N. Walters: Jackson’s Jewel

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 forward. 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.

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.