“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.
Chapter Twenty-One
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.
“God, you’re beautiful.” He breathed in her scent as he buried his face between her breasts. His hands molded to her ass, squeezing and caressing.
Emerald tugged at his T-shirt, pulling it over his head so that he had no choice but to release her long enough for her to drag it off. Her eyes were dark pools of chocolate brown, her lips wet and pink. He wanted to devour her, to eat her up from head to toe.
He needed her naked. Now. It only took him a second to undo her jeans and push them over her hips and thighs. When they bunched at her calves, he had her lift one foot at a time as he yanked off her socks and shoes before pulling off her jeans.
She was wearing a skimpy pair of panties that matched her bra. The thin scrap of fabric barely covered her mound. He knew a lot of women shaved themselves these days, but he liked the fact that she didn’t. He skimmed his fingers up the inside of her thighs, tracing the crease at the top. Emerald sucked in her breath and widened her stance. Her fingers tangled in his hair, drawing him closer.
His cock was so hard that it was almost painful as it pressed against the zipper of his jeans. His body was screaming at him to fuck her, but his mind wanted him to go slow, to arouse her to such a fevered pitch that she’d beg him to take her.
Growling as he tried to balance both sides of himself, he hooked his fingers in the edges of her panties and gave them a tug. They slid downward, exposing her pubic hair.
Jackson slid his arms around her waist as he kissed her stomach. He couldn’t get enough of touching her, needing to reassure himself that she was indeed real and not some figment of his overworked imagination.
Sitting back on his heels, he parted her sex with his thumbs, exposing the damp, pink flesh. Leaning forward, he licked up one side and down the other. Emerald gasped and then groaned, pushing her hips forward.
“You like that, do you?” He traced the slick folds with his fingers before licking them again.
“Yes,” she cried as her hips jerked.
Jackson pressed one finger inside her core. She was hot and wet and it was all for him. He thought he might come on the spot. His balls were heavy and tight, his shaft pulsing with hunger. He withdrew his finger, ignoring her cries of dismay and pushed two fingers past her tight opening.
She moaned, her nails digging into his scalp. “I need you. Jackson!”
Surging to his feet, he tumbled her back onto the bed. As she lay there wide-eyed and panting, he unlaced his boots and yanked them off. Quickly, he divested himself of his socks, jeans and underwear.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He’d spent too many long nights dreaming and fantasizing about her being here. “Spread your legs.” Kneeling up on the mattress, he watched her, unable to take his eyes from her.
Her legs parted, welcoming him. She held her arms out to him and he crawled forward, covering her with his body. He gripped his cock in his hand, guiding it to her opening. As he squeezed the bulbous head of his cock, he closed his eyes and groaned. If he weren’t careful, he’d come before he had a chance to get all the way inside her.
Emerald’s hair was spread across his pillows. Her mouth was open on a cry of need, her eyes wide and wild with desire. He took a deep breath and pushed a little further. Her hands fisted in his sheets as her legs came up to wrap around his waist, dragging him closer.
Planting his hands flat on the mattress by her head, he flexed his hips, thrusting forward until he was buried to the hilt. They were both gasping for breath now. Their lungs pumping in and out.