Page 28 of Claimed Gem

Stephanie gave him a seductive smile as she slid her leg further across his thighs, all the while her hand was exploring his growing length. Ries groaned in response when she dipped her fingers deeper between his thighs.

Ries lifted his head and their lips met as he urged her hips further over his own, until she was straddling him again.

“Stephanie, take me inside you.”

She moaned in response, placing kisses across his chest as she released him and pushed herself up, placing her hands on his lower stomach as she followed his directive. Once he was fully seated inside her, she leaned forward wanting to taste his lips once more

Ries didn’t disappoint, kissing her with a passion she’d never experienced before . It was as if he reached deep inside her and touched her heart. He murmured words she didn’t understand in her ear, but it was as if her heart was in tune with his.

She felt loved and cared for – something she’d not felt in a long time.

12

Around noon,Ries woke up again and immediately reached for Stephanie. To his disappointment, he found himself alone in the bed.

He slowly rolled over to his good side and sat up on the side of the bed, scrubbing a hand over his face as he tried to dispel the sense of disappointment that filled his chest.

He’d begun to imagine what life could be like with Stephanie by his side but hadn’t realized how important she’d become to him in such a short time. Until just now.

Finding himself alone was like a stab in the heart. He’d been happy when he woke up earlier to find her body draped across his, a satisfied smile on her face as she slept in his arms.

Ries had envisioned many such mornings where they’d wake in each other’s arms and spend hours pleasuring each other before starting their day. Ries had even imagined he would leave her side to go to the corporate office where he would work alongside his brothers to make the family business even more successful.

It was the first time Ries had actually been able to see a way forward in his life, beyond the next week.

Rather than instilling fear and loathing inside his chest, he’d been filled with anticipation.

So where was the woman who was responsible for this change? She should be lying next to him right now instead of…well, whatever else she was doing.

As he headed for the bathroom, old doubts and fears began to seep into his brain. Doubts that told him he wasn’t good enough for her and she deserved someone like Damon by her side.

Ries pulled on a pair of pajama pants, foregoing a shirt for the moment, and went in search of Stephanie.

He was surprised to hear what sounded like his brother’s voice coming from the sitting room as he came downstairs. Chris met him at the bottom and filled him in on everything he’d missed during the first part of the day.

“The authorities are here as is Nicolai. They contacted him last night and have some news about the men we were able to apprehend at the beach.”

Ries frowned, “I thought there weren’t any survivors?”

Chris shook his head, “That’s what I thought but they found a couple of men hiding in one of the fishing shacks. Lucky for us, they both have extensive records but I’ll let the police fill you in on those particulars. On another note, how are you feeling this morning?”

“Like I’ve been shot,” Ries groused. “Where is Stephanie?”

“She’s in there with your brother and the police. She refused to let anyone go upstairs and wake you up.”

Ries felt his frown disappear and he filed that information away to be examined later.

“I should probably join them. You come as well; I want maximum security around Stephanie until this situation is contained.”

“Already on it,” Chris informed him as they entered the sitting room.

“Ries!” Stephanie exclaimed upon seeing him, rushing to his side and searching his eyes as she whispered, “You shouldn’t be out of bed.”

Ries took her hand and then bent and kissed her cheek, “Thank you for your concern but I’m okay.”

“You don’t look that well, brother,” Nicolai told him, coming forward and examining him with his eyes. “Stephanie is to be credited with saving your life, I hear?”

“That’s correct. If not for her, I would have been shot and mostly like you would be planning my funeral right now.”