Page 43 of The Hardest Part

One kiss. That’s all it took. Fingers sinking into the back of his neck, Emily gripped him tighter and slung her legs around his waist. Jake sat her on top of the island, and, pressing in even closer, his cock lurched in his jeans. Sweet essence from her tongue infused him, imprinting her in every cell of his body. Hebreathed her in, her breath giving him life as if he’d only been a shell of himself until now.

This girl. This amazing, beautiful, wondrous soul was the reason Everleigh Clary and her sister never had a chance, why his college years left him empty, and aching, and wanting. Hit with the fact that Emily made him whole in a way he couldn’t have comprehended before had him reeling.

It’s only a kiss.

Still, Jake could keenly imagine how completely lost in her he’d be once he touched every square inch of skin. Tasted her. Made love to her.

Jesus, he was fucked.

This is what put Levi on his path.

Why Matthew Brooks risked it all.

It’s what turned Tanner into a heartsick puppy and Kellan a feral dog.

Absolute love.

Just the thought of losing it could drive a man mad.

“I love you, Emily.” With her face nuzzled against his neck, Jake’s fingers sifted through her hair. “Happy birthday.”

The hardest part of his test was over now.

But for Billy, it was just beginning.

Holy hell, this man could kiss.

Her knees growing weak, Emily locked her legs around Jake’s waist and held on with her fucking life. It didn’t matter it was her lips he was kissing, his tongue exploring her mouth, she could feel that kiss everywhere—from the hairs on her head to the tingle in her pink-painted toes. With those fireflies stirring in her belly, her nipples throbbed and her pussy ached.

Only hours ago, she cried for his brother.

Billy came by before supper.

He stood on her porch. Wisps of hair blew around his face, sunlight catching in the dark chocolate strands, while he curled the fingers of one hand around the pinky of the other and twisted on repeat.

“I was hoping I’d get to see you.”Before it’s too late. Her arms twining around his neck, Emily nestled into him and inhaled the soothing familiarity of his scent.

His muscles tensing, Billy squeezed her, but then released her far too quickly for her liking. “Ain’t nothin’ could keep me away. You know that.”

“Still…” Emily tried to force a smile, rubbing her fingers over the place in his chest where his heart lay beating. “Come on in, and I’ll fix you some supper.”

“Can’t stay, baby,” he said, his lips pressed against her forehead. “Have to get over to the ranch for my shift, but I wanted to see you first and give you somethin’.”

“What is it?”

With the barest hint of a smile, Billy tipped his chin at the old, wooden rocking chair beside him. A bright pink box sat upon it, tied with ribbons in a rainbow of colors. “You can open it after I go.”

“Stay.”

“I can’t.” He gazed into her eyes, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “But the calving’ll be over soon. There’s gonna be a bonfire next weekend to celebrate.”

“It’s so fucked up.”

“What?” he asked, taking a step back.

I’ll be eighteen in a matter of hours, and then I can’t kiss you, or touch you, or anything…

“Last week we got a foot of snow, today it’s all but gone, and next week they’re throwing a damn party.”

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