Jackson’s Jewel

Chapter Three

Jackson walked to the barn, although it was difficult with his cock at full attention. He reached down and adjusted himself but it didn’t help. His balls were heavy and tight, his erection throbbing. He hadn’t had this kind of a reaction to a woman since he was in his early teens.

Emerald was far from the thin, cool blonde he’d imagined. Her hair was a profusion of black curls, which hung below her shoulders and emphasized her slender neck. Her dark, chocolate-brown eyes dominated her heart-shaped face and her full rosy lips begged a man to lick and kiss them. Her skin was creamy and her body lush with curves in all the right places. Her thighs and hips were gently rounded and her breasts full and firm.

He groaned as his erection twitched. She was a walking wet dream. Dressed in a flowing skirt and matching blouse, she looked more like a gypsy enchantress than a housekeeper. He shook his head at the irony of the situation. It had been years since a woman had done more than catch his casual attention. Now he was finally attracted to a female and she was hands-off.

And she was attracted to him too. He was too old and too experienced not to notice the way her eyes glazed over as she stared at him. Her breathing had hitched slightly and she’d unconsciously smoothed her hands over her stomach and hips, pulling the fabric tight on her blouse. The movement had emphasized the shape and size of her breasts. Jackson wondered what color her nipples were. Would they be rosy like her lips?

He licked his lips and then swore under his breath. He had to get his mind off his new housekeeper. She was only here for ten days. He was getting rid of her as soon as his agreement with Erin was up. He wasn’t about to get involved with a woman who was just passing through town.

Why not? a voice in the back of his brain taunted him. Maybe Emerald would be agreeable to a no-strings affair. Every muscle in his body tightened and he forced himself to take a deep breath and relax. He’d have to think on this some more. The thought of her naked and spread across his bed was almost enough to make him turn around and head back to the house.

He swore again as sweat trickled down his temple. It was hot enough outside without him making himself even hotter. Swiping it away with the back of his hand, he climbed aboard his tractor and started it. It was going to be one heck of a long day.

Heading out of the barn, he focused on the workday ahead. On a farm like his, there was always something to be done, especially this time of year. And if he was lucky, he might get a few minutes to take some pictures.

Since he’d started making money with his photography, he kept his camera close and watched for particularly interesting shots. He enjoyed it and it added another dimension to his day, breaking up the monotony of the daily chores. He glanced back at the house as he drove away. Cursing, he pushed all thoughts of his new housekeeper from his mind, distracting his wayward thoughts by running through his mental to-do list for the day.

Emerald put her hands on her hips and surveyed the kitchen with pride. The place practically sparkled. It was a far cry from what she started with more than three hours ago. It hadn’t taken her long to cart her belongings in from her car with Erin’s help. She hadn’t bothered to unpack, but had gone straight to work. Thankfully, the utility closet in the kitchen was filled with everything she needed to put the kitchen back to rights.

However, her first task had been to start a load of laundry. She figured she had about six or seven loads to do including sheets and towels. While she was waiting for the first load to wash, she’d finished cleaning up the broken glass on the kitchen floor and then had gone to work on the mounds of dishes. It had taken a fair amount of elbow grease to scrape the dried food from them, but she’d done it.

Draining the dirty water, she’d then refilled the sink and started washing down the counter and cupboards. She’d opened every cabinet door as she stacked the clean dishes away and figured out where all the pots and pans were kept. It was a fairly organized kitchen. Emerald reckoned that she had Erin to thank for that.

She’d sorted the mail that was strewn across the table, placing the bills in one stack, flyers and papers in another and what looked to be personal stuff in yet another pile. She’d have Jackson go through them after supper. Then she’d scrubbed down the table. It was a beautiful trestle table made of maple and her hands had lovingly traced the warm wood.

The refrigerator and the stove had come next. The refrigerator wasn’t in too bad a shape, but it was getting close to empty. It hadn’t taken her long to dump everything after its “best before” date. She’d washed down the shelves with baking soda and water and then had put everything back inside. Somebody would have to go shopping and she was afraid it was going to be her. Her stomach clenched at the thought of leaving the farm. She’d make a list tonight, get Jackson to approve it and go first thing tomorrow. Unless she could convince him to go.

The stove came next, but that wasn’t too dirty. She suspected that Jackson used the top of the stove to do most of his cooking and the oven to reheat food that his sister brought over. According to Erin, she’d been bringing him casseroles to keep him from starving. There were still some in the freezer.

Emerald had washed and dusted every surface in the kitchen in between running back and forth to the laundry room and loading clothing into the dryer before starting another load to washing. The curtains had looked dingy, so she’d dragged them down and shoved them in the washing machine while she cleaned the windows. She’d even taken down the light fixture and washed it.

When every surface of the kitchen was clean, she tackled the floor. The hardwood floor was a thing of beauty and looked fairly new. By the time she was finished, it gleamed. Satisfied, she packed away her cleaning supplies for the moment, folded the next load of clothing that came out of the dryer and started another one washing. The kitchen drapes were dry, so she shook them out and hung them back on the windows.

She was more than satisfied with her morning’s work and Jackson should be too. Her plan was to make herself indispensable so he wouldn’t even think about firing her. Emerald knew that Jackson didn’t want her here, so it was up to her to change his mind. She needed to be able to stay.

Nibbling on her bottom lip, she fretted as she slipped off her blouse. It was soaked in sweat after all her hard work. The tank top she was wearing beneath it was much cooler. She realized now that she should have taken the time to change before she’d started work, but she’d been in more of a hurry to make a good impression. What she needed now was a long, cool shower to revive herself.

A glance at the clock told her that Jackson would be home and expecting his lunch in about fifteen minutes. Sighing, she knew her shower would have to wait. There was just enough time for her to slap some ham and cheese sandwiches together. She’d serve them with some chips. It was simple and fast. She’d make something more substantial for supper.

She just finished cutting the last sandwich and piling it onto a platter when the back door opened. “Lunch will be on the table in just a second.” When there was no answer, she glanced toward the door. Jackson stood there staring, not at the nice, clean kitchen, but at her. She knew she looked a fright, but she hadn’t thought she looked that bad. Blowing a lock of hair out of her eyes, she grabbed the platter and hurried to the table. “Why don’t you sit down and dig in?”

He shook his head like a man coming out of a daze. Still not saying anything, he sauntered over to the sink and began to wash his hands. Even though she told herself not to look, she couldn’t resist watching him as he lathered his big, work-roughened hands. The bubbles covered his fingers and wrists as he rubbed them together.

A picture of them in the shower together, he rubbing those slippery, soapy hands over her body popped into her head. A restlessness filled her as her womb clenched. She felt empty and achy. The crotch of her panties dampened as Jackson rinsed his hands and dried them in the towel. Her nipples puckered and pressed against her bra. Glancing down, she could see them outlined against the thin fabric of her red tank top. Jackson chose that moment to turn around. It was like waving a flag in front of a bull.

His nostrils flared. His body tensed. She could see the steady rise and fall of his chest as his breathing deepened. Her lips parted as she tried to get enough air into her lungs. She felt lightheaded and totally unlike herself. Her skin felt as if it was on fire as desire pulsed through her veins. It was exhilarating. It was frightening. She’d never had this kind of a physical reaction to any man in her entire life.

She licked her lips and his eyes darkened as he watched. There was no mistaking the bulge in the front of his jeans. The man was seriously aroused. His hands clenched at his sides as he struggled for control.

Emerald took a step toward him as if pulled forward by an invisible thread. Her mind was screaming at her to be careful. Her body was demanding that she go to him. One step became two.

She stopped when she was right in front of him. Their bodies almost, but not quite touching. She could feel the heat rolling off him in waves. The urge to snuggle up close and lay her head against his chest was almost overwhelming. What was it about this man that drew her to him?

His hands wrapped around her shoulders. She could feel the tension in his fingers as he held her. She wasn’t sure if he was going to push her away or pull her closer. She didn’t think he quite knew what to do. The heat of his hands permeated her skin. She could smell sunshine, sweat and the sweet smell of fresh-cut hay.

“This isn’t a good idea.” His voice was low and gritty.

“I know.” If she were sensible, she’d run to her room and wait for him to leave. But her common sense had deserted her at the moment.

“You work for me.” Jackson’s fingers tightened.

“I do. But I’m an adult.” She licked her lips again and tried to swallow, but her mouth was too dry. “I don’t usually do things like this.” It was important for him to know that she didn’t make a habit of coming on to men she’d just met.

He frowned and his eyes narrowed. “I didn’t think you did. This thing…” He trailed off, unable to find the words he wanted.

She nodded in complete understanding. “I know. I feel it too.”

“There’s still time for you to go.” She knew that he meant more than just leave the room. He was telling her that there was time for her to get in her car and just drive away.

The only problem was that she really needed a safe place to stay and, besides that, she didn’t want to leave. She wanted to explore this burgeoning attraction flaring between them. She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She could feel the tension rolling off him as he stared at her, his blue eyes intense. He swooped down suddenly and captured her lips with his. This was no tentative first kiss, but a declaration, a claiming.

Jackson’s lips were firm and warm as they melded against hers. His hands slid up the slope of her shoulders and neck until he was cupping the sides of her head. He tilted it to one side to give him better access as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue.

The moment she parted her lips, his tongue snaked inside, stroking hers. She swallowed a cry of pleasure and snuggled closer. The hard ridge in the front of his jeans pressed against her stomach. Her nipples almost hurt, they were so tight. She rubbed them against the hard planes of his chest. Even through her clothing and his, she could feel his rock-solid muscles. Jackson groaned and thrust himself tighter against her.

She longed to see him naked, to touch him, to rub herself all over him. She creamed her panties as his tongue rasped over the inside of her mouth, leaving no part unclaimed. She had the urge to strip off her clothes and fuck him right here in the kitchen.

What was wrong with her?

Emerald felt like she was totally out of control. Jackson must have sensed her turmoil because he softened the kiss, no longer claiming but cajoling. Seducing. His hands slipped over her neck and shoulders. He traced her collarbone with his fingers before slipping downward. His hands came to rest just below her breasts. They were so close she could feel the edge of them every time she took a breath.

Desire coursed through her veins as she covered his thick wrists with her hands and pushed them upward. They both groaned when his palms covered the mounds of her breasts. Her nipples pressed hard against his hands.

Jackson’s fingers stroked her breasts, circling her nipples without touching them. She moaned into his mouth, unable to keep the needy sound inside. She wanted his hands on her naked flesh, stroking, touching and kneading. She needed his hard cock inside her, filling her as he fucked her to completion.

He tore his mouth from hers and took a step back, dropping his hands from her. Emerald swallowed hard, wanting to yank him back against her, while at the same time, she was glad that he’d pulled back. She’d just met him this morning. This was all too much too fast. Obviously, he felt the same way.

He raked his hand through his hair and blew out a hard breath. “God almighty. That almost got out of hand.”

“Yeah.” Her voice came out as a sultry purr, so she cleared her throat, striving for a more even tone. “Must be the heat.”

His eyes practically scorched her. “Oh, it’s the heat all right.”

She swallowed hard and turned away. Going to the refrigerator, she hauled out the pitcher of iced tea she’d made for lunch. The cool air bathed her skin but did nothing to diminish the heat flooding through her body. She needed that shower more than ever now.

He was seated at the table by the time she closed the refrigerator door, helping himself to the sandwiches. Unaccountably, she felt angry with him. How dare he recover his composure so fast? She was still shaking with desire. Plunking the pitcher on the table, she hauled out a chair and sat.

“It’s going to happen. You know that?” She’d just taken a bite of sandwich when he spoke and almost choked on it. He thumped her on the back until she waved him away.

“Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked as soon as she’d managed to swallow her food. After what had just happened, it was no wonder he was so sure. Still, it rankled her.

“There’s no denying the chemistry between us. If you don’t want it to happen, you should pack up your things and leave. If you stay, you’re going to end up in my bed.”

Emerald almost fanned herself, but managed to stop before she actually did it. Her eyes narrowed as her mind began to work. The anger that had begun to subside surged to life again. “You’d like me to run away, wouldn’t you? I know you don’t want me here. Erin told me that she’d all but forced you to give me a ten-day trial period. Was that what this was all about?” She motioned to him and back at herself. “You trying to scare me into leaving?”

If she’d thought he’d looked fierce before, it was nothing compared to the glare he shot her. It was a wonder she didn’t melt and puddle beneath the table with the force of his anger.

He slowly pushed back his chair and came to his feet. Resting his large hands on the table, he leaned forward. Emerald resisted the urge to pull away. “I would never, ever, force myself on a woman, and I’d never use sexual attraction to try to frighten you or drive you away. If I wanted you gone that badly, I’d pack your belongings in your car and put you out of the house.”

Every word was spoken softly, but still she flinched. She’d known as soon as the words left her mouth that they weren’t true. She’d not only hurt his pride, but she’d insulted the man too.

He was as still as a statue as he continued. “If that’s what you think about me, I want you gone when I get home. Rest assured, if you stay, I won’t be bothering you with my attention again.” Pushing away from the table, he turned on his heel and stomped out of the room. The door slammed shut behind him.

Emerald slumped back in her chair and took a deep breath. Her body broke out into a cold sweat. She’d thought for a moment that he was going to toss her out and she wouldn’t have blamed him if he had. She’d learned a valuable lesson about the man though. His word was obviously his bond and since he’d promised his sister he would, he’d give Emerald her ten-day trial, even if he didn’t want to.

Picking up her glass, she took a long swallow of the quickly warming tea. She also knew that there would be no more kisses in the kitchen. Not unless she initiated them. And if she did, she better be darned sure she was ready for an intense affair. Because once Jackson started, she was sure he wasn’t stopping until they were both sexually sated. She’d end up spread across his bed, just as he’d said.

Funny, but the idea wasn’t as frightening as it had been. Emerald had never indulged in an affair before. The two men she’d slept with each had been men she’d had a long-term relationship with. Her attraction to Jackson was undeniable and definitely something for her to think about.

Pushing away from the table, she gathered the dishes and piled them in the sink. Her appetite gone, she wrapped the sandwiches and put them in the refrigerator, along with the pitcher of iced tea.

Stopping, she leaned against the refrigerator door and took a deep breath. She was staying. Of that there was no doubt. She was going to have to apologize to Jackson too. What she’d said to him wasn’t very nice and she knew in her heart that it wasn’t true. There was no way he’d use sex to frighten her into leaving. He’d been just as caught up in the attraction between them as she had.

Pushing away, she decided to leave the dishes until she’d had a long, cool shower. She’d take the time to unpack and make up her bed with fresh sheets before tackling the rest of the house. She’d have to plan something special for supper. Jackson had barely taken a bite of his sandwich. He was going to be starving when he came home this evening.

She stopped in the laundry room long enough to haul one load of clothing out of the dryer and put the last load into the washer. From now on, she’d hang the clothing out on the line, but for today, there had just been way too much and she’d been in a hurry to get it all done. Helping herself to one of the clean facecloths and towels, she hurried to her room.

Feeling the heat pressing down on her, Emerald grabbed a change of clothing out of one of her suitcases before stripping off her sweaty clothing. Leaving them in a dirty pile on the floor, she headed for the shower.