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.
Chapter Eleven
Emerald stretched in bed, ignoring the slight aches and pains that rippled throughout her body. They were nothing compared to the pleasure that Jackson had given her last night.
Once again, he’d surprised her. She’d thought for certain they’d make love in the shower. Instead, he’d taken his time, washing every inch of her body, paying special attention to her breasts and between her thighs. She’d returned the attention, stroking his chest, cupping his testicles and wrapping her wet, soapy hand around his stirring erection. By the time he’d patted her dry with a fluffy white towel, she was so aroused she thought she’d scream.
Jackson had scooped her into his arms and carried her back to bed. Their first time in the barn had been quick and almost out of control. This time had been slow and measured. He’d taken his time, kissing and touching every part of her—her arms, neck, torso, hips, thighs and legs. No part of her had been missed.
Then he’d sheathed his cock with a condom and slowly eased into her waiting heat. With his arms braced on either side of her, he’d rocked them to completion. Her orgasm had been deeper and more satisfying than she’d expected.
Once they’d both recovered, Jackson had hauled her into his arms and tucked her against his chest, holding her as they drifted to sleep. She’d stirred once during the night, turning away from him. He’d followed her, wrapping one arm around her waist and cupping her breast. His other arm was tucked under her head. She’d been totally surrounded by him.
She was alone in bed now though. The sheets beside her were cool and the room seemed emptier somehow. Emerald rolled over and squinted at the light peeking in through the curtains. Groaning, she sat up, resting her elbows on her knees. The sheet slipped, but she barely noticed as she scrubbed the sleep from her eyes.
A quick glance at the old-fashioned wind-up alarm clock sitting on Jackson’s nightstand told her that she was already late. It was past eight o’clock. Jackson had probably been up and gone for hours. She’d been looking forward to having breakfast with him.
Shrugging, she scooted to the end of the bed and sat there taking inventory of her body. Yes, she ached, but she felt good too. Better than good. Already her body was beginning to thrum with energy. She glanced around, but there was no sign of her clothing. Wrapping the sheet around her, she padded downstairs.
A white sheet of paper sat in the center of the table and she stopped to read it. Sure enough, Jackson had left her a note. “Hope you slept well,” she read aloud. “You looked too peaceful to wake. Coffee is ready. Took lunch with me, so I’ll see you at supper.” He hadn’t even signed it. Yet she held it to her chest like some lovesick schoolgirl. Shaking her head at herself, she started to ball up the paper. The moment the sheet began to crinkle, she stopped, sighed and laid it on the table, smoothing it out. Then she folded it carefully and carried it into her bedroom.
Her clothing was folded neatly on the end of her bed, and she sent out a quick thank-you to him for remembering to bring them in from the barn. The last thing she wanted was Erin, Abel or Nathan finding them. Quickly, she tucked her note away in her nightstand drawer and picked up the clothing to dump them in the bathroom hamper.
As she sorted out her clothing, she made a mental note to make sure her bra was in the upstairs hamper and not under Jackson’s bed. She had no memory of what had happened to it last night. Speaking of underwear, hers were missing. They weren’t with her jeans and top. Not that they were of much use anymore. Jackson had ripped them from her body last night.
She shivered at the memory and her core began to throb. Groaning, she slammed the lid on the hamper. He’d probably just tossed them in the garbage, but she’d have to remember to ask him about them later. Right now, a quick shower was what she needed to clear her head. Then she’d get to work.
She had to change the sheets on Jackson’s bed. After that, she had to run the vacuum over the floors, clean the bathrooms and do a couple of loads of laundry. By then it should be lunchtime. Emerald wondered if Jackson was avoiding her, but decided against it. This was a working farm and this was a busy time of year for him.
She’d take her free time this afternoon and do some of her own work. The past few days, she’d had some ideas floating around in her head. It was time to see if they would translate on paper into a usable design. After that, she might seek out the swimming hole that Erin had told her about. From the feel of the air, it was going to be another hot and sticky day.
Jackson walked softly through the woods, his boots not making a sound on the ground. Stopping, he crouched slowly and raised the camera to his face. Peering through the lens, he framed the shot. He took several photos in quick succession as the robin made quick work of the worm that it held tight in its beak. It had been sitting on a large, flat boulder and if he got the shot he’d wanted, it was definitely one he could sell at the gallery.
Pleased, he stood and stretched. He should be working. Lord only knew there was plenty to be done, but after he’d eaten the sandwiches he’d packed for his lunch, he’d felt restless. Part of it was that he missed Emerald. He should have just gone back to the house for lunch, but he’d felt the need to spend some time alone to think about what had happened.
He hadn’t had many serious relationships in his lifetime. Working the farm and practically rearing his younger siblings had precluded that. While other young men had been going to college and sowing their wild oats, he’d been predicting crop yields and worrying about how to find the money for new sneakers for Erin and clothes for Nathan. Their father hadn’t cared so the job had fallen to him.
Not that he’d minded. He loved his brother and sister and the farm. Nothing was too much to sacrifice for them. He’d had his share of women. Usually, though, they had been the type of women who were only looking for a good time and not a lasting relationship.