Disbelief filled her, followed by acute betrayal as recognition hit her.
“You need me. If you’d done what I asked of you, I wouldn’t have had to do this.” He sounded perturbed more than anything.
Anger pushed out the disbelief and betrayal, filling her until nothing else existed. This man had ruined her life and threatened the people she loved. This was no nameless, faceless fan. This was a man she’d known all her life, a man who’d sat at her parents’ table for dinner many, many times.
The light came on so suddenly it blinded her. He was on her before she had a chance to react. The back of his hand hit her face, driving her head back into the wall with a sickening snap.
But she was beyond pain, beyond fear. If Jackson was hurt, he needed her and this man was standing between them. He was dressed as suavely as usual, his expensive suit immaculate, his imported shirt and tie crisp. But his hair was disheveled, his face darkened with soot and his eyes flat and cruel. How had she not seen this before?
Without a thought, she attacked. Bringing the knife up as she went. But he was quick and jerked to the side. Instead of hitting his heart, the blade sank into his shoulder. He howled with fury and hit her again. Emerald tumbled to the floor and he was on her in a second. His hands wrapped around her throat, his fingers squeezing the life out of her as he thumped her head against the floor.
“All you had to do was marry me and make a record. If you wanted to do it, your sisters would have fallen in line. What person doesn’t want fame and fortune? I would have made millions and the old man would have gotten off my back for once. Was it too much to ask for you to just do this one thing for me?”
Emerald clawed at his hands, trying to fight, but it was becoming impossible. He was literally choking her to death. The handle of the blade still stuck out from his shoulder and she used her last bit of strength to reach out and twist it. Yelling, he fell away from her.
Rolling to her side, she coughed and gasped for breath. Her lungs desperately pulled in air. He grabbed her by the hair and began pulling her toward the door. “You’re coming with me. It’s not too late. We can still make this work.” His voice was calm, almost conversational, as if he were asking her to join him for an afternoon tea.
She was dealing with a madman. There was no sanity left in his dark blue eyes.
“Let me go,” she managed to choke out.
He turned and looked down at her and shook his head. Blood seeped from the wound in his shoulder, but he didn’t even seem to notice. He straightened his tie with one hand, keeping the other securely tangled in her hair. “I can’t. We belong together. You’ll see.”
“What will your father say?” The words were barely a whisper, but his reaction was anything but.
He yanked on her hair, pulling her to her feet. “He will be pleased.” He dragged her head back so hard she thought her neck might snap.
She was running out of time. Clenching her hand into a fist, she drove it into his groin as hard as she could, just as Jackson had taught her. He dropped to the floor like a stone, dragging her with him. While he curled into a ball, groaning and crying, she grabbed his hand and pulled. She knew she’d left quite a bit of hair with him, but she didn’t care. She had to escape.
Crawling, she headed for the door. His hand gripped her ankle, yanking her back. Her head bounced off the floor and light exploded behind her eyes. The world seemed to dim and she struggled to remain conscious.
The click of a gun’s hammer being pulled back was as loud as an explosion. Emerald froze. “I’m sorry,” he said as he sat up and aimed the weapon at her. “But you’re not cooperating. This won’t work if you don’t cooperate.” He spoke to her as if she were a child who had been slightly naughty. Where were the police?
As if on cue, she could hear the sirens in the background.
“Bitch.” He struck her again. She felt her lip split. “You called the cops.”
“Of course I did.” She spat the blood away. “I didn’t know it was you.” If she could make him believe she might want to go with him, maybe she’d get a chance to overpower him.
He slowly stood and stared at her, his eyes suddenly sad. That frightened her more than his anger. “No. You won’t go with me.” Disappointment filled him. “Maybe you’re not the one. You were my first choice, but Sapphire would do just as well. They could sing as a duo instead of a group. Or maybe she could have a solo career. She’s young and beautiful enough.”
“Derek.” His name came out as a hoarse whisper, but he heard her. His head snapped down to meet her gaze. “It’s not going to happen.” Terror filled her as she thought about him going after one of her sisters.
“Of course it will,” he continued calmly. “No one will know who did this.” He tilted his head to one side as if considering something. “Maybe I’ll frame your old boyfriend, Beau. Or perhaps that interfering investigator you hired. I’ll console Sapphire over your death. It will be so sad, but the publicity it will bring to your family will push your parents’ records sales up. We can reissue their greatest hits album and add the new song that you and your sisters recorded for them. It was too good.” His finger tightened slowly on the trigger. “You owed it to me and to the world to share your talent. You thought yourself too good to sing, to let me represent you. I bet you’re sorry now.”
Emerald gathered her strength. Her only chance was to roll quickly and tackle him. “Derek.” She added a pleading note to her voice. The sirens were getting louder.
“Goodbye, Emerald.”
A shot rang out as she rolled to one side. She expected to feel the bite of the bullet somewhere in her body. Had he missed?
A roar filled the air as a huge body flew into the room, tackling Derek where he stood swaying and sending them both to the floor. Emerald dragged herself up onto her hands and knees just as Jackson sent Derek’s gun flying. Drawing back his fist, Jackson struck the other man in the face, over and over again. Blood flew as Jackson pummeled him.
Emerald forced herself to move. If he kept this up, he’d kill Derek and that would lead to another set of problems. Crawling toward him, she threw her arms around his shoulders. “Stop.” It was almost impossible for her to speak, but she managed. “Stop, Jackson, please.”
Jackson’s large body shuddered, but he stopped. Turning his back on Derek, he pulled her into his arms. “Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”
Unable to speak, she buried her face in his chest and shook her head. Jackson was safe. Her sisters were safe. She was safe. Nothing else mattered. The rest would heal in time.
Sirens blared, car doors slammed and footsteps pounded up the porch steps. “Holy shit,” someone said as they entered the kitchen. Emerald knew that the newly painted walls and floors were covered in blood.
Nathan was suddenly crouching in front of them. “Ambulance is on the way.” He turned to watch as several other deputies dealt with the unconscious man on the floor. “That him?”
Emerald nodded and lifted her head from Jackson to stare at her former friend. “Derek Locke.”
Nathan swore. “The son of your parents’ former manager?”
“Yes.” She looked away from him, not wanting to see his face again.
“The barn is gone, but they should be able to keep it from spreading.” Nathan glanced around. “Why don’t you both come on outside? We’ll sort this all out after you’ve both been to the hospital.” Nathan tried to help, but Jackson wouldn’t release his hold on her.
Staggering to the porch, he dropped into one of the chairs. One of the deputies brought them a blanket and Jackson wrapped it around her. She hadn’t even realized she’d been shivering. “Your poor face.” He feathered his fingers over her cheeks.
“It doesn’t matter.” She burrowed closer to him, desperate for his heat. “I thought he’d killed you.” Her teeth were chattering now. “I couldn’t have borne that.”
“He tried, but I don’t kill easy.” Holding her close in his arms, they both watched the ba
rn burn as the volunteer firefighters worked to keep it from spreading. Not two minutes later, the first drop of rain hit the ground and then another. The skies suddenly opened up and began to send a steady shower to the ground. The summer heat wave was over as suddenly as it had begun. The parched dirt began to soak up the moisture. Emerald shivered. Summer was over.
When the ambulance arrived, Jackson carried her to the back and climbed inside with her still tight in his embrace.
Chapter Nineteen
It was a very different scene a few days later when Emerald got out of her car and stared at the blackened remains of the barn. Her life had changed irrevocably, but the world still moved on.
Jackson had stayed with her the first night, but then she’d felt him pulling away from her. He’d only had to stay overnight for observation and the next morning he was gone, citing his need to be back on the farm. She understood it, truly she did. It was September and the harvest was now in full swing. Jackson was working day and night trying to pick up the pieces of his life.
The authorities had interviewed them both separately and the police back in New York had found all kinds of evidence of Derek’s obsession with her in his apartment. She’d demanded all the details, needing to know in order to cope with her ordeal.
Her parents and sisters had descended on the hospital the next day, creating quite a stir in Meadows. They were all staying at the B&B in town until she was well enough to leave.
Her mother had cried and hugged her; her father had stared at her with a sad look in his eyes that had her bursting into tears. He’d gathered her into his strong arms, telling her everything was all right even as he admonished her for not telling them about the stalker. Her sisters hovered, showering her with love and attention.
Her family had met Nathan, Carly, Erin and Abel, but Jackson was conspicuous by his absence. She made excuses, but she could see the questions in her parents’ and sisters’ eyes. Thankfully, none of them asked any. She wasn’t sure she’d have any answers.
Emerald was grateful that her car had been parked in the newer barn or it would have gone up in flames, and that Erin had been kind enough to collect it and drive it into town. Her new friend had figured that she might want her own transportation and Erin had been right.
This was one trip that Emerald insisted on making alone. She was hoping to see Jackson for herself and talk to him. She loved him and wanted to stay. But after what happened, she wasn’t sure how he felt. He’d been injured and almost killed, his home damaged, lost his barn, had his livelihood threatened and had been forced to almost kill a man. All for a woman he’d met only a few weeks before. She wouldn’t blame him if he couldn’t wait to see the last of her.
That’s why she was here.
She straightened her sundress, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles, and started toward the house. The screen door pushed open and Jackson stepped out. She stopped, just drinking in the sight of him. From the tip of his scuffed boots to the tips of his reddish-brown hair, he appeared even more ruggedly handsome than she remembered. He was wearing faded blue jeans and a T-shirt, which was his normal work wear, but he made it look incredible.
His sky-blue eyes narrowed as he examined her from head to toe. Her body tingled, her nipples tightened. If she’d been wearing panties, they would have been damp, but she was naked beneath the dress. It had a built-in bra and that was good enough. She had plans. She only hoped Jackson would cooperate.
Her heart was pounding, her palms sweating as she took a few steps closer to the house. It was ridiculous to feel nervous all of a sudden, but she was. These next few moments were crucial to the rest of her life.
“How are you feeling?” She shivered as his voice washed over her like a gentle caress.
She licked her dry lips. “I’m good. How about you?”
He stood there as still as a statue, his wide shoulders straining the seams of his shirt and the soft fabric of his jeans molded to the thick muscles in his thighs. “I’m fine.” His face showed no emotion as he continued to watch her.
“Do you have a minute to talk?” How polite they were. Watching them, you’d never know that they’d had hot, sweaty sex many times before. They were acting like strangers who’d just met.
“Sure.” He motioned her toward the porch swing.
Emerald wiped her hands on her skirt as she strode forward. Ever the gentleman, Jackson seated her first. He towered over her for a moment before lowering himself to the bench seat beside her.
She slid off her low-heeled sandals and pushed gently. The swing began to sway. With his eyes, Jackson tracked her bare feet and up her calves until they disappeared beneath the hem of her dress.
“What will happen with the barn?” There was a large blank space where the structure had stood.
“I’ll rebuild something smaller and more efficient. The old barn was too big and not very economical anyway.” He shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“Will your insurance cover it and all the equipment inside?” She knew he’d lost a tractor in the blaze and that kind of thing cost big money. She clenched her hands in her lap. The monetary aspect of things had worried her while she’d been laid up in hospital.
His lips thinned, and she could see the muscles in his jaw twitching as he clenched it tight. “Money is not a problem.” He glanced at his watch. “Is there anything else? I have to get back to work.”
Emerald’s stomach jerked. This was not going as she’d planned and now he was angry with her. Sighing, she took a deep breath and plunged forward. “What about us?”
His booted foot came down heavy on the porch as he stopped the swing from moving. He stared off into the distance, not looking at her. “What about us?”
A light breeze brushed her skin and teased the ends of her hair. A crow cried out as it pitched low in the air before swooping upward again. A bee buzzed as it went from flower to flower in the planter on the edge of the porch. Emerald wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. She swallowed the lump in her throat. “You’re going to pretend that nothing happened between us.”
Jackson swore and dragged his hands through his hair before swiveling on the swing to face her. “Damn it, Emerald. What do you want me to say? It was great. It was fun. But we both know that you have a life back in New York and the only reason you’re here is because of your stalker. That threat is gone now, so I guess it’s time for you to go home.”
Anger bubbled and boiled inside her. How dare he try to reduce what they’d shared together. “So it was fun, was it?”
“Yes, it was. Did you think it was more?” For the first time ever, she couldn’t get a read on Jackson. It was as if he’d closed himself off from her. She wasn’t having it.
“Silly of me if I did, isn’t it? If it was fun.” She put all the emphasis on the last word. “Then we should finish what we started in the bedroom the night of the barn fire.” With righteous fury guiding her, her fingers went to the buttons at the front of her dress and began sliding them from their holes. If it was a good time he wanted, she’d give him one he’d never forget.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” The dress was open to her waist, exposing her naked breasts. Turning suddenly, she threw her leg over his thighs, straddling him. His hands gripped her waist, holding her steady as she grabbed the sides of his head and yanked him closer. “I’m having fun.” She slammed her mouth down on his.
For a moment he didn’t move. The heat of embarrassment began to fill her. Oh God, she was making an absolute fool of herself. Then he groaned, his fingers tightening around her waist as he hauled her closer.
His lips ground against hers as he devoured her mouth. His tongue plunged past her teeth, tasting and stroking. Her hands slid from his head down to his broad shoulders. She wanted his shirt gone. Needed to feel his warm skin beneath her fingers.
Jerking the material up, they broke the kiss long enough for her to drag his shirt over his head and toss it aside. Jacks
on tangled his fingers in her hair, dragging her back down so he could nibble and lick at her mouth. She felt as if he were eating her alive. All her doubts disappeared beneath the growing heat. There was no denying the explosive connection that existed between them.
“Jackson,” she gasped his name when he trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses down her throat. He licked at her collarbone. Her thighs clenched around his. Her pussy was hot and wet, aching for him to fill it.
“You are so damn beautiful.” His voice was gruff and ragged as he tore at the remaining buttons on her dress. One of them clattered to the porch floor as he gave one final tug. The dress parted, exposing her totally to his view. Her breasts were heavy with desire, her nipples puckered into tight, rosy nubs. She took a deep breath and they swayed. Jackson cupped them in his hands and buried his face between them.
Emerald clutched at his shoulders, feeling the tenseness of his muscles. She arched forward, pressing her mound against the bulge in his jeans. They both moaned at the pressure. She did it again, undulating her hips in a pleasing rhythm.
“Emerald, you have to stop or I’m going to come in my pants.” Jackson was panting hard now, his chest rising and falling with each harsh breath.
“I don’t care,” she muttered. She was past caring. It had been days since she’d even laid eyes on him and she needed to touch him, to reconnect with him, to feel him beneath her hands. Part of her loved the fact that he seemed to be as vulnerable to her touch as she was to his.
He growled low in his throat as his lips latched on to one of her nipples, drawing it into his mouth as he began to suckle. Emerald cried out, dragging her hands down his chest, gently scraping his flat brown nipples with her nails. His entire body jerked and he tore his mouth from her body.
Reaching between them, he ripped open his jeans and shoved his underwear aside. His cock sprang forward, hot and ready. She grasped his shaft in her hands, pumping them up and down. The plum-shaped head was dark and engorged with blood. The veins that ran down the thick length pulsed against her palm, and as she pumped, a bead of whitish liquid seeped from the slit. She wanted to taste it but settled for spreading it over the tip with her thumb.
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