Emily went to work on Monday like she always did, but people seemed to notice that she was out of sorts. They left her alone for the most part which left her in a bit of a conundrum. She appreciated that they left her alone but it gave her too much time to think about Jackson.

He had looked delicious sitting in her chair in her living room. Though he wore western wear—jeans, snap-button shirt and black Stetson—he hadn't seemed out of place in her contemporary apartment. Quite the opposite in fact. He'd looked perfect in there.

Swinging her chair back and forth, she wondered what he would be willing to do to get her back. Basically, he'd chased off the competition already. Now what was left? Talking her back home.

No, that would never happen. As much as she loved the people in her life and loved the family there, she could never imagine moving back home, or even anywhere to Honeywell. She'd built a life here in Houston, one she was proud of.

At one time, she could envision settling down with Jackson and raising beautiful babies, but that had been a long time ago.

They would have had beautiful, wild-hearted babies with dark hair and blue eyes.

She looked at her phone. True to his word, he'd left her alone and she only had two days left before her deadline. Excitement tingled through her at the thought of what he would do if she didn't call him. As she'd gone through her days she'd found herself watching for his tall form on street corners and in the local coffee bar she frequented. And yes, she would admit to being a little disappointed when she hadn't seen him.

Jackson was doing what he'd said he would, though, leaving her alone to get herself together.

Kendra was loving the excitement. Every night she called hoping that Emily had something new to tell her, but Emily was still lost in her own indecision.

If he was going to stick around Houston, she'd think about a relationship, but there was no way she was going back to the Blue Star for more than a visit. She couldn't curtail her life like that. Right now, she had a thriving career, great friends and a solid future. If sometimes she was a little lonely, that was her issue, no one else's.

Cheyenne got back with her about the dresses and it had been a unanimous decision to go with the tea length with the lace capped sleeves. Shannon, the official Matron of Honor, would be wearing a dress just a bit different with a more decorative belt. She’d had her twins, bouncing baby boys, and was looking forward to standing at Lora's side. Emily made a note in her phone to get John and Shannon a baby gift for the boys.

When five o'clock rolled around she didn't linger like she normally did. Kendra was meeting her at the Pit Room for BBQ in an hour and she needed to run home and change. Luckily, she only lived a few blocks out so it wouldn't take her long to get there.

By the time she walked into the restaurant she was a little flushed and sweaty. Summer was on its way in a big way, and it took a while for all of the asphalt in the center of town to cool down, so she'd worn flat sandals and a swingy little blue summer dress. She'd also wound her thick hair up into a knot to get it off her neck. As soon as she walked in the door the cool air hit her on her nape and she sighed. Oh, yeah...

Kendra sat facing the door, her bright green eyes laughing as she took in Emily's flushed self. Kendra had put her long blonde hair up into a high ponytail, and she'd changed into a summery dress as well with spaghetti straps that made her boobs looks phenomenal.

"Woman, way to show off those puppies," Emily laughed as she took the chair across from her. There was already a water glass waiting for her so she took a healthy swallow.

Kendra arched her back and grinned, drawing looks from several of the men around them. "I know, right? I didn't mean to pick such a scandalous dress."

Emily knew she was being facetious. Kendra was fun and outgoing and would do almost anything for male attention, and she had the body to do it. Kendra also had one of the finest minds Emily had ever seen, and she had a clear vision for her art. Kendra was one of the most well-known photographers in Texas, if not the western half of the United States. For a long time, she'd done western landscapes and fauna, but recently she'd been doing more commercial work. When Emily had asked her about the change, Kendra had shrugged. 'More money,' she'd said simply.

Oh, she still wandered the state taking iconic photographs, but now she also did magazine spreads with models. She'd been hit on by every type of man under the sun, as well as some women, and still managed to keep her sense of humor.

"I think if you're looking for bones, a BBQ joint might be the place to find them," Emily murmured, tongue-in-cheek.

Kendra laughed and pointed a long, elegant finger at Emily. "You got it babe."

The waiter was there to take their drink order almost immediately, and returned with them just as quickly. Kendra knew what she wanted to order already so Emily scanned the menu quickly and chose something.

Once the waiter was gone, Kendra leaned forward on her elbows, her gaze direct. "So, what are you thinking right now?"

Emily sighed, leaning her arms on the table as well. "I'm not sure. I mean, what we had years ago was amazing. And I've never been tempted with anyone else. With the distance I've gotten from Neil I realize that he wasn't the one for me. I think I knew that long before Jackson started pushing though. It just took a while to sink into my thick skull." She gazed into her drink. "Jackson makes me feel ... everything."

Kendra's expression had turned soft. "I wish I could find something like that. I truly do. I'm envious of you, Emily. If you have a chance at happiness, why wouldn't you take it?"

"Because I don't want to forfeit my life here," she said firmly. "I'm not one of those women that automatically does what her man tells her to do and I would never be happy if he tried to make me move back to Honeywell. That world isn't big enough for me. I need challenge in my professional life and friends and things to do. I love ranch life, but I love this one more."

Kendra nodded. "I know you do and I would miss you desperately if you ever left."

The two of them had been fast friends for years. Kendra had been the first woman she'd met at college and they'd clicked immediately. They'd both been taking business classes, though Kendra had always been more free-spirited and fun than the usual business major. She had appealed to Emily because they'd come from very different backgrounds but they'd had so much in common. It was like she was a long-lost sister.

"Do you really think Jackson would make you leave?"

Emily shrugged, running her finger through the condensation on her water glass. "I'm not sure. He may just have an itch that needs scratched."

Kendra gave her a frowning look and Emily sighed. "I know. That's not really fair to him. Honestly, there are a bunch of women back home that would scratch any itch Jackson had."

"You should hand him off to them, then and be done with it. Why go through all this stress? You don't need it." She looked at the men seated around them. "There are plenty of fish in the sea."

Emily knew Kendra was trying to get her to make a decision, but she couldn't. Jackson was one of those men that was a force unto himself. When he walked into a room people looked up and stared. His natural reserve gave him a sense of mystery that was like honey to bears when it came to women.

But to her? He would always be the kind-hearted, damaged boy who had loved her all those years ago.

"If he's willing to come see me here I would think about a relationship," she said eventually. "I won't subvert my life for his, though."

Kendra nodded, a gentle smile on her lips. "I thought you would say that. And I think you're making the right decision."

Kendra waved at someone beyond Emily's shoulder, and her stomach sank like a rock. "What did you do, Kendra?"

Her friend smiled and winked. "Nothing I hope you wouldn't do for me if the situation arose."

Kendra stood up from her chair as Jackson stopped beside their table, looking delectable in jeans and a bright white chambray shirt. He held his black hat in his hand, and his eyes were cautious as he glanced at Emily. Jackson was with another man, just as tall and good-looking but with short, walnut colored hair and chocolatey warm brown eyes. The man held out his hand to Emily.

"I'm Holt Martin, a friend of your brother's."

The name sounded familiar and Emily nodded her head. "I remember. Brock speaks highly of you. It's a pleasure to meet you. This is my conniving friend Kendra."

They all chuckled and Kendra shrugged and grinned.

"Join us, boys," Kendra told them.

Jackson ended up on Emily's left. Looking at her a little shamefaced, he leaned over to whisper in her ear. "If you don't want us to be here I'll take Holt out right now."

Emily shook her head and drew him in, the scent of his breath and the way his dark lashes curled from his deep indigo eyes. It had only been a few days since she'd seen him, but her body hummed with tension. "You can join us."

Then she forced herself to sit back in the chair.

She looked at Kendra pointedly. "I didn't realize you knew Jackson. Or had his phone number."

Her friend smiled coyly. "You gave it to me last year in case of emergencies. Remember? He was on that list with your family."

Emily scowled, realizing she'd trapped herself. "That didn't mean you had permission to call him," she grumbled.

The waiter returned to their table to take the men's orders. "I'll try to get them out about the same time," the young man promised.

Emily wasn't concerned. Her appetite had vanished when Jackson had appeared. Now she only felt nervy, her tummy fluttering with butterflies. Though she'd known Jackson for so many years, the situation had suddenly changed. Now that she'd decided to explore a relationship, their entire dynamic had taken on more weight.

Not that he knew that yet. Technically she still had a couple of days to get in touch with him.

Taking a deep breath, she leaned back in the chair. This didn't have to be awkward. As long as Jackson restrained himself from touching her beneath the table they would be okay.

He did worse than that. He didn't touch her at all.

Emily was confused. Less than a week ago he was telling her that he'd come to Houston for her, and now he refused to touch her once through the entire dinner. Wait a minute, she scolded herself. You asked him to lay off, and that was exactly what he’s doing.

She didn't know that it would leave her aching, craving the merest brush of his fingers. Jackson looked at her with heated arousal in his eyes, but went out of his way not to even brush her skin. It was a little ridiculous. Several times she looked up and his gaze was burning over her. She could almost feel him stroking a finger down her chest to her breasts. In his expression, she could see what he wanted to do, and she wanted it as well.

Holt and Kendra seemed to carry the conversation, because they had a good bit in common. Emily had seen that look in Kendra's eyes, though, and she could tell that her friend was just flirting on the surface. When the food came they continued to talk about the Houston social scene, then the horse social scene. Emily learned that Jackson had trained a horse for Holt in exchange for room and board. She laughed and shook her head.

"Sounds like something Brock would do."

"Hey," Holt said. "I got the better end of the deal, believe me. Just having this cat on his back has raised the animal's value. Now that he's been trained by Jackson Windwalker, he's pretty much doubled in value."

"I don't know about that," Jackson murmured.

"I do know about that," Holt said firmly. "You can stay as long as you want as long as you train my horses."

Jackson laughed and the mood shifted.

They finished their dinner then indulged in some of the restaurant's famous ice cream cookies. Emily had the caramel banana and Jackson had the white chocolate macadamia. Kendra had the chocolate chip cookie and split it with Holt. If she wasn't so familiar with Kendra's behaviors she would think they were hitting it off. Emily really hoped Holt realized he was striking out, she thought with an internal giggle.

Holt grabbed the check before anyone else could. "It has been my pleasure to join you."

As they walked out of the cool restaurant and into the heat of the city, Emily thought she felt the brush of Jackson's fingers along her back but when she glanced behind, his hands were shoved into his jeans pockets. Emily found herself wishing he would touch her.

Holt had driven a huge maroon four-door dually into the city and offered to give them a ride home. Emily found herself reluctant to part ways with them, so she agreed. She climbed into the back seat, right behind Jackson. Since she lived only a few blocks away so she was the first stop. Holt pulled the truck to the curb and waited while Jackson got out of the vehicle to open her door. She smiled, her heart warming. Jackson would always make sure the woman was taken care of.

Her cheeks warmed as she thought about other things he had made sure she did first.

Jackson leaned into the passenger side window. "Holt, can you swing back by after you drop Kendra off? I know it's out of your way."

Holt waved a hand, a sly grin spreading across his lips. "I need to get fuel and stop by a drugstore, anyway. I'll be back in an hour."

Jackson turned his gaze to her friend. "Thank you for the dinner invite, Kendra."

"No problem, Jackson. Take care of my girl. Emily, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Emily waved but didn't really look at her because Jackson had taken her attention. He stood directly in front of her, gaze intense, hands at his sides. Neither noticed as the truck pulled away. "What did you think of, just now when you got out? What put that look on your face?"

Emily cleared her throat and tried to look away, but Jackson caught her chin with a finger. Her eyes darted around, looking at the people on the street. There actually weren't that many, but she was embarrassed anyway. "Nothing."

He tilted his head, the shade of his cowboy hat falling over her face. "I don't think it was nothing, Emily. Tell me."

Sighing, she pulled her chin away. "The other night Neil wouldn't even get out to open my car door. It was one of the things on my list when we broke up."

Jackson narrowed his eyes and shook his head. "I don't think that would be enough to make you blush. Tell me the truth, Emily."

She blinked, scowling, but knew she was going to give in. "It's just your way to always make sure I go first."

The heat in her cheeks flared again and Jackson chuckled, understanding settling into his expression. "Oh, Emily. If you had any idea of the rush of pure heat you just sent through my body, you'd be running for the hills."

They stared at each other for a long moment before she turned for the door. She was very conscious of him following her into the elevator and up to her floor, then down the hallway to her door. As she unlocked it, she could feel the heat of his body behind her, but it wasn't the uncomfortable sticky Houston heat. This was a heat to warm you on a cold night, the kind of heat that would spark in spite of all of the hardships in front of it. This was the determined heat of a man intent on a woman. And the responding heat of a woman that had been aroused beyond reason.

Emily didn't know what to do. Her body had gone liquid, but it seemed wrong to just give in. She'd fought against him for so long, in spite of the need in her heart. If she capitulated now what would it do to their relationship, or did it even matter? Were they just destined to be together?

Emily disappeared into the kitchen and pulled two large glasses of ice water. Jackson came in behind her and she handed him the glass.

Looking up at him, her heart thudded in her chest. She’d had a crush on him ever since she’d been eleven years old. When their relationship had blossomed while she was in high school, she couldn't imagine anything better. And now she had a chance to expand on it even more. Jackson Windwalker was a man any woman would be proud to have.

So why was she fighting it?

"So, our schedule has changed," she said slowly. "Now that we've had dinner, what's the next step?"

Jackson's lips twitched. "Well, I was hoping I would get to kiss you good night after we had our dinner. Would that be acceptable?"

Before she could change her mind, she nodded yes, her breath coming faster. Jackson seemed intent on making her beg for his mouth, though, because he took his time. Dropping his hat to the marble island behind her, Jackson braced his arms around her body, pushing her back against the counter. Emily couldn’t seem to draw enough oxygen onto her lungs and her panting was causing her breasts to bounce. Jackson looked down the line of her chest and Emily could almost feel her breasts growing, hardening, beneath his gaze. What the hell was he waiting for?

"This has to be your decision, Emily."

Ah, ok.

Lifting her face, she brushed her lips against his, then back again. Goosebumps chased across her skin as she reached up to stroke the line of his jaw with her fingertips. He had shaved recently because his skin was butter smooth, and she couldn't resist brushing her fingers over his cheeks and the straight blade of his nose. Then she circled his neck with her hand so that she could bury her fingers into his thick hair. It was bound into a braid, but there was enough room to run her fingers along his scalp.

Jackson groaned when she scraped her nails against his skin and she felt a shudder roll through him. Then he was cupping her head in his hands and angling his mouth across hers. Emily lost herself in the taste of him, the feel of him. In a way, it was as familiar to her as breathing. Jackson had been her first lover and he had taught her to be the woman she was now.

His hand cupped her breast, a nail scraping her nipple. Then he rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger, plucking it like a berry through the thin fabric of her top. Emily braced her hands on Jackson's chest, wondering how she could have even considered marrying Neil. He hadn't made her feel even a fraction of what Jackson made her feel.

Then she realized she was lagging behind. She unsnapped the top button of Jackson's white shirt, finding the crisp black hair there. He wasn't an especially hairy man, just a bit on the chest leading in a trail to the heavier bit around the groin.

Her breathing stuttered in her chest as she thought about exploring down that trail of hair. He'd been everything she could have hoped for as a lover. More, actually.

What the hell.

Emily cupped Jackson in her palm, moving her fingers over his length. Growling, Jackson arched into her touch, wedging her hand between their bodies. Then he buried his tongue into her mouth, showing her exactly what he wanted to do to her.

Suddenly he drew back, shaking his head. "This wasn't how this was supposed to go. I wasn't going to rush you. I was going to give you time to get over your breakup and get used to me being around."

Emily growled, feeling bereft though he'd only pulled away a few inches, just enough to put some space between them. "I don't need time. I know I'm over Neil. I don't think I was ever under him."

Jackson's indigo eyes hardened as his gaze swung to her. "You better not have been," he growled, clutching her shoulders in his hands. He kissed her furiously, letting her know that even though it was a turn of phrase, he didn't appreciate the thought of her with Neil. Emily returned his kiss with softness and need, and his touch gentled. "I'm sorry," he whispered into her mouth. "I just can't..."

She covered his lips with her own, shaking her head. "Don't think about it," she told him.

Reaching out she unsnapped more buttons down his front till both halves of his shirt hung open. She pushed the fabric off his broad shoulders, pausing to run her hands over his bunched deltoids, then down his biceps. Her fingers spanned half his arm. That was all.

The white tank top he wore delineated his size rather than covered. Emily wished she could take a picture of him like this, because it was how she remembered him so many times over the years. The over-shirt would get to be too much in the heat so he would strip down to his undershirt. All the time. And the white fabric contrasted sharply—beautifully—with his burnt copper skin.

Again, she reached out, this time to his belt buckle. Jackson gasped as she tugged the two halves apart, then started on his fly. Stilling her hands with his own, he brought them to his mouth to kiss her fingers. It took him a moment to speak and she could feel the faint tremor in his hands. "You are everything good and beautiful in my world, Emily. I don't want to screw this up by being too impatient. I've waited eleven years for you. I can wait a few more days or weeks."

Her throat tightened as his words sank in. Eleven years? "No," she breathed. "Please tell me you've been with someone in the past eleven years."

Jackson smiled a little crookedly. "I knew you'd be back in my arms eventually."

Blinking through the sudden rush of moisture in her eyes, Emily leaned forward to wrap his neck in her arms. All over again she saw why Jackson was the most incredible man she'd ever met. No one else would have denied themselves that way. "Why?"

He shrugged lightly. "No one else appealed to me. I knew I still loved you, even if you didn't love me. I was willing to wait for you to see me again. I had hoped that with all the wedding stuff going on you'd realize what you were missing out on."

She laughed, even as tears rolled down her cheeks. Jackson was too good of a man for her. How could she have not seen how devoted he was to her?

"I'm so sorry, Jackson."

"No more apologies. They aren't necessary. I knew what I was doing."

Emily leaned her forehead against his solid chest. He truly was the rock in her life, just like he'd said. "You're going to make me love you again, aren't you?"

He chuckled against her and rocked her back and forth a bit. "Absolutely."

Emily ached, both in heart and body. She shifted her hips. Her thighs were soaked because of him and arousal still rode her, in spite of the emotion she was dealing with. "I don't think I can let you go out of here without something, Jackson. I'm aching. And wet."

She prayed that he remembered what he told her in the barn at the wedding shower. Apparently, he did because there was a flash of his bright smile as he leaned down enough to nibble at her neck. His right hand skimmed down her side, then her hip and thigh. There, clutching the fabric of her dress in his fist, he lifted it until he could touch the smooth skin beneath.

It was strange what anticipation could do to a body. Emily flushed with a heat so hot it felt cold, like sitting on burning leather in the summertime and getting a shudder. Years past, they had played like this a lot before they went all the way. He would stroke her to orgasm with a single finger, then he would bury himself inside her, clutching her to him like he would shatter without her.

And now, all these years later, as his hand glided over her skin toward her wet curls, the sensations were the same. Excitement, anxiety, fear they were going to be caught, yet a desire so hard that it couldn't be denied. She had to have him.

Jackson's broad finger brushed against the gusset of her panties, and Emily stilled, praying he would delve deeper. Instead he brushed just the merest tip of his finger against her over-sensitized skin. The cotton of her panties had dampened with her arousal.

Emily broadened her stance to make it easier for him to reach her, but she needn't have worried. Jackson was adept at teasing her any way he could. It was worth the journey, though, because he also gave her the most amazing pleasure. Even as she thought it his broad finger burrowed into her wet heat from the side of the fabric.

"Oh, Em. You are drenched."

She shuddered as his finger made a bold sweep through her wetness, leaving her throbbing. Emily tightened her muscles, encouraging the feeling, then he glided through again. And again. Faster and faster. His other hand cupped her opposite breast, rolling her nipple as he breathed kisses against the shell of her ear. Then that finger glided deeper and the breadth of his hand gripped her entire sex. His palm pressed against her swollen clit, circling. With a startled cry Emily lost herself in orgasm. Her knees went out from beneath her as pleasure rocked her. Her head rolled back on her neck and her world spun.

When she could finally open her eyes, Jackson stood before her, broad face dark with arousal and his words came back to her. Eleven years he had waited for her. Eleven years of need and denial.

Emily ripped her dress up over her head and tossed it away. Her panties were drenched, though, and tangled on her thighs. With a grunt, Jackson ripped them from her hips, then, looking down the line of her body he cupped her ass in his hands and lifted her up onto the marble island.

Emily's body had rounded with maturity, and Jackson seemed unable to look away from her. "You are the beauty of a dewy sunrise to me, Em," he told her, as if he'd heard her anxieties in his mind.

Emily kissed him, open-mouthed and hungry. Her legs wrapped around his hips, pulling him close so that her hands could go back to the fly of his jeans. Jackson cupped and thumbed her jiggling breasts as she worked, totally distracting her. Though he'd taken the edge off with the first orgasm, she needed more. They both did.

When she finally found his erection, she could have cried knowing that relief was so near. Jackson stilled at her touch, then arched into her grip with a gasp. The jeans were still in the way though. Leaving his tempting length, she ran her hands around his waist to his ass, pushing the blue jeans and boxers down as much as she could. Then, using her legs again she pulled him close. His teeth were clenched as if he were fighting an internal battle.

“Get rid of this,” she demanded, tugging at the tank top.

Without a word Jackson ripped the thin cotton over his head and tossed it away. For the first time in years Emily had an unobstructed view of his hard body. It was everything she dreamed of and more. The years had hardened the muscles and given him a little more hair around the brown disks of his nipples. She brushed her fingers over his pectoral muscles and looked down.

Jackson's cock was a beautiful thing, straining toward her as if it had an awareness of its own. And neither of them seemed unable to deny their need. Moving close, Jackson rested the head of his cock at her sodden opening. Fisting himself with one hand, veins straining in his arms, he moved the head up and down through her wetness. He'd forced Emily to find release like this before, but she didn't think he had the control to do it right now. She'd seen the pearls of excitement on his cock before he'd buried it in her curls, and she didn't want to deny him any longer.

Rocking her hips closer to the edge of the island, she looked up into his eyes. "I want you inside me, Jackson."

With both hands gripping her ass, he joined them in one hard thrust. Emily cried out, her body expanding to accommodate his. It had been a long time since they'd done this, but their bodies remembered. Thrusting hard, Jackson curled into her body, then retreated slowly. Emily gasped with the thrusts, because he seemed incapable of tempering his need. She could feel it building in him, and his desperation spurred her own. Another orgasm was building.

Bracing her arms behind her, Emily wedged her hips into his thrusts that much harder.

Jackson cried out, pulling her to him desperately to meet his thrusts.

Oh, yeah... right there... oh, fuck...

Emily's entire body shattered with her release, or at least that's what it felt like. Until Jackson came deep inside her, his hot warmth spreading through her lower body. With a lusty shout, he buried his face into her neck, clutching at her to stay on his feet. Instinctively, Emily wrapped her arms and legs around him as his body shuddered and contracted as hard and as long as hers had.

Emily lost her sense of time as they held each other, wedged awkwardly across the expanse of marble. Jackson found his legs first and straightened, but he didn't pull from her. Instead he helped her straighten, then lifted her off the counter, her thighs still clutched around his hips. Emily giggled as he shuffled out of the kitchen, jeans around his ankles, muscles straining as he kept their balance.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, loving the feel of him wedged inside and against her.

"I'm not done," he told her softly.

Incredibly he seemed to be staying hard inside her. Didn't it normally take men at least ten minutes to recover, or something like that? Emily tightened her pelvic muscles and he staggered to a stop. "Do that again," he demanded. She did, wriggling her hips, and he shut his eyes, savoring. Then, blinking, he continued on to the bedroom. Finally separating their bodies, he dropped her to the bed unceremoniously. Emily let out a cry as she was suddenly bereft of his touch.

Jackson paused to look at her with her thighs spread wide and wet. "You are so beautiful to me."

Then he kicked off his boots and shucked his jeans and boxers. By the time he crawled over top of her he was achingly hard again, and still wet from his first release. Emily reached down and encircled his length with her hand, thumb running over the slit in the crown. Jackson flexed in her hand and braced his hands on her spread knees.

"How long do we have before Holt comes back?" she asked, breathless.

"I don't know and I don't care," he told her savagely. "He can wait in the truck till next Monday for all I care."

Emily grinned, then gasped as he reached down to circle her clit with the pad of his thumb. With a few deliberate touches he had re-stoked her fire and she was as ready for him as the first time, squirming on the bed in time with his touches.

Jackson guided his cock into her depths and Emily gasped. This was a completely new feeling from before. Oh, damn he was going to go deep, this way. Bracing his hands over her head, Jackson looked down into her eyes as he plunged into her. His body moved sinuously, grinding against her clit as he rode her into the mattress. When his lids slid down over his eyes and his teeth gritted, she knew he was close.

Reaching between their bodies she stroked herself, gently. With the merest touch she found her release, which spurred his own. With a hard groan, he released himself into her, contracting hard over top of her until his arms gave out.

Their bodies continued to twitch and throb for several long minutes, but it was the most sublime feeling to be holding him in her arms again. At some point, she must have ripped his hair tie off, because his braid had come undone and his long black hair shrouded them.

Emily chuckled lightly. "Well, I think we took the edge off."

Jackson chuckled and pulled from her body, rolling to the side. "Yes, I think we did. You might have a few minutes to get cleaned up before I need you again."

Her eyes widened incredulously, and he nodded. "I'm nowhere near done with you, Emily Lowell."

---

Jackson loved the look in her eyes. She couldn't decide if he was telling the truth or not. In a few minutes he would show her exactly how serious he was. With a grin, she scrambled from the bed a padded barefoot to the bathroom. For a moment, he just looked at her true hourglass shape, her hips such a nice handful. There were red prints where his fingers had dug into her flesh to try to pull her closer.

The desperation had been more than he could control and he needed to make sure he hadn't hurt her. She'd come several times, he did know that, but he still needed to make sure she was okay with everything they'd done.

Emotionally she would probably be reeling, like he was. Sinking back onto the mattress he closed his eyes for a moment, just absorbing what had happened. Their relationship seemed to be back on track.

A little surge of excitement jolted through his heart. It had been a long time since he dared dream about being with Emily like he'd always wanted.

Sitting up he reached for his jeans on the floor and found his phone. He sent Holt a quick and succinct message to go on home and not to worry about giving him a ride.

Holt texted back 'lucky!' Jackson grinned. Yes, he was a lucky man.

Jackson glanced around Emily's bedroom, curious about what she treasured. There were books, of course. More than he’d probably read in his life. There was a picture of she and her siblings sitting horseback at a round-up, it looked like. There was a jewelry box and something that looked like an iron-limbed tree that she'd hung necklaces from. There were several figurines and on a high shelf was a horse that looked familiar. Years ago, Emily had had an old black mustang named Queen. The horse had latched onto Emily for some reason, maybe just because she sensed her sympathetic heart. Anyway, Queen had never been much of a cattle horse, but Emily had ridden her for miles and miles and miles. Their midnight rides had started with Queen because she broke out so often and Emily would ride her home in the dark.

Queen had been too smart for her own good. One night she'd gotten into the feed room and eaten herself sick. The mare had developed a nasty colic and though Mustangs were normally very hardy, they hadn't been able to walk her out of it. The vet had come the next morning but it had been too late. They'd had to put her down to ease her suffering.

Emily had been inconsolable. She'd been fifteen or sixteen by then, old enough to understand the ways of a ranch, but she'd loved that flea bitten horse.

Jackson had gone to town with Garrett a few weeks later and seen the black plastic horse in the window of the five and dime. It had looked just like Queen, right down to the one white sock and the snip on her nose. Knowing that the universe had given him this gift to ease Emily's suffering, Jackson had bought the horse and given it to her that night. She'd bawled like a baby in his arms.

The fact that she still had the cheap plastic meant a lot to him.

As he looked around the room he realized there were several little things he was connected to. There was the quarter-sized piece of pyrite they'd found at the pond on one of their midnight rides, and there was the leather dressed doll he'd made her as a joke one year for her birthday. His heart warmed that she'd kept them all.

Turning for the bathroom, he headed for the shower to join her.

Emily's thick, espresso dark hair was almost black under the water from the double shower heads. Rocking back and forth in the heat, she glanced at him as he came in, but didn't stop what she was doing. Jackson opened the door of the space and let himself in.

Emily turned to face him and her expression softened into a smile. Her makeup had started to bleed beneath her eyes, but Jackson thought her stunning. "You worked hard. I'm surprised you didn't doze off on the bed."

Jackson shook his head, leaning back into the stream of water. He hadn't planned to wash his hair tonight, but there was no way he could keep it dry in here. There was hot water coming at him from all directions. On the side of the shower there was a mounted teakwood fold down bench. Reaching one hand out she pushed the bench down, then pushed on his shoulders. He turned obediently and sank to the wood. Then her hands were working a lather into his hair from root to tip. Besides the sex they'd just had, it was one of the most pleasurable things he'd ever felt.

Grabbing a loofa, she worked a lather between her hands and started scrubbing his back. Jackson was overwhelmed with the care she showed him. It made his throat tighten with emotion. No one on earth had ever done this for him.

She urged him up and he stood under the water to rinse. Then, swinging his hair behind his shoulder, he pushed her down onto the bench, knelt and showed her the same love she had just given him. By the time they stepped out of the tiled enclosure, they were both relaxed and limber. Emily wrapped a towel around herself and smiled at him as he reached for his own. Slinging the towel around his hips he leaned his top half back into the shower stall to wring out his hair. It would take hours for it to dry naturally, but for now he just finger combed it back, tucking it behind his ears.

"I have a blow dryer if you need it."

Jackson shook his head. "I can deal with it later. I have other things to do right now."

She followed him as he tugged her into the bedroom, giggling as he bumped her onto the mattress. Then he crawled over top of her and gave her a probing, teasing kiss before he laid upon her, his head pillowed by her breasts. Emily shifted till she was comfortable, then cradled his head to her. Her fingers stroked his hair behind his ears.

"I hope you're ready for all this," Jackson told her softly.

"What do you mean, all this?"

"Me. Our relationship. I realize you just got out of one relationship but I'm not sure I can be content with anything less," he told her softly. "I tried to give you time."

"I know you did. And I appreciate that. But I think we've moved beyond it as well." She wriggled her hips beneath him.

Jackson tightened his arms around her, then reached out to lick her nipple, conveniently placed right beside his mouth.

Emily gasped and jerked, giggling as he teased her more. "You need to stop it," she cried, pushing at his shoulders.

Jackson was too big for her to move or affect, though, and he continued tasting her. Emily moaned at the assault, then softened into his touch. He drew her right breast deep into his mouth.

"Jackson," she moaned.

He shifted from her suddenly and moved down, his hands gripping her inner knees. Emily stilled as he spread her wide and settled between her legs. Jackson used his thumbs to open her beautiful, tender, private flesh, and swept the blade of his tongue up through her glistening folds. Emily cried out, shifting beneath him, but her body told him that she needed more, and Jackson was an expert on how to manipulate her body. With steady, full sweeps he found her natural hesitation point and pushed her right over it. Emily arched into his touch, then tried to get away, but he wouldn't let her. Even as her orgasm washed over her, he continued to lick, prolonging the pleasure until tears rolled down her cheeks. Squirming, she pushed at his head but he refused to move, lashing at her over and over again. Emily arched into his mouth over and over again, her body reveling in the pleasure he was giving her.

She was a quivering mess by the time he lifted his head. Emily let her legs fall to the mattress, helpless to keep them up without his help. Moving off the bed he pulled a sheet over top of her, then a light blanket. Emily smiled as he kissed her on the forehead, then climbed in behind her.

Jackson didn't fall asleep immediately, though his body would require rest soon. Instead, he listened to her breathe and felt the beat of her heart beneath his hand, which she'd cradled between her breasts.