Caught in the Act: A Jewel Heist Romance Anthology

by Ainslie Paton

  “I used to love seeing Gretchen wear it as a bracelet,” Jake said. “She looked like a queen when she’d move her hand around with the huge stone dangling from her wrist.”

  “She had such skinny wrists.”

  They met on the far side of the necklace. Jake reached out and took Ana’s wrist in his hand, wrapping his fingers around it. His fingers overlapped. “Like yours.”

  Could he feel the pounding of her pulse?

  “I liked the painting that hung in the main hall of Grandmother wearing the diamond in a tiara. She looked like a queen.”

  Grandmother had been very queenlike.

  The Staffordshire family could trace their lineage back to British nobility and the early settlement of the New World. The diamond had been brought by a relative from England for his beloved who’d sailed with her family the previous year.

  Unlike the much more famous Hope Diamond, made famous because of curses and sadness, the stories surrounding the Staffordshire Diamond were happy. The diamond was gifted to loved ones, passed on to beloved children who gave it to their loved ones. Occasionally the family would put the diamond on display, using their good fortune to make money for others, but usually people wore it. Every painting and professional photograph of her ancestors, for generations, featured the Staffordshire Diamond in some form or another.

  “The tiara was something,” Jake said.

  “She wore it for her wedding, you know.”

  Jake nodded.

  Of course he knew. He knew almost as much about her family as she did. He’d been there her whole life. Never in the limelight, where she was forced to be, but in the shadows. Watching. Waiting.

  “Do you want to try it on?”

  The necklace had actually never been her favorite piece. It was ostentatious for her liking, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. The platinum strands were arranged to look like tree branches with various gems at the ends of some of the branches. There were twenty sapphires, eighteen emeralds, fourteen rubies, six pear-shaped diamonds, and two extremely rare bluish-purple tanzanite gems that her grandfather had added when he married her grandmother.

  She nodded.

  Jake pulled out his phone and pressed some buttons. Then walked to the back of the display and unlocked the security cord surreptitiously wrapped around the back. The necklace looked so delicate in Jake’s big hands, but he held it so carefully. Reverently.

  “Shouldn’t alarms be flashing or, I don’t know, lasers be shooting from the ceiling? I have to assume Leonard required more security than a...a bike lock.”

  Jake’s laugh was deep and rumbly and sent shivers up her spine.

  “Security is controlled from my phone. No lasers, I’m afraid, just a silent alarm, which I turned off. And this bike lock, as you’ve called it, is made of a tungsten steel alloy, which is practically indestructible. Luckily, I know the code. Now come here,” he said, his voice husky.

  Grandmother had always said the diamond had that effect on people.

  She walked over and turned her back to him. When he wrapped it around her neck and secured it, she itched to touch the large stone. She turned back to face him.

  “Perfect,” he said

  The platinum and gems of the necklace strand were cool on her skin, but the largest stone, the Staffordshire, hung between her breasts and burned her skin.

  Jake stepped forward so they were almost touching. He traced the necklace from her collarbone down into the hollow of her breasts before repeating the motion on the other side.

  “Jake,” she moaned.

  She ached to arch into his fingers.

  “I want you,” he said, taking another step forward so they were perfectly aligned. She felt his breath against her. “I want you naked, wearing nothing but the necklace, wrapped around my cock, nothing between us.”

  Chapter Three

  “You’re being awfully presumptions, aren’t you? You really think I’d spread my legs for you just because you’re allowing me to wear a diamond that has been in my family for generations?”

  For the briefest moment, he thought he’d miscalculated. That was how well she played the haughty society girl. Then he saw the darkening of her eyes, the increased pulse rate pounding in her neck, and heard her slight intake of breath. He smiled and inhaled the flowery smell that was just pure Ana.

  “Princess, it has nothing to do with the diamond.” He took the last step to align their bodies, his hardness against her soft curves. “I think you’d spread for me if I gave you the toy from a Cracker Jack box.”

  She blinked rapidly and her mouth fell open. She looked up at him. He had to look away before he got lost in her gaze, her body, just...her.

  “That is—”

  A part of him wanted to hear what she’d say. Instead, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. “That is the truth.”

  He was only able to step away from her because he knew if he did, he’d be able to have a whole lot more of her. He grabbed her hand and walked through the darkened museum.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Somewhere more comfortable.”

  “But the necklace—”

  “I’m supposed to be watching the necklace,” he said. “If you’re in the same place, I can watch you, too.”

  He pulled out his phone and made sure anyone who happened to check the security feed tonight would only see what he wanted them to see. He’d set the hack up earlier, but if he was going to be getting Ana naked, he wanted to be doubly sure they’d be completely alone.

  He led her from the main gallery to a smaller one off to the side. This particular gallery was being refurbished and hadn’t been open for the party tonight. The museum director had told Jake it would be the most comfortable place to spend the night. There was probably art on the walls, and more money’s worth of jewelry in this room than Jake would ever see in his life, but he didn’t spare a glance. The woman next to him completely captivated him.

  He stopped her under one of the few spotlights that lit the room. At one time there had probably been a display of some kind in this spot, but Jake couldn’t imagine anything more stunning than Ana.

  “Take off your dress,” he said.

  For a moment he wondered if she would listen. He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to or not. He didn’t mind doling out a little bit of light punishment. He’d love to redden that tight ass with his hand and—he looked down at his own clothes—he didn’t like this tie. He’d gladly ruin it to tie her up.

  Eventually, though, she turned her back to him.

  “Could you help me with the top hook, please. I needed help getting it clasped.”

  He walked over and unhooked the eye clasp.

  “Who helped you get dressed?”

  He didn’t realize how sharp his words came out until she looked over her shoulder at him, one perfectly groomed eyebrow raised, the unasked Jealous? clear in her gaze.

  “My neighbor helped me,” she said. “I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

  “Boyfriend?” he asked, stepping away from her.

  He wanted her with a ferocity that scared him, but if she had a boyfriend, well, he wasn’t going to poach on another man’s turf.

  “Roger’s an amazing guy,” she said. “But I think his husband might have a problem if we started dating.”

  She was going to be cheeky, was she?

  He looked forward to making her sorry for her smart mouth.

  “Your dress is still on.”

  The teasing sparkle in her eyes turned him on as much as the lowering of the zipper. The dress parted, showing off the bare skin of her back. He swallowed the lump in his throat. The zipper ended as her ass started to curve. She put her arms straight by her sides and the dress fell to the floor with a whoosh of fabric.r />
  Her panties were sinful and Jake wondered if there was some rule as to how much fabric there actually had to be in order to be considered panties. If there was a rule, these most definitely broke it. A thin strip of ribbon bisected the luscious globes of her ass. Her skin tone was perfect. It’d redden beautifully under his hand as he fucked her. Nothing marred the smooth skin of her back.

  “Princess, if I knew you were wearing this little under your dress, I’m not sure I would’ve been able to wait until the party ended.”

  She laughed softly, she didn’t giggle like many of the other society women he’d met over the years. Her laugh was low and husky. She spun on those preposterously high heels and faced him, hands on her hips.

  She knew exactly how good she looked.

  Her tits were even more amazing than he’d imagined. And he’d started imagining them shortly after puberty. She’d been a late bloomer, but when she finally bloomed, she’d done so beautifully. Her tits were full, plump, but still perky. Her nipples reminded him of strawberries just ripening in the spring, and were already straining toward him.

  He fisted his hands, forcing himself to take her all in. He’d touch soon enough.

  “Are you going to undress now, too? Or just stare at me?”

  “I’m going to do a lot more than stare at you before I’m ready to get naked.” He crossed the room to where he’d seen an A-frame ladder he assumed was for installation purposes. He took off his suit jacket and hung it over a rung, then removed his gun and holster, wondering if it’d be the last time he’d ever have to wear his weapon. He might miss its comforting weight—he’d gotten used to it over the years—but he wouldn’t miss anything it stood for.

  He loosened his tie and rolled up his shirt sleeves while walking back over to where she still stood bathed in the spotlight. Wearing nothing but those barely there panties and fuck-me shoes, she was a wet dream come to life.

  A big part of him wanted to just turn her around and fuck her. But if he was able to contain himself, they could have so much more fun. He took a deep breath.

  “On your knees.”

  She took half a step back before catching herself.

  “Wh...what?”

  “You heard me and I don’t repeat myself.”

  Her eyes widened, hopefully not in fear, but then she slowly fell to her knees in front of him. He reached forward and began pulling pins out of her hair until it cascaded around her shoulders in red-brown waves. He dropped the pins as he found them, the tinkling of them hitting the floor reminding him how otherwise quiet it was in the museum.

  He ran his fingers through her shiny locks until she looked up at him, questions clear in her eyes.

  “You know what I want,” he said.

  There was a hunger in her movements as she reached out and made quick work of his belt buckle and button. He never remembered being this hard before, and his cock strained toward her once she removed the barrier of his pants. She reached through the flap of his silk boxers and ran her fingers up and down his shaft.

  He wasn’t proud of it, but he’d kept tabs on her dating life and he knew there wasn’t much of it. Ana was too good for most men, not to mention the Staffordshire name was pretty damn intimidating. But she had an innate sexuality about her she’d never been able to hide.

  That was never more clear than when she pulled his cock out of his pants and swirled her tongue around the tip.

  He moaned, long and low.

  The air-conditioning cooled his cock, but her mouth kept him plenty warm. Her hands squeezed him hard and she pumped him in her fist all the while fucking him with her mouth. She used her tongue, her teeth and her hands to devour him. He reached down and pulled her hair back from her face. He wanted to be able to see his cock disappearing into her mouth. Any lipstick she had on when she started was now gone.

  Every time she took him into her mouth, he pressed a little bit further. If they had time, he’d love the honor of teaching her how to deep throat a cock as long and thick as his, but he’d have to take what he could for their one night together.

  It felt amazing.

  Too good.

  He couldn’t last much longer and there was still so much more he wanted to do tonight. When he finally did allow himself to come, he wanted to be buried deep inside her sweet pussy.

  He allowed her to play for a few more moments. She was clearly enjoying herself almost as much as he was, but soon, he had to stop.

  “Enough, Princess,” he demanded.

  As expected, she ignored him. He tried to hide his smile. A part of him preferred her disobedience—punishing her would be great fun.

  He tightened his hold on her hair in his fist and pulled her off his cock. “I said enough, Ana.”

  The use of her name obviously shocked her.

  “I...”

  “You what?”

  “I wasn’t finished.” Her lower lip came out in a pout and it was fucking adorable.

  He stepped back and tucked his still rock-hard cock into his pants, zipping but not bothering with the button or belt.

  “Go lie on the chaise.” He walked back over to the ladder where he’d left his jacket. There was nothing for him to do there, but he needed to regain some equilibrium. “And lose the panties.”

  * * *

  Ana struggled to make sense of what happened.

  Had that been a bad blow job?

  Jake certainly seemed like he enjoyed himself. He made all the right noises and she could tell he held himself back from pushing further into her mouth. She’d wanted to take him more, but didn’t know how without activating her gag reflex.

  “Did I do something wrong?”

  He spun around to face her, bracing one hand on the ladder, showing off his sinewy forearms. There was a light dusting of dark hair on his arms and she ached for them to be wrapped around her. Who knew forearms could be such a turn-on?

  “I... Was I not...good?”

  “Princess,” he said, his voice calm, even, just like he’d always been for her. “You were amazing. Too good.”

  “Oh.”

  He walked over and ran his fingers down her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his gentle touch. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you you’re anything less than perfect.”

  Jake had never sounded so earnest before. He’d never told her to drop to her knees and suck his cock before either. She liked this new side of him. It made her uncomfortable, but she felt alive for the first time in longer than she cared to admit.

  He reached down, almost between her legs, and grabbed the fabric of her panties. One quick tug and he’d ripped them off.

  She gasped. “Hey! I liked those, they were new, and expensive.”

  He dropped the now ruined lace to the floor. “I’m pretty sure you can afford a new pair. Now, on the chaise.”

  She glared at him, earning a raised eyebrow and an unspoken promise of retribution, as she walked over to the purple crushed-velvet chaise lounge in the corner. She was pretty sure it was an antique exhibit in the room. She looked back at Jake, then back at the chaise.

  She could practically hear Jake’s eyes roll when he spoke.

  “What’s the problem now?”

  “I’m not sure it’s actually meant for sitting.”

  He walked over and nudged it with his foot. It remained standing so he kicked it a little harder.

  “Seems sturdy enough.”

  “But it’s...old.”

  “So is the necklace, but I haven’t heard you complain about that.”

  The necklace. The diamond.

  The stupid Staffordshire Diamond. The whole reason she was here tonight. How could she have forgotten that? Even for a moment?

  He sighed deeply next to her and then disappeared.

&n
bsp; “You’re awfully demanding for a naked woman,” he said, returning with his suit jacket. He spread it out on the chaise, trying to cover as much of it as possible, unconcerned with whatever might happen to the expensive fabric. He stood back and indicated the now partially covered chair.

  “Better, Princess?”

  She bit her lip to keep from smiling, unsuccessfully, and nodded.

  “Down.”

  She perched on the jacket, on the edge of the chaise, and sat the way her grandmother had taught her, legs crossed at the ankle, thighs together. She didn’t know what was coming next, but she was ready for anything. Desperate for anything.

  “You’re so fucking gorgeous.”

  She flinched when he reached toward her, but he simply grabbed a piece of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. Another tender gesture, after ripping her panties off, was keeping her on her toes.

  “I want to see more of you,” she said. “I have a feeling you’re packing quite a body under those impeccably tailored suits.”

  He stood still, quiet, for a moment, and then swore under his breath.

  “I don’t think I can say no to you,” he muttered. And then started to unbutton his shirt. “You don’t have to look so smug about it.”

  She would’ve laughed, but it died in her throat when he slipped off his shirt, pulling it out from where it was still tucked into his pants. He laid it on the end of the lounge chair, the part that his jacket didn’t already cover.

  She couldn’t imagine a more perfect body, even in her wildest fantasies. He’d had an amazing body when they were teenagers. She’d never admit it to anyone, but she’d spent many hours watching him through mirrored sunglasses.

  But his body as a man was...wow. Just wow.

  He was like a poster child for a fitness model. His pecs were well defined, he had a full six pack of abs, and the V that led down into his pants was the closest thing to paradise she’d ever seen.

  “When I told you to get on the chaise, you know very well I meant to lean back.”

  She shivered when he growled at her. She actually hesitated, because she wanted to hear that sexy demanding tone again. But she also wanted whatever was to come next. It was a hard decision.