Jackson’s Jewel

Chapter Six

Emerald was still trying to digest the fact that this virtual stranger not only was willing, but seemed adamantly determined to help her when he bent his head and brushed his lips across hers. Soft yet firm, they skimmed her bottom and then her top lip. Her mouth parted on a moan and his tongue slipped inside. He tasted of coffee and some hot, male essence that enticed her to give more.

Her fingers crept up the front of his shirt, digging into his wide shoulders for support. She felt lightheaded, as if she were floating on air as she returned his kiss.

His hand stroked over her hip and belly, coming to rest on her torso just beneath her breast. She sucked in a breath, willing his hand to move higher, but he just rested it there as he continued to plunder her mouth. It got harder to breathe, so she tore her lips from his, gasping for air.

Jackson nibbled a path down the line of her jaw and neck. She groaned when he nipped the sensitive skin at the base of her neck where it met her shoulder. The edge of his hand barely grazed the bottom of her breast, but her nipple puckered tight in anticipation. She shifted restlessly, her fingers opening and closing over the firm muscles of his shoulders. She wanted more. Much more. But it was way too soon for that. Wasn’t it?

As if he could read her thoughts, Jackson raised his head, his blue eyes smoldering with desire. “If you don’t want this, then now is the time to go inside.” She could feel the pulse of his erection beating against her hip. “We can forget that this ever happened.”

She bit her lip and swallowed hard. That would be the smart thing to do. The safe thing to do. The sensible thing to do.

Emerald couldn’t wrench her gaze away from his face and she felt herself falling deeper into his amazing eyes. A lock of his reddish-brown hair tumbled down across his forehead and she tenderly brushed it back. He closed his eyes as if he were savoring her touch. His skin was much darker than hers, tanned from years of working under the sun and in the wind. Taken individually, his blunt features weren’t overly handsome, yet they suited his face perfectly, a reflection of the inner man.

It might not be smart or safe to give in to the physical attraction blooming between them, but deep in her heart she knew she would always regret it if she walked away without sampling it.

Her mind made up, she pushed away from him. His hands tightened around her for the briefest of moments before falling back down to his sides. He said nothing as she rose gracefully to her feet and shifted to stand in front of him. His eyes widened and his nostrils flared as she placed first one knee and then the other on the seat cushion, straddling his lap. She lowered herself so that she was sitting on his thighs facing him.

“You’re sure?” His voice was rough and it made her stomach clench. She nodded, unable to verbally answer him. “Good.” Satisfaction tinged his reply as his large hands cupped her ass and tugged her closer.

The movement caused her jean-clad mound to press against his erection. Even though they were both fully clothed, Emerald could feel the heat of him against her. Her panties were already damp and getting wetter every second. She rose up on her knees, rubbing her sex against his shaft. They both groaned.

Jackson tugged at the bottom of her tank top, pulling it from the band of her jeans. His hands slipped under the material to rest against her stomach. She sucked in a breath as he continued upward. This time he didn’t stop until his hands were wrapped around her breasts. Her nipples stabbed at his palms through the thin satin of her bra. It felt good, but it wasn’t enough to have him touching her—she wanted to feel him beneath her hands.

Grabbing a handful of his shirt, she tugged it upward. Jackson released his hold on her long enough to take over the job, practically ripping the shirt from his body and tossing it aside. “Your turn, sweetheart.” Although a sense of urgency surrounded them, he took his time, inching up the fabric of her shirt to reveal a strip of bare skin. Her breasts rose and fell with each deep breath she took as he slowly exposed her pale blue satin bra.

By the time he got her top over her head, they were both panting heavily. His fingers skimmed the satin straps, moving downward and over the lace edging of the cups. “You are so damn beautiful.” Her nipples puckered under his lustful gaze. His thumb just barely grazed the hard nub and she whimpered as her sex clenched painfully.

Reaching out, she ran her hands over the large expanse of his chest. The muscles rippled beneath her fingers as she explored him. A neat thatch of hair covered the center of his chest between two flat brown nipples. Leaning forward, she flicked at one with her tongue. His hands tightened over her breasts as he gave a guttural groan. His cock flexed against her mound and she gave in to the need to press herself more fully against him. She wanted to be totally naked, to feel every hard plane of his body against her softer curves. There was something about this man that brought out the elemental female within her. She wanted to claim him as hers and have him claim her in return.

Giving his nipple one final lick, she sat back up and allowed her fingers to trail down the silky line of hair that bisected his torso before disappearing into the waistband of his jeans.

Jackson gave a low growl as he buried his face in her cleavage. Finding the front closure, his fingers gave a quick flick and the satin cups fell away, exposing her. Plumping the full mounds in his hands, he held them as his lips moved closer to one taut nipple.

Emerald practically held her breath as he got close enough for her to feel the heat of his mouth against her skin. He carefully traced the outline of her areola with his tongue. Then he did the same with the other one.

“Jackson,” she gasped as she tangled her fingers in his hair, trying to tug him closer.

“Mmm,” he responded, flicking his tongue out to taunt the tight peak.

Her thigh muscles tightened as she rubbed her mound against his rock-hard erection. “More,” she demanded.

She cried out as he opened his mouth over her breast and took her nipple inside. His tongue stroked over it, softly at first and then with increasing firmness. “Yes,” she groaned as she pushed her breast more firmly against him.

He captured the tip with his teeth and carefully tugged. Emerald shook with desire. She was on fire for him. Her fingers flew to the opening of his jeans, pulling at the button and zipper. It was his turn to groan when she freed his erection from the confinement of his jeans. She shoved aside his underwear and then he was in her hand. Hot. Hard. And hers.

Her palm slid over his length before she closed her hand around him. His skin was warm and soft, but what was beneath it was pure steel. The plum-shaped head was wet, and as she watched a pearly bead of liquid seeped from the slit. She used her thumb to spread it over the top and Jackson groaned again, his hips jerking upward. He was thick and long and she could only imagine how good he’d feel buried deep inside her. Her pussy wept with need for him. She was wetter than she’d ever been in her life.

Jackson gave one last gentle tug on her nipple before releasing it. Tilting his head back, he took a deep breath. The thick column of his neck was exposed and she couldn’t resist leaning forward to lick it. He tasted salty and hot. She imagined his cock would taste the same. “You taste so good.” His shaft jumped in her hand in response and she laughed.

He swore as his hands made quick work of the fastenings of her jeans. He had the zipper down before she knew it and slid his hand inside. His fingers slipped beneath the satin of her bikini underwear, brushing the curls of her mound. But he didn’t stop there. He kept going until he was touching the slick folds of her labia. “You’re so wet.” There was wonder and pleasure in his voice. “I’ve got to see you.” He removed his hand and shoved at her jeans and underwear.

Emerald wanted to feel his naked flesh against hers. Squirming backward, she managed to get one foot on the porch floor and then another. Wobbling slightly, she stood, her bra tangled around her arms and her jeans and panties down around her hips. She reached for her bra.

Jackson could barely breathe as Emerald reached for the strap of her bra. He wasn’t sure if she was going to get dressed or get naked. His breath came out in a whoosh as she slid the thin straps over her shoulders and then the scrap of pale blue satin fell onto the deck.

Damn, she was gorgeous. Her breasts were large and full, perfect pale mounds tipped with rosy nipples. Her waist dipped inward, but her hips curved out generously. She was all woman and, for the moment, she was his. He couldn’t look away as she reached behind her head and pulled the clip away. Some of her hair had already slipped away from the holder, but now the rest of it tumbled down around her back, so dark against her creamy skin.

Her hands gripped the waistband of her jeans and she shoved them down her hips and thighs. Quickly, she toed off her sandals and pushed the jeans over her calves and feet, kicking them away. She stood in front of him clad only in a tiny piece of blue fabric masquerading as underwear.

Every muscle in his body was tight. His cock throbbed insistently, begging to be inside her delectable body. Jackson swallowed hard. As much as he wanted her, he wasn’t sure now was the right time. She was feeling vulnerable and emotional and he was the only one here to reach out to. He’d hate to make love to her tonight only to have her regret it in the morning. That didn’t mean that he couldn’t make her feel good though.

“Come here.” He barely recognized the rasping tone of his own voice.

Emerald shook her head, making her sassy curls bounce. “Not yet.” She hitched her fingers inside the waistband of her bikini underwear and pushed. She shimmied her hips and the fabric fell down around her ankles.

Jackson could only stare at the perfection in front of him. The black curls covering her mound glistened with the evidence of her arousal. He wanted to see all of her. “Show me.” He patted the arm of the patio chair. “Put one of your feet up here.”

He’d surprised her. He could tell by the way her body jerked and her breathing increased. She licked her lips nervously. He could see the fear and arousal in her eyes. Just when he thought he might have pushed her a bit too far, she slowly raised her foot and perched it on the arm of the chair. It opened her up to him, but not enough.

“I want to see all of your pussy, sweetheart. I’ll bet it’s wet and hot and the same color as your rosy nipples.”

She was panting harder now and he could see the confusion in her eyes.

“Put your hands between your legs and spread yourself so I can see you.” When she hesitated, he leaned closer. “Please.”

Her hands skimmed over her belly and then down into the vee of her legs. She pulled back the folds of her labia and he could see her wet, pink sex. Reaching out, he traced his fingers over her sensitive flesh. She pulled away and then pushed closer. Jackson sat forward and flicked his tongue over the tight nub of nerves at the top. Emerald whimpered, the sound skipping along all the nerve endings in his body, setting him on fire.

Taking his time, he inserted one long finger into her tight channel. The muscles contracted around him. He watched Emerald as he pushed deep. Her head tipped back and she sighed, her hips tilting forward to take him. He pulled his finger all the way out and rimmed the opening with the tip.

“Jackson.” She barely breathed his name, but he heard the underlying need, the fire in that one word. She swayed and he caught her as she stumbled. Her hands flew out to steady herself as he drew her back down onto his lap. When he had her settled and facing him once again, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.

She opened completely to him, giving him all that he asked for and more. His hands slid over the curve of her neck, across her delicate collarbone and down her sides. He palmed her breasts, kneading them gently as his mouth consumed hers. Their tongues touched. Dueled. Mated.

His cock was throbbing so hard he was surprised he hadn’t come. His balls were drawn up so tight to his body they hurt. But he wanted more. He wanted Emerald’s pleasure. Wanted—no, needed—to see her come.

He left her sweet mouth and sat back, sucking air into his starving lungs. He allowed his hands to slip lower over the curve of her hips. The lushness of her ass called to him and he couldn’t resist giving it a quick squeeze. Someday he wanted to take her from behind so he could hear the smack of his flesh against the plumpness of her ass as he fucked her.

Emerald’s hands felt so good against his flesh as she touched his shoulders and chest. But when her hand reached lower, he grabbed her wrist. His fingers wrapped easily around it, stopping her from reaching her goal. Her eyes flew to his. “If you touch me, I’ll come in your hand. I’m hanging on by a thread here.”

Surprise and then pleasure lit her face and then she smiled. Jackson barely stifled a groan. It was time to finish this before he lost all control. Sliding one hand between her thighs, he didn’t hesitate as he pressed two fingers inside her. Emerald gasped, making her breasts jiggle with each breath she took. Her pussy was so hot and tight he thought his cock might just blow. He gritted his teeth and tried to think about something else, anything but the beautiful, giving woman curled so trustingly in his arms.

“Touch yourself,” he rasped. “Play with your nipples. You know that they’re aching to be touched and petted.” Leaning forward, he nuzzled one of her breasts before licking the tip. He sat back and feathered his thumb over her swollen clit as he worked his two fingers in and out of her pussy. “Do it,” he whispered.

She licked her lips and then brought her hands up to cup her breasts. They overflowed her smaller hands, but she squeezed and rubbed them, gradually touching her nipples with her fingers.

“That’s it,” he encouraged. “Pinch them.” He withdrew his fingers from her channel and lightly pinched her clit. Her hips jerked forward, her eyes glazing over as she tugged at her nipples.

Jackson thrust two fingers back inside her. He wanted it to be his cock buried inside her, but not only was it too soon, he suddenly realized he didn’t have any protection. He hadn’t needed any in quite some time. The older he’d gotten, the less he’d indulged in meaningless affairs. There was no way he was making love to Emerald without it.

Emerald was panting harder now, her hips moving quickly against his fingers as he thrust them in and out of her pussy. Dampness coated his fingers as her muscles tightened around them. He could feel she was close. A light sheen of sweat covered her body, making her glow in the last rays of the day. Her head was tipped back, exposing the curve of her neck. Her lips were parted and they looked slightly swollen and moist from their earlier kisses.

Sweat rolled down his back as he continued to work her with his fingers. He pressed on the hard nub of her clit as he started to insert a third finger into her molten core. Emerald stiffened and then jerked forward. Her climax hit her hard, making her entire body heave. Jackson kept his fingers moving as she cried out his name. His hand was wet with her desire by the time he finally withdrew it. He gritted his teeth as he pulled his fingers from her, wanting to bury himself in her sweet depths.

She slumped against him and he cuddled her close. Her mound was pressed tight against his cock and he could feel her throbbing against him. The smell of sex seemed to sit on the warm, still evening air. Jackson had never been so aroused in his life, yet he was oddly content as he held Emerald tight against his chest. The sounds of the evening that had all but disappeared in the haze of passion started to seep back into his consciousness.

He began to hear the calls of the birds as they flew from tree to tree in search of an evening meal. The bees hummed gently as they flitted from flower to flower. The sun was low in the sky, partially sunk below the horizon. It glowed a fire red as it gradually faded from sight. The wood of the chair was warm against his back and the woman in his arms was soft, her delectable body draped almost bonelessly across him.

Jackson contented himself with just rubbing his hand across her back and shoulders. His own breathing calmed and his cock, while still erect, at least wasn’t in danger of erupting at an inopportune moment. Gradually, Emerald stirred and pushed away to sit up in his arms. She looked sleepy and sated and incredibly sexy with her hair tumbling around her flushed skin.

She also looked slightly bewildered. “You didn’t…” She broke off and looked down at his erection.

“No, I didn’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

Jackson sighed, wishing she’d stayed curled in his arms a while longer. “I don’t have any protection and it’s too soon.”

Her eyebrows came together. “Too soon?”

He kept rubbing her back, willing her to understand. “You’re in a vulnerable position right now and feeling emotional. I didn’t want to take advantage.”

The flush of sated desire was quickly turning into anger. He could see it in the way her entire body stiffened. Her voice was low and controlled but throbbed with hurt. “Let me get this straight. It would be taking advantage of me to sleep with me, but it’s not taking advantage to have me strip naked and make me come outside on a patio chair.” Her voice got louder with each word and he winced. When she put it like that, it sounded bad.

“I just wanted to make you feel good.”

Stiffly, she climbed off his lap and grabbed her clothing, holding it in front of her. “I don’t need your pity.”

“Pity,” he yelled. “I don’t feel pity for you. If anything, I feel pity for me. I’m the one with the raging hard-on.”

She sniffed, tilting her chin up as she glared down at him. “That’s your own fault. I think you’re just too afraid to be vulnerable. It’s okay for me to be totally exposed to you, but you don’t want to risk the same in return.”

Jackson froze in place. Was she right? Was he afraid to risk opening himself up to her so soon? No! No, he assured himself. He was being thoughtful, trying to be sensitive, and look where it got him. “That’s not true. I wanted to touch you, to taste you, more than I’ve ever wanted any woman. And I’ll always be grateful for the gift you just gave me here. The last thing I wanted to do was to make love to you here tonight and have you regret it in the morning.”

Uncertainty filled her face as they simply stared at one another. Finally, it was Emerald who broke the connection between them. “I’m going to bed.” Without another word, she hurried into the house. He caught a glimpse of her lush ass before the door closed behind her with a resounding thump.

Jackson slumped back in the chair and closed his eyes, wondering exactly what had gone wrong. He didn’t know how long he just sat there thinking about everything, but by the time he dragged himself out of the chair, darkness had claimed the land. He tugged his jeans up around his waist but didn’t bother to zip or button them as he followed her inside, closing and locking the door for the night.

He strode over the closed door of Emerald’s room and laid his hand on the door. He stood there for long seconds, trying to decide what to do. Sighing, he dropped his hand, turned and walked away. His footsteps were heavy as he climbed the stairs and headed for the bathroom and a cold shower. It was going to be a long night.

Emerald lay curled in a ball on top of her bed as she listened to Jackson finally come into the house. He’d been out there so long she almost got up to check on him. She still wasn’t sure how she felt about what had happened between them.

Her body was still thrumming with the aftereffects of her orgasm and she squirmed to get more comfortable beneath the thin sheet that was draped over her naked body. She hadn’t been able to bear the thought of putting on a nightgown. Her skin still felt extremely sensitive. Even the sheet was almost too much.

She’d let down her guard and made herself vulnerable to Jackson while he’d held part of himself back from her. Maybe she should be glad at least one of them had some common sense. She hadn’t even thought about protection and there was just no excuse for that, especially not in this day and age.

She’d felt his presence outside her bedroom door. Could almost feel his indecision as he hovered there. She’d had to bite her lip to keep from calling out to him. Part of her wanted to comfort him and another part of her was warning that he could hurt her. She could easily lose her heart to him if she wasn’t careful.

When she’d finally sensed him leave, she didn’t know what she felt exactly. Slightly bereft. Partially relieved. She was a mess of emotions. With all the other troubles she had, a romantic entanglement was the last thing she needed. It had been an incredible experience, one she’d never forget, but it couldn’t happen again. After all, she wasn’t going to be here that long.

And why that thought depressed her, she didn’t know. Her life was in New York, not here. She heard water running through the pipes and knew that Jackson was taking a cold shower. She could use one of those herself. But she didn’t move. She just didn’t have the energy. The morning would be time enough to shower.

The water cut off and she thought she heard his footsteps as he walked to his bedroom. Then there was silence. With her window wide open, she heard what she thought might be an owl. It was so quiet here compared to New York.

She yawned and closed her eyes. It had been a long, strange day.