N. Walters - Stroke of Sapphire

“You may be right,” Topaz conceded. She hesitated and then shook her head. “I told myself I wasn’t going to butt into your business, but are you sure you know what you’re doing with Jake? I admit that John is a lot of man to handle, but Jake seems even more intense.”

“This is you not butting in?” she shot back.

Topaz grinned. “What can I say? Big sister’s prerogative.”

Sapphire grinned back, feeling very lucky to have a family that cared so much about her. “I love him.” It was as simple and as complicated as that.

Topaz blew out a breath. “I figured that. I don’t know whether to commiserate with you or congratulate you.”

Sapphire laughed. “Maybe a bit of both.” Jake was a complex man, one she might never fully understand. There were walls he kept up, blocking the world out of his innermost thoughts. She would be content if she could break through half the barriers. There were things from his past he might never want to share and she was okay with that. As long as he was committed to her, loved her and didn’t shut her out in the future.

She wasn’t one of those women who thought she could change a man. Jake was what he was and he was content to be that way. It wasn’t up to her to change him any more than he should try to change her.

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.

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.