Jackson’s Jewel

Chapter Ten

Emerald watched Jackson retreating through the screen door. She leaned against the doorframe, admiring the way his long legs ate up the distance between the house and the barn. Realizing that she was just standing there ogling his fine butt, she made herself turn away and finish clearing the dishes from the table.

Both Jackson and her investigator were right about one thing—the stalker might just decide to outwait her. Dane was working hard, but there were no obvious clues pointing to any one person. Several of the men were being more rigorously investigated, including her ex-boyfriend and Fred, the delivery guy, but that was mainly due to their proximity to her and their skills at computers. In the meantime, Abel and Nathan were still investigating Dane and the rest of the men on the list.

As she thought, she washed and dried the dishes by rote, her mind wandering. It really wouldn’t hurt for her to learn some basic self-defense moves. She probably would have taken a class or something if she’d stayed in New York. It had absolutely nothing to do with wanting to spend more time with Jackson. Really, it didn’t.

Grimacing, she hung the dishtowel up to dry. Who was she trying to kid? She wanted to be with Jackson. She was more drawn to him than any other man she’d ever met and it wasn’t just because of his exceptional good looks, although they certainly didn’t hurt. She loved the way he was with his family. If he didn’t see them, he at least talked to them on the phone every day. He was responsible and hardworking and there was no pretension about him. What you saw was what you got. Her parents and sisters would like him.

“Don’t go there,” she muttered to herself as she wiped her hands over the legs of her jeans. She was nervous, which was ridiculous. She’d just go out to the barn and get a few pointers from Jackson about self-defense and that would be that. If they happened to share a kiss or two, all the better.

“You’re losing it, Emerald.” Pushing the door open, she hurried down the steps and across the yard before she talked herself out of this. She had to make a decision, and soon. She couldn’t keep pulling him toward her and then pushing him away. That smacked of being a tease and that wasn’t something she was particularly proud of. Her emotions were just so all over the place.

“Maybe physical release is what you need,” she told herself as she neared the barn. She snorted as her mind immediately jumped to picturing her and Jackson locked in a tight embrace that had little to do with learning defense techniques.

Grunting sounds followed by the rhythmic thud of fists assailed her as she crept to the opening of the barn. She hadn’t been in here yet, but she admitted to being curious. It was a large building, older than the newer ones that Jackson had told her were used to store the apples during the harvest. This older one was used mostly as temporary storage for alfalfa and hay.

Making her way inside, she inhaled deeply. The scent of fresh-cut hay assailed her nose. It tickled her senses and made her smile, but that smile quickly faded as she strolled to the far end of the structure. The area was more like a large stall, but it had obviously been set up as a gym of sorts. There were free weights as well as a bench with a bar and more weights. But that wasn’t what Jackson was doing. No, Jackson had his shirt stripped off and was pounding on a punching bag that hung from a heavy beam.

He hadn’t noticed her yet, so she was free to watch and admire him as he feinted to one side, his fist shooting out to strike the bag. She swallowed hard as she leaned against the wall. She’d seen men that were more handsome, but never one who was so elemental. Testosterone practically oozed from his pores as he continued to work the heavy bag.

A bead of sweat trickled down her spine and her breathing deepened. The muscles in his back rippled and shifted with every move he made, reminding her once again of just what a large and powerful man he was. The waistband of his jeans dipped just below his navel, exposing his bellybutton. His lightly furred chest was glistening with perspiration and she wanted to run her hands over the hard ridges of muscles in his abdomen.

She must have made some kind of noise because he dropped his hands suddenly and spun around. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed, but he made no move to come toward her. Jackson swiped his forearm over his forehead and then sucked in a deep gulp of air. Rolling his shoulders, he stepped away from the bag.

“You come for a lesson?” He grabbed a towel that had been laid over the top rung of the stall and rubbed it over his face.

Emerald took that moment to compose herself. Or at least try to. Her heart was racing, her body all but shaking with a growing need that she could no longer deny. “Yes.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I came for a lesson.”

His head snapped up at the double entendre, but he was all business as he strode to the center of the small room. “Come here.”

The roughness in his voice made her nipples pucker and she almost groaned aloud. Now was not the time for this. But her body ignored her and she could feel her panties getting damp as she walked toward him. “What do you want me to do?” He seemed to freeze at her husky whisper, but then he shook himself.

“Stand in front of me with your back to my chest.” She did as he asked. His large frame dwarfed hers, but she didn’t feel afraid. No, what she was feeling was just as basic but totally different. Rather than wanting to get away, she wanted to lean against him. She wanted him to wrap his arms around her and hold her close. She wondered if she’d spoken her thoughts aloud when his muscled forearms came around her waist and across her collarbone.

“Now,” he instructed, tightening his grip on her. “If a man grabbed you like this, what would you do?”

Emerald tugged at his arm with her hand, but it was like a steel bar across her chest. There was no way she could move it. She lifted her heel and stomped down on his foot, but ended up only hurting her own. Her sneakers didn’t make a dent in his work boots. Frustration set in and she began to struggle in earnest.

“That’s no good.” His voice was brisk. “I’m much larger than you and stronger. We have to assume that your attacker will be too. You can’t beat him or me in a battle of strength. You have to go for the weak points.” He kept up a steady commentary as he continued to hold her almost effortlessly, her puny attempts to escape him having absolutely no effect.

“What weak points?” Frustration was giving way to anger. Her life had been turned upside down by some unknown man. She had done nothing, yet he was systematically trying to destroy her life and her.

“If you can get a hand free, go straight for the eyes. Don’t hesitate or think about it, just do it. The throat is vulnerable as well.”

She gritted her teeth. “That doesn’t help me at the moment.” If she were facing him, she would have gladly taken one of his suggestions. “Let me go?”

“No. You have to get free. Use your head, Emerald. Your hands are locked down around your waist. What can you reach on a man that’s vulnerable?”

Without thinking, she fisted her hand and drove it backward. Jackson jerked away, and her hand grazed his thigh, barely missing his groin area. She spun around, panting hard with anger only to find the idiot grinning at her.

“That’s my girl.” Pride filled his face as he circled her. All her anger dissipated under the warmth of his smile and she suddenly felt inordinately pleased with herself.

“You could have head-butted me as well.” He danced from side to side like a boxer as he reached out and tagged her on the shoulder. “So, you want to try it again? I’ll grab you from the front this time and you try to get away.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

He laughed in her face and that roused her competitive spirit. How she wished she’d taken martial arts classes years ago so she could flip him onto his arrogant male butt. All those art lessons had helped her career, but they wouldn’t do a thing for her in this situation.

“Think you’re tough, do you?” he taunted as he continued to reach past her raised hands and tap her on the shoulder.

She tightened her fists and narrowed her eyes. Oh, he was going to pay for that. She swung out with one hand and as she did so her foot hooked in the floorboard and she stumbled. Jackson dropped all pretense of sparring with her and reached out to catch her. With him off guard, she put her head down and rammed him with all her strength. He yelled and started to tumble. She had a momentary flash of pleasure at tricking him but it was short-lived. As he fell, he didn’t release his hold on her and she began to fall.

Shrieking, she stuck out her arms to catch herself, but there was no need. Jackson wrapped his arms around her and took the brunt of the fall himself. He grunted as he struck the wood floor and then rolled, tucking her beneath him. When she opened her eyes, she was flat on her back on the dusty floor with Jackson looming over her. He propped himself up on his elbows, pressing his pelvis against hers. She could feel his erection against her and the anger she’d felt shifted into a different sort of heat.

“You did that on purpose,” he accused.

“You’re darn right I did.” She tried to look tough, but it was hard. She knew that she was probably covered in dust. Besides that, her hair had come down from its knot and was tangled around her face, her top was untucked from her jeans and she couldn’t suppress the grin that threatened.

Jackson looked at her, threw back his head and roared with laughter. It was so infectious that she started to giggle. She pinched his sides in an effort to get him to move off her. The man weighed a ton and breathing was getting difficult.

He didn’t let her go, but he rolled with her again so that he was on the bottom now and she was sprawled across him. He pressed his hand against her ass, pushing her mound against the hard ridge in the front of his jeans.

They both moaned. Emerald arched inward, wanting to feel more of him against her. She nuzzled his bare chest, flicking out her tongue to taste his warm flesh. The hand on her butt tightened and became more of a caress as he began to knead it through her jeans.

“I want you.” The starkness of his words stopped her cold. She shivered even though she was so hot she thought she might burst into flames any moment. There was no denying that she wanted him too.

She raised her head and lost herself in his pale blue eyes. Never in her life had a man looked at her with such lust and longing. There was only one answer she could give.

“Yes.”

Jackson shook his head to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating. He’d dreamed of having Emerald draped across him, her body flush against his. But never in his wildest fantasies had he imagined them rolling around on the floor of the barn. He was an adaptable man though, and he’d make do. No way was he risking taking her back to the house and giving her time to change her mind.

Still, the words tumbled from his mouth. “Are you sure?” He could have kicked himself, but he had to be sure. The last thing he wanted was for her to have regrets in the morning.

“I’m sure.” Dust streaked her flawless skin, her hair was tumbling wildly around her shoulders, her mascara was slightly smudged and there was a light sheen of sweat covering her face and arms. He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his entire life.

He wanted to eat her up and make her scream her release before he took her. He licked his lips in anticipation. She parted her lips as he cupped the back of her head and brought her mouth down to his. Snaking his tongue out, he tasted her plump lips before slipping inside to stroke her teeth and beyond. He could feel the heat from her mound through both layers of their clothing. Damn, she was hot.

Although his body was screaming for release, he took his time, leisurely exploring her mouth. He loved the taste of her—sweet with a hint of spice. There was a wild side to this woman that she kept mostly under wraps, but it came out in her brightly colored clothing and funky jewelry. Tonight she was wearing jeans, but her top was a bright splash of purple and around her neck was a collar of brightly colored stones. He had no idea what half of them were, but they glittered against the silver of the necklace.

Her wild side also showed up in her work. The beauty of her work amazed Jackson and he’d only seen a small sample of it. His arms tightened around her. He knew he couldn’t keep her with him forever, but she was here now and that’s all that mattered.

He broke the kiss and sat up, shifting her in his arms as he did so that she was left sitting on the floor as he rolled to his feet. Reaching down, he pulled her up and walked her backward until her back hit the heavy bag suspended from the ceiling.

Her eyes were like thick, dark chocolate, filled with a slumberous longing. Her face was flushed, her lips moist. His hands shook as he reached out and tugged the end of her shirt over her head. She raised her arms and allowed him to slip the garment from her body. He let it drop, instantly forgotten.

She was wearing a purple bra, much the color of lilacs. He traced a finger over the edge of the lacy cup. It was so feminine that he was almost afraid to touch it with his work-roughened hand. Emerald sucked in a breath as his finger dipped into her cleavage. His thumb grazed her nipple, which was already puckered into a tight bud.

“You’re so responsive.” He cupped her lace-covered breasts with his palms and squeezed them gently. She leaned forward, pressing herself tighter into his hands. He had to see her, had to touch her soft skin. Memories of the night on the porch had haunted his dreams and he had to see if it was as good as he remembered.

It was better.

He opened the front clasp and pushed back the cups. With the harsh light from the bare bulb shining on her, he could see every sweet inch of flesh he’d revealed. Her breasts were large and firm and tipped with rosy nipples that just begged to be tasted.

Groaning, he leaned down and captured one turgid peak between his lips and tugged. She gasped and dug her fingers into his scalp. He used his teeth to gently scrape her sensitive flesh before laving it with his tongue.

Her hands slid over his neck and shoulders, her fingers curling into his biceps for support as he tasted first one breast and then the other. When he finally pulled back, both her nipples were glistening. He blew on them and they tightened even further. Her chest was rising and falling with each breath, making her breasts sway enticingly.

He reached for the snap of her jeans, his eyes never leaving her face. She made no move to stop him. Instead, she swayed forward. That was all Jackson needed. He went down on one knee in front of her and quickly removed her right sneaker and sock and then did the same with the other one. Even her bare feet were sexy. They were slender and delicately arched, and each toenail was painted a pale shade of purple. He wanted to nibble on them. But that was for another time. Right now, he had to see her naked.

The more civilized part of him knew he should take her inside to a soft bed. But the male animal inside him was screaming at him to take her now, to claim her and put his mark on her. His hands went unerringly back to the opening of her jeans. He yanked the zipper down and slipped his hands inside. Leaning forward, he pressed open-mouthed kisses against her belly, which was smooth and gently rounded.

Her sex was covered with a ridiculously small scrap of fabric and lace that matched her bra. He pushed her jeans down around her ankles but left the panties in place. “I’ll bet your panties are wet, aren’t they?” He traced the creases of her thighs as he watched her.

She leaned back against the heavy bag, her breasts swaying, her nipples moist, and nodded. His cock was hard and ready, but he wanted more from her. He wanted to hear her cries of pleasure as she came, feel the heat of her release against his mouth and hands before he took her.

He pulled her jeans away from her feet and then stood. “Jackson?” She licked her lips and reached for him.

He captured her hands, wrapping his fingers around her wrists and raised them over her head. The motion lifted her breasts invitingly. He pressed her hands against the rope holding the bag in place. “Wrap your hands around this.” He released his hold on her and waited. Her fingers trembled slightly, but she grabbed the rope and held on tight. “Don’t let go,” he told her as he took a step back.

With her bra pushed back, the purple framed her breasts. She looked soft and extremely feminine spread against the heavy punching bag. She’d make one hell of a picture, he thought as he examined her. His fingers itched to hold his camera. Not that he’d ever share the explicit photo with anyone. It would be for his private collection. “Spread your legs.” He nodded in satisfaction as she widened her stance. Emerald was fairly tall for a woman, but she still had to stretch to keep her grip on the rope.

The pressure of his jeans was killing him, so he plucked open the button and pushed the zipper down. His cock sprang forward. He was glad now that he hadn’t bothered with underwear after his shower. Emerald’s eyes went straight to his erection, causing it to swell even more than he thought possible. His testicles were heavy and full, but he wasn’t ready to give them relief. Not yet.

Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out a condom. He’d been carrying it around ever since that first night with Emerald. He wasn’t going to be caught unprepared again. Tearing open the packet, he pulled out the condom and smoothed the latex over his swollen shaft. Emerald made a purring noise that had his entire body clenching.

Condom in place, he fell to his knees in front of her, using his wide shoulders to part her legs even more. With his face so close to her pussy, he could smell her heat, her desire for him. Like an aphrodisiac, it drew him closer.

He slid one long finger between her legs, feeling the wet fabric of her panties. She groaned and arched her hips toward him. He was finding it difficult to think, to breathe. All he wanted was to taste Emerald.

Grasping the thin strap in his hands, he tugged. Fabric ripped and the remainder of her panties fell down one supple leg to pool around her ankle. Jackson swallowed hard as the dark curls came into view. They glistened with her moisture, evidence of her need for him.

He parted her with his fingers, staring at the slick folds of her vulva. She was pink and flush and swollen with need. Her delicate clitoris was peeking out from beneath its hood, demanding attention.

Leaning forward, he pressed the tip of his tongue against her clit. Emerald moaned and undulated her hips toward him. He murmured his pleasure against her as he sucked the delicate bud between his lips.

His fingers glided over her slick folds. He couldn’t believe how hot and wet she was. And it was all for him. Heady with desire, he pressed two fingers into her slit, not stopping until they were buried as deep as they could go.

“Jackson,” she panted. He felt her body straining toward him, but she didn’t let go of the rope. She held on tight, allowing him to do with her what he would.

Blood pumped heavily through his veins, his muscles clenched, his body swelled. He slipped his fingers out of her heat and then thrust them deep again. All the while, he sucked and flicked the tight bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs.

He felt her tightening around his fingers and knew she was close. “Come for me,” he whispered, blowing against her heated flesh. Burying his face between her thighs, he licked and sucked as his fingers pumped in and out of her pussy.

“I’m coming,” she gasped a second before her entire body bowed. Her inner muscles clamped down tight around his fingers. Needing to be inside her to feel her orgasm, he pulled his fingers out of her tight channel and surged to his feet. Grasping her waist, he guided his cock to her opening and pushed. It was a tight squeeze as her muscles were rhythmically clenching around him. The delicate flesh was swollen and still pulsing with her orgasm. She cried out his name again.

“Wrap your legs around me.” He hooked his hands under her thighs to help and she locked her legs tight around his hips. Her heels dug into his butt and he sank deeper into her. The heavy bag swayed as he leaned against it. Emerald shrieked and Jackson locked his legs to keep from falling.

Burying his face against her throat, he breathed deeply. Sweat, hay and sex permeated the air. He loved that fact that she didn’t mind getting down and dirty with him in the barn. Bending his knees slightly, he then stood, thrusting himself to the hilt. Her wet heat surrounded him and Jackson cursed the fact that he had to use a condom. Although, he probably would have lost all control if it had been flesh against flesh and he wasn’t ready to come just yet.

As he drove into her again, the bag swayed, knocking him off balance. Emerald gasped and grabbed his shoulders, releasing the rope. This wasn’t going to work. As if sensing his dilemma, Emerald whispered in his ear as she peppered his neck with kisses. “What about a bale of hay or something?”

He grunted as he lurched away from the bag, still keeping his arms wrapped tight around Emerald. “Too scratchy. I don’t want anything to mar this sweet skin.” He nuzzled her neck, nipping lightly at the base.

“We have to do something,” she wailed as she rubbed her breasts against his chest.

She was right about that. They were both close to coming. He could feel the tightening of her pussy around his cock. His testicles were drawn tight against his body. He needed to thrust. Hard. Now.

He glanced around and made his decision. Like a drunken fool, he staggered to the edge of the room. It wasn’t a room, really, but an old stall that he and Nathan had converted into a workout area. He wanted to lean her against the low wall and fuck her hard, but he was afraid that she might get splinters. The wood was old and rough, and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt Emerald.

He had a plan, but first he had to extricate himself from her hot depths. And that wasn’t going to be easy. Leaning her against the wall, he waited until he was sure she was steady before slowly pulling away from her. He had to grit his teeth to keep from losing it there and then. The last thing he wanted to do was come prematurely.

Emerald moaned as Jackson pulled his cock from her. “No.” She wanted him inside her, stretching her. He was so hard and hot and she wanted to feel him thrusting into her.

“Have to,” he growled. His face was harsh in the artificial lighting, as the sunlight didn’t reach this far into the barn. She could see the strain on his face as he struggled to keep it all together. She was hanging by a thread herself and she’d just had one orgasm.

“What,” she panted heavily, “can I do?”

He didn’t answer, but turned her so she was facing the low wall. When he wrapped her hands over the edge, she understood. Leaning forward, she stuck out her ass and spread her legs. “Now, Jackson,” she pleaded. She wanted to be joined with this man, to feel his orgasm within her, to bring him the kind of mind-blowing pleasure that he’d given her.

Between her legs, she ached with a growing need. Cream leaked from her core and trickled down her inner thighs. Her breasts ached for his touch. They felt heavy as she leaned forward.

His hairy thighs tickled the backs of her legs and she quivered as the broad head of his cock was pressed just inside her slit. His large, roughened hands slid up her sides and around to cup her breast. “Now,” she moaned, digging her fingers into the wood railing for support.

“Fuck, yes,” he hissed as he drove deep with one heavy thrust. He was thick and long and she took every inch of him into her. He stretched her inner muscles, filling her completely. If she hadn’t been so prepared, it might have hurt. But instead, it felt gloriously right.

His fingers toyed with her nipples, pinching them lightly. Sensation flowed from her breasts to down between her thighs where she ached with a growing need. Sweat dripped from her temple and she could feel the slickness of Jackson’s chest against her back.

This was no pleasant tumble in bed. Emerald thought she’d known what real desire was, but now she knew that what she’d had before had only been the tip of the iceberg. This was real and elemental. It was messy and noisy. And she loved it.

As Jackson began to thrust, the sound of his stomach hitting her ass filled the space around them. Sex, musky and real, permeated the air like some rich perfume. She could smell the remains of Jackson’s spicy aftershave mixing with the remnants of her floral soap. Masculine and feminine. Dark and light. They came together over and over, one dominating, the other yielding, both giving and receiving pleasure.

His hips hammered against her, driving his cock into her waiting pussy. She’d never felt so filled, so needy in her life. Clenching her jaw, she met each heavy thrust, pushing her bottom back to meet him.

“Harder.” She wanted more. Needed more.

One of Jackson’s hands slid down her belly and between her thighs. He didn’t break his rhythm as he fingered her swollen clit. His other hand continued to tease and torment her taut nipples.

Emerald felt as if she were a wire pulled too tight. “Jackson,” she screamed as he rammed himself deep one final time. She felt the pulsing of his cock as he came and it set off her own orgasm.

Her entire body shook and shuddered as she came. Liquid flooded her core as tears filled her eyes. For the first time in her life, she bitterly resented the need for a condom. She wanted to feel the rush of her lover’s release and the wet heat as it filled her. Still, it was amazing. His body jerked and heaved against hers as he gave several short thrusts. His hands finally fell away from her and he leaned heavily against her back.

Her knees began to buckle. Jackson swore as he lowered them carefully to the ground, still buried deep within her. She rested her head on the plank floor and sighed. She was dirty, sweaty and sticky, but she felt wonderful. Two orgasms in such a short period of time were practically unheard of for her. And never had they been so intense.

Jackson stirred behind her and they both groaned as he pulled his now semi-erect cock from her still-pulsing body. She collapsed onto the floor, rolling to her side and watched as he staggered to his feet. He dug a tissue out of his back pocket and removed the condom, wrapping it inside. Then he hitched up his jeans.

It was only then that she realized that he was still mostly dressed and she was naked. Well, almost naked. She didn’t count her bra that was still tangled around her upper body or the necklace wrapped around her throat. What was left of her panties was crumpled on the floor over by the punching bag. They must have fallen off when she’d hooked her legs around him. Her jeans and top were in a heap on the floor.

His eyes were unreadable as he leaned down and scooped her off the floor. She wasn’t a small woman by any means, but he was so strong, he did it as if she weighed nothing at all. Holding her tight, he strode from the barn. “My clothes,” she protested.

“I’ll get them later,” he promised. The sky was still light when he stepped outside the barn, but barely. The sun was just sinking below the horizon. Totally unconcerned about her nakedness, she relaxed against him as he carried her to the house. His heart was a reassuring heavy thud beneath her cheek. She felt totally sated and absolutely safe as he elbowed his way in through the back door and up the stairs.

“We’ll get you cleaned up first.”

“First?” she questioned as he bypassed his bedroom and went straight to the bathroom.

He let her legs slide down his arm until her feet were flat on the floor. She stared up at him and was instantly ensnared by the look of pure lust shining from his eyes.

“I’m not done with you yet.”

Her toes curled into the tile flooring and heat suffused her body. Maybe she wasn’t done either.