Free Sapphire by Taylor Lee

they walk now.”
    Jase gave her a moment to absorb what he was saying. It was essential that Sapphire understand what she was getting into. Any fool could see their respective personalities and need for control virtually assured clashes. Better they deal with this issue now. If Sapphire couldn’t commit to a secondary role, agree that when the chips were down, he was the commander, then working together was a non-starter. But knowing how important LOTN was to her, Jase was convinced that she would commit.
    Wanting to soften his harsh overview he added, “Look, Gabriella, anyone who has worked with me will tell you that I’m tough but fair. And yes, I’m a stickler for planning. My teams and I work together to create a plan A and a plan B. For good measure I add a Plan C and D.”
    He shrugged and grinned at her. “When all of them fail, that’s when the discussion stops. I go with my gut and my team follows. In lockstep.”
    Sapphire stared at him thoughtfully, a frown playing across her smooth brow. After a long moment, she nodded.
    “I can do that, Col. Malone. I’ve done it in the past many times with lesser commanders.”
    She added with a flippant smile, “If you’re half as good as you think you are, it will be a privilege to work with you.”
    Jase chuckled at her impudence. Acknowledging how much it turned him on, his better angels decided not to timidly dodge the issue that had more potential to torpedo their operation than any other. Moving closer to her he allowed himself the pleasure of looking at her. Truly looking at her. All of her. He stared at the waves of sun streaked golden hair that hung around her shoulders in a shiny certain. He savored the thought of knotting his fingers in the wavy mass and using it to jerk her head back, lift her gorgeous face to his. He’d already spent so much time studying her eyes that he skipped to her mouth. Knowing his weakness, he’d done his best to ignore her full, pouty lips. But now, gazing at those swollen lips he allowed himself to imagine pressing past her perfect teeth, tangling with her tongue and exploring the moist recesses with abandon.
    Like the randy son of a bitch that he was, Jase looked from Gabriella’s mouth to her pale slender throat then let his impertinent gaze range over the lush mounds of her breasts. He focused on her nipples. The hard beaded tips strained against the fabric of her revealing t-shirt, confirming that she was as turned on he was.
    Because she was sitting down Jase could only imagine the treasure trove secreted between her toned thighs. He was experienced enough to know that she was aroused. How could she not be? He sure as hell was and he made sure she knew it. When he’d begun to openly scrutinize her remarkable body, he’d given up hiding his erection. As his gaze swept across her body, he didn’t miss her stunned expression when she caught sight of the striking evidence of his arousal. Jase knew he should stop, walk away if necessary. But the moment for restraint had flown. Caution was a thing of the past.
    Reaching for her hair, Jase twisted the fragrant strands in his fist and used it to tug her shocked face up next to his. He allowed his lips to quirk up slightly at her reaction and drawled, “Now that we’ve settled who is in charge, Gabriella, we are going to have to deal with this .”
    Her eyes widened and her throat jerked convulsively. Her voice was a throaty whisper,
    “Deal with…with what , Jase?”
    Jase smiled at her through narrowed eyes.
    “With this , Gabriella.”
    Tipping her head further back, he gazed at her full lips. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against hers. At her soft moan he held her face firmly between his hands and began to kiss her. Thoroughly. The way she needed to be kissed. The way he’d wanted to kiss her from the first time he saw her.

Chapter 8
    S apphire wasn’t sure how she’d managed to get to her car, much less drive home. After Jase kissed her in the crowded bar