“So tell me about the wedding plans. Have you talked John into wearing a tuxedo yet?”
Topaz laughed, not noticing how several men turned their heads to watch her as she walked by. But Sapphire noticed and grinned. “And what about your dress? Any possibilities?”
Topaz hooked their arms together and lowered her head in a conspiratorial manner. “Well, there was one I saw in a window of that bridal boutique just a block from the store…”
* * * * *
Jake sipped coffee and watched his brother. John looked relaxed and happy, something Jake was very glad to see even if he was slightly envious. “So how are the wedding plans going?”
John grinned. “I just nod and agree a lot.” He leaned back in the booth and raised his mug in salute. “Honestly though, Topaz has it all under control. All I have to do is rent the tux and show up where she tells me.”
“No second thoughts?” His brother seemed so sure their relationship would work. Jake wished he was half as confident as John.
John sat forward and set his mug down on the chipped tabletop. “What do you mean?”
Jake dragged a hand through his hair. “Well, fuck. We don’t exactly have a sparkling bright past.” Both of them had joined the army straight out of high school, going on to become Army Rangers. They’d both spent years overseas fighting.
John shrugged. “The past is the past. It’s what I’m building now that matters.”
He wished he could be so blasé about things as John, but there was a darkness inside him that some days threatened to swallow him whole. He had to learn to control it if he was going to have any kind of relationship with Sapphire.
“What’s wrong?”
Jake looked over the table at an almost mirror image of himself. He’d grown his hair out while John still kept his military short, but they both shared the same height and build, the same blue eyes, high forehead and lips. His twin was his best friend, had been to hell and back with him, but this wasn’t something he could share. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit.” He also couldn’t hide anything from his brother who knew his moods all too well.
Jake turned the mug in his hands and stared down at the dark coffee, wishing there was an easy explanation or answer to his problem.
“It’s Sapphire, isn’t it?”
Jake’s head snapped up and he frowned. “What are you talking about?” Had he been that obvious? Had Topaz said anything to his brother?
“Man, you’re talking to me, the guy who was gone over Topaz. I recognize the symptoms of a man stuck on one of the Jewel sisters. I saw the way you looked at her when she wasn’t looking.” John leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “What’s wrong? Did she turn you down?”
Jake closed his eyes as erotic memories assailed him. Maybe it would be easier for him if she had turned him down. Maybe he would have had the strength to walk away and never go back. Yes, he’d said goodbye, but he’d never really left her. She’d haunted his every waking and sleeping hour until he’d thought he’d go mad with wanting her.
“Is it because of who her parents are?” John asked.
Funny how he’d never even considered the fact that her parents were famous singers from the seventies. Sapphire had always simply been the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life, and the most gentle and kind soul he’d ever known. “No, I don’t give a shit who her parents are.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
Before Jake could answer, the waitress arrived at their corner booth with their breakfast order. She glanced at John and then at him, giving a little sigh before she set their plates in front of them. John grinned at him. They were used to getting that kind of reaction when they were out together. People didn’t see twins all that often.
“Can I get you anything else?” She glanced hopefully at him and then at his brother. She was in her early thirties, dark hair, trim figure in her dark skirt and white top, and friendly smile, but it did absolutely nothing for Jake. There wasn’t a twinge of attraction. He knew he should be worried, but he honestly didn’t care. He knew Sapphire was it for him. If he couldn’t have her, he didn’t want any other woman.
“No thanks. We’re good.” Jake was glad his brother answered. He wasn’t in the mood to make small talk.
“If you need anything else…” She let her offer hang in the air.
“We’ll let you know,” John promised.
The waitress walked away, but glanced over her shoulder once before heading off to serve other customers. Jake noticed several other patrons surreptitiously looking their way, but ignored them. They were no threat, merely curious.
“Jake, talk to me, man.” His brother wasn’t going to give up anytime soon. He could either talk or leave.
“No, she didn’t turn me down.”
John started to smile, but it quickly turned into a frown. “Then what’s the problem? You didn’t hurt her, did you?” His brother straightened and glared at him.
“No, I didn’t hurt her,” he muttered, though he felt a twinge of guilt. “What the hell do you think I am?” That wasn’t quite true, but Sapphire seemed to think the bruises he’d left on her that night were inconsequential.
“Sorry, man, but you’re starting to freak me out. If you’re into her and she likes you, then what the hell is wrong?”
“It’s me,” he blurted out. “I left her after the first night we spent together.”
“You did what?” His brother didn’t shout. No, John’s voice got lower and deeper the angrier he became.
“What the fuck was I supposed to do?” He kept his voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear their conversation. He shouldn’t have started this. “Look, I should go.”
John clamped his hand over Jake’s arm. “Not until you tell me what happened. How badly did you screw things up?”
“Bad. But I talked to her last night.” They did more than talk, but that wasn’t any of John’s business.
His brother slowly released his iron grip and sat back. “We’ll that’s something. What is wrong with you?”
He knew they could talk or they could fight. Either way it wasn’t going to be fun. He pressed his thumb and forefinger against his eyes, searching for the right words. “What we did for all those years. It changed me, John.”
Concern filled his brother’s face. “What do you mean? You have flashbacks or nightmares?”
He shook his head. “Nothing like that.” He absently rubbed his chest. “I’ve lived most of my life in the shadows.” He thought about all the men he’d killed over the years. “Death and I are on a first name basis. And Sapphire is so good and gentle.” He really wasn’t about to tell his brother how he liked to dominate in the bedroom. He wasn’t into anything kinky, but he needed his woman to submit to him totally, had to know she belonged to him and only him. That wasn’t anyone’s business but his own, and Sapphire’s if she agreed to let him back into her life.
“And you don’t want to hurt her.”
That was the best explanation and Jake went with it. “Exactly. I left her because I thought that was for the best.” He looked at his brother and shrugged. “But I’m not sure I can live without her.”
“We know how to fight for what we want. Isn’t that what you told me?” Jake hated the fact that John was throwing his own words back at him.
“Yeah, I’m a real philosopher.” Jake took a swallow of coffee. Their meal was getting colder by the second, but he wasn’t hungry.
“Sapphire is tougher than you might think.” John picked up his fork and speared a piece of bacon. “Topaz has been telling me a lot about their childhood and how she and her sisters started their business together. Yeah, Sapphire might be the youngest of the group, but she’s far from naïve.” He popped the bacon into his mouth and chewed.
“I know she’s not naïve. Sapphire is smart and funny and drop-dead gorgeous.” Everything about her was perfect for him. He liked talking with her. Sometimes they agreed on stuff and other times they didn’t. There was enough difference to keep things interesting. He loved the way she found everything about life fascinating, whether it was a new restaurant or random strangers she watched walk down the street. He saw potential threats, while she simply saw potential. That in itself showed the stark difference between them.
John swallowed a mouthful of eggs. “We’re Knights. We do what needs to be done. If you truly want Sapphire, then do whatever you need to do to make it work. If she’s anything like her sister, it will be well worth the effort.”
“You’re that happy?”
“Topaz is the best thing that ever happened to me.” John pointed his fork at his brother. “Don’t let Sapphire slip through your fingers. You’ll regret it the rest of your life.”
No need to tell his brother how much he already regretted the mess he’d made of things. If not for him, Sapphire wouldn’t have started dating and Ivan Gregor would never have come into her life. That situation was on him and he’d make damn sure he cleaned that mess up.
He thought about telling John about the possible threat, but decided to keep it to himself for now. If he told John, then his brother would feel duty-bound to tell Topaz. And Sapphire wouldn’t appreciate her sister being worried about her.
He had a man on it and would watch Sapphire himself. No need to concern his brother any more than he already had.
Jake knew that John didn’t really understand where he was coming from. He’d been born with shadows on his soul. It was part of what had made him so fucking good as a sniper. He was more primal and basic, less civilized than his brother.
Even now, he’d rather confront Gregor face-to-face, beat him within an inch of his life for hurting Sapphire and promise to finish the job if he didn’t leave her alone.
Instead, he was trying to be civilized, searching for information he could anonymously send to the proper authorities to get Gregor out of Sapphire’s life for good without implicating her at all.
The waitress returned, hovering by their table, coffeepot in hand. “More coffee?”
“Sure.” Jake held out his mug, thanking her when she filled it. After she topped up John’s mug, she hovered for another few seconds before leaving them alone again.
Jake stared at his brother, seeing the newfound sense of satisfaction that surrounded him. He wanted that for himself. Resolve hardened inside him. He wanted Sapphire in his life more than he’d ever wanted anything. He’d find a way to make it work, no matter what he had to do to accomplish it.
Suddenly hungry, he picked up his fork and dug into the plate full of bacon and eggs. He was glad for the quiet, needing time to think. That was one of the best things about being twins, about being so close. Neither of them minded the silence.
After he’d satisfied the worst of his hunger, he decided it was time to turn the conversation back to his brother. “Tell me more about this tux I’m going to have to wear.”
John smiled at him and leaned back, mug in hand. “Well, bro, it’s going to fancy up even a sorry sight like yourself. You might even want to get a haircut.”
Jake laughed. “I’ll wear the suit, but the hair stays.”
Chapter Seven
Jake decided to go over to Sapphire’s apartment rather than call her. They could go out if she wanted to, or they could order in if she wanted to stay home. Either way worked for him.
He let himself into the lobby and hit the buzzer for her place. She answered a few seconds later. “Yes.”
“It’s Jake.”
“I thought you were going to call.”
“Figured this was easier.” He waited a few seconds. “You going to let me come up?”
“Oh yes. Right.” The buzzer sounded and he pulled open the door.
He was just stepping into the elevator when his phone rang. “Yeah.” He absently hit the button for Sapphire’s floor.
The voice on the other end was the one he’d been waiting to hear from all day. “So far your boy is boring. Gregor went to work, had lunch with a couple of guys from the office. I’m sending you pictures. After work, he went home and hasn’t gone out since.”
“Keep on him until you’re sure he’s not going out.” Even though he was with Sapphire, he’d rather know where Gregor was.
“Will do.”
“Thanks, man. I deposited your fee into your account this morning.”
“Got it.”
The line went dead. Neither of them liked talking on cell phones. You never knew who might be listening.
The elevator door opened and he stepped out. His heart was beating faster at the thought of seeing Sapphire. He’d missed her today. Squaring his shoulders, he knocked on her door. It opened almost immediately and there she was, a vision in dark-gray trousers, low-heeled shoes and a long-sleeved sweater the color of oatmeal. Her long curly hair hung down her back and her makeup was minimal.
There was his Sapphire. “Hey.” He leaned down and dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “How was your day?” He stepped inside and shut the door.
She shrugged. “Good. Had a meeting with Topaz this morning and spent the afternoon working on designs and some new pieces.”
“Can I see?” He loved her work. It was so feminine and beautiful and innately Sapphire.
“You want to see it?” Her surprise was almost funny, but it made his gut clench.
“Of course I want to see it. You do great work, babe.” He knew her jewelry sold incredibly well at the boutique, and she’d even had an independent line at a major department store.
“Okay.” She turned and went down the short hall to the room on the left. He tried not to look into her bedroom as they passed by and remember what they’d done there last night.
“Have you decided if you want to stay in or go out for dinner?” Jake watched the sexy sway of her ass as she walked in front of him.
“Out. I even changed out of my work clothes.”
Her wry comment amused him. The last couple weeks aside, he knew Sapphire much preferred to be wearing jeans or leggings instead of trousers and heels. “You look amazing, babe.” He didn’t care what she wore. She always looked good to him.
She turned just inside her studio door. “I thought a lot about us today, Jake.”
“And.” Tension crept into his body and his voice.
“And, we spend all our time at my place. I wouldn’t even know where you live if Topaz hadn’t given me John’s address when she moved in with him.” Hands on her hips, she appeared solemn and thoughtful. “I want to know more about you. I need to know more if this thing between us is going to have a chance.”
She didn’t know what she was asking of him. He’d always been secretive, closed-mouthed about his private life, but that had grown almost into obsession over the past twenty years. He also knew he had no choice. He had to let Sapphire in, had to let her see all of him if they were going to have a chance in hell of making it.
He only hoped that she could accept him as he was and that learning more about him wouldn’t scare her off. He was no clean-cut businessman. He was the guy other people went to when the hard jobs needed doing. And he was damn good at it. In fact, Uncle Sam had wanted him to stay on as an instructor, teaching the new generation of soldiers, but he’d declined, knowing he’d already lost too much of his soul in the protection of his country. Not that he regretted it. No, he was proud of his service. It was simply someone else’s turn to bear the burden.
“Sure, we can go to my place. We can pick up something on the way if you want. I don’t think there’s much there to eat.”
“Really?” Sapphire gifted him with a delighted smile and he realized she’d expected him to put her off, to say no.
“Really.” He went to her and gathered her in his arms, unable to resist for one more minute. Her head fit nicely below his chin and he rocked her gently from side to side. She sighed and put her hands around his waist.
He wanted to yell and beat his chest like a conquering hero. Instead, he kissed the top of her head, inhaling the citrus scent of her shampoo and the lighter floral of her body lotion. He knew she didn’t wear perfume, but she always smelled so damn good. He could eat her up.
His cock flexed in agreement and he was careful not to press his hips against hers, afraid she might step back if she knew how damn much he wanted her. “Show me your jewelry.” If he didn’t do something to take his mind off her sinful scent and delectable curves, they were never going to make it out of her apartment. In the short term, they’d both enjoy themselves, but he sensed it was very important to her to see his place. So therefore it was important to him that she get what she wanted.
He could wait. He was good at it.
She dropped her arms and walked over to a workbench. “This is one of the new pieces.” She held it out to him.
It was very different from anything she’d ever shown him before, more masculine and edgy. The various metals formed a pattern that reminded him of the pipes in an industrial power plant. But it was much more artistic and pleasing to the eye.
She was chewing on her bottom lip, a nervous gesture he recognized from their time together. As her bodyguard, he’d learned a lot about her and her moods, and that gave him an advantage. For some reason, she was nervous about what he thought of her work.
“It’s incredible.” And it was. Different, but it had the same sense of completeness and style that all her pieces had. “Not your usual design.” Sapphire’s jewelry was deeply feminine, dipping into fantasy.
“No, it’s something different I wanted to try. Topaz and I talked about opening up another space in the store, a storage room we barely use, and create a Sisters’ Jewels Urban, a place for edgier pieces. She’s going to approach Emerald about doing some complementary pieces to go with my designs.”
There was no mistaking her delight. “That’s wonderful news. Is that what your meeting was about this morning?”
She nodded, her eyes shining with happiness as she held up a pair of earrings that matched the design of the bracelet. “Kind of. I was thinking about offering it as part of a mass market line through a department store, but Topaz came up with this idea.”
“And you like it more.” There was no question in his mind that Sapphire would rather work with her sisters than with a large retailer, not matter how much more money she might make with them.
“Absolutely.” She set the earrings down and took the bracelet from him, replacing it on her work counter. “I’ll still be designing regular pieces for Sisters’ Jewels lines, but this way I get to stretch myself artistically.”
As much as he knew about her, he found Sapphire fascinating. “Tell me all about it on the way to my place.”
The smile she gave him had his dick standing tall and his heart thudding harder. She was really giving them a chance. He marveled at her generosity and bravery, not sure he’d have been able to do the same if she’d been the one to hurt him.
As soon as he thought it, he knew he’d do the same. He really had no choice. Sapphire had become essential to his life. Somehow, this quiet, artistic soul had made a place for herself in his heart, even though he’d barricaded and closed that organ off for years.
He helped her on with her coat and took her hand after she locked her apartment door behind them. “What would you like to eat? We can order and pick it up on the way to my place.”
* * * * *
Sapphire’s eyes widened when she got her first look at Jake’s home. The brownstone was old but well tended, and it certainly had character. Broad steps led up to a hunter-green door with a brass handle and trim. A tall, thin window flanked either side of the door. It was lovely.
“Come on.” Jake ushered her toward the door, one hand on her back and the other one balancing their dinner. They’d decided on pizza, half vegetarian and half meat-lovers special. “Hold this.” He gave her the box and unlocked the door, holding it as she stepped into the foyer.
“There are two apartments on this floor that we rent.” He let her keep the pizza and urged her toward the stairs. “I have the entire second floor and John has the third. I suppose John and Topaz have the third now.”
“Are they home?” She couldn’t quite contain the worry in her voice.
“I have no idea. Why?”
She shrugged, not wanting to talk about her sister and his brother and how much either of them might know about the situation.
He frowned as he unlocked his door and held it open for her. “You haven’t told her about us, have you?”
She sailed inside, pizza clutched tight in her hands. “No. I didn’t see the need.”
“I see.” Jake closed the door and locked it.
She wasn’t quite certain what it was he
saw
. She also wasn’t sure why she hadn’t told her sister about them, only that it seemed too personal to share. Of course, there was always the worry that Topaz would confront Jake and make their situation worse. Topaz took her role of older sister very seriously.
She set the pizza down on a table just inside the door and got her first good look at Jake’s home. It was a masculine space with the flat-screen television dominating the living room. His sofa was dark-brown leather, large and looked comfortable. A slightly battered, well-used chair sat off to the side. The floor was hardwood without a rug to soften it. There were no throw pillows and only wood blinds covered the windows.
Jake grabbed the pizza box and carried it into the dining area. Sapphire followed, wanting to see more of his home. His dining area was just as sparse as his living room. A wooden table sat in the center surrounded by four chairs. There was no art on the walls and the table was bare. He dropped the pizza on the table and continued on into the kitchen, which was separated from the dining room by only a countertop.
Jake collected two plates and two pieces of paper towel to use as napkins and came back to the table. “What would you like to drink? I’ve got red wine, beer, water or ginger ale.”
“I’ll have a glass of wine.” She needed something to steady her nerves. Being here with Jake, seeing his home, was giving her a whole new insight into the man. He and his brother had owned this building for several years, but Jake’s space looked as though he’d just moved in. It was stark, with nothing personal at all to say anything about the man who lived here. She’d only lived in her own space a few short weeks and it already felt much homier than his place.
It was as though his need to protect his privacy spilled over into his own home. What must it be like to live that way? So guarded and alone.
It made her heart hurt to think of him sitting in that large living room chair all by himself with little to comfort him. She could easily imagine him kicking back by himself to watch some sports event on his rather large television. Jake liked all sports and would watch just about anything. She favored hockey and baseball and wasn’t all that fond of football.
Jake placed a glass of wine in front of her and set a beer down by his plate. “You okay?” His deep voice broke into her contemplations and she smiled at him.
“I’m fine.” He was so handsome it made her ache to touch him, to reassure him he was no longer alone. But that wasn’t altogether true. It was up to him to let her into his life. She couldn’t force her way in. He had to really want her to be a part of it.
“You sure?” He pulled out the chair next to her and sat, his gaze still on her.
She nodded and reached for a piece of pizza—the vegetarian side. Jake grabbed a slice from the other side and took a big bite. She watched his strong jaw chew and his throat ripple when he swallowed.
Heat crept up her cheeks and she lowered her head and took a bite of pizza. Honestly, she had to stop looking at him as though she wanted to nibble on his jawline, to lick his stellar chest and washboard abs. Her nipples tightened and she bit back a sigh.
She had a lot of questions to ask, but was reluctant to break the companionable silence that existed between them. Still, she’d never been a coward and wasn’t about to start now. “I did some research online today.” After she’d gotten home from her meeting with Topaz, she’d done some digging around on the internet, trying to come to grips with what Jake had told her. She’d seen some strange and slightly disturbing things while researching BDSM websites.
“About what?” He finished his first slice and started another. His gaze was steady as he watched her. Sapphire picked up her wine and had a sip, letting the fruity flavor tickle her taste buds before sliding down her throat.