Free Sapphire by Taylor Lee Page B

point, Sapphire said crisply, “Researching my background is one thing, Colonel. It is quite another to enter my home without my permission and…and eat my cookies.”
    Jase laughed. “Yes Agent Shaw, I’ll admit I shouldn’t have eaten those delicious cookies. But that’s not what is bothering you, is it, Gabriella?”
    Knowing that she was blushing and had sounded ridiculous, Sapphire tried to steady herself. As he moved subtly closer she pushed back against the wall. He knew perfectly well what the issue was but she’d be damned if she was going to refer to his outrageous behavior at the bar. It was bad enough that she’d allowed him to kiss her. Or maybe it was more accurate to say she hadn’t invited him to essentially attack her.
    Straightening her spine Sapphire stood tall trying not to be awed that he was at least seven inches taller that she was. It wasn’t only his height that was imposing, or those flashing emerald eyes. Or that Colonel Jase Malone without a doubt was the sexiest man she’d ever known, much less worked with. He oozed power. His presence under the best of circumstance was overwhelming. She might have been able to handle all of those things if it wasn’t for the devastating smile quirking his full lips. As he closed in on her, the intoxicating fragrance of his expensive cologne and masculine scent almost brought her to her knees. Unable to back away any further, she held her hands in front of her to stop his advance.
    Jase shook his head and said softly, “No, Agent Shaw, as annoyed as you might be that I entered your space without your permission or even that I was brazen enough to eat your cookies, that’s not what has you cringing against the wall.”
    Gabriella choked back a gasp horrified that she must look as powerless as she felt. Determined not to let him get the best of her, she snapped.
    “I…I’m not cringing. I…I want you to go, Jase.”
    If anything his smile widened.
    “Hmm, I dunno, Gabriella. It’s clear that you want a lot of things and may even think you want me to go—”
    Sapphire interrupted him, struggling for nonchalance, determined to keep him from coming any closer. The fact that she could barely breathe was an issue. It was also problematic that, if he got even an inch closer to her, she couldn’t trust her legs to hold her. Sucking as much air as her constricted lungs could hold she faced him. Head on.
    “You need to be clear, Col. Malone. You were wrong at the bar. There is no ‘this’ in our relationship. Our relationship is and will always be professional and respectful. I know you’re accustomed to going through women like a Black Widow chomping through a nest of helpless spiders. But you need to understand, I don’t ever get involved with a man I’m working with.”
    Jase shrugged inching closer.
    “Neither do I, but let’s face it, Tiger, there’s always a first time and I know a woman who’s interested when I see it.”
    Sapphire moved to the side, planning how to escape this impossibly arrogant man.
    “That’s where you’re wrong, Jase. Curious perhaps is one thing, but I’m not interested in you or frankly in any man. I learned long ago that men don’t like strong women. They pay lip service to the notion but it isn’t long before the supposedly interested man is complaining to his asshole friends about that ball breaking bitch he hooked up with.”
    Jase’s grin widened further. Annoyed by his open amusement, Gabriella tossed her head.
    “No, Jase, men aren’t worth the trouble they cause. They interfere with my work. Not a lot of men are interested in a woman who has a knife sheathe under her pillow. Especially one with a military grade weapon in it.” She added archly, “Besides, I’ve found that my hormonal needs can be better handled with toys.”
    Jase raised a surprised eyebrow. “You like toys, Gabriella?”
    Sapphire gave a dismissive shrug. “Why not? They’re like my weapons. I use what I need to accomplish