Page 36 of Claimed Gem

Ries has never been like that before, but he seemed to expect my participation with his dominant behavior. I wonder if he was like that with all of the other women who came before me? Did they like it and that’s why he thought it was okay to treat me like that without even asking?

She had to admit she had enjoyed it – but it also put her in mind of other things. Where had he developed those skills? Did he have a ‘protocol’ he simply used on every woman he came across? What else might he do without asking her?

She rolled over to her side and hugged the pillow close, inhaling his scent and frowning when her body clenched in renewed need.

“Down girl, we’ve had enough for one night.”

No matter the answers to her questions, she had to admit that she’d liked it. A lot.

Ries left the bedroom,grabbing his robe off the chair on his way out and headed for the bedroom at the end of the hall.

For the last few days, he’d been putting distance between himself and Stephanie. Not because he wanted to but because he knew if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to keep her safe and protected. He needed to be able to say ‘no’ to her – even if she had saved his life.

If she disobeyed his orders again, Ries knew, it could very easily end differently. He would never forget the terror that seized him as he felt bullets whizz past, so close to Stephanie’s body beside his.

He had been doing so well. He had not caved into her demands or let himself be swayed by her anger at his refusal. He had felt almost capable of handling her in the way that was most important: keeping her safe.

Yet all ofthat had just been blown out of the water. By her.

Why?

That was the question that he couldn’t ignore or answer. He’d known Stephanie was hurt and angered by the way he’d been treating her, and yet, she’d come to him with the intent of seducing him.

Old insecurities sounded in his brain, reminding him that women who acted like Stephanie had tonight only did so because they were afraid of losing his good favor. The thought that she might have had an ulterior motive for coming to his room tonight diminished the joy they’d found in one another’s arms. It put a bad taste in Ries’ mouth and brought back doubts he’d hoped were gone.

16

A few days later…

Since the nightshe seduced Ries, he had gone back to barely talking to her, refusing to let her leave the apartment, and leaving directly after breakfast everyday to go do only-he-knew-what.

He came home each evening, where they ate a silent dinner together, and then he retreated to his makeshift office and she watched television until she fell asleep.

Stephanie was beginning to go stir crazy but Ries wasn’t around to share that with, and on this day, she found herself wandering from room to room, searching for some way to make the boredom and the distance bearable.

She’d just entered the room he was using as his office when his computer screen came on and his brother Damon’s face filled the screen, the soft ring of a video call sounding over the computer’s speakers.

She glanced around, unsure if she should answer the video call or just pretend she’d never seen it. The prospect of having some role, any role in the investigation was tantalizing. Even if it was just passing messages from brother to brother.

Yet she remembered what Damon had said about her the last time she’d seen him.

One of Ries’ women.

The last thing she needed was for anyone to remind her of her fears about the man she still had strong feelings for, despite everything.

When the call disconnected, she breathed a sigh of relief.

But then a second video call started immediately. Damon again.

It must be urgent.

What if Ries was in danger, and he didn’t know it?

Stephanie found herself sitting down in the desk chair and moving the mouse to the answer icon. She clicked it and then held her breath as the call connected and his brother’s voice filled the space.

“What are you doing answering Ries’ computer?” Damon’s face was stern, even angry.

Stephanie felt her breath catch at the tone of his voice and then forced a smile to her lips.“Hello, Damon.”