Relationships were a compromise and both of them were learning where and how to give.
Topaz popped the last piece of muffin in her mouth, following it with a sip of her coffee. “Finish up. We need to get to work. Enough talk of men for now.”
Sapphire broke off a hunk of muffin. “Well, what about the wedding then? How are plans coming along?”
Topaz’s eyes gleamed. “I thought we might stop in at the boutique down the street later this morning. I think I’ve found the perfect dress.”
Sapphire finished her mocha latte and muffin while she listened to her sister expound on the virtues of the dress and lay out all her other wedding plans. The wedding was a simple affair, close friends and family only, but it was going to be beautiful. The ceremony and reception were going to be held at their parents’ home in upstate New York and their mother was working closely with the caterer and florist. She was so happy for Topaz, but her thoughts kept straying back to Jake.
What was he doing? Was he thinking about her?
Topaz stood and grabbed her purse. “We need to get going.” She checked her watch. “We’ve got just enough time to get to the store so I can show you the new merchandise that just arrived. I want your opinion on how to best feature it.”
“I’m ready.” She reached under the table for her purse and slung the strap over her shoulder. The day was sunny and she enjoyed the walk with her sister. By the time they’d reached the boutique, she had her mind on business. She could think about Jake later.
There was a very special piece of jewelry she wanted to finish this afternoon. It was time for her to let Jake know her decision.
Chapter Fourteen
Everything was under control. The sauce for the spaghetti was simmering on the back burner and the water was gently bubbling for the pasta. As soon as Jake arrived, she could put the pasta on to boil. The garden salad was in the refrigerator and the vinaigrette was on the counter, waiting to be added to the greens at the last second.
Sapphire glanced around the dining room. The table was set and she had a bunch of fresh wildflowers sitting in a glass vase to brighten everything up. She’d stopped at the market on the way home and picked up the cheerful flowers along with the necessary groceries to prepare tonight’s meal. When she’d talked to Jake earlier he’d said he would bring the wine.
There was nothing else to do but wait. Her stomach fluttered and she rested her hand over it. For some reason she was nervous, which was silly considering how many meals she and Jake had shared while he was her bodyguard, and even since they’d started dating, if you could really call what they’d been doing dating.
She wasn’t sure what to call it, but they were definitely together. And if she had it her way they would make it permanent.
That’s why she was a bundle of nerves. Two very special presents were tucked away, waiting for the right moment for her to present them. It might be tonight, but it might not be. She wanted to feel Jake out about his plans for the future. A lot of guys got nervous when a woman started talking about taking things to the next level. She didn’t think Jake would be one of those guys, but you never knew.
This was important to her. The most important thing she’d ever done.
Her buzzer sounded and she hurried to the intercom. “Yes.”
“It’s me, babe.” As always, his deep voice had an effect on her body, making her skin tingle in the most wonderful way.
“Come on up.” She hit the buzzer and held it for a couple seconds before releasing it.
She took a deep breath and slowly released it while she peered in the mirror in the foyer. Her hair was held away from her face in a hammered silver clip. Her earrings were simple drops of silver. She’d opted to wear a flowing black skirt and topped it with a butter-yellow blouse. Simple, yet elegant.
Her feet were bare. She hated wearing shoes unless she had to.
When a knock sounded on the door, she checked the peephole and opened the door. Jake leaned against the doorjamb, exuding confidence and masculine appeal. His hair was slightly windblown, giving him a casual, sexy look. He was wearing a pair of dark-wash jeans, and his open leather jacket revealed a crewneck sweater in a charcoal-gray that deepened the blue of his eyes.
“Hey.” He stepped inside, dropped a quick kiss on her brow and shut the door. He handed her a bottle of red wine before removing his jacket and toeing off his boots. They made the perfect picture of a couple preparing to enjoy an evening at home.
She only wished her stomach would settle. “How was your day?” And didn’t she sound all fifties housewife. It annoyed her.
“Good.” He draped an arm over her shoulder and came with her into the kitchen. “How about you?”
“Productive.”
Jake took the wine from her and rooted around her utensil drawer until he found the opener. “How is Topaz?” He made quick work of the cork and held up the bottle.
To give herself time to gain her composure, Sapphire took her time getting glasses out of the cupboard. “She’s busy with wedding plans.”
Jake chuckled. “Yeah, John says he nods a lot and agrees with whatever she wants.” He half-filled a glass and handed it to her before filling one for himself.
She frowned. “Doesn’t sound like he’s very enthused about getting married.” Even though she knew he was the one who’d first broached the subject of marriage.
“Oh, he’s enthused, all right.” A devilishly sexy grin flashed across Jake’s face. “He’s more concerned with the end result than with what leads up to it. As long as Topaz is happy, he doesn’t care what she does for the wedding. He just wants his ring on her finger.”
Sapphire glanced down at her bare finger and turned away to check on the spaghetti sauce. She dumped the pasta into the boiling water and stirred. “Dinner in ten minutes.”
Strong arms hooked around her waist and she was pulled back against a broad chest. “You okay? You seem distracted.”
She leaned briefly against Jake, soaking in his heat, his caring, before making herself step away. “I’m fine. It was just a busy day.”
Jake let her go and perched on one of the two stools on the opposite side of the counter that divided the kitchen from the eating area. “Busy in what way?”
She wiped her hands on a dishtowel and ordered herself to stop acting like a ninny. There was no need to feel such a deep disappointment that her sister was getting married and she wasn’t. She and Jake had only started dating. There was that word again. Dating wasn’t exactly what they were doing. Sleeping together, having stupendous sex. That’s what they were doing.
“Spent some time at Sisters’ Jewels this morning checking out the new merchandise and tweaking the displays. Then I went with Topaz while she tried on wedding dresses. She found the one she wanted.”
Jake nodded. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
Men could be clueless at times. “Everything starts with the dress. Now she can make all her final decisions about her bouquet, decorations and all the other details.”
“I thought this was a small affair.”
“It is, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a nice wedding with all the little touches that will make it special. She’s only getting married once so she wants it to be everything she ever dreamed of.”
“Okay, I get that. John mentioned I’d have to get measured for a tux soon.”
She made a noncommittal sound, but her heart sped up as she pictured Jake in a tux. In jeans he was ruggedly handsome, but in a tuxedo, he’d be devastating. She needed to change the subject. “After lunch, I worked on some new jewelry pieces until it was time to start dinner.”
“Anything you can show me?” His interest always warmed her because she knew it was genuine.
“Maybe.”
Jake rested one elbow on the counter and sipped his wine, a man at ease. She envied him that. They chatted about local news and he asked after her parents. By then it was time for her to drain the pasta and add it to the sauce. She poured it into a large serving bowl and carried it to the table. Then she tossed the salad and vinaigrette together. Jake grabbed her wine and brought it with him. Everything was ready for them to enjoy.
He held her chair for her and she sat, very aware of his large presence behind her. He filled her plate with spaghetti before filling his own. Then he sat and dug into the meal. She picked up her fork, plastered a smile on her face and tried to make conversation while they ate.
Jake wished he knew what was going on with Sapphire. She’d seemed distracted from the moment he’d walked through the door. Oh, she said all the right things and smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Something was bothering her.
Had she had time to think about last night? Was she having second thoughts about them? His fingers tightened around his fork and he forced himself to ease up on his grip before he bent the metal utensil. No need to borrow trouble. He’d find out what was bothering her before the evening was over.
The meal, as always, was absolutely delicious. He loved sharing dinner with Sapphire, the cozy atmosphere, the obvious care and preparation that went into it. It made him feel as though he belonged.
He couldn’t lose that.
He bided his time, waiting until she’d eaten her fill, which wasn’t much. Her plate was still mostly full. She’d spent a lot of her time pushing around the spaghetti on her plate rather than eating it.
He set his fork down and shoved aside his empty plate. She immediately smiled at him. “Coffee?”
He shook his head. “No. I’d much rather you tell me what’s wrong.”
The immediate tension in her shoulders, the tightening of her mouth told him he was right. There was something wrong.
Whatever it was, he would fix it. He was good at fixing things.
“It’s nothing.” Her gaze fluttered away from his and his gut clenched. She wasn’t telling him the truth.
He reached out, cupped her face in his hand and turned it until she was facing him. “That’s not true. Obviously something is bothering you.”
He willed her to tell him.
She waved her hand in front of her. “It’s really nothing.” She slipped out of her chair, grabbed her plate and carried it to the kitchen. Jake sighed and stood, holding his tongue until the leftovers were cleared away and the dishwasher filled.
She looked good even while she was up to her elbows in soapy water scrubbing pots. The black skirt she wore swirled around her slender calves, while the yellow silk blouse draped over her breasts. With her wild curly hair and bare feet she resembled a gypsy more than a successful businesswoman.
Jake helped where he could, but always watched her, unable to keep his eyes off Sapphire. She drew his gaze wherever she was, whatever she was doing.
When there was nothing left to do in the kitchen, he lifted her into his arms, surprising a gasp from her. “What are you doing?” She clung to his shoulders.
He carried her into the living room and sat on her sofa, keeping a tight grip on her. “I’m finding out what’s wrong. We can sit here all night long but, one way or another, you will tell me.”
“Jake.”
He shook his head. “Don’t try to put me off, Sapphire. I need to know what’s going on inside your head.” His arms tightened around her, even though he knew he couldn’t really keep her if she didn’t want to stay. He asked the question that had the power to destroy him. “Are you having second thoughts about us now that you know how far I’ll go in order to protect you?”
He’d feared that she’d think over everything he’d done, the fact that he’d broken the law to get the documents to incriminate Gregor, and decide she couldn’t live with that. “Are you trying to decide how to break it to me that you no longer want to see me?”
That would destroy him. The woman in his arms held the key to his future, but he wasn’t about to give up without a fight.
Sapphire couldn’t believe how far away from the actual truth Jake’s thoughts were. Every muscle in his body was like stone as he waited for her to answer him. “No, that’s not what I’m thinking. Not at all.”
He relaxed somewhat, but not totally.
“Then what is it?” He brushed aside a lock of hair, his touch so very gentle. “’Cause, babe, you’re killing me. I can’t fix it if I don’t know what’s wrong.”
That summed up Jake perfectly. He was a fixer, a doer, the kind of man who took action with no apologies. She knew for a fact he’d followed her this morning on her walk to meet Topaz. She hadn’t seen him, but she’d felt his eyes on her, the constant buzz of awareness she experienced whenever he was around.
“You followed me this morning, didn’t you?”
His eyes narrowed but he nodded. “Yes. How did you know? You didn’t see me.” A statement, not a question.
“No, I didn’t see you. I felt you.” She’d known he’d answer her truthfully even if he didn’t want to. That kind of honesty was priceless. Oh, if he could have gotten away with never telling her, he’d have been happier. She could see that in his eyes. But he wouldn’t lie to her.
“Is that what this is about?” he asked. “I didn’t want you out on the street by yourself even with my guy still watching Gregor. I won’t apologize for it.”
Her man was getting tense again. His arms were like steel around her shoulders. She patted his chest. “It’s okay. I understand why you did it.”
“Then if you’re okay with me following you this morning, what’s bothering you?” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip and the innocent stroke sent a flush of warmth cascading through her.
It was now or never. If she didn’t do this in the next few minutes she’d lose her nerve. She pushed out of his lap, but his arms tightened, refusing to release her. “Just for a second. Please, Jake.”
She felt his reluctance as he let her go. Sapphire hurried to her studio where she pulled the bracelet and ring out of a drawer. Keeping both tightly clenched in her hands, she marched back to the living room.
Deciding it was better for her not to be sitting on his lap while she was having this discussion, she stood in front of him. Jake sat forward on the sofa, legs spread wide, elbows resting on his knees. But he wasn’t relaxed. She could practically see the tension rolling off him.
She licked her suddenly dry lips and launched into her prepared speech. “I know you like to be in control in the bedroom.”
If it were possible, Jake’s tension grew until it filled the room, permeating the air around them. He was like a living statue, not moving, barely breathing. She wished she knew what was going through his mind.
Dinner churned in her belly, but she was committed now. “I never imagined acting that way in the bedroom. Giving up control to a man.”
Jake linked his hands together, knuckles white. She had a feeling he was trying to keep from reaching for her. “I know it’s a lot to ask of you,” he began.
Knees weak, she perched on the edge of the coffee table. “It is a lot, but it’s what you need.” Keeping her hands closed around the bracelet and ring, she wrapped her arms around herself. This was much harder than she’d anticipated. And it shouldn’t be. This was Jake, the man she loved and trusted.