N. Walters - Touch of Topaz

And she had to stop thinking about his lips. Heat climbed up her face and she feared she was blushing. John slid into the driver’s seat and locked his door before glancing her way.

“You okay?” His deep voice slid over her skin like an expensive silk and she barely suppressed a shudder of arousal that snaked down her spine.

She stared out the front windshield, refusing to look at him. “I’m fine. The courtroom was a bit warm.” That wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either. “I’m glad the trial is wrapping up today.”

John started the car and pulled out of the lot, smoothly maneuvering on to the road. In the distance, Topaz could see the front of the courthouse and the large group of reporters all clamoring for a quote. She knew they were just doing their jobs, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.

She shivered as a chill went through her. The nightmare was almost over for her family and her life would soon go back to normal. She absently toyed with the wide band of silver around her neck. It was set with chunks of amber and was her favorite necklace, and not only because her sister Sapphire had made it for her.

She’d be happy to get back to work at Sisters’ Jewels, the boutique she co-owned with her sisters. They sold accessories, scarves, journals, stationery, cards and jewelry. Her sisters were more of the creative force behind their line of products. Emerald used her creativity and artistic ability to design their accessory line, while Sapphire designed all their jewelry. But she ran the store itself on a day-to-day basis. It was her baby, and she loved it. Her sisters might not like the business aspect of owning a store, but she thrived on the challenge of making everything work.

“You hungry?”

John broke into her musings. “Not really.” She hadn’t been hungry since the trial started.

He gave her a quick frown before returning his gaze to the road. “You need to eat. You’re too thin.”

Her spine straightened and she shot him a haughty glare. “Whether I eat or not is none of your business.”

“Sure it is. It’s my job to keep you safe and healthy.”

Topaz snorted. “I don’t think worrying about what I eat falls under your job description.” She never missed a chance to remind herself and him that this was a temporary situation, that she was a job. He’d leave her soon, probably within a day or two, and she’d probably never see him again.

Which was for the best. They had little in common, other than explosive sex.

She chewed on her bottom lip and desperately tried to put that September afternoon out of her mind. One minute they’d been fighting, and the next they’d been having smoking-hot sex in her foyer. She fought the urge to fan her face with her hand and managed not to squirm in her seat. With arousal slowly seeping through her body, it wasn’t so easy.

John stopped the car and Topaz was pulled out of her reverie and back to the present. They were in the parking lot of a small family-style restaurant. “Come on. You might not need to eat, but I do.”

John slid out of the car and came around to the passenger side. Resigned, Topaz unlocked the door and climbed out when he opened the door. He kept her close to him, blocking the bulk of her body with his own. She could smell the earthy scent of his soap, mingled with the musky smell of the man himself.

Her nipples tightened beneath her bra and she was thankful she was wearing a blouse, suit jacket and coat. He watched her like a hawk and wouldn’t miss the telltale sign of her arousal.

His left arm was around her waist and she felt the heat of it through all the layers of her clothing. She concentrated on the restaurant and not on the man beside her, which was next to impossible. John Knight was not a man any woman ignored.

He was rough looking and tough as nails, but he exuded an animal magnetism, a sensuality that drew female attention wherever he went. There was no denying he was a dominant male and Topaz knew he could easily take over the life of any woman who was with him, and without even trying or meaning to.

It was one of the reasons she was determined not to fall under his sensual spell again. She was afraid that the one time they’d been together had already spoiled her for other men. After being with John, all the other men who asked her out seemed less somehow. Which wasn’t fair to them.

John held the door open for her and they walked inside. The heat and wonderful aroma of food hit her and her stomach growled. When he grinned at her, she knew he’d heard her stomach complain. Thankfully, he said nothing about it as he led her to a table in the far corner. If he’d gloated she didn’t think she’d be able to keep from committing violence against his person.

She slid off her coat, which he hung over the empty seat next to her. Then he seated her with her back to the room so people wouldn’t be able to easily see her face, which was plastered all over the media these days. He kept his coat on and sat with his back to the wall, where he commanded a full view of the place.

It was how they always sat when they went out. He was always security conscious no matter what they were doing.

A young twenty-something waitress, wearing a black skirt and white blouse, hurried to their table and set menus in front of them. “Afternoon. Today’s soup is chicken noodle and the special is stuffed chicken breast with mashed potatoes and peas.” She flashed a bright smile at John. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Coffee for me.” He glanced over at her.

There was no way she wanted coffee. She was jittery enough as it was. “Just water for me, please.”

John frowned, but the waitress simply nodded and went to get their drinks. Topaz looked down at the menu. She could feel John’s eyes on her and barely resisted the urge to squirm. Honestly, the man could make her forget she was a successful, polished businesswoman with no more than a look. Another strike against him.

“Do you know what you want?” His voice was low and intimate even though they were in a crowded restaurant.

Now that was a loaded question if she’d ever heard one. What would he do if she said she wanted him in her bed once again? That she wanted another afternoon of unforgettable, hot sex.

Not that she would. She wasn’t the kind of woman who indulged in one-night stands. John was the only exception she’d ever made to that rule. She had to date a man for quite some time before they went to bed together. And then both parties knew it wasn’t going to lead to anything more serious. It sounded colder and more calculated than it was in reality. She had a genuine affection for the men she’d had in her life. She just hadn’t wanted any of them there on a permanent basis.

Their waitress came back and plunked a glass of water in front of Topaz and set a mug of coffee in front of John. She gave him another dazzling smile. Topaz noticed that she’d freshened her lipstick since she was here last. Unaccountably, jealousy began to creep into her brain and she was filled with the urge to tell her to stop looking at John, that he belonged to her.

Which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

They’d spent a steamy afternoon together. Nothing wrong with sex between two healthy, consenting adults, but they didn’t have a relationship beyond that. He’d walked away when his job was over last summer and would again this time. Yes, he’d called her once or twice, but she hadn’t returned his calls. There was no point. They both had their own lives. She had to remember that.

Topaz glanced at the menu. “I’ll have the chicken noodle soup and the chicken sandwich on multigrain bread with mustard, not mayo.”

The waitress, whose nametag read Maria, dutifully wrote down her order before turning to John. “And what will you have, sir?”