Sapphire Read Online Free

mission?”
    The eye candy came to life and drawled, “Well, Ian, I guess that depends on who’s in charge of the ‘heeling’ process.”

Chapter 3
    G abriella gasped at the insolent assertion by the heretofore silent man across from her. For the first time Gabriella allowed herself to look directly at him. Infuriated at his arrogance and intending to tell him so, she wished that she’d continued looking at the floor. It would have been much safer. Swallowing her astonishment she forced herself to meet his eyes and then wished to God that she hadn’t. Gabriella knew handsome men. She’d even met a couple who were as good looking as the man she’d dubbed “eye candy.” But “eye candy” didn’t begin to describe the dark-haired man sitting across from her.
    Leaning back in his chair studying her, his easy posture spoke to his confidence, his assurance, that he was as powerful as he knew himself to be. She’d met any number of men in the Special Forces who had that easy arrogance. They were hot shit and they knew it. His body didn’t surprise her. For most of the last six years, she’d bunked with units of superstars who paid as much attention to their bodies as they did their weapons—as they should. After all, their ultimate weapons were their bodies. That, and their brains that were as strong and impressive as their eight-pack abs and bulging biceps.
    The seated man was at least six feet tall, more likely six two or three. He was lean, hard, not muscle bound. His body was one thing but it was his eyes that had Gabriella struggling to breathe. It was bad enough that his dark, almost black hair hung to his collar and curled rakishly over his forehead. Coupled with the black beard shadow, he looked for all the world like a pirate. Full, sensuous lips, a strong jaw and molded cheekbones created a stunningly handsome man.
    Gabriella had grown up close to Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. That gave her the advantage of knowing the man’s heritage. It was why his emerald green eyes, the color of storm crossed seas, set off by arched black brows and sinfully long eyelashes, didn’t shock her as they might others. There was a name for these men. They were called Black Irish, and were among the most beautiful men and women the Emerald Isle had spawned. The man sitting across from her was one of them. As much as she was angered by his arrogance, she was positively undone by his sensuous beauty.
    Ian broke into her jumbled thoughts. It took her a moment to realize he’d been speaking to her.
    “Gabriella, I would like to introduce my colleague, Colonel Jase Malone.”
    Nodding to the man, he said, “Jase has worked for over ten years in more hellholes than I knew existed. He is one of my most able men and commands the most important and, I might add, dangerous missions.”
    Ian’s lip quirked up as he turned to Jase.
    “Jase, meet Gabriella Shaw, known by her Ladies of the Night code name as Sapphire.”
    During Ian’s introduction, Jase hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. Gabriella forced herself to hold his gaze, not look away. She’d die before she let him intimidate her further. She could have told Ian that introductions weren’t necessary. In a sense she already knew this man. Not Jase in particular. But he clearly was part of the breed that she had been fighting for most of her adult life. He had all the telltale signs of a manipulative asshole, the kind of man she’d learned to avoid. Their charming manners and drop dead looks masked a powerful, controlling dominance that she ducked at all costs. His next words confirmed her expectations and sent a shiver of unease flickering across her overwrought nerves. His voice was pleasant, with a trace of humor. Glancing up at the video screen he arched a brow.
    “I feel as though I already know you, Gabriella. But I’m pleased to meet you in person.”
    Gabriella admitted this man might be even more dangerous to her psyche than the usual bad boy. She