking the burning lust in his gaze—she would have been really hurt and confused. As it was, she was pissed off.

It was time for her to take control of their relationship. She had no idea what was going on in John’s mind, but whatever it was, it was time for it to change.

Right on cue on phone rang. She dug it out of her purse and checked the readout. It was Sapphire. “Hey.”

“Are you home?”

“Just got here.” She’d told both her sisters everything that had happened between her and John, holding nothing back. She’d had to talk to someone or go crazy. Emerald encouraged her to just go for it, but her sister was newly married and in love and wanted the entire world to feel the same way she did. Sapphire understood the situation better as she was struggling with her own feelings for the other Knight brother. In the end, they all agreed she had no choice but to take matters into her own hands. And that’s what she was going to do. Tonight.

“He doesn’t stand a chance against you. You know that, right?” Sapphire’s pep talk helped chase away some of the butterflies rushing around her stomach.

“I hope you’re right,” she muttered as she strode into her bedroom and kicked off her shoes. She started to leave them there, paused and went back, cursing at her need for order. She placed her sexy Manolo Blahniks in their proper cubby in her walk-in closet.

“Of course, I’m right,” Sapphire replied. “Your plan can’t fail. I’ve never met a man who would refuse a naked woman.” Topaz had discussed her idea for seducing John with Sapphire and they agreed it was time to get sneaky. God knows that all the hints she dropped in the past two weeks had fallen on deaf ears.

“Listen, I’ve got to go and get ready.” She glanced at her watch and then took a deep breath to steady her nerves.

“Call me in the morning,” Sapphire ordered. “I want details.” Her sister hung up and Topaz tossed her phone on top of her built-in accessory dresser.

“I hope there’s something to report in the morning,” she muttered. No, she had to think positive thoughts. This would work. She whipped off her dress and stuffed it in the dry-cleaning bag, and removed her jewelry before heading off to the bathroom.

Sexual frustration wasn’t healthy. She’d felt totally wound up and tense for the past two weeks with no relief in sight. All she had to do was lay eyes on the man and she was horny.

Well, no more. This ended tonight.

Topaz turned on the shower and slid out of her underwear while the water heated and steam began to form. The moment she stepped under the spray, water pummeled her sensitive skin, making her moan. Determined to ignore the low-grade arousal that never seemed to diminish, she grabbed her shower gel and puff and began to wash.

Her physical and emotional state might be precarious, but on the positive side, Sisters’ Jewels Boutique was doing better than ever. The spring line was out, the fall and holiday ones were in production and Topaz was caught up on all her paperwork. Most women ate when they were upset. She worked. And she’d done a lot of it these past weeks.

She finished washing, rinsed off the soapy residue and turned off the shower. The silence closed in around her and she took a deep, calming breath. She snagged one of the oversized, fluffy white bath towels she favored and wrapped it around her body. The mirror was partially steamed but she could easily see her reflection. Her jaw was clenched and her eyes burned with determination.

She grabbed her moisturizer, dropped the towel and proceeded to smooth lotion all over her damp skin. It was a natural product scented with vanilla and she knew for a fact John liked it. He often sniffed her neck before he kissed her and several times had commented on how much he liked the scent. Men were simple creatures when it came to their libido. It was a scientific fact that the scent of pumpkin and vanilla would turn them on. That wasn’t why she’d chosen this particular lotion, but it was certainly a perk.

When she was done, she applied makeup with a light hand, keeping to the basics—mascara, eyeliner and a tinted lip gloss. Thankfully, her short hair didn’t need much more than a fluff with her brush and blow dryer. She didn’t have patience for more than that tonight.

She hung up the damp towel and padded naked back to her room. There was no need to dress, as she didn’t plan to stay that way for long. Not if her plan worked. Instead, she drew on a topaz-colored, ankle-length cashmere robe. It was as soft as a cloud and had been a Christmas gift from her parents.

She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Right on time. John was supposed to be picking her up in about ten minutes. What he didn’t know was she had no intention of going out tonight.

Topaz padded to the kitchen, her feet barely making a sound against the hardwood floor. She pulled a decent bottle of red wine out of the rack and opened it. Two glasses were set beside it.

Then she shrugged and decided there was no reason for her to wait. She poured herself a glass and sipped, enjoying the full-bodied flavor and the sweetness of the wine against her tongue.

The doorbell chimed and she set the glass down on the granite countertop. Right on time. But she wouldn’t expect anything less from him.

She checked the peephole to make sure it was John—better safe than sorry—and then she opened the door. As always the sight of him made her stomach flutter. He was so big and strong and solid. He was wearing a charcoal-gray sports coat, black dress pants and a pale-blue shirt that matched his eyes. He looked good enough to eat.

She held the door wide. “Come in.”

John’s fingers automatically curled inward as he struggled not to reach for Topaz. He wasn’t early, so she must be running late. She wasn’t dressed. Well, she was dressed, but not to go out. She was covered from her neck to her ankles in a soft robe that made him want to peel back the edges to uncover her beauty. It had been a while since he’d seen her naked—fifteen days and about fourteen hours to be exact.

Her hair was tousled and sexy and her lips were tinted a lush red that made him want to kiss them. He wasn’t certain she was wearing anything under her robe. His body roared to life and his dick came to attention.

He cleared his throat. “You’re not ready?”

She closed the door and locked it, the snick of the lock echoing like a bomb blast. “Oh, I’m ready. I’ve been ready for weeks.” She stepped up to him and rested her hands on his chest. “You’re the one who’s taken a step back.”

He frowned. Is that what she thought? He shook his head. “No, babe, I’m not taking a step back.” He cupped her precious face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks. “But you deserve to be courted. To be shown just how special you are.”

Color flooded her face and the pulse in her neck fluttered wildly. She swallowed and stared up at him. He almost lost himself in her luminous golden-brown eyes. “You asked me to give our relationship a chance,” she began.

He nodded and let his hands slide down to her shoulders. “I did. And I know I rushed you when we were at the cabin.” He took a step back and rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “Heck, I was all over you.”

She smiled and he almost lost his train of thought. “You didn’t hear me complaining, did you?” Her sultry voice made his balls ache. She flicked open the button on his jacket and pushed the garment off his shoulders.

“No. You didn’t complain.” His voice was hoarse and his nostrils were filled with her sweet scent. He loved her natural scent mixed with the lotion she used and buried his face in the curve of her neck. He dropped a quick kiss there and straightened.

“Well then.” She took a step back and her hands went to the tie on her robe. “I’ve made my decision.” He caught the faint tremor in her fingers as she untied the knot. He reached out and covered her hands with his.

“You don’t have to do this.” A voice in the back of his head was yelling at him to shut the fuck up.

She reached out and caught his face in her hands. Her robe slid open and he manfully tried to ignore the glimpse of the curve of her breasts and her pale stomach. His cock was throbbing like a toothache, nonstop and painful.

“I don’t know where our relationship might end up, John, but I’m willing to give us a try.”

His heart almost stopped before it took off like a racing horse. He knew this wasn’t easy for her and that made it all the more special. “Thank you.” His voice was strained, but it was taking everything in him not to lift her into his arms, turn her back to the door and fuck her until neither of them could speak.

She took a deep breath and the robe parted a slight bit more. John’s eyes almost crossed as he strained to see more of her. “I didn’t have a choice, you see.” The seriousness of her voice caught his attention and he forgot all about her robe.

“What is it, babe?” He wanted to fix whatever was wrong. Old fashioned, maybe, but that’s just the way he was built.

“I love you,” she blurted out.

John lost his ability to think as those three simple words hit him hard. Topaz—this beautiful, intelligent, kind, funny, sexy woman—loved him. It was everything he wanted, but more than he’d thought he would ever have, especially not so soon.

“Are you sure?” His voice was rough, his words demanding. She had to be sure. There was no taking it back once she said it.

She nodded and he pounced, his primal side roaring to the fore. He swept her into his arms and carried her to her bedroom. He wanted to pound his chest and roar his possession of her to the world. Doing either would probably not be wise, so he’d settle for making love to her.

He set her down by the side of the bed and did what he’d been dying to since the moment she opened her door. He slid the robe down her shoulders. It fell and pooled at her feet, leaving her gloriously naked.

John simply stared at her. It had only been two weeks since he’d seen her this way, but even in his memories she hadn’t looked this good and he had excellent recall. Having her tell him she loved him made her appear even more beautiful. There was a glow about her, a loveliness he knew he’d never tire of seeing for as long as he lived, and it went far beyond the physical. “You are incredible. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

And, by her own admission, she was his.

Arousal swamped Topaz, but beneath it was a tinge of disappointment. She’d told him she loved him, but John hadn’t returned the sentiment. Maybe it was too soon. Men didn’t like to admit their feelings. He was a man of action and that’s what she’d pay attention to. It was easy for a guy to say he loved a woman, but it was how he treated her that truly mattered. And John Knight treated her as if she was precious and special.

She needed to get him naked so she went to work on the buttons of his shirt. He brushed aside her hands and undid the few at his neck and then yanked the shirt over his head, tossing it aside. Several buttons were ripped away from the fabric and bounced off the floor before rolling away.

Immediately, her attention was diverted to the broad expanse of flesh he’d exposed. Muscles jumped beneath her fingers as she explored him, relearning every inch of his chest.

He groaned when her fingers teased his flat brown nipples. “You’re playing with fire.”

She liked the sound of that and leaned inward, licking one of the hardened nubs. She was feeling extremely hot herself, her entire body revved and wanting more. His fingers tangled in her hair and he held her to him as she continued to taste and tease.

“Enough.” He tugged her away from him, lifted her and tossed her lightly onto the bed. She sprawled across the mattress and watched as he swiftly removed the rest of his clothes. He came down beside her, took her into his arms and she was lost.

Time lost all meaning as they touched one another, finding the spots that gave the most pleasure. Now that they were naked the sense of urgency subsided and they immersed themselves in the sensual sensations of rediscovering one another.

The swish of the sheets beneath them, heated moans and gasping breath were the only sounds in the room. The smell of her lotion mixed with the darker scent of musk and arousal.

Topaz didn’t think she’d ever tire of touching John. His body delighted her. He was all hard angles and planes, bands of muscle and thick bones. She reached down and gripped his shaft, running her fingers up and down his hard length. So much strength covered with such soft skin.

He groaned and flexed his hips, pushing deeper into her palm. She loved pleasing him, loved the way his excitement fired hers.

He rolled her onto her back and, starting at her toes, worked his way up her body touching her everywhere. There was no spot too small or ordinary. She’d had no idea her toes could be an erogenous zone, but with John stroking and licking them she soon found out differently.

By the time he was nibbling on her neck she was burning with desire, her skin aching for his touch, her body longing to be filled by him.

“John. Now.” She wrapped her legs around his flanks and dug her fingernails into his butt.

“Protection,” he gasped, trying to pull away.

She shook her head. “I’m on birth control. It’s okay.” She didn’t want any barriers between them, not any longer. She was totally committed to their relationship.

John stilled, every muscle in his body tensing above her. “You’re sure?”

She wiggled until the head of his cock was nestled against the opening to her channel. “I love you.”

John swore and surged forward, going balls-deep in one stroke. She gasped as her body stretched to accommodate his large shaft. The full feeling was delicious, but not enough. She flexed her hips, shifting forward and back, needing him to move.

“Topaz.” He gasped her name and then began a slow rhythm she thought might drive her completely mad. She clutched at his butt and tilted her pelvis toward him, trying to get him to move faster, but he was relentless and kept to measured thrusts, pulling almost all the way out before surging inward again.

His breathing quickened and so did hers. She closed her eyes and let herself go, let him control the pace. He slid his fingers between them, found her clit and stroked. Topaz cried out as her orgasm flooded through her like thick, melted chocolate. It wasn’t the most explosive orgasm she’d ever had, but it was the most fulfilling one. She’d just made love with the man who owned her heart.

With his balls pulling up tight, John knew he was out of time. He wanted their lovemaking to last. She loved him. He felt as if he was half drunk, his pleasure was so great. Tension built low in his balls before exploding up through his shaft.

For the first time there was no barrier between them. Her silky channel hugged his cock tight, rippling around it. It was an unbelievable sensation as he jetted his release into her and felt her fingers dig into him, holding him close.

He never wanted her to let go.

When they were both spent, he got out of bed long enough to get a facecloth to clean them both. Then he settled back in bed with Topaz. He was the luckiest man in the world.

She was quiet as she rested against his chest. She’d given him everything without reserve—her love, her trust and her body. He could do no less.

He ran his fingers lightly up and down her spine. “I love you, Topaz.”

She froze beneath his touch and raised her head, her gaze troubled. “You don’t have to say that.”

He shook his head. “I know I don’t, but it’s the truth.” He shifted her out of his arms, reached over the side of the bed and snagged his pants. Reaching into the pocket, he closed his fingers around the present he’d brought her. He pulled it out and turned back to her, opening his palm. The ring was a one-carat diamond set in a platinum band. Simple and classy, just like her.

“I love you,” he repeated. “That’s not going to change.” Her eyes filled with tears. He couldn’t tell if they were good tears or bad tears, all he knew was he didn’t want her to cry. “Will you marry me?”

She sniffed and words seemed to tumble from her. “But what about your work? Where will we live?” She bit her lip to stop herself.

He smiled at her, knowing how difficult it was for her not to want to have everything planned out before she took this next step. “We can work it all out. Together.” He took the ring in one hand and grasped her left hand with the other. “Will you marry me?”

A tear slid down her cheek. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”

He slid the ring on and she threw herself into his arms. As he held her close to his heart, he whispered in her ear. “We’ll work it out. Don’t you know by now all I want is for you to be happy?”

Sheer joy burst from inside Topaz. She was still scared, but she knew she and John could work through all her fears. She loved him enough to let him be himself and she trusted him to always be there for her. He loved her. For a man like John to say the words aloud meant his feelings were as solid as a rock. He loved her. They could figure out everything else later.

She kissed him then, kissed him with everything she had inside her. He held her, as always careful of his strength, protecting her, cherishing her. There were no doubts in her mind. This was the right man for her.

She leaned back and smiled. She’d always thought she’d end up with a conservative man. John was excitement personified, but she was no longer afraid of a life with him. It wouldn’t be staid and boring, but it would be filled with love.

He took her lips again and lowered them both back to the mattress. She could feel the weight of the ring on her finger, a tangible reminder of their love. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him closer.

Content

Touch of Topaz
Awakening Desires - 7
by
N. J. Walters

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten