N. Walters: Jackson’s Jewel

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.”