How did she feel about that? She was a modern, independent woman who ran her own successful business. Why then did the thought of having Jake take control in the bedroom excite her so much?

Because it did.

There was no denying her reaction to his every command. Her body had softened, readying itself for whatever he wanted. Even now, her nipples were taut, her pussy wet. It wouldn’t be long before all he’d have to do was walk into a room and she’d be more than prepared for whatever he wanted to do to her.

She shivered and he tightened his hold around her. “You okay?”

She could hear the concern, the worry in his voice and knew he was wondering if she’d bail on him, walk away from the intensity of his lovemaking. “Just tired.” That was the truth, but she was confused too, by his needs and her own.

Jake had tapped into a dark need buried deep within her. She’d always enjoyed sex before, had found it pleasurable. But it went to an entirely different stratosphere with Jake. She’d found the kind of pleasure she hadn’t even known existed.

His hand stroked up and down her arm before sliding down her hip and around to where her thighs were clenched tight. He pushed his hand between them and gently stroked her clit.

She bit her bottom lip, but a moan escaped.

“You’re hot again, aren’t you, babe.” He dipped his fingers deeper, pushing two into her core. She was wet, but slightly tender after last night. “I can’t get enough of you.” He withdrew his fingers, hooking them slightly so they hit the perfect spot. This time she didn’t even try to stop the deep moan that was pulled from her chest.

He lifted her top leg, pulled it back slightly and rested it on top of his hard, hairy thigh. His cock nudged against her opening and then he was inside her, sliding easily into her depths.

“Fuck yes. I want to wake up like this every morning for the rest of my life.”

Sapphire’s pulse jumped and her heart began to race. What did he mean? Then he was moving, his cock pushing heavily into her moist sheath. His magic fingers teased her clit and thought was impossible.

“Mine. You’re mine.” He came, spilling himself inside her. She felt the hot wetness spill through her and knew he’d forgotten to wear a condom this time. Thankfully she was on birth control, but even that worry disappeared when he touched her. This orgasm wasn’t as explosive as the others she’d had, but it was deeper somehow, more fulfilling.

“Sleep now.” He wrapped his arms around her, his semi-erect cock still buried in her hot depths. “I’ve got you.”

Sapphire’s eyes closed and exhaustion took her. Her last memory was of Jake brushing his fingers through her hair.

Chapter Nine

Jake kept a careful watch on Sapphire as he poured a cup of coffee and handed it to her. She’d been quiet since they’d rolled out of bed less than an hour ago. Of course, neither of them had gotten more than a couple hours of sleep. Still, he worried he’d overwhelmed her last night.

She’d showered and dressed, offering him a smile and responding to his questions, but she seemed lost in thought. That couldn’t be good for him. He’d pushed hard last night because she had to know what she was in for if she stayed with him. Not that he’d be on her that hard every night. Maybe just every other night, at least for the first year or two.

She hadn’t mentioned the fact that early this morning, when he’d taken her for the final time, he’d failed to use a condom for the first time in his life. Not that he was worried. She belonged to him and he’d take care of her and the baby, if there was one. A savage sense of pleasure rocketed through him at the thought of Sapphire carrying his child, but he shoved the image aside. He was jumping the gun, didn’t even know if she was on birth control or not. He thought about asking, but decided to leave well enough alone. There would be time to discuss it if it became an issue.

Satisfaction filled him as she nibbled at the toast he’d made for her. “Have some bacon.” He placed two slices next to the mound of fluffy eggs on her plate.

“Thanks.”

He frowned. She looked pale. Of course she did, after what he’d put her through last night. He, on the other hand, felt ready to take on the world. “You should get a nap when you get home.”

She shook her head and had another sip of coffee, closing her eyes and savoring the taste. “Can’t. I’ve got too much work to get done. I’m on a tight schedule for the next few weeks.”

Jake scowled and fought the urge to order her to rest. He might be controlling but he wasn’t stupid.

“Bet that hurt,” she teased.

“What?” He decided to play dumb.

She shook her head and laughed. “I could practically hear your thoughts. You wanted to tell me to go home and nap, but you restrained yourself. Barely.”

“You know me too well.” A grin crossed his face at the sound of her laughter.

“Hmmm,” she replied and went back to eating her breakfast.

What the hell did that mean? He wished he understood women more, but then, most men wished for the same thing. It was as if they spoke another language sometimes, one he didn’t quite grasp. He studied her and was pleased that she didn’t seem angry, just thoughtful. He could work with that. “How about dinner tonight? I could bring something over to your place.”

She nodded. “That sounds good.” She stood, flinching slightly as she did. Jake inwardly winced as he watched her slowly walk to the counter with her plate, mentally resigning himself to celibacy for the next few days. He had no one to blame but himself. It was his fault for making her sore.

He rose from the table and walked to stand behind her. “I’m sorry, babe.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head. “I was too hard on you last night.”

She shook her head, her curls dancing over her shoulders. “I’m fine.”

He wanted her to feel more than fine. Before he could figure out what to say next, there was a knock on his door. He frowned and released Sapphire.

“You expecting someone?” she asked.

“No.” He stopped on his way to the door and pulled a Sig Sauer out of the drawer of the console table. It was one of several weapons he had stashed around his apartment. He stepped to the side of the door and took a quick peek through the peephole. “Shit,” he muttered. He didn’t need this now.

“Who is it?” Sapphire’s eyes were wide and her skin pale as she looked at the weapon in his hand and not the door.

He lowered the gun and tried to think of a way to break it to her gently. A fist thumped loudly on the door. Jake swore under his breath. “It’s my brother,” he paused, “and your sister.”

Knowing there was nothing else to do but face their family, Jake shoved the gun back into the drawer and undid the locks. He pulled the door open and scowled at his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. “What do you want?”

John’s smiled quickly turned into a frown when Topaz gasped and pointed to her sister. “What are you doing here?”

Topaz shoved past him and descended on her sister. Before she reached Sapphire, Jake got to her first and tucked her under his arm. Topaz stopped in her tracks. She stared at Sapphire and then back at him.

Her frown deepened. “He’s the one, isn’t he? He’s the reason you’ve been so down the past few weeks, the reason you’ve tried so hard to change yourself. Tell me I’m wrong.” When Sapphire didn’t answer her, Topaz turned on him in the blink of an eye. “You sorry son of a bitch.”

John was scowling at him, fists bunched at his sides. Jake didn’t want to fight with his brother, but what was between him and Sapphire was their business and no one else’s.

But it was Sapphire who surprised him the most. She stepped in front of him and faced her furious sister. “Stop it. This is between Jake and me.”

“But he hurt you.” Topaz was practically vibrating with anger and Jake couldn’t really blame her. He had hurt her sister. It didn’t matter that it hadn’t been his intention.

Sapphire shook her head. “It’s our problem to work out.” She turned to him and offered him a wan smile. “I’ve got to go and get to work.”

“I’ll take you home.” No way was he letting her go by herself. He couldn’t help shake the worry that she was somehow slipping away from him.

“No.” Topaz took a step closer to her sister. “I think the two of us need to talk.”

Sapphire nodded at her sister even as he protested, but she held firm. “No, it’s okay. I’ll go with her. She’s right, we need to talk.” Jake couldn’t resist the request in her eyes and nodded.

“Call me when you get home.” He leaned down and kissed her, ignoring his brother and her sister. “Promise.”

“I will.”

John stepped to the side and spoke with Topaz while Sapphire retrieved her purse. When she was ready, Jake kissed her again. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight,” she repeated and then she was gone with her sister.

John closed the door with a heavy thud. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Jake turned away from his brother and went into the kitchen to clean up from breakfast, knowing John would follow him. He sensed his brother’s growing frustration.

“What the hell is going on?” his brother asked again. “I thought you two were barely talking again after what you did to her, but it’s obvious she spent the night here. What kind of game are you playing?”

Jake scraped the remaining food into the garbage, frowning over how much was still left on Sapphire’s plate. She’d only nibbled at her food. He placed the plates into the dishwasher before facing his brother.