Page 40 of The Hardest Part

“Fuck. Me.”

“God, I’m all the way inside you, Em. It hurts some. I know.” His hands holding onto her hips, he thrust in and out of her. “You feel so damn good and I love you so damn much…fuck.”

And with the vibrator lost somewhere among the sheets, she pinched her clit hard, a spectrum of colors bursting behind her eyelids.

It was dark when Emily woke, entwined with Billy, naked, on the bed. She watched him sleep, stroking his skin, twirling his hair around her fingers. He blinked his gray eyes open, and she smiled.

“What time is it?”

“Almost ten.”

“Shit, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Billy sat up, scratching his head. “I should go before Miss Kim gets home.”

“It’s okay.” She reached for his hand, giggling. “We should probably get dressed, though.”

“Thank you.” He kissed her fingers.

“What on earth for?”

“Being you. Lovin’ me like ya do.” Letting go of her hand, he got up from the bed. “I know how lucky I am.”

I’m lucky, too, then.

“I just wanted you to know that.” Billy got dressed and sat back down beside her. “Now, give me a kiss goodnight and make it a good one.”

“You’re leaving?”

“I sure don’t wanna, but it’s best I do.”

She reached behind his neck, making him bend into her kiss. “I love you, William Gantry.”

“I love you, Emily Keough.” And he pressed his lips to her forehead. “Goodnight.”

Levi didn’t miss the look on his sisters’ faces. They’d long been looking forward to their arrival at Fort Bridger. Nothing but two crude, rough-hewn log houses, maybe forty feet in length, joined by a pen for horses. The post was a disappointment. Not nearly as well outfitted as Fort John had been, Laramie was almost luxurious in comparison, but at least they had a blacksmith here.

While the twins bore identical features, their temperaments couldn’t have been more opposite. Victoria, the elder by five minutes, as she often reminded them, always saw the cup as half full. Mary Alice would say it’s half empty. She’s the one he’d have to make see reason.

With Lucy and Fallon at his side, Walker preceded them into the trading post. Following suit, Levi held onto his sisters and led them inside. “Purchase what we need. I’m going to inquire about procuring some new oxen. The horses need shoeing, too.”

“I sincerely doubt this place has anything we need.” Her hand resting on a burlap grain sack, Mary Alice surveyed the wares on display and slowly shook her head.

“You’re a bit late, Missy. Weather’ll be turnin’ soon, so most travelers have already passed through.” Skin weathered, his cheekbones high and prominent, a rugged-looking man leanedover from behind a rudimentary counter. “Pickings might be slim, but we got provisions for ya. Cornmeal, beans, bacon, and the like. Where y’all headed?”

“California.”

The man responded with a quick burst of laughter until a warning glance from Walker silenced him.

Her chin held high, Mary Alice put the man in his place. “Do I amuse you, Mister, uh…?”

“Name’s Bridger. Jim Bridger,” he said, contrite, with a tip of his hat. “And no, ma’am, not at all.”

“I have a list, Mr. Bridger,” Victoria cut in, sliding it over to him on the counter. “I’d be much obliged if you could get these items ready for me.”

“I’ll do my best, Miss.”

Walker pulled him off to the side, leaving his daughters and Levi’s sisters to browse the goods on hand. “This is where you’ve got to set your course, son.”

“I’m aware of that, Josiah.”

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