Reaching For Emeralds

by Lacee Hightower

  “Sweetheart,” I whispered against her lips. “Please, don’t talk. Don’t ask questions. Just remember how much I love you.” I’d never hurt this woman in a million years. But the next hour would be every bit as challenging for me as it would be for her.

  “Come to the bedroom with me. And know … I’ll never hurt you, baby.”

  “Okay. Whatever you need, Jackson,” she whispered, her eyes so damn soft and warm. ”I told you I’ll always be here for you.” I gave her a few seconds to refuse, or ask questions, simply because it was Layla. And she deserved to ask me anything, or decline.

  Except, she didn’t.

  Once we were in the bedroom, I turned on a lamp and adjusted the thermostat. “Get undressed.” My tone was hard and demanding. She gently slid down the black leggings over her ankles before pulling off the rest of her clothes. A surge of emotion and need hit me hard, my mind full of illusions of all the ways I wanted to touch her, taste her, love her. But as much as I wanted to be inside her, I needed this first. Control. Power. I needed both those things first. Then I’d pleasure her.

  “Lay on the bed, face down.” I walked to the armoire, removing what I needed.

  “I want you to be still or I’ll bind your arms and legs. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Jackson.” Her eyes went wide. Willing. Anticipating. Beautiful.

  “Don’t speak and don’t look at me, unless you want me to stop.” I leaned forward, spreading her thighs and running my tongue down the crack of her ass as she did her best to remain still.

  “I’m going to light a candle. These aren’t normal household candles. They have a much lower melting point. They won’t burn your skin the way ordinary candles would.”

  I lit the candle, letting it burn for a minute before testing the temperature on the top of my wrist. Her body tensed as I neared with the hot wax. I slid the bottom of the warming candle up her back, careful not to spill any just yet.

  “Don’t be afraid of me, sweetheart. I could never hurt you. Tell me you know that.” I eased the candle up a little further waiting for her to agree. Or not.

  “Words, Lay. Tell me you’re confident I would never hurt you.”

  “I know, Jackson,” she said.

  I looked down at the pooling wax, taking a long breath of the jasmine-scented candle, blowing out the flame. “Smells good, doesn’t it?” I tilted the candle and dropped just the smallest amount of warm wax on the top of her shoulder blade. She tensed and I quickly swayed it again, another small drop falling in the middle of her back. I reached between her legs and ran my thumb over her tightened clit.

  “Umm,” she whimpered. She was trembling, and wet. I dripped the remaining wax down the middle of her back, stopping right above the crack of her phenomenal ass.

  “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.” I set the candle down and peeled off the small beads of wax. “Turn over now. And remember, no words unless you want me to stop.”

  She nodded silently.

  “Next, I’m going to clamp your nipples.” I raised the set of vibrating nipple clamps, watching her shimmy as I explained how they worked. “Remember, tell me to stop and I will.”

  I leaned over, caressing her breasts, rolling her firm peaks between my fingers. “These are going to be intense. For the first few seconds it’s going to sting. They vibrate, which we may or may not use. Either way, you’ll feel the sensation all the way down into your sweet pussy.”

  She didn’t answer, only giving me a quick nervous nod.

  I placed the rubber tips on each nipple and adjusted the tension screw to enhance the pinch another notch. She blew out long breaths, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth.

  “How does that feel?” I tweaked the tightness a little more and turned on the vibration just low enough to give her an extra wave of sensation. Enough to know she felt it all the way down south.

  “Enough? Or do you want more?”

  “Jackson.” She was biting and chewing on her lip through the tinges of pain that I knew were intense. I reached over, taking both clamps and squeezing.

  “Oh, God,” she whimpered.

  “Don’t speak now, Lay. Not unless you want me to stop.” I gave the clamps another squeeze, lowering the vibration at the same time.

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head.

  I loved her more right now than I thought humanly possible.

  So hard right now, I reached for my zipper, easing my pants off, the stiffness of my cock painful.

  “Watch me, Layla.” I slid my palm around my length, sliding my hand up and down myself in slow heavy strokes. She whimpered. I knew she liked watching me. A few more slides of my hand, I dropped my heavy length and rubbed her clit. She raised her hips, her breath accelerating. I tugged gently against the clamps and she glanced up at me, her brows forming a frown.

  She’d had enough. I quickly removed the nipples clamps, watching her shiver and knowing the feeling was both painful and wonderful. I reached for her clit again, her eyes dazed, staring up at me. Begging. Waiting.

  “Are you ready to come, sweetheart?”

  “Oh god, yes,” she whimpered.

  I climbed on top of her, plunging my aching dick inside her in one grinding thrust.

  “Ah… Jackson,” she whimpered, as I filled her with every inch of my length, her body grinding against mine with each crushing thrust.

  “Feel good, baby?”

  I pulled half-way out and barreled back inside, keeping her arms secured at her sides.

  “Jackson.” Her eyes filled with emotional tears.

  I crushed back inside her, easing out and slamming right back in, emptying my full cock inside her in three hard, deep pulses.

  “Jesus Christ, Layla. I love you.”

  I eased out. She hadn’t climaxed. A few minutes of recovery, I’d have her again, making sure it was all about her.

  “I love you, too,” she whispered.

  “Let’s get something to eat. I need nourishment.”

  We got up, both throwing on sweats. I reached for her hand, bringing it to my lips for a lingering kiss. “I want us to take a couple of days off. Call your boss and tell him you’re taking tomorrow and Friday off.” She looked at me strangely but didn’t argue.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  “Hey, baby?” she asked, her emerald eyes shiny and bright. “Who’s Carlos? He came by earlier. I completely forgot to tell you.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jackson

  Together for four whole days, spending the majority right here at home, it was fucking amazing. I introduced her to my collection of mainly classic movies, which much to my surprise, she actually seemed to enjoy my favorite horror movies. Thursday through Sunday, we slept, fucked, talked about everything from our worst childhood embarrassments to the most private things about our families, chilled in the pool and hot tub, fucked some more and generally just enjoyed each other’s company.

  Two days from now … everything was going to change. Carlos Agli would no longer be granted the satisfaction of destroying another innocent life. This feud needed to run its course once and for all.

  If Justin’s plan ended up unsuccessful and I landed behind bars or six feet under, either way, my family would be safe. And if by some small miracle I came out of this unscathed, I’d be able to breathe again, maybe learn how to live. And my brother-in-law could have the peace of mind he needed to help my sister heal.

  That in itself made everything I was about to do worth the challenge.

  ****

  Monday morning I was up at 5:00 AM, leaving Layla sleeping, and God, she looked just like an angel in my bed. Long seconds spent watching her, considering whether or not to wake her, I went with the latter and let her get the rest she seemed to need. By 5:45, I was working on a second cup of black coffee and answering emails when she sauntered into the kitchen. Nothing covering her amazing body but little red panties and a thin tank top, her dar
k hair in a mess on top of her head, this woman deserved everything and I planned on making sure that’s exactly what she had. Amazing to think only a few short weeks ago I’d been nothing but an insensitive bastard, watching her move around my kitchen today like the sweet angel she was, I had to close my eyes a few beats to make sure I wasn’t in the middle of a dream. Once I got my family out of this mess, I planned on letting her know just how much she really meant to me.

  “Good morning, beautiful. Rest well?”

  “I always sleep well beside you.” She plopped onto my lap, messing with my shirt collar while I nibbled on her neck. “Jackson, I know it’s been hard for you trying to convince me that everything is okay, when it really isn’t. That’s what you do. Control and protect. But just so you know, the last four days have been the best of my life.”

  “Control and protect?” I asked, dropping the astronomical clip from her hair. “I think, sweet Layla, you enjoy being controlled and protected.”

  “You’re so hot when you throw your authority around.”

  “Is that right?” I teased, pushing her hair away from her neck.

  “Yep,” she whispered. “When Jackson Shipman speaks, they all jump.”

  Jumping was exactly what my dick was doing every time she ground herself against me. I cupped the back of her head, pulling her lips to mine. “What about you, beautiful? Do you jump at the sound of my voice?”

  “Always.” She kissed around my ear, her tongue slipping in and around my lobe. I was rock hard. “Take me back to bed and let’s pretend it’s still the weekend. Talk sexy to me and show me your monstrous, um, penis, and I’ll jump or anything else you want me to do.” Her decadent lips trailed kisses over my neck and I lifted, hoisting my body against her, letting her feel my unstoppable need.

  I kissed her mouth hard, hunger for this woman kindling inside me so deeply that my chest ached. “My monstrous um penis is yours, and only yours for the taking. Now take your panties off, sweetheart.”

  Her shirt came off, then her panties. I reached to unzip my fly before my dick exploded in my pants. “That’s my job, Mr. DA,” she whispered, lowering my zipper and helping me ease down my pants to an erection thick and loaded.

  Being with this woman was so damn easy. There was no trying. No effort. Nothing but pleasure.

  In seconds she was sitting on me, taking every inch in one easy thrust, her feet propped up on the edges of the kitchen chair as I lifted myself into her, pushing deep. Driving hard, giving her everything, and wanting everything. Thickening inside her with every push.

  “Jackson,” she breathed. “I love you.”

  “And I love you sweetheart,” I whispered, watching her face every time I stroked into her as if there was nothing in the world around us except this. Wishing I could explain to her just how much she meant and the ends I’d go to just to keep her smiling.

  “That’s it, baby. Let it go. I can’t hold it any longer.” The sweet tone of her voice, the bright eyes that I could get lost in for fucking ever, her female scent that smelled better than anything I’d ever inhaled … it all had me quaking. My dick was emptying deep inside her as her muscles clenched around me. Our eyes locked, the connection between us forceful. “God, I love you,” I said, still shuddering through my release as I smelled the sweet scent of her hair against my shoulder.

  Praying to God that today wasn’t my last.

  ****

  Sixty minutes later after a long shower and light traffic, I walked into my office after calling Renee to print out some discovery documents I needed to look over.

  “Got coffee,” she said, sauntering through my door without knocking. As always, she was on the ball. The best damn paralegal and assistant money could find.

  “You’re a godsend, Renee. You have no idea how bad I need this.” I reached for the cup of black coffee.

  “That’s what all the men say.” With a sniff, she winked and turned back toward the door.

  “Renee.” She looked over her shoulder, sipping on her own cup of what I knew was syrupy, sickly-sweet coffee.

  “Hmm?”

  “Finish what you need and take the day off. I’m heading out early anyway and Seth’s busy on a project for me. Go do something nice for yourself.”

  “Wow, Jackson. Are you turning into a softy?”

  Jesus, was I that bad to work for?

  “You never know,” I teased. “Crazier things have happened. Now get out of here before I change my mind.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” she mumbled, easing my door shut.

  Still no word from Justin at 10:00 AM, I stared at an empty computer screen. I’d hear back just as soon as he had news, but fuck, time was dragging by. He may hate my ever-loving guts, and rightly so, but this was something deeper than brother-in-law love-hate relations.

  This was about Hartley. The woman we both knew we’d give our lives for.

  And now it was also about the second woman I knew I’d die for. The bastard had brought Layla into the picture now. Whatever happened, if I didn’t survive this, I’d die knowing I’d given everything I could to protect my family.

  A light tap on my door before Renee walked back in, I lowered the cover to my laptop.

  “Just some background info I gathered on the Smith case. You may want to take a look at some of it. Oh, before I leave, Seth wants to do lunch if you’re up to it.” She smiled, smoothing down her hair at the mention of his name.

  “Shit. Where is lover boy? I thought he was out this morning?”

  Blushing a bright pink, Renee nervously tugged at her skirt. “No. He’s here. He’s, umm, been in my office.” She glanced out the window, avoiding eye contact. Any other day, I would have given her deep shit. Today, I wasn’t feeling it. Without any further conversation on the subject, she’d just explained the pink cheeks and messed up hair that had been neatly arranged just thirty minutes ago. They’d probably been fucking in Renee’s corner office, regardless of the fact there wasn’t a lock on her door. Then again, it was Seth. He’d fuck anywhere. Any day. Any time.

  Only months ago, I’d been no different.

  “I’ll go talk to Seth in a few minutes. I’m just waiting on a call. Tell him to get his shirt tucked back in properly before I come see him.” I winked at a floored Renee.

  “Jeez, Jackson,” she mumbled, closing the door behind her.

  I continued looking at nothing on my laptop. Thoughts of the closed-down restaurant I’d found at a good fair price for Layla to consider, I smiled. I knew damn well she’d seen the photo I’d purposely left in the kitchen. Knowing several people in real estate, I’d made a call two weeks ago to Michael Overstreet, a VIP member of Venture. He dealt in mainly million-dollar homes and above in the prestigious areas of the Metroplex, but also dabbled a little in commercial properties. Confident he had the perfect spot at a reasonable price, I’d met him over a quick cup of coffee four days ago to pick up the print-outs of the old run-down eatery. Some serious renovations would be necessary to update the kitchen to code, but money wasn’t an issue. I’d invested wisely over the years. Enough so, that I’d never struggle financially.

  Of course, I didn’t offer Layla many opportunities to bring up the bakery last night. After using wax and nipple clamps before taking her like a big grizzly in heat, not even giving her a chance to reach orgasm before I lost myself inside her, we’d stayed up late. Me making up for climaxing before she got the chance.

  After three orgasms, two by the likes of my mouth, she’d fallen asleep with me still inside her. This morning she was ready for it again, traipsing through the kitchen in those tiny panties and see-through shirt, tonguing my ear and telling me she liked my dick, the word seemingly no longer an embarrassment.

  And I still hadn’t explained a damn thing to her yet.

  I owed her that conversation.

  Finally, at fifteen minutes after eleven, I got the phone call I was waiting on.

  Thursday afternoon at 1:00 PM, I was scheduled to a
ccompany my brother-in-law to lunch. We were meeting at the Fountain Place Building, eating lunch at the new deli and dropping off contract paperwork to a client afterwards.

  The same building Carlos Agli officed in.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Layla

  “TGI freaking pre-F.”

  “Do what?” Jana stood next to me in the office kitchen, still giggling about a hungover William. I really hadn’t noticed. My mind was anywhere but here.

  “Looks like you need a weekend. Just reminding you it’s almost here. Is everything okay?”

  “I’m good,” I countered. “Just a little pre-occupied. No big thing.”

  For the most part my response wasn’t a lie. Things between Jackson and me couldn’t be much better. He was just so distant, mentally caught up in something significant. There was something he wasn’t telling me, something keeping him up at night. He wasn’t only upset about the loss of his sister’s baby. There was something deeper. I was a light sleeper, and every night since I’d moved in, I’d waken to see him wide-eyed, staring up at the ceiling.

  “William’s such a goody-goody. He probably drank all of two glasses of wine. His office reeks with puke. I don’t suggest going in there if you don’t have to.”

  “Gross,” I answered, emptying my coffee cup.

  “Guess break time’s over, isn’t it?” Jana followed me out of the kitchen, grabbing the back of my arm, nearly causing me to trip. “Holy mother of all Gods! Who in hell is that?”

  A tall, lean, blonde-haired man dressed in a trim, black suit inches from the door glanced our direction. “Can I help you, sir?” I asked the somewhat familiar man.

  Jana was smiling up, forcing her perky tits toward the sky, practically announcing the fact that she was available … and willing.

  “I’m Seth Matthews.” He glanced down at Jana’s bigger than average cleavage. “I work with Jackson, Layla.” I immediately remembered him from court.

  “Oh, yes. Hi, Seth. Can I do something for you?”