Emily blinked her eyes open in the dark of the room, aware that something was amiss. There was just enough ambient light from the city outside to identify a few things in her bedroom, but that wasn't what was amiss.

Her body throbbed. She could feel every heartbeat in her pelvic area. Oh, yes, Jackson had satisfied her well.

As soon as she thought his name she realized he was laying behind her, breathing deeply in sleep. Tears started in her eyes as she thought about everything they had done last night, and how he had cherished her. If she woke him she knew they would make love again. No, that wouldn't happen. She had work today. For the first time in a long time she thought about playing hooky, then discarded the idea. She had too much to do. With Chad and Lora's wedding coming up the company would already be making do without her for a few days. She couldn't afford to lose more time.

Her gaze moved down his sheet draped form, slowing at his groin area. He seemed to be semi-erect already. What was he dreaming about?

Emily wiggled from the bed and padded to use the bathroom, then she brushed her teeth. When she returned to the bed Jackson hadn't moved. Looking down at him she could see that he was still aroused, and her body responded. Her nipples puckered and her lower body loosened. Lifting the corner of the sheet she tossed it back, exposing his body to her gaze.

Jackson Windwalker had always been handsome to her, but years on the ranch had given his body a hard edge. His muscled body was lean and well-used. She could see scars from various injuries scattered across his skin. But his hardening length was what drew her gaze and made her palms reach for him. She ran a finger up his length, then brushed all of her fingers over the crown. Jackson drew in a startled breath, blinking awake. Immediately a grin spread his lips and he stretched his arms massively above his head, arching his back. Of course, that made his cock stand up as well, and Emily wrapped her hand around him. Jackson wrapped his own hand over hers and pushed his hips into their combined hold. It was very sexy.

Emily knelt on the bed, then spread her thighs over his legs. She didn't go straight for the penetration- that would be too easy. Jackson had teased her unmercifully last night and she planned on returning the favor.

She started by laying over top of him and kissing him deeply. His hands settled on her hips and tried to guide her, but she didn't let him. Lifting herself up a few inches, she let her nipples rub against his chest, exciting them both. The head of his cock was right at her entrance, but she didn't let him pull her down. Instead, she kissed her way south until she could press a kiss to the fleshy crown of his sex. Jackson groaned, his arms falling to the side.

Emily didn't want this to go too fast, but she had to have him in her mouth. Licking up his length, she pressed kisses to the veins on the underside, then even lower to his tight, heavy balls. Cradling them with one hand, she opened her mouth wide to take his penis in.

Emily's jaw ached at being open so wide, but that was just a minor aggravation. It was worth it to feel how very still he went beneath her touch, and to watch him clutch at the mattress with his heavy fists. His eyes squeezed shut and his jaw clenched. Emily hadn't even moved much, but she could taste salty precum.

Jackson was on the edge and it had only taken her seconds.

Drawing her mouth up, she licked around the hard edge of his crown, and he flexed against her touch. She swirled her tongue in circles, then swallowed his length as deep as she could before drawing back up. Jackson gasped as she sped up the movement, his body moving spasmodically beneath her. Then, abruptly, she pulled away.

Emily's clit throbbed, needing attention as bad as his dick did. Levering herself over top of him she positioned their hips together, but didn't let him slide into her like he wanted. Instead, she hovered over top of him, just close enough that the head of his cock breached her wetness, but no further. Emily teased him like this as long as she could, the sweet agony of anticipation building until they were both gasping and squirming. With a final kiss against his lips, she took him inside her body. The sudden breadth stretching her and the depth of his penetration pushed her right to the edge. Bracing her hands on his chest she started to grind back and forth, release just seconds away. Then Jackson took her hips in his hands and braced himself up against her.

The orgasm struck them both at the same time. Everything fell away as their bodies found the pleasure they'd been putting off. Emily collapsed onto Jackson's chest, panting, her body slick with sweat. But she was happy. And satisfied. She couldn't ever remember feeling this complete.

---

Holt grinned when Jackson walked into the barn and tipped his hat back onto his head, considering. "You look like you were ridden hard, buddy."

Jackson grinned and shrugged lightly. "What can I say?"

Not much, considering he was wearing the same clothes he'd left in the previous afternoon. He didn't care, though. The important fact was that he and Emily had reconnected.

She'd dragged her feet as she'd gotten ready for work this morning and he could tell she was waiting for him to ask her to stay home. He'd sworn to himself though that he wasn't going to affect her career with his presence, so he kept his mouth shut. When the taxi arrived to drive him to Holt's, he'd kissed her deeply, then left her standing there wanting more.

It was all part of his master plan.

Emily had seemed a little put out when he didn't make plans to see her again, but Jackson had forced himself to leave, blowing her a kiss as he shut the door.

Now he was going to give her the space they'd originally settled on. If she wanted to see him in a couple of days he would go happily. If she didn't text him he would be very put out.

"Let me get cleaned up and I'll get Montana out."

Holt waved a hand. "I'm not worried about it. Do what you need to do, Jackson."

Actually, even those plans went out the window. When he stepped from the shower and dressed, he saw there was a new message on his phone. Gary's lawyer had the paperwork ready and when did he want to meet?

By three o'clock that afternoon the ranch that Gary had worked all of his life to build belonged to Jackson Windwalker. There was a jumble of keys in his pocket to prove it.

As he looked at the paperwork in his hand, a sense of elation filled his heart. His grandmother had told him he would always be nothing, but this proved her wrong. Jackson was bursting with excitement and he wanted to shout it on the street, but the average person just wouldn't understand.

Emily was the one he wanted to see, and in spite of his promise not to contact her first, he pulled out his phone.

Emily had texted him. Laughing at the fortuity of fate, Jackson opened the message.

Dinner, tonight. Pick me up at seven.

Can I pick you up sooner? I have something to talk to you about

530?

Perfect

---

Emily frowned down at the message. Why would he want to talk to her before dinner? Wouldn't at dinner be enough? Maybe what he had to tell her would aggravate her or piss her off, and he was assuming they wouldn't even make dinner.

Was he leaving?

She didn't like the shaft of fear that went through her at the thought. No, Jackson wouldn't do that to her, draw her close then leave her. But he'd been gone from the Blue Star for a while. He'd mentioned at dinner working with Holt's horse for the past week and a half. So, had he been here for two weeks? Had he been investigating Neil all that time?

Emily hated feeling in the dark about anything. Glancing at her watch, she saw she had at least an hour before she could leave work without arousing too much suspicion. Already today she'd gotten some odd looks for gazing off into space, something she hardly ever did. Her assistant Mackenzie had caught her doodling a couple of times, something else she didn't do when she had a full list of tasks like she did today.

Thoughts of Jackson plagued her until she couldn't think of anything else.

Riding him that last morning had been epic. Her body still flushed with heat every time she thought about it.

Just before five she headed to her apartment a few blocks away from her office. She debated what to wear as she scrambled out of her work clothes. The same thing she'd planned to wear to dinner, she supposed. The spaghetti-strapped top was new and pretty, a splash of pinks and greens. It was especially sexy because she couldn’t wear a bra beneath it. And the shorts were short enough to be cool, but not expose too much skin. The brown leather sandals were favorites, lacing around her ankle and up her calf. It was a nice outfit for a date.

Her stomach jumped when she heard the knock on her door. He was early. Possibly as anxious as she was?

Emily opened her door, a broad smile on her face. But it died a quick, confused death as she found Neil on her doorstep. "Neil. What are you doing here?"

"Hello, Emily. I needed to see you. I hope you don't mind. Can I come in?"

Actually, she did mind, but what could she do?

"Okay. You can have a minute."

She didn't tell him Jackson would be there within a few minutes for their date. That would probably infuriate him. "Come on in and have a seat. Can I get you a bottle of water or anything?"

Neil blinked at her, as if not understanding the question, then nodded. Emily really looked at him and for the first time saw how rumpled he looked. Had Neil slept in those clothes? Grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge she returned to the living room. Neil sat on end of the couch, turned toward the center as if he expected her to sit beside him. Yeah, not happening. Deliberately she handed him the bottle then took the padded armchair to the left, tucking one ankle beneath the other leg.

Neil seemed out of sorts and he took a heavy swallow of water from the bottle, then he set it to the side. Neil twisted his fingers together, then scraped his palms together. Emily waited as patiently as she could while he got his thoughts in order, but she was beginning to lose patience.

"I wanted to apologize to you again for the way I behaved last week," he said finally. "It was reprehensible of me to put my hands on you and I'm sorry. I took a week to cool down like you said and I understand why you gave me the ring back."

"I didn't do it to hurt you, Neil," she said softly.

He nodded, glancing at her. "I realize that now. It's not something you would do. I was thrown for a loop, though, when I realized Windwalker had used me, and I took it out on you."

"It's okay, Neil. I understand."

Emily had a bad feeling about where this was going and she didn't want it to get there. "I don't think we..."

He held up a hand to stop her. "I took the cooling off period like you suggested, Emily and I want to talk to you about renewing our engagement. You were completely right to cancel it at the time," he told her, his words rushed. "But now that you've pointed out the issues I'll do my best to fix them. You are a kind, intelligent woman and you deserve to have a man that pays attention to you. I promise you I will do that."

Emily's cheeks burned as she thought about the way Jackson had taken care of her here in this very apartment, then she jerked her attention back to the train wreck at hand. "Neil, I have to tell you honestly, I don't think we were a good match to begin with. Whether I realized it or not, I was looking for someone to marry because of a deadline I felt I was under."

Neil was shaking his head. "I have to disagree, Emily. We were good together. You are a fascinating woman and I didn't cherish you the way you needed to be."

Fascinating? Really? Since when? The adjectives were getting out of hand. Emily looked at him, askance. "Neil, I think we need to chalk this up to a learning experience and move on."

Neil looked down at his hands, shaking his golden head. "My bosses like you, Emily. That is huge for me. They ask about you all the time. I told them you would be at a cookout this weekend, and I can't disappoint them."

Ah, and the truth comes out. Emily sighed wearily. "Neil, I liked your bosses as well and I'm sorry, but I won't go to a cookout with you."

His handsome face darkened and his fists clenched, and Emily felt a frisson of fear.

"I'm trying, Emily."

"I know you are. And I do appreciate that. But you and I are not going to get back together. We didn't do well together, and I think you realize that."

Neil shook his head and turned to stare at her, hard. "Why are you behaving like this, Emily?"

Ok, it was time for him to go. Emily stood from her chair and crossed the apartment to the door, swinging it open. Jackson stood on the other side, fist raised to knock. Emily was very glad to see him. She widened her eyes dramatically, trying to tell him to read between the lines. "Jackson. Neil was just leaving."

Neil loomed behind her and Emily was shocked at the change on his expression. He'd gone from just a little out of character to positively livid. He snarled at Jackson and Emily was shocked. Neil had been the epitome of the smooth, urbane businessman. This was so out of character for him.

"Seriously?" Neil snapped. "This is what you dumped me for? What does this Indian have that I don't?"

Emily looked up at Jackson and the calm, supportive smile he gave her. "He has a love for me that has never wavered."

Jackson's smile deepened and he winked at her. Emily could have kissed him then, but she needed to get rid of the third wheel. "You need to leave, Neil. I'm sorry I messed up your cookout but I won't change my mind. You need to move on with your life."

For a moment, she thought he was going to argue, but instead he stormed out of the apartment, slamming into Jackson's shoulder as he went. It would have had more effect if Jackson had actually moved with the contact, but Neil ended up ricocheting off of him and into the wall, ruining his great dramatic exit.

Jackson just shook his head at the man and stepped inside her apartment to lean down for a kiss.

There was something about kissing a cowboy that was like nothing else. Tall and rugged, they were hardworking and hard loving. Jackson's black hat shaded their faces as he kissed her hello, and it felt like a little, private bubble. Emily reached up to cup his neck as his tongue slipped between her lips. They kissed for several long minutes, and Emily was on the verge of dragging him to her bedroom when he finally pulled away. "Hello, Emily."

She grinned up into his expression. "Hello, Jackson. Have I ever told you what impeccable timing you have?"

"I know I do," he said smoothly, and Emily shuddered as she thought about the other night. Yea, he did know.

"So," she said, clearing her throat. "Where are we going?"

Jackson grinned, but didn't answer her as he backed out of the doorway. "Do you need to take anything with you? You look great, by the way."

Emily struck a playful pose as his eyes ran over her. "Thank you very much, sir. Let me get my bag and I'll be ready."

She didn't need much when she went out, just a few essentials. Grabbing her keys and bag she locked up the apartment. On the way out of the building she stopped to talk to the doorman and put Neil on the 'no admittance’ list. It made her a little sad that it had gotten to that point, but she'd hate to think what could have happened if Jackson hadn't been there.

Jackson's truck was parked outside, running with the AC on. He opened her door and handed her up into the vehicle. "Where are we going?"

Shrugging, he pressed a kiss to her lips and circled the vehicle to the driver's side. Once inside they headed west on I10, past Katy. Emily had no idea where they were going, but she decided to enjoy the ride. Sometimes being in the city all the time made you forget how pretty Texas actually was. Miles and miles of grassland sped by. Then, suddenly, Jackson was exiting the highway and heading south. Eventually, he turned in to a paved driveway. It needed to be resealed because there were a few potholes, but it wound through beautiful old growth oak trees. They parked in front of a huge three car garage, with what looked to be an apartment up top. To the right was a long brick ranch house that needed some upkeep. The gardens were overgrown and wild, and the windows looked like they needed to be replaced.

“This is very pretty. Whose house is this?"

Again, though, he didn't answer her, just helped her down out of the truck and led her around the back of the house. There was a brick patio in back shaded by another sprawling oak, and the patio looked down at acres and acres of fields dotted with horses. Some of the fences seemed saggy and in need of care, and there was a barn off to the left that needed some support, but it was a beautiful piece of property. There was a brand-new barn beyond the older one that seemed perfect, shining bright red in the sunlight. The grass on the fields waved as the wind blew and it was very picturesque.

"Do you know the owner?" she asked.

Jackson nodded. "I do. He's a decent guy. Didn’t had much of a home life growing up but he's done the best he could. Luckily a ranching family took him in and showed him what love was, so he knew what he wanted eventually. He found a girl to love, the rancher's daughter, actually, but she was a little stubborn and decided her path in life was to a city, where she got her degree and a high-powered job."

Emily grinned and turned to face Jackson. This story sounded a little familiar.

"The girl flourished there in the city for a long time, but something was lacking—the love of the boy their family had taken in. She searched for love in other places, but it just wasn't the same as what the boy had taught her years ago. So, when the boy came to see the girl in the city, he knew she was more important than anything else in his world, so he started looking for property around the city just to be near her."

Emily's eyes widened and she looked around, dazed. "You bought this?"

Jackson nodded. "You're the most important thing in my world. Didn't you hear the story?"

She laughed and nodded. "I did but it took me a minute to get up to speed. So, did the girl tell the boy she loved him?"

Jackson nodded. "In many different ways—the way she looked at him, the way she made love with him. Even though she didn't say the words, he could see in her pretty blue eyes how much he meant to her."

Emily's eyes filled with tears and she reached out to rest a hand on his chest. "I think we need to add on to that story." She paused, thinking. "When the boy finally convinced the girl that they would be happiest together, the girl felt very stupid for making them waste so much time, but she had to be sure."

He winked at her again and grinned. "I love it."

"I love you, Jackson. I am sorry that it took me so long to pull my head from my ass."

He gave her a funny look. "Not sure it was ever actually in your ass, but I will agree it took you a long time." He glanced around the property. "As of today, I own this. Think Brock will sell me some horses? Or maybe we can use this as a staging area for sales. I have a training barn, too."

She laughed a little shakily, the enormity of what he'd done finally sinking in. "Are you seriously breaking away from the Blue Star? What will they do without a foreman? What will Brock do without you?"

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "We'll work something out. I'd never stop working with your brother, but I am going to have to hand over the foreman reins to someone."

"You'd give up the Blue Star for me?" she asked, dazed.

"No," Jackson corrected. "I'd give up the Blue Star for us. You are more important to me than anything else, Emily. You need to realize that."

She was beginning to understand, but it was so huge, so incredibly massive. "I can't believe you moved to the city for me."

"Well, technically, I didn't, we’re not within the city limits here. But I'm a hell of a lot closer than I used to be, twenty-eight minutes away, to be exact. This property needs some renovation so maybe you'll let me stay in the apartment with you for a while. Then, when the house is done you'll be welcome to stay here."

She leaned back and gave him an odd look. "Welcome to stay here? That sounds odd. Why wouldn't your wife stay with you in your new house?"

His deep, incredibly blue eyes lit with pride. "Wife, huh?"

Blinking up at him innocently, she shrugged. "Well, I figure at some point you'll get around to asking me."

Immediately, he dropped down onto one knee and produced a black velvet box from somewhere. He cracked open the lid and Emily could have fainted at the sight of the diamond solitaire. She knew her mouth dropped open and tears started coursing down her cheeks, but there was nothing she could do about either of those things. Jackson looked up at her, smiling, as he held the ring out.

"Emily Lowell, I've loved you forever. Would you finally do me the honor of being my wife?"

Weeping, Emily nodded, gasping in air. "I would," she gasped, hand quivering as he pushed the ring onto her left ring finger.

Jackson stood up to cup her face and kiss her deeply. Emily quivered in his arms, emotionally wrung out but extremely happy. "I can't believe you did all this and didn't say anything. What if Neil and I had a great relationship and you tried to crash it?"

Smiling, he gave a single shake of his head. "I knew no one would be able to love you as much as I do. I had faith that things would work out, and they did."

She hadn't had faith, but he had slowly convinced her. "I love you, Jackson."

"I love you, Emily."