TouchofTopaz (10 page)

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.