TITLE: SECRETS
AUTHOR: Jennifer Bates
FEEDBACK: Yes! Good or bad. purplehazejb@yahoo.com
RATING: R
MAIN CHARACTER/S: Jimmy/Lou
STATUS: Complete
DISCLAIMER:
By Jennifer Bates
She lay perfectly still, waiting for the others to fall asleep. A stifling heat surrounded her and she wasn't sure if it was caused by the weather or her own sensations growing deeper by the minute. Cautiously, she stole a furtive glance in his direction, in awe at the flawlessness of his handsome features. His eyes were closed already, his strong, muscular chest rose and fell, his lips parted slightly as he slept peacefully. Her fingers touched her own lips lightly, wondering how it would feel to kiss those tender lips of his. How would it feel to have him lying next to her, his naked body pressing intimately within her, those powerful, dangerous hands claiming her soul as his possession?
"Lou" a male voice whispered, jolting her from her silent reverie, "You awake?"
Louise sighed deeply; annoyed at the constant interruption from Kid each and every single time Jimmy crossed her mind. She hated to be chased after like a small child that needed protection and regular supervision. While she indeed loved Kid, sometimes she wished she'd chosen Jimmy instead. At least, he would know how to treat her like a woman and not a baby!
"What's on yer mind, Kid?
He leaned his head away from his bunk to gaze up at Louise, his eyes shining, a silly grin plastered across his face. Without words, she knew what he asked of her and tonight she wasn?t up to the challenge. Too many thoughts were swirling around her and she felt traitorous if she took her feelings for Jimmy out on Kid.
Attempting her best smile, she beamed at him, hoping that her rejection wouldn't wound his pride too badly.
"Sorry, Kid, I got a early run tomorrow," she apologized, her heart sinking as his face fell sadly.
"Yeah," he muttered, falling gently back onto the pillow.
Jimmy squirmed, turning his back on them and moaning in his sleep. Lou's face flushed warmly, her mind wondering if he made those sounds during..
"Goodnight, Lou," Kid mumbled, dejected at her refusal.
"Kid, I"ll make it up to ya, I promise," she offered, though her heart wasn't in it.
She received no answer and she felt guilty when the sounds of his snoring echoed faintly in the tiny room. She hadn't meant to make Kid feel unwanted, only she truly was exhausted. But, what if it were Jimmy that asked her to sleep with him instead? Would she so easily have turned him down? Louise decided not. Not ever!
"Ride safe, Lou," Kid said, his hand squeezing hers before she rode away.
"I'll see ya tomorrow night, Kid," Louise promised a second time, "Wait for me"
The light returned to her lover's eyes and he beamed a huge smile, nodding emphatically. She shook her head good-naturedly and urged the mare into a brisk sprint.
"Ha!"
At once, she was relieved to be alone, away from everyone, everyone except Jimmy. She wished he'd ridden the long way to Seneca with her. Who knows what might've happened since they always had to make camp on such a long run? Maybe it wasn't a total loss, they'd went on runs together before and there would be no reason now why Teaspoon wouldn't see fit to pair them up again. After all, as long as she kept quiet, she could enjoy Jimmy's company to her heart's content.
"What the hell?" she said to herself as she spotted the lone rider above her on the hill.
She stopped, trying to make out the identity of the man who sat staring at her atop his horse. She'd seen that same horse before, knew it as well as her own. Jimmy! But, what was he doing here and what on earth did he want? Instantly, Louise felt her heart lurch threefold, her hands gripping tightly to the saddle horn. This was too coincidental to be true!
Slowly, Jimmy maneuvered his way down the rocky incline toward Lou, his jaw set firmly. This couldn't be happening! He did not want to be traveling alone with Louise and if it hadn't been for Teaspoon, he would be snuggled up under the blankets and sound asleep by now. But, Teaspoon had informed him when he returned from Sweetwater that there had been some Indian trouble between Rock Creek and Seneca and, since the others had mysteriously disappeared, he was appointed to catch up to Lou and make sure nothing happened.
Louise avoided Jimmy's disgruntled expression, utterly confused by his sudden arrival. She wanted to ask his reasons but, with a face like that, she didn't press her luck and continued the journey in absolute silence. She was disheartened that Jimmy appeared frustrated at having to tag along with her. She'd hoped for an entirely different scene altogether. At no time, did she wish to intrude on his time alone, above all like this!
Finally, after about an hour, she couldn't stand his silence any longer and spoke up.
"Look, Jimmy, I didn't need a babysitter, I can handle things out here on my own," she muttered, not daring to look his way, "If ya wanna turn back now, it's all the same to me."
Jimmy glanced at Lou sideways from under the brim of his black hat, knowing that he should turn back and ride away right now because he definitely didn't trust himself to be alone with her all night. Ever since he'd found out Lou was, in reality, Louise, Jimmy hadn't been able to tear his eyes off her! How in hell could he have not noticed the soft, womanly curve of her hips, the slight protrusions of her breasts? And he called himself an educated man!
"Nope, Teaspoon's orders," he responded, swallowing hard at the thought of making camp soon.
Jimmy felt uneasy out here with her, with no one else around if he should decide to act on his wishes. Late at night, when everyone else appeared to be sleeping, he would watch her. She could never know the sensations that passed through him as he gazed at her lying there. How he wished for just one taste of her kiss, one touch of her delicate hand in places he would never mention to her. And he wondered how heavenly it would be to feel her whole body wrapped around him, joined together in an all consuming, shameless act of passion.
He knew she belonged with Kid, but she needed to be treated like the woman she was, not just another bunkmate. And Jimmy knew he could give Louise what she needed in so many ways! If only he had the chance to show her how it could really be between a man and woman, she would run from Kid and never leave Jimmy's side. Damn, but he loved her, too! Why didn't that matter as much?
She nodded once, her eyes never leaving the trail, fearing that if she looked at him that he might see through to the depths of her very soul and there would be no turning back for the both of them. If only Jimmy had wanted to go on this run and not been forced into doing so. If only he wanted to spend the night with her underneath the blanket of stars and no one else around for miles. If only.
"He did what?!" an angry Kid shouted, knocking over his chair as he stood.
"Teaspoon sent him with Lou to Seneca 'cuz there's trouble with the Sioux again, Kid," Cody explained, defending their mentor, "He doesn't know ya didn't want her to go. 'Sides, he promised ta treat us one and tha same when he found out Lou was a girl, 'member?"
Noah and Cody glanced nervously at one another. Jesse simply stared at his plate and Buck tugged on Kid's shirt, pulling him back down.
He'd been watching Louise when she thought he wasn't looking and he didn't like what he saw. For some unknown reason, she had begun to see Jimmy Hickok in a different light, gazing at him lovingly with her beautiful, brown eyes that Kid thought belonged on him and him alone. And though all appeared to go unnoticed by Jimmy, he was still angry with him simply for being around.
Ike motioned to Buck and Buck shook his head in warning.
"What's he sayin', Buck?" Kid said, toning down a little because of their silent friend.
"He said," Buck paused, not wishing to say Ike's words aloud, "he said not to worry. He said that Jimmy'll take care of her."
All eyes fell on Kid as he stood, his head lowered. He cast a desperate look at the others and turned to leave.
"That's what I'm afraid of, Ike," he acknowledged as he walked out the door.
Noah was the first to voice his questions, searching for some sort of insight into the situation.
"Ya'll really think there's somethin' goin' on with them two?" he whispered so as not to be overheard by Kid.
No one answered, giving in to silence. Keeping quiet seemed to be the safest way to live lately. Especially where Kid, Lou and Jimmy were concerned. At least Teaspoon wouldn't be involved in this catastrophe and several of them were relieved because they knew that all three of them could possibly lose their jobs over this.
Louise stared deeply into the flaming blaze before her, a dazed expression in her
eyes. Jimmy sat merely a few feet away, yet he hadn't spoken more than a couple of sentences. Oh, why hadn't she given him the chance to love her? What had she been thinking? Jimmy was so compelling, so downright forceful in his hold over her. But, did he intend to be? Didn't he realize that she would have fallen to her knees upon request simply for one night in his arms?
"Night, Lou," Jimmy said, alarming her at the unexpected sound.
"Night, Jimmy," she replied, instantly discouraged that he was so blind to her emotions.
This had most likely been her sole opportunity at making her feelings know for him and now it had vanished with his refusal to stay awake. Dammit! Now, she would have to throw everything away, everything her heart yearned for, all those feelings she'd carried for so long tossed out and forgotten. She would marry Kid in three weeks. It had been her final chance and now it was gone, gone forever. That very thought brought tears to her eyes and Louise allowed herself to cry, weep for the life she'd chosen foolishly, a life without Jimmy Hickok by her side. Her love for Kid was an innocent kind of love, one that made a woman feel secure and treasured always. But, the love she held for Jimmy was infinite, passionate and overpowering. At times, it literally knocked the breath from her lungs whenever he came near. Kid had never sent her heart to racing the way Jimmy had unknowingly done. And, she missed Jimmy already.
Jimmy pretended to sleep, listening to the distant call of a lone coyote searching for its mate. His back faced her and he chastised himself for giving up the last and final possibility he had at claiming Louise as his own. She sat only a few feet from him, yet Jimmy couldn't bring himself to open his arms to her out of loyalty to Kid, even though he'd realized halfway through the trip that she wanted him, too, in exactly the same way. Though Kid grated on his last nerve at times, he valued their friendship highly and knew that if Louise belonged to him, he'd be furious and ready to kill another man simply for looking at her the wrong way. He couldn't touch her and he knew it. So he commanded his mind to overpower his raging body and close all doors to what might have been, until he heard the unmistakable sound of a slight sniffle. Aw, dammit to hell! What did she have to go and do that for? She had to know that he was helpless when it came to a crying female! His sister, Selena, had pulled that stunt way too many times for him to count and he always gave in whenever the waterworks poured forth. Jimmy quietly rose to a sitting position so as not to be heard. Slowly, he stood, making his way over to Louise and placing his hands on her shoulders. She jumped and her breath caught in her throat as she looked upward into his worried face. Immediately, she felt guilty for her childish display and wiped her face quickly, moving away from Jimmy's touch.
"Don't mind me, Jimmy," she apologized, reaching for the bedroll, "Just got ta thinkin' is all."
He sat down next to her, silent and extremely close. The warmth of his body so near to her created an inferno within her own and she shifted uncomfortably away from him. Jimmy simply stared at her, his dark eyes penetrating through to every thought that ran rampant inside her overworked brain and she felt herself wishing that he would somehow acknowledge her desires. He wasn't that innocent, was he? Jimmy recognized the fire in her eyes and it provoked him, inspired him to enfold her securely in his arms and never release her. He wanted her, wanted her to know him completely as no one had ever been able to. Oh, Jimmy had his choice of women and he enjoyed the attention he received from each of them but they never fully understood him at all. Not like Louise did. With her, it was different, genuine in some way because Jimmy knew that she chose him for the man that he was, not who everyone else expected him to be. She accepted him regardless and he loved her for it.
"Talk to me, Lou," he demanded, "What's said here tonight's 'tween you and me, ya know that?
She nodded, tears threatening her vision once more and she bit her lip to keep the words inside. How could she say what she'd longed to so many times? Now that the opportunity presented itself, Louise felt terrified of opening her mouth. What would he think of her if she offered herself to him like some whore? She didn't want him to place her in the same category as the others. How many others? Would he compare her inadequacy to the skillful knowledge of those saloon girls? Jimmy touched her hand and the sheer brush of his skin against hers sent a blazing flame into her very essence. His touch was so tender, so gentle that Louise knew straight away that Jimmy would never associate her with those women. It wasn't in his heart to be so cruel and inhuman.
"I, I was just thinkin, like I said, nothin' ya need ta worry 'bout, Jimmy, it'll pass," she lied, hoping he would believe her.
"Tell me, is this whatcha wanted?" he questioned, his eyes all too knowing, not realizing the impact his words had on her heart. Lou's eyes widened, her heart pounded fiercely in her breast, her throat closing dangerously. Had he known all along? Was this a game to him? Maybe she was right; maybe he enjoyed teasing her as he so often done. And she thought he had been clueless to her emotions.
"Damn you, James Butler Hickok!" she screamed, ignoring the plain look of surprise on his face as she jumped to her feet, "How dare you wait 'til now when I'm three weeks away from marryin' Kid!? Jimmy stood as well, grabbing her by her arms and holding her still. A look of utter confusion marred his handsome features and Lou stopped to glare up at him angrily. He shook her slightly, bringing her to her senses.
"What in hell's wrong with you?" he shouted, "Answer me, Lou, I mean it!" She broke free of his grasp and turned on him in an instant. Jimmy Hickok struck fear into the hearts of many people but Louise didn't scare quite so easily and his threatening tone of voice left her unconcerned and furious.
"Let go of me!" she shrieked, "That's right, I ain't afraid of Wild Bill Hickok! And you don't scare me!" Jimmy flinched inwardly at the sound of that damnable name! How he hated being referred to as Wild Bill, it only served to remind him of wrongs left undone.
"Lou?" he whispered as she mounted her horse, tears impairing her eyesight. Jimmy ran to her, reached for her and startled the horse so that it reared dangerously back toward him. Normally, he wouldn't have done so, but it appeared to be the only way to keep Lou with him. His arms outstretched and he caught her weight as she fell backwards from the mare, screaming furiously at Jimmy. Initially, Louise had been infuriated by Jimmy's behavior, horrified that she could've been injured or killed when he frightened her horse into leaping away. Her tiny fists pounded against his strapping chest and her legs kicked wildly in the air as she struggled against him. But, as he held her, safely, protected her in his embrace, Louise felt her heart melt into a liquid heat, searing the blood in her veins. She stopped fighting him and held still, her eyes searching for what she hoped to be true, that Jimmy wanted her as fiercely as she wanted him. There it was, plainly unmasked in his adoring gaze, his crooked smile, the way he held her body closer than was needed. Jimmy set her down and rapturous sensations coursed through his being as she basically slid down his already aroused form, stirring to life the repressed feelings he battled every day and night. Jimmy sighed deeply, his insides trembling with the violent, all-powerful excitement that threatened to overcome his need for restraint. He couldn't do this to Kid, wouldn't take advantage of Louise this way. He knew without a doubt in his mind that she wanted to pursue this intimacy further but his brain forewarned him that it might prove to cause him a painful, certain death.
"Louise?" he breathed across her hair, his arms still enveloping her small frame, "I can't do this." Louise looked up to him and smiled faintly, nodded and stood on her tiptoes to plant a kiss firmly and sensually upon his warm cheek. Shivers of pleasure ran wildly across his back, shattering his already cracking reserve. Self-control vanished into thin air and Jimmy resigned himself to this blissful event, warring with his damned conscience no longer. With that invitation staring him boldly in the face, Jimmy kissed her with an intensity that he wouldn't have dared unleash upon her in his wildest fantasies. It was a kiss that revealed how much he craved her, desired her and loved her tremendously. Jimmy was amazed when she matched his eagerness with all the energy she could pull together. Jimmy tilted his head, angled his flaming lips across hers, assaulting her softness with his dominant kiss. Louise found that she could scarcely breathe from the sudden attack on her senses, and she loved the feelings that Jimmy forced her to appreciate. She loved the demanding style in which he claimed her lips as his, molding their clothed bodies together so thoroughly that it was as if he possessed her body, mind and soul without accomplishing the actual endeavor of intimacy. Her heart weighed heavy within her breast and she felt smothered by an intense, ethereal love for Jimmy. Yes, Louise loved Jimmy, had loved him from the moment she set eyes on him the first day. His aggressiveness and all too powerful intimidation by him had merely begun the process of her feelings. As she came to really know the true inside heart of James Hickok over the years, Lou admired and respected him greatly. Only in the last six months had she fought constantly, warring with each and every fiber of her being in order to counteract her unbounded love that she held so precious. She had failed wonderfully! "Jimmy, please?" she implored, stroking his long, dark hair, winding it through her fingers playfully. Jimmy held Louise away from him, his impassioned gaze piercing her very soul. He shook his head weakly and snickered in a nervous, half-hearted attempt to consider of this situation. "Lou, Louise," he stammered, "Ya don't know what yer askin". We can't do this, it ain't right."
Immediately, she became defensive, jerking away from his hands and stumbling nearly into the fire. It wouldn't have mattered because she was already ablaze with desire!
"Right for who, Jimmy?" she shouted, angry that he would back away from her now when they were so damn close, "Right in what way? Kid's way, my way or your way?"
"Lou, listen.." he began only to be interrupted rudely, "I didn't mean.."
"No, you listen!" she shrieked, "I don't care what other people consider right or wrong, Jimmy, all I know is I love you. And it don't matter ta me anymore who knows it 'cuz I?ve loved you for a long time and I can't marry Kid, not when I feel this way 'bout you. I've been lyin' to me, you and Kid and I ain't doin it no more.
Jimmy's eyes grew dark and stormy and Lou regarded that he was annoyed at her outburst but she cared less, she couldn't help how she felt and it was past time for her to admit her honest, true feelings whether he liked it or not. She turned to walk away, intent on gathering her belongings and walking on foot back to the station if need be. But, Jimmy reached out and held her arm, turning her to face him, to see the love hidden deep in his sensitive, brown eyes.
This had been a terrible idea from the beginning but now he didn't care. This was meant to happen, should've happened before now. At last, the truth had been spoken and Jimmy felt awakened eternal, his silent hunger would not wait to be fulfilled. He wanted Louise, must have her next to him, committed to him in a way that only they were able to comprehend.
"I.I always loved you," he whispered as he drew her back into his arms for the last time, "God, Louise, didn't you know?"
She shook her head, amazed at Jimmy's acknowledgment of his love for her, a love she never deemed possible to exist. He loved her, beyond all doubt he loved her and she knew without hesitation that this was right, so unequivocally sincere and there could be no turning back ever again.
Kid paced nervously across the wooden porch, his boots echoing loudly into the dark night. Jealousy and fear continued to gnaw its way into his soul and he was angry with himself for not trying to stop Louise's apparent infatuation with Jimmy. Now, there she was, all alone and out in the middle of nowhere with him and he prayed that her love remained faithful to him.
"Kid?" Teaspoon called out, stepping out to join him after supper was over, "Ya alright?"
The young man nodded, not really convincing himself that he was. Teaspoon slung an arm around his shoulders and they walked down the steps and out into the front yard.
"Son, if it's one thing I learned 'bout women, ya cain't go 'round traipsin' after 'em like they was some kind o' yungun, they got ta be trusted," he advised in his usual, lazy drawl, "If ya cain't trust 'er, then whatcha doin' marryin' 'er?"
Teaspoon was right and Kid knew it. It made him furious to think of the two of them out there together and Kid wondered why it bothered him now when it hadn't crossed his mind before. Had he really loved Louise as she so deserved or had he merely sought to control her, possess her in a way that she would never allow? True, he knew without a doubt that she loved him and he loved her with the same intensity..or so he thought. But had he indeed become no more than a burden to her, hanging around her neck as a weight instead of a welcome guardian?
"I'm scared, Teaspoon," Kid admitted, his boot kicking in the dust absentmindedly, "Scared o' losin' 'er"
"Ta Jimmy?" the older man finished for him.
Teaspoon shook his head as Kid looked at him warily, surprised that he'd behaved so obviously that now everyone knew what thoughts ran raging through his mind. Had he silently conveyed that same worry to Louise? Is that why she appeared to avoid his presence so often, ducking away from him whenever he wished to get closer to her?
"Am I that obvious?" he questioned sheepishly, embarrassed that he'd aired their difficulties so openly.
The older gentleman clapped Kid on the back, clearing his throat and launching into one last barrage of counsel.
"I'd have to be deaf and blind not ta notice, but that ain't the point. Boy, lemme letcha in on somethin' I learned when I was livin' with tha Indians. If ya love somebody, then ya got ta set 'em free. If they yers, they come back and if they don't, they never was ta start with. And maybe it ain't too late, ya hear what I'm sayin? to ya?"
Kid nodded once again, turning the thoughts over and over in his already exhausted brain, searching for the ultimate answer to the whole dilemma. Is that what he should do? Give her some time, some space to figure things out on her own? What if, in fact, she chose not to return to him at all? Could he live without her by his side as his wife? Could he stand to see her with someone else, anyone else?
With a deep sigh, Kid turned away from his friend and headed back toward the bunkhouse. His broken heart weighed heavily in his chest and threatened to suffocate the precious air from his lungs. If he fought with so many questions, distrusted Louise so shamelessly, then it wouldn't be right to marry her right now. Kid knew he had to break it to her gently, make her understand his reasons for giving up completely. But, he had the sinking feeling that she was going to be grateful and probably relieved.
With his eyes closed, tears falling silently into his pillow, Kid resolved to let Louise go.
The blazing firelight cast looming shadows on the young lovers, their heated, bare skin reflecting in its light. Jimmy's dark eyes clashed with Louise's adoring gaze and he smiled, that same crooked smile that always made her hands itch to reach for him. And, now, she could and she did. He lay perfectly still atop of her and awaited her next move.
Time remained absolutely motionless the moment Louise's heated gaze met with his. Jimmy virtually lost his breath at what he perceived in them, so much love spilled over onto her lovely face that he turned away, incapable of grasping the abundance of such admiration. In fact, it became more intoxicating now. His dark eyes returned to hers once again as he nudged into her gently, then deeper, nearly powerless in his mission to put off his own finale. As her yielding, velvet body encased every inch of him; his self-discipline became a thin shred of nothing. He clenched his jaw and forced his body to counteract to his commands.
Her arms were tossed about Jimmy's shoulders, her nails plowing into the well-built muscles of his back. She bound her legs around his and persuaded him to drive deeper even so. The sharp, agonizing pain gave way to harmonious pleasure, a savage enjoyment that hindered all else aside from the intensifying rise of her soul, approaching that escalating triumph, her scream shattering the night around them. A scorching, fiery sensation seared right through Louise's insides, rising and falling, spreading like sweet, liquid honey through her veins, a wildfire sizzling her smoldering skin. Her limbs fell fragile and weak at her sides, fatigue dominating her every move and she strained herself to meet Jimmy's movements, matching his swiftness faultlessly.
Jimmy sensed her release against his ever-hardening appendage, stroking it with her smooth convulsions. His momentum quickened, his breath came uneven and jagged, igniting him to thrust his member even further into her, harder and faster with each beat of his heart. An incredible pressure developed in him, his strength bordering on vicious and animalistic, distorting his abdomen, a sweltering inferno erupting in euphoric bliss. Jimmy roared her name out loud, his head falling back as an immeasurable wave of exhilarating tremors shook him violently
His head tumbled frontward, hiding in the furrow between her head and shoulder, concealing his face until the trembling ceased, however, it was the very last thing he hoped for. They lay gasping, a thin layer of sweat surfacing on Jimmy's brow. Louise felt like moving but didn't want to sever their intimate engagement, sighing profoundly when he at last pitched over to her side, his wandering gaze roaming the dimension of her and back again to her heartwarming, brown eyes.
"Guess we'll have ta work this out somehow," he rasped, jerking away as her fingers brushed against his bare chest lightly, "Cut that out, right now! 'Less ya want more where that came from."
Louise giggled like a young girl and clung to Jimmy, relishing in the feeling of his naked skin pressing sensually against hers as she'd always dreamed. And, now, it had become a reality, a lifelong connection with which she sensed with no other, save her Jimmy. Her Jimmy- that sounded nice.
"Ya know we'll hafta move ya ta Rachel's?" he muttered, toying with her hair.
Louise sat up, her arms crossed in front of her and instantly aggressive again. She pouted and Jimmy remembered how sexy she looked when she did that. It was all he could do but to push her back down and silence the angry words she was about to speak.
"Rachel's!? she yelled, yanking away from his reaching hands, "Just because we made love here tonight, Jimmy Hickok, it don't give ya the right ta tell me what to do! Ya don't own me, so stop actin' like..."
"Kid," he whispered, the problem momentarily forgotten, "So, whatcher sayin' is that since ya couldn't latch onto Kid tonight, ya figured I'd do, is that it?"
Louise leapt to her feet, unconcerned that she stood naked before him. The suggestion that she would behave so shallow, so downright cruel and that he'd thought so lowly of her, chilled her to the bone. Maybe she was right all along; perhaps he'd placed her in the very same category that he believed those saloon girls to be- whores. Well, hadn?t she acted as one? She was engaged to marry Kid and here she lay offering her body up to the one man she sincerely loved above all else. Now, he saw her as the one character she'd run from all her life!
Sadness overwhelmed her and she tore her clothes from underneath him so swiftly that he flipped over onto his stomach, groaning miserably. She dressed just as quickly as she'd undressed and wiped at her face frantically, livid that he'd made her cry yet again. Why did he constantly bring out so many wild emotions from within her? What made her usual, normal demeanor of hardhearted ways vanish whenever it came to Jimmy Hickok?
"Dammit!" he moaned, lying unusually still.
Louise leaned forward slightly, wary that he was trying to trick her into walking back over so that he could seize her in those powerful arms and kiss her worries away. How she would enjoy that! But, she was supposed to be angry with him!
"Jimmy?" she said softly, stepping toward him.
He didn't move. What had she missed?
Slowly, Jimmy rose to a seated position, his back to her. This had to be some sort of trick and Louise wouldn't fall for it, not this time. She cautiously walked in a circle so that she could see his face and, when she caught sight of him, her knees went weak. Jimmy's face had paled dreadfully, his large hands held tightly to that which Louise had held in her own hands moments earlier. She stared at him, uncertain of why he would do such a thing.
"Jimmy?" she breathed, her hand reaching out and touching his shoulder lightly.
"Don't you ever do that again!" he tried to yell, only it came out in weak spurts.
She gave him a few moments of silence, then knelt closer to him, a strange expression on her face. Jimmy realized Louise had no idea of what she'd just done and he instantly forgave her. But, his body had just begun to react to her hostile performance with one of his own when she spun him over rapidly, causing that part of him to experience an excruciating pain.
"Damn, but yer strong ta be so small," he quipped, regaining color to his face, "Do me a favor, will ya?"
Louise felt his hand lovingly caress her face and she closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations he caused with his mere touch.
"Anything," she mumbled, feeling his arms wrap around her gently.
"Don't,? he warned, "ever yank anythin' out from under me again!"
Without delay, Louise realized what she'd done and she erupted into a fit of giggles, squealing delightfully as Jimmy threw her onto her back and sat above her, pinning her down with his legs. That vision in itself caused her to stop laughing and she was aware of the seriousness of their position and how easily it would be for her to take advantage of the opportunity, which she willingly did.
Jimmy nearly laughed aloud at the hold he exhibited over Louise, his gaze becoming somber the minute he felt her hands take control of his excited flesh, inciting him to fall across her and undress her yet again. Her eyes stared up at him, her heart praying that this wasn't a dream and if it was, that Kid not awaken her. She'd hungered for this encounter and she wanted nothing to steal it from her grasp.
"I love you." Jimmy whispered as he moved sensuously against her in an impassioned embrace, his strong muscles holding her tightly to his feverish skin and he plunged himself fiercely into her, emphasizing his words.
Louise gasped audibly, her previous thoughts subsiding, feeling a bit ridiculous in believing that Jimmy considered her to be the same as the others. In fact, she knew this was different, special in its own kind of way, and she whispered against his ear, her lips caressing it lightly. Jimmy shivered slightly at the erotic touch, a strange, unearthly feeling creeping into his soul.
"I love you more" she breathed, biting his neck softly, enjoying the savage reaction she received as his powerful and forceful thrusts overwhelmed her very existence.
As he plummeted over the edge of heaven, Jimmy held onto Louise and swore by all that was sacred to him, never to let her go. She was everything he'd searched for, made him live as everything he wished to be, caused him to feel love again for the first time in years. Without knowing she'd done it, Louise breathed a new life into Jimmy, caressing his worn-out heart and bringing his soul back from the depths of hell itself. For that, Jimmy Hickok loved Louise McCloud forever and a day.
THE END.
THE END
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