Page 11

Chapter Eleven

S apphire glued herself to the powerful shelter Blade’s hard form provided. Without asking, he handled everything. Men already bustled around replacing the back door and upgrading its level of protection. When they finished, a new camera system would allow a wide view of everything in the front and rear of the building, as well as inside.

The neighboring business owners alerted by the police canvassing the area stopped by to express their concern and support. One even offered her daughter, who was home from college, as a person to run the shop for her to take the day off. Sapphire had thanked the woman but refused, knowing the daughter would be lost in the shop without training.

“I need to find someone to work with me,” she admitted when they were alone inside The Blue Door.

“Can you afford it?” Blade asked.

“Yes.”

“Would having someone else here part-time or full-time free you up to design and create new pieces?”

“Definitely.” Sapphire’s mind boggled at the idea of not having to stop to wait on customers as she devised new creations.

“Do you think it’s possible to find an employee who loves your jewelry and would connect with the shop visitors?”

“Of course,” she answered, slightly offended at his question. He liked her designs, didn’t he?

Blade simply raised an eyebrow at her tone and expression as he seemed to read her mind. “You already know I think you’re extraordinarily talented. Back to the quandary about help. It sounds like you’ve already got a profile of who you need. Let’s get a sign in the window.”

It took her longer to design the help-wanted sign than it did for the first person to come in to apply.

“Sapphire? Are you really looking for an assistant? I’d love to work here,” a familiar, young woman said in a rush of excitement as she burst through the door.

“Hi, Desiree! I am looking for someone. Blade, this is Desiree. She’s an art student who shadowed me for a week last semester.”

“I’m glad to meet you, Desiree. I’ll go check on the workmen and let you two talk.” Blade nodded to the back door, and Sapphire understood the message. He was close.

“Come sit down, Desiree. Tell me about your availability.” Sapphire invited her over, waving Desiree back to her workspace where she had two stools drawn up to the table.

“Taking the sign down already?” Blade asked later that morning when Sapphire untaped the announcement.

“She’s perfect. Thank goodness, she’d come by to ask me a question about suppliers.” Some of the stress heaped on her shoulders had disappeared after talking to the young woman. She continued, excited by the prospect of having help. “Desiree is going to start tomorrow. We’re going to overlap shifts for a while, then I’ll let her have some hours alone in the shop.”

“I’m glad, Little girl. You’ve been doing a lot for a long time.”

“I told her about that guy. I want her to be safe too,” Sapphire said.

“I heard you. She didn’t seem fazed by it.”

“She’ll be careful.”

“And so will you. The door is fixed, and the cameras are functional. Are you ready to close the shop and get out of here early?” Blade asked, studying her face.

“I’m not going to let him win. Besides, he’s out of the picture for a few days at least,” Sapphire said and realized she meant it. She’d worked hard for this shop. Some guy wasn’t going to make her run away from her dreams.

“Good girl.”

She watched him go take a seat at the workbench and knew he’d stay with her for as long as she needed him. A warm feeling around her heart made her aware of how much she cared for him. Sapphire walked to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Have I told you how awesome you are, Daddy?”

“There’s no limit on how many times you can tell me that, Blue Eyes.” He rotated on the stool to lift her onto his lap. “I was scared today, Little girl.”

“Petrified,” she whispered.

“You did all the right things.” He ticked her wise choices off on his fingers. “You called the cops. You phoned me. You stayed strong and didn’t panic. I’m so proud of you.”

“I walked right out into his hands,” she said, shaking her head at her own stupidity. Blade hadn’t said anything about that move.

“Did you check the cameras?”

“Yes.”

“Was there anyone at the door?” Blade probed.

“No. I could see you all a distance away. I thought you were just looking at the aftereffects of that guy trying to break in.”

“Now there’s a wider lens camera back there. You can’t anticipate everything that could happen, Little girl. You did all the correct things. He didn’t. This is on him—not on you.”

Staring at his face, Sapphire processed his words. He was right. She wasn’t to blame.

“How did I get so lucky to find you?” she whispered.

“I don’t know, Little girl, but I won’t lose you now.” Blade cupped the back of her head and pulled her close to kiss her gently.

Sapphire deepened the exchange. She’d seen her hero in action today, and he was so hot. Stroking his hard muscles, she reveled in his strength.

Blade broke off the kiss with a groan. “Little girl, I’d fuck you right here on your workbench, but I don’t need spectators. Do you?” he asked as the bells on the door jingled.

She shook her head and peeked over her shoulder toward the open door behind her. Controlling the laughter that threatened to spill from her lips, Sapphire winked at him and called a hello to the customers. She didn’t even care they’d caught her on his lap. Who wouldn’t want to be that close to Blade?

Sliding off his thighs, she whispered, “Can I have a rain check for that?”

The heat in his eyes blazed hotter. She knew she was in for it when he got his hands on her in private. “You’re playing with fire, Little girl.”

“I can’t wait. Go back to the shop, Blade. I’m fine here. I’ll call if I need you.”

“You sure, Blue Eyes?”

“Definitely. I’ll send you text updates,” she promised.

“Go help your customers. When I can stand without knocking things over, I’ll take off.”

“Without knocking things over?” she repeated and scanned his body, trying to pinpoint what the problem was. Her gaze landed on his lap. “Oh!”

“Don’t stare at it, minx. You’re going to make it worse,” he growled.

Giggling happily, she winked at him and headed over to take care of her customers. When she checked back a while later, the stool was empty. Sapphire missed him immediately.

Thankfully, the shop was busy. Time flew by. Sapphire had never been so grateful that Monday was one of her short days—and that was saying something.

She stood studying the exterior on the new camera for several minutes after she’d closed the shop. It was taking all her courage to walk outside. Finally, she wanted to get home so badly, Sapphire risked it. Opening the door into the artificially lit area, she stepped out.

Sapphire scanned the area and froze when she saw a man bracing his muscular butt on her car. “Couldn’t you have stood in the light? That would have made it easier for me to come out of that back entrance.”

Blade pushed away from the car and walked forward to hug her. “You’ll find it less difficult tomorrow and less scary the time after that. Soon, you’ll remember but not allow yourself to react. Eventually, you’ll forget until you’re on your way home….”

“Do you think that will happen?”

“Someday. There’s no timeline. Trauma takes a while to fade.”

“How did you get so smart?” Sapphire asked before pressing a kiss to his neck.

“I might have had a few negative encounters over the years. We should work on that idea of Ivy’s to create something beautiful that has a hidden defense component,” Blade suggested.

“I actually drew a few sketches today. I’d love to get your opinion of them—I don’t think I’ve come up with a really good idea yet.” Sapphire realized she’d forgotten where she was and how frightened she should be back here. “How do you make things so much better?”

“We’re good together, Sapphire. I’ll always be there for you,” he promised, bringing tears to her eyes.

She swallowed hard before blurting, “I love you.”

His lips widened in a breathtaking smile. “I love you too, Little girl.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before deepening it.

Savoring his taste, Sapphire responded with all the emotions inside her. She wiggled closer, erasing the space between their bodies. His arm tightened around her waist, and one hand smoothed over her lower back to cup her bottom. Desire flared inside her. That hand lifted her to press her pelvis to his. Feeling the proof of his arousal, Sapphire wanted more.

She ripped her mouth away from his. “I need you, Blade.”

“Let’s go inside, Blue Eyes.”

Their previous conversation zinged into her mind. He wouldn’t. “The workbench?”

“I can’t wait to see you stretched over it. Your sweet ass and pussy on display. Are you wet, Sapphire?”

“Drenched,” she admitted, rubbing her mound against his thick erection.

“You have one job, Little girl. If our play scares you, tell me. Don’t hesitate. Tell me. Promise.”

“Yes,” she said, understanding even as their passion exploded, he wanted to take care of her. “You have my word.”

“Get the key,” he demanded.

She loved his urgency. Digging in her pocket, she fumbled for her keys. Blade plucked them from her hand and quickly dealt with the lock. He swept her inside, secured the reinforced door behind them, and dropped the keys to the floor to free his hands.

He leaned over and scooped her up over his shoulder before she realized what he was up to.

“Blade!” she protested.

He answered with a sharp spank to her bottom without slowing. “Daddy.”

Navigating through the darkness, he carried her through the crowded storage area at the rear of the store. His movements were sure and quick, as if he had the night vision of a predator. The shop area was lit with the last rays of sunshine filtering through the display window’s security shutters.

Unable to resist the rounded butt in front of her eyes, Sapphire swatted it, only to shake her hand to deal with the resulting sting. “Damn that’s hard.”

“You, Little girl, are in big trouble,” he growled, not faltering a step as he approached her design area.

The world spun around her as he set her back on her feet. She clutched his leather vest to stabilize herself. “Sorry?”

“No, you’re not. But you will be,” he said confidently as his hands ripped her T-shirt off and tossed it away.

She didn’t look to see where it landed. Her gaze focused on his hungry expression. With a flick of his fingers, Blade unfastened her front-close bra. He didn’t bother with removing that scrap of lace. He cupped her breasts and pushed them together, whisking his rough thumbs over her beaded nipples.

“Damn, you’re pretty. A taste.” He added to his compliment as if talking to himself.

Sapphire rose onto her tiptoes as he licked one nipple before sucking it into his mouth firmly. Her fingers tangled in his tousled hair, holding him to her. When he released the first with a pop, she moaned at the sensation. To her surprise, when he turned to the other side, Blade rolled that nipple between his teeth. The slight bite of pain sent a completely different zing of arousal through her. Sapphire tightened her grip on his hair, pulling him away.

“Good, hmm?” he hummed against her skin, allowing the vibration of his lips to brush the sensitive peak.

“I need you.”

“Good. I’m going to bury myself so deep inside you that you’ll remember me when I’m gone,” he told her as he stood to unfasten her jeans.

His rough movements jostled her slightly, making her breasts rock. She loved that he rushed as if he craved making love to her. As soon as her fly parted, Blade thrust his hand down her opened jeans to cup her pussy. She knew he could feel how wet she was.

“So hot, Blue Eyes.” His squeeze made her knees wobbly. She clung to his strength. Her desire built with every stroke of his fingers over her silky panties.

“Daddy,” she whispered.

“I know. I can feel it too. We have a spanking to deal with first,” he told her sternly as he put that hand to another purpose and yanked her jeans and the scrap of lace to her knees. “Daddies spank Little girls when they need an emotional outlet or a reminder to behave. I think you qualify for both.”

“What? No!”

The room rotated as he spun her around to face the table. “You have ten seconds to shift anything you don’t want under you.”

Sapphire looked over her shoulder, trying to understand what he meant.

“Ten. Nine.”

She whirled around to face the workbench, grabbing anything in front of her as his countdown continued. Pliers, wire, gems in storage boxes. Sapphire shifted them to the sides of the table to make room, not sure exactly what he would do. Paying attention to him seemed the prudent thing to do.

“Two.” Blade picked up a pair of shears and relocated them to the side, helping her.

“One,” he announced. “Time’s up, Blue Eyes.”

Gripping her waist, he lifted her to drape over the narrow table. Her feet dangled in the air as the wooden structure supported her torso. She didn’t have a second to adjust when his first swat landed on her exposed bottom. Hampered by the jeans around her knees, Sapphire couldn’t avoid the second stinging spank. She reached behind her, trying to shield her vulnerable buns, but Blade dealt with her hands easily. He captured her wrists and pinned them high behind her back.

“Uh, uh, Little girl. That’s a no-no.” His heavy hand continued to land. Each swat sounded in the quiet room and ricocheted through her mind.

Sapphire opened her mouth to yell at him and heard a feminine voice outside. “Crap. She is closed. I hoped I’d catch her before she left for the evening. We’ll have to visit tomorrow. Sapphire has the most amazing—and original—jewelry.”

“You have to stay quiet, Blue Eyes. Shhh!” he said, leaning over her body. For a split second, he allowed her to feel his weight pinning her down before he eased away. She loved the reminder of who dominated her.

She bit her lip, trying not to let any gasps or moans slip out. This was so naughty to play around in here. She’d never be able to look at the workbench without remembering this.

“Not a single word,” he whispered.

“But….” She struggled to find something to finish that protest. Another stinging slap stole her breath and broke her control. An avalanche of emotions flooded from her. Tears coursed down her cheeks to land on the platform below her. A sob burst from her throat.

His hand smoothed over her hot skin. “Are you okay, Sapphire?”

“Hold me, Daddy,” she pleaded.

In a flash, he’d rotated her to sit on the table in front of him. Her heated bottom pressed against the hard wood as Blade pulled her into his arms. A hiss escaped from her lips. He squeezed her tighter.

“Let it all out,” he requested softly. “You’ve been too courageous today.”

“I always have to be brave,” she told him sadly.

“Do you feel that way with me, Blue Eyes?” he asked, and she could hear the sadness in his voice.

“No, I can relax and be myself when I’m with you. I’m glad.” She lifted her lips to ask for a kiss and enjoyed his masterful response. There was no doubt this man could kiss.

“Being with you makes my heart happy too, Little girl.”

“Daddy? I need you to replace the bad memories in here with something I’ll never forget.” She rubbed her hands on his chest, aiming for a seductive look.

“Oh? That fits perfectly with my plans.”

Squeezing her thighs together, she celebrated the heat rebuilding inside her. It felt amazing to feel good after the terror of the day. Sapphire wasn’t ashamed of letting her emotions out. Blade understood. Maybe he’d deliberately pushed her a bit.

Holding her gaze, he yanked her jeans and panties completely off. Blade gripped her thighs and widened them. He stepped into the space he’d created and cupped the back of her head. Tugging slightly at her hair, Blade kissed her. The heated exchange made them both breathless. He lifted his lips from hers and scanned her body, allowing her to see his appreciation of her form.

“You are so beautiful, Little girl. I need a taste.”

Blade trailed kisses down her sensitive neck to her collarbones. Sapphire loved the licks and nibbles that accompanied his explorations. She pushed back her shoulders to present her breasts to him.

“Look at these pretties. You’re a temptation I can’t resist.” Blade growled and ran his hands up her ribs to lift each globe. He ran his tongue around her nipples before sucking on the taut buds as he caressed her soft skin.

Sapphire squirmed, loving every touch and wanting more. Needing to be in contact with him, she wiggled to the edge of the table to rub her pussy against his jeans. The combination of his touches and the rough fabric fueled her arousal.

“Daddy!” she whispered, not knowing what she needed but wanting it all.

“Shh! I’ve got you, Little girl.” Blade lowered himself to his knees and pressed a kiss to her inner thigh.

She watched him turn to admire her spread open pussy. His eyes darkened, almost appearing black. His nose widened as he inhaled her scent. The animalistic act triggered her most basic reactions. Her juices gushed as she reached out to grip his shoulder. “Please.”

“Not going anywhere.”

His deep voice sent a shiver up her spine. She couldn’t tear her gaze away as he leaned forward to press a kiss at the top of her cleft. Dipping his head slightly, he tasted her. His tongue ran through her wetness. Sapphire held her breath.

“Mmm,” he hummed against her tender flesh, sending vibrations through her.

Sapphire felt like she was on a hair trigger. When he circled her clit with his tongue, she started to shake. She needed to come so badly. He wrapped his lips around that small bundle of nerves and sucked.

Sapphire slapped one hand over her mouth to muffle her sounds from the public she could hear moving around on the sidewalk, and her body exploded with pleasure. Blade continued his teasing touch, prolonging the sensations.

When she could think once more, Sapphire was covered with a fine sweat. She tightened her fingers on his shoulders. When he glanced up, she whispered, “Fuck me, please.”

Blade pressed one last kiss to her mound before rising to his feet. The waistband of his jeans barely contained his cock. His arousal tented the heavy material. She reached forward automatically to help him. Their fingers fumbled together as he unfastened his jeans, allowing his erection to escape. She rubbed her fingers along the rigid shaft.

“You’re going to be the end of me, Blue Eyes,” he said as he grabbed a condom from his wallet.

Her gaze followed his movements as he lifted the small packet to his mouth. He bit down on one corner, to hold it. Blade brushed her hand away before easing the stretchy fabric of his athletic briefs off over the wide head pressing against it. He groaned when Sapphire licked her lips in appreciation.

Closing his eyes as if he struggled for control, Blade grabbed the waistbands and pushed his jeans and underwear to his knees. He retrieved the condom from his mouth and ripped it open. Immediately, he rolled it over his shaft.

Holding himself, he met her gaze. “Soon, I’m going to fill your mouth, but now I need to feel your pussy’s heat.”

Sapphire nodded and reached forward to tug him closer. “Now, Daddy.”

He fit himself to her opening and flexed his hips, pushing slowly into her. She tried to hurry him up but couldn’t speed up the process. She wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him closer. His warning look made her heart flutter inside.

“Do I need to spank your bottom, Little girl?”

She shook her head instantly, even as her mind processed his words. Sapphire could only focus on the feel of his cock filling her as he continued to enter her. Slowly, her channel widened to allow him inside as he invaded. She guessed he was protecting her with the unrushed pace but didn’t want to wait.

His thickness challenged her, but Blade finessed his way into her heat. Her reward? He brushed over so many sensitive spots inside her as he glided into her. Now the root of his cock pressed directly on her still-sensitive clit. He pulsed deeper in short thrusts, targeting that needy bud.

“Hold on, Sapphire,” he commanded.

When her hands gripped his broad shoulders, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, pinning her to his hard body. Blade stood and turned around to reverse their positions. His cock pressed fully inside her as he sat down on her workbench. A strangled groan burst from her lips.

She clung to Blade. This was delicious to watch his cock slide in and out of her. Sapphire had never had such a bird's-eye view. Captivated by the erotic show, she lifted her knees onto the edge of the workbench. Sapphire bounced slightly and pressed her hand over Blade’s mouth as he moaned loudly.

“Shh, Daddy!”

“Kiss me,” he growled, pulling her close.

Eager to please him, Sapphire replaced her hand with her lips. Now to make him moan again. She concentrated on squeezing her intimate muscles, bringing an instant reaction from him. She absorbed his gasp and kissed him deeply. Her tongue tangled with his.

Their bodies moved together in almost harmony. Those awkward moments that always happened, making them both laugh and formed precious memories she’d never forget. Remember that time you made love to me on my workbench and almost stapled your hand? It was when that thought popped into her brain, Sapphire knew she wanted to keep Blade until they were old and gray.

“I like that idea that just went through your mind,” he said, reading her expression.

She didn’t answer him but lavished caresses on his hard body to show him how much she cared. As if he understood, he answered her loving touches with those of his own. Damn. I love this man.

The swirling sensations and emotions proved too much for Sapphire. Pleasure burst through her. Her deep contractions tempted Blade as well. Grabbing her hand, he placed it over his lips and shouted as he emptied himself into the condom inside her.

When he’d recovered, Blade swore, “I’m adding insulation to your walls, Little girl,” and then returned the favor by covering her lips with his hand as she giggled with delight at his growly declaration.

Making love with Blade was indescribable. The perfect combination of skilled lover, tough biker, and loving Daddy Dom. She was never ever going to let him go. Blade seemed to fit into her life like a missing puzzle piece. He completed her in so many ways.