Jackson’s Jewel ad-5

by N. J. Walters

  “You’re welcome.” When she faced them again, all signs of embarrassment and discomfort were gone and Topaz appeared to be back to normal. “The thing I want to know is, what are you going to do about it? You going to just give him up without a fight?”

  That’s what she’d done. It occurred to her that she was as bad as Jackson, hiding from her love for him to keep from being hurt. She should have sat him down and laid all her cards on the table. Her old life no longer suited her and it was time for a change one way or another.

  Determination filled her as she grabbed an éclair and took a big bite. She hadn’t eaten much the past few weeks, her appetite nonexistent. It was suddenly back with a vengeance and she was starving. As she chewed she realized she’d already been thinking about making a big change. If her relationship with Jackson didn’t work out, she was still going to go ahead with her plans.

  One way or another the time had come.

  Wiping her sticky hands on a napkin, she took a sip of her drink and laid the cup on the table. “I’ve got a plan.”

  Jackson glared at his sister. “I’m fine.”

  “You certainly seem fine. You’ve been like a bear with a sore paw ever since Emerald left.” Erin crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her right foot on the floor.

  Jackson didn’t know whether to be angry, amused or totally exasperated. His family had barely given him a moment’s peace since Emerald had left. His chest tightened and he swallowed back the ache that always accompanied thoughts of her. Jackson took a deep breath and ran his hands over his face. “Look, I know I’ve been a bit tense, but the bulk of the harvest is in, the barn is being rebuilt and everything is going back to normal.”

  “Are you sure that’s what you want?” His sister was too perceptive for comfort.

  “That’s the way it has to be.” His voice was flat, leaving no room for further discussion.

  She looked as if she might say more, but thankfully left it at that. Coming up to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. He could feel the slight bulge of her tummy against him, reminding him that at least part of his family was happy. “I’m making fried chicken for supper. There’s plenty if you want to drop by.” Pushing away, she smiled at him. “I promise we won’t lecture or ask questions. I’m just worried about you.”

  He felt like an ungrateful wretch. “I know.” Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “But there is nothing to worry about and you need to be concerned about yourself and my niece or nephew.” He patted her tummy, making her laugh.

  “It’s your job to worry about me and it’s mine to worry about you.” She headed for the door. “If you don’t show up for supper, I’ll bring you some leftovers tomorrow.”

  “Good deal.” He walked out to the porch and leaned against the railing, watching as she climbed in her truck and left. It was closing in on the end of September and Emerald had been gone for more than three weeks. The harvest was in full swing, with the bulk of it done. He was on the homestretch and things looked good for the farm. He owned the land as far as his eye could see. This should be the best time of his life.

  Instead, there was a never-ending ache deep inside him. It had taken him a while to figure out exactly what it was. It plagued him throughout the day as he tried to work himself into exhaustion and late at night when he tried to sleep. As he lay awake in bed night after night, it had finally occurred to him that he was lonely. And not in the way he’d been when Erin and Nathan had moved out. This went straight to the very marrow of his bones.

  He missed Emerald.

  He missed her smile, the way she nibbled on her bottom lip when she was thinking about something. He missed talking to her, sharing small moments of his day and listening as she shared hers. He missed walking into the house in the evening and smelling supper mingling with the soft scent of her perfume. His arms ached to hold her at night and many times he rolled over in his sleep, reaching for her only to awaken when she wasn’t there.

  He loved her.

  There was an empty hole where his heart had been. He still worked and functioned, but the joy was gone from life. She’d taken it with her when she’d driven away. Or when he’d driven her away, a voice in the back of his head reminded him. He’d wondered a million times if she would have stayed if he’d asked. But then, he’d remind himself that she needed to go back to her old life. The time they’d had together had all but been forced upon her by circumstance. Jackson needed to be sure that what she felt was real.

  He’d already decided that once the harvest was done, he needed to make a trip to New York to visit the gallery that handled his photographs. He planned to call on Emerald while he was there. Maybe take her to dinner and talk.

  Groaning, he buried his face in his hands. Truthfully, he wanted to swoop into New York, kidnap her and drag her back out here with him. “You’ll be lucky if she even wants to see you,” he muttered as he raised his head. Now that she was back to her old life it would be very easy for her to forget all about him.

  He’d been thinking about the trip to New York since Emerald had left, but what had sealed his fate had been the arrival of his photos from the developer. He’d sent several rolls, including the ones he’d taken of Emerald that day at the pond.

  When he’d first seen them it had been like being hit in the head with a two-by-four. Sexy, mischievous and all woman, she’d stared back at him. The light and shadows had played over her creamy skin, making him want to touch it. He’d spent hours looking at her heart-shaped face, dark brown eyes and curly black hair. Wet and sleek, she was like some mystical creature come to touch the mortal realm and share some of her magic.

  That’s what she’d done to him. She’d touched something deep within him and he knew he’d never be the same. So no matter what happened, he knew he had to take the chance and go to New York. If he didn’t try, he’d never be able to live with himself.

  Pushing away from the railing, he raised his arms over his head, his muscles bunching and straining against the seams of his T-shirt. It was time to get back to work. The quicker the harvest was completely finished, the faster he’d get to New York. He only hoped that Mother Nature cooperated.

  As he stepped off the porch, he heard a vehicle approaching. He swore under his breath, praying it wasn’t another well-meaning member of his family. All of them had taken to dropping by at odd hours to check on him. As much as he appreciated their concern, it was starting to drive him insane.

  He squinted as a car came into view, not recognizing it at first. His heart stopped and then began to pound the closer it got. Cold sweat rolled down his back. It couldn’t be, but it was. The vehicle pulled to a stop and the door opened. As if he’d conjured her with his thoughts alone, Emerald stepped out and closed the door.

  “Hello, Jackson.”

  Emerald couldn’t stop staring at him. After not seeing him for over three weeks, she wanted to soak up everything about him. He looked just as she remembered—good enough to eat.

  He was tanned and fit and strong. He hadn’t changed at all. Or so she thought until she took several steps closer. Then she saw the truth. There were new lines around the corners of his eyes and dark circles beneath them. He hadn’t been sleeping any better than she had. That gave her hope that maybe he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him.

  His mouth thinned into a firm line and his fists clenched at his sides. Not exactly the reception she’d been hoping for, but she wasn’t giving up. She was here and she was committed to her course of action. He would listen to her. She’d make him.

  “Emerald.” Like a man in a trance, he took a step toward her and then jerked himself to a halt. “Why are you here?”

  This was it. This was the moment she’d come all this way for. “We have some unfinished business between us.”

  Now he appeared perplexed. His eyebrows furrowed and he frowned. “What business?”

  “Do you mind if we sit?”

  He stepped back and motioned her f
orward. She didn’t bother going to the door. Instead she went to the swing and lowered herself onto the bench seat. Jackson didn’t sit next to her, but perched on the railing instead. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared at her, looking cool and aloof. But she could see beyond the façade. The loneliness in his eyes mirrored what she saw in her own daily.

  “What was so important you came all this way instead of just calling or e-mailing?”

  Her back stiffened and she glared at him. If she didn’t love him so much, she’d be tempted to smack him for acting so obtuse. “You know darn well why I’m here.”

  His eyes widened and he straightened. “Why don’t you tell me?”

  The low cadence of his voice made her shiver. It reminded her of all the times they’d made love and he’d whispered in her ear, praising her, telling her how much he enjoyed touching her. She shivered and ignored the fact that her nipples were hard nubs and her panties were already wet.

  “I love you.” She’d meant to talk a bit more and maybe bring the subject around to them, but the words had just come out of her.

  He appeared shocked. All the color seemed to drain from his face, leaving him pale, which was amazing considering the golden hue of his tanned skin. The blue of his eyes seemed to darken to the color of a summer storm the longer he stared at her. “What did you say?”

  “I said that I love you.” Rising, she went to him, standing so close that she could feel the heat from his body even though they weren’t quite touching. “I didn’t want to go. I want to stay here with you.”

  “But your life, your career, your family is in New York.” He held his body so stiffly she could see the outline of all the muscles in his arms. His jaw was tight, the vein in his temple throbbing.

  “My family lives in New York, but we can all visit. My career is portable. I’m no longer involved in the daily running of the store. Topaz is hiring more help and both Sapphire and I are branching out even though we’ll both still be designing mostly for Sisters’ Jewels.”

  She took a deep breath, inhaling the outdoorsy scent that reminded her so much of Jackson. It had finally faded from the shirt that she’d taken and she’d missed it. “As for my life, well, New York no longer suits me.”

  Jackson’s eyes narrowed, his eyes like lasers studying her. “You say that now, but what about in six months or a year?”

  She shrugged, trying to still the racing of her heart, trying to pretend that the rest of her life wasn’t on the line. “Whether I stay here or not, I’m not going back to New York. If you don’t want me here, I’ll drive around the country until I find a new place for myself.” It wasn’t what she wanted, but she was a strong woman and realistic. It might hurt like hell, but she’d eventually get over Jackson. Maybe in ten or twenty years.

  “You’re sure.”

  “Absolutely.” Reaching out, she touched him for the first time, her hand grazing the edge of his jaw. Beard stubble rubbed against her skin, sending tingles shooting to all the nerve endings in her body. “I love you, Jackson.”

  “Thank God.” He dragged her into his arms, all but smothering her, he held her so tight. She could feel the heavy thump of his heart against hers. His muscles rippled in his shoulders as he scooped her into his arms, his face still buried in the crook of her neck. She could feel him trembling as he carried her across the porch and into the house. “I can’t let you go again.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  His boots thudded on the floor and then up the stairs. Emerald felt as if she’d come home. She was where she belonged. They were meant to be together. They’d work out the details later. For now, she needed to touch him and have him touch her. To come together, two bodies joining as one. Everything else could wait.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Jackson was afraid to blink, almost afraid to breathe. It seemed too much of a miracle that Emerald was once again in his arms where she belonged. Carrying her into his bedroom, he reluctantly let go of her legs, letting her feet fall to the ground. He stroked his hands over her hair, loving the way it curled wildly around her face. He didn’t say anything, almost too overwhelmed to speak.

  She’d come back to him.

  For the first time in his life, someone he loved had come back to him. He realized his hands were shaking when he reached for the buttons on her blouse. One at a time, he slipped them from their holes, unwrapping her like a present. He wasn’t in a hurry. Instead, he wanted to savor every inch of skin he exposed.

  Peeling back the fabric, he slid it down her arms and dropped it. She was wearing a bra that was the color of ripe peaches. Bending down, he nuzzled her neck. She smelled like summer—warm and lush, with a hint of something floral. He’d missed her scent and had only changed the covering of his pillows when it had finally faded.

  He ran his finger along the lace that edged her bra. It looked incredible against her lightly tanned skin. She sucked in a breath when he stroked his thumb over her nipple. It was already puckered tight, pressing against the thin fabric. A low rumble started in his chest as he went down on one knee in front of her.

  “Jackson?” She steadied herself, clutching at his shoulders.

  “Let me,” he murmured as he pressed hot, open-mouthed kisses on her tummy. “Let me undress you. Let me have you.”

  “Yes,” she sighed as his hands slipped around her sides to her back. His fingers made quick work of the closure on her bra and he slid the straps over her arms. She released her grip on him long enough to let the garment fall to the floor.

  Clad only in faded blue jeans and sneakers, she was a sight to behold. Her full breasts rose and fell with every deep breath she took. Her rosy nipples were tight, begging to be touched and tasted.

  “God, you’re beautiful.” He breathed in her scent as he buried his face between her breasts. His hands molded to her ass, squeezing and caressing.

  Emerald tugged at his T-shirt, pulling it over his head so that he had no choice but to release her long enough for her to drag it off. Her eyes were dark pools of chocolate brown, her lips wet and pink. He wanted to devour her, to eat her up from head to toe.

  He needed her naked. Now. It only took him a second to undo her jeans and push them over her hips and thighs. When they bunched at her calves, he had her lift one foot at a time as he yanked off her socks and shoes before pulling off her jeans.

  She was wearing a skimpy pair of panties that matched her bra. The thin scrap of fabric barely covered her mound. He knew a lot of women shaved themselves these days, but he liked the fact that she didn’t. He skimmed his fingers up the inside of her thighs, tracing the crease at the top. Emerald sucked in her breath and widened her stance. Her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him closer.

  His cock was so hard that it was almost painful as it pressed against the zipper of his jeans. His body was screaming at him to fuck her, but his mind wanted him to go slow, to arouse her to such a fevered pitch that she’d beg him to take her.

  Growling as he tried to balance both sides of himself, he hooked his fingers in the edges of her panties and gave them a tug. They slid downward, exposing her pubic hair.

  Jackson slid his arms around her waist as he kissed her stomach. He couldn’t get enough of touching her, needing to reassure himself that she was indeed real and not some figment of his overworked imagination.

  Sitting back on his heels, he parted her sex with his thumbs, exposing the damp, pink flesh. Leaning forward, he licked up one side and down the other. Emerald gasped and then groaned, pushing her hips forward.

  “You like that, do you?” He traced the slick folds with his fingers before licking them again.

  “Yes,” she cried as her hips jerked.

  Jackson pressed one finger inside her core. She was hot and wet and it was all for him. He thought he might come on the spot. His balls were heavy and tight, his shaft pulsing with hunger. He withdrew his finger, ignoring her cries of dismay and pushed two fingers past her tight opening.

  She moane
d, her nails digging into his scalp. “I need you. Jackson!”

  Surging to his feet, he tumbled her back onto the bed. As she lay there wide-eyed and panting, he unlaced his boots and yanked them off. Quickly, he divested himself of his socks, jeans and underwear.

  He couldn’t wait any longer. He’d spent too many long nights dreaming and fantasizing about her being here. “Spread your legs.” Kneeling up on the mattress, he watched her, unable to take his eyes from her.

  Her legs parted, welcoming him. She held her arms out to him and he crawled forward, covering her with his body. He gripped his cock in his hand, guiding it to her opening. As he squeezed the bulbous head of his cock, he closed his eyes and groaned. If he weren’t careful, he’d come before he had a chance to get all the way inside her.

  Emerald’s hair was spread across his pillows. Her mouth was open on a cry of need, her eyes wide and wild with desire. He took a deep breath and pushed a little further. Her hands fisted in his sheets as her legs came up to wrap around his waist, dragging him closer.

  Planting his hands flat on the mattress by her head, he flexed his hips, thrusting forward until he was buried to the hilt. They were both gasping for breath now. Their lungs pumping in and out.

  “I can’t last long,” he gritted out.

  “Neither can I,” she panted as she tilted her hips upward.

  Jackson pulled his hips back and slammed them forward. The headboard hit the wall with each thrust, the springs on the bed squealing in protest. They were both slick with sweat and their wet skin made a slapping sound as they came together. Emerald’s pussy sucked his cock deep with every thrust.

  It wasn’t enough. He needed to touch her so deep that they were melded together as one. Sitting back, he lifted her legs over his shoulders. As he drove forward, her inner muscles clenched hard around his shaft, milking it, massaging it.

  The vein in his temple was pounding, matching the throbbing in his cock. His balls were drawn tight. As he thrust into Emerald’s welcoming flesh, he watched her face. Her lips parted on a groan. She writhed on the bed beneath him, unable to control the depth or timing of his thrusts. Her breasts swayed with his movements in an erotic dance, her nipples hard nubs that he longed to taste.