Saving the Cowboy’s Christmas (Rowdy Ranch #12)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

C hampagne had something to do with the fizzy sensation coursing through Lani’s veins, but the cowboy who’d just walked out of the kitchen was way more potent than any expensive bubbly.

She’d blown out the candles and flipped on the overhead, which allowed her to confirm what she’d suspected. The champagne was primo. How Granny had come by such a high-priced bottle was a mystery, but not her reason for trotting it out for this dinner.

Granny wanted this matchup and she wasn’t above adding some fermented grape juice to help things along. She needn’t have bothered.

Rance’s devotion to the older woman had melted the last of Lani’s reservations. To think she’d written him off as shallow. He had depths she’d only begun to understand.

A few days ago, she might have assumed he’d invited Granny to live with him simply for research purposes. But that didn’t explain the way he’d leaped from the truck when she’d appeared on the porch without a coat. He cherished her.

Granny adored him, too. She’d raced outside because she’d been worried about him. After only a couple of months, their bond was as strong or stronger than a blood tie.

He must have finished their goodnight chat because he was on his way back. The click of his boots on the cabin’s wooden floor made her blood pump faster and her thoughts run in circles. Decision time.

He’d made it clear earlier that the choice was hers. Unless she brought up the subject, they’d do the dishes and he’d drive her home. Under his devil-may-care smile lay a strength of character that she’d totally missed until now.

He paused in the doorway. Dragged in a breath.

Heart pounding, she set the ice bucket on the counter and turned. “What?”

“Granny thinks you’re in love with me.”

The breath left her lungs in a rush. “Granny’s… very perceptive.” She gulped in air.

His eyes widened. “She’s right?”

“To be clear….” She still couldn’t breathe worth a damn. “I’ve tried… I’ve tried not to be.”

“Tried and failed?” A gleam in his dark eyes, he took a step into the kitchen.

“You haven’t been much help.”

“Oh?” He kept moving.

“Bringing me over here, letting me see how cute you and Granny are with each other, breaking out the expensive champagne?—”

“That wasn’t me.”

“She just took it upon herself to serve your?—”

“It was hers.” He was close now, very close. “Mom gave it to her as a welcome present back in October. She has no idea how much it costs. Please don’t tell her.”

“I won’t.” She held his gaze. “It was really good champagne. I can still taste it.”

His breath hitched. “Me, too.”

Her heart thumped so fast it made her ears buzz. “Please take me to bed.”

Heat flared in his eyes. “You’ve got it.” Reaching for her hand, he wove his fingers through hers and tightened his grip. “Come with me.” He led her out of the kitchen, flipping off the light as he passed by the switch.

Good thing he had a firm grip on her, because she wasn’t exactly steady on her feet. Definitely not the booze, either. She’d been fine clearing the table. “What about the dishes?”

“They’ll wait. This won’t.”

The urgency in his voice tightened the coil of need deep in her core. She ached as she never remembered aching before.

She fought to keep things in perspective. This didn’t change anything. Like he’d said before, they’d just have some fun, knowing it couldn’t be more than that.

But it already was. She’d admitted to being in love with him. Sort of. Was he in love with her? His actions made it highly likely. But he hadn’t said so.

The click of his door closing made her shiver. Drawing her close, he lowered his head, his breath warm against her lips. “Buckle up, Lani-lou.”

She opened her mouth to protest that stupid name and he cut her off with a kiss that fried her brain and drenched her panties. Didn’t take him long to divest her of those panties, along with every stitch she had on.

She tried to return the favor, but he was a moving target. She’d only managed a few buttons on his shirt before he’d picked her up and laid her on his bed, not bothering to turn back the covers. Not that she needed any.

His hot gaze swept over her, more effective than any blanket. “I imagined this so many times and you’re even… you’re more beautiful than I ever….” His chest heaved. “Thank you.”

“You need to?—”

“First things first.” Toeing off his boots, he climbed in and gave her a kiss that left her breathless. Then he moved on, exploring and tasting with a brush of his lips here or a swipe of his tongue there.

Each liquid caress suggested his ultimate destination. The warm cotton of his shirt and the soft denim of his jeans brushed her increasingly sensitive skin. When anticipation rose to a fever pitch, he slid down between her thighs and claimed the most intimate kiss of all.

She gulped and clutched handfuls of the comforter as her body began to hum, then tremble, then shake. She was there… there, blasting off into space, trailing smoke and fire. Was that her yelling, belting out a string of X-rated words?

Gradually the rocket ride slowed and she settled back to earth, limp and struggling to breathe. The mattress shifted and she opened her eyes.

Rance sat in a chair a few feet away, his gaze on her as he pulled off his socks. “Hey, there.”

“Did I…” She cleared her throat. “Did I yell?”

He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” He dropped his socks to the floor and stood.

“Did I swear, too?”

His smiled widened. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh, my God.” Her face heated. “What if Granny?—”

“She didn’t.” He unfastened the rest of his shirt buttons.

“She must have. I was shouting.”

“I tested it last night. I turned my music way up, banged pots and pans, sang at the top of my lungs.”

“Meanwhile Granny was lying in bed laughing her head off.” But she was losing interest in the discussion. He’d just tossed his shirt onto the chair, revealing the muscular chest she’d felt but never seen. Her fingertips tingled.

“I thought of that, so I turned off the music and lights, snuck down the hall and peeked in her room. She was sawing logs.”

“She could’ve been faking.”

“I know a fake snore when I hear it.” He unfastened his jeans. “This one was real.” Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of his briefs, he pushed both briefs and jeans down, stepped out of them and kicked them away.

Concern about Granny’s hearing evaporated as Lani focused on something far more compelling. Her core tightened. Evidently the climax he’d given her moments ago hadn’t been enough.

Rance’s amused chuckle snapped her out of her daze. She glanced up. “Sorry. I was ogling. Not cool.”

“Maybe not, but my ego loves it.” He opened the bedside table drawer and took out a condom packet. “Now comes the buzzkill.”

“Says you.”

“No, really.” He left the package on the nightstand and rolled on the condom. “I’m glad these exist and I use them faithfully, but they look ridiculous.”

“I can make it disappear.”

His eyes glittered as he put one knee on the bed and moved over her. “I’m counting on it, saucy lady. I have a hunch you’ll make me forget I’m even wearing one.”

Rubbing her palms up his lightly furred chest, she held his gaze. “I have a hunch you’ll make me forget my name.”

“Lani-lou?”

She scratched him lightly with her fingernails. “Watch it, buster.”

Leaning down, he brushed his mouth over hers while the tip of his cock nudged the spot he’d loved so thoroughly moments ago. “You like it when I call you that.”

Her breath hitched. “No, I don’t.” Slipping her hands to his waist, she reached around and pressed her fingers into his tight buns.

“I say you do. And now, when you hear it, you’ll remember this.” He pushed gently, gaining purchase. Then he paused.

“Reconsidering?”

“Savoring.”

“Guess the mindless sex machine’s off-duty.” She tightened her grip.

His glutes flexed beneath her fingers. “Just on a tight leash.” He eased in a little more. “We only get one first time, Lani-lou.”

She pinched him.

He nuzzled his way to the side of her neck and bit her earlobe.

“Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Lifting his head, he held her gaze.

The emotion shining there mirrored hers. “Are you scared?”

“Terrified.”

“Me, too. What if it’s really good?”

“I think it’s gonna be.”

She gulped. “I think you’re right. Wanna stop?”

He choked out a laugh. “Stop? Are you crazy?”

“It’s an idea. You haven’t even—” She gasped as he thrust deep and stayed there. “Wow.”

“Yeah.” He gulped for air. “I knew it. Perfect.”

“My fault. I’m the one who asked you to?—”

“Shh.” Dipping his head again, he kissed her, sweetly, lingeringly. Then he began to move.

She fell into his rhythm naturally, rising to meet him, pleasure flowing in an undulating stream. Her body was so in tune with his that their breath synchronized, even when they began to gasp and pant as the tension mounted.

Surging toward the waterfall, they plunged over, their cries woven as tightly as their quivering bodies.

Lani had never known anything like it. And there was no going back.