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

Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

I wrote it for us. Rance’s confession blasted through her sensual mood and gave her a harsh slap of reality. What was she doing here?

Every moment she spent in his bed was a cheat. She wasn’t his one true love, despite the fantasies he’d built. Time to get the hell out of here before she did any more damage to his dreams.

Putting down her water glass, she scooted around so she was facing him. God, he was beautiful. She ached for his touch, but she couldn’t keep selfishly taking what he offered. Lovely though it was.

His gaze clouded. “Clearly I shouldn’t have admitted that.”

“I’m glad you did. There is no us but I get why you believed there would be. Now it’s time to be smart and cut?—”

“Wish I’d swallowed that comment, too. Me and my big mouth.”

His very kissable, talented mouth. “But you’re right. We?—”

“Mom says I’m overly verbal. I need to talk less and think?—”

“Rance, this isn’t your fault.”

“Feels like it.”

“I didn’t see forty years into the future, either.”

“I did, but it was a different movie.”

She covered his hand, the one that held the condom. “Seriously, we need to cut our losses.”

Foil crinkled as he closed his fist. “Taking you home before we use this seems like we’re adding to our losses.”

“It’s wrong for me to enjoy your body while shoving a knife in your heart.”

He blinked. “You’re feeling guilty?”

“Of course I am. I let myself get carried away by your book, your cozy cabin, your sexy body. When all along I knew we’d never?—”

“Whoa, whoa.” Leaving the condom on the mattress, he took both her hands in his. “I wrote the book. I kissed you. I invited you here. I suggested we could fool around after dinner. If anyone should feel guilty, it’s me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with making a play for the woman you’ve fallen for. But I?—”

“You fell for me, too.” His grip tightened. “There’s also nothing wrong with wanting to make love with the man you’ve fallen for. Give yourself a break for being human, Lani-lou.”

She gulped. “I…I need to tell you something. I don’t hate that nickname.”

“I know. And it’s not just a nickname. It’s an endearment.”

His soft tone and the warm light in his dark eyes made her throat hurt.

“I care about you so much that I need to call you something that no one else does. And when you show up with that husband you’re gonna find, I intend to call you Lani-lou right in front of him.”

Her breath caught. “You’re giving up?”

“That would be dumb, wouldn’t it? We’re just four days away from Christmas. I’ve been very good this year and Santa knows what I want. That ol’ boy might just find a way to give me what I asked for.”

“You believe in Santa?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He said it with complete seriousness, without a hint of a smile or a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. “Don’t you?”

“I guess I… sort of do.”

That got a smile out of him. “I’ll make allowances for that lukewarm endorsement. You’re a city girl and this is your first country Christmas. Trust me, it’s easier to believe in Santa when you’re surrounded by pine trees and starry skies.”

“That I can totally agree with.”

He took a deep breath. “I’m about to break a promise.”

Her heart thumped faster. “I can guess which one.”

“Please don’t make me take you home. Let’s wait for the fire to die down.”

“It’s an electric fireplace.”

“That’s not the fire I’m referring to.”

“I know.” Leaning forward, she brushed her mouth against his. “Your mom’s right. You need to talk less.”

With a soft groan, he let go of her hands, cupped her head and held her still. His warm breath tickled her lips. “Thank you.”

Then he began making sweet love to her mouth. He took his time building the tension, teasing her with nibbles and licks. Gradually the moist press of his lips grew more urgent. Pressing his fingers into her scalp, he tilted her head back and shifted to his knees, ravishing her with deep thrusts of his tongue.

Without touching her anywhere else, he created havoc in her trembling, aching body. But she could touch him… anywhere. Instinctively she reached for what she craved.

When she wrapped both hands around his solid length and squeezed, he gasped and lifted his lips a fraction from hers. “Careful.”

“You said I could play with anything in this room.”

“I don’t want to come.”

“Then don’t.” She swept her thumb over the sensitive tip, making him shudder.

“I’m…out of practice.”

Because he’d been celibate for months, saving himself for her. “Then I’ll find the condom.” She kept one hand on the object of her desire while she patted the mattress in search of the small package. “Got it.”

“Let me.” He reached for it.

She put it behind her back. “I want to. I’ll be quick.” Or as quick as she could be when she was shaking with excitement.

She yearned to take on the intimate task. Since she’d chosen to make love with him one more time, she was determined to etch every moment with significance.

His breath hissed through his teeth when she started rolling it on, so she moved faster. “That’s it. You’re suited up.”

“Thank God.” Spanning her waist with both hands, he lifted her off the bed.

She clutched his shoulders as he repositioned her. He didn’t exactly toss her to the mattress, but she bounced just a wee bit. “Impatient, are we?”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m yours for the taking.”

His eyes glittered as he moved between her thighs, his breath coming fast. “I…” He closed his mouth. Shook his head.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

His intense gaze warned her to let it go. She did, sliding her arms around his solid body and stroking his back. As he lowered his hips, she spread her fingers over his warm skin, absorbing the flex of his muscles.

Anticipation hummed through her veins as the blunt tip of his cock nudged her and found purchase. She was so ready to begin this sensual dance of matching rhythms carrying them to a glorious mutual climax.

With a deep-throated sound that was almost a growl, he drove home. And stayed there, panting, his eyes closed.

Her body heat shot up as a spasm rocked her core. She gulped. Another one. Too soon!

He opened his eyes to reveal the fire blazing there. “You’re coming.” His voice was ragged.

She sucked in a breath. “Uh-huh.” Another spasm hit. Soon. Very soon, damn it. “I can’t… hold back.”

“Don’t try.” He began to thrust.

And she was lost, helpless to control the eager response of her needy body. “Come with me!”

“No.” He stroked with devastating skill. “Go with it, Lani-lou! Show me what you’ve got!”

She showed him, all right. Yelling like never in her life, she welcomed a climax so powerful she almost blacked out.

He kept moving, prolonging the incredible sensations as he gradually slowed the pace. Then he paused, still firmly seated and fully erect.

She gazed up at him, certain he’d see the adoration in her eyes. “I think you found my G-spot.”

“Could be.”

Yeah, the gleam in his eyes said he was mighty proud of himself. “You said you were out of practice. But you didn’t?—”

“Figured out that if I let go, I’d have to take you home.”

“I didn’t want to come so soon. I liked it when we climaxed together.”

“We still can.”

“After that orgasmathon? Forget it. I’m tapped out.”

“You just think you are.” He rocked his hips in a lazy motion. “How’s that?”

“Feels nice, but I’m not—oh!” She’d been fixated on the glow in his dark eyes. Meanwhile he’d slipped his hand between her thighs. He had a very talented thumb.

“More interested, now?”

Amazingly, her relaxed core began to tighten. “Against all odds.”

His mouth curved in a smile. “Attagirl.”

“Showoff. Balancing on one arm.” She was dazzled, aroused, and in the market for another Rance-inspired orgasm.

“One-handed pushups. So worth the time.”

“Don’t get cocky.” Her breath hitched as her thighs began to quiver.

“Because you hate that.”

“I do.”

“Liar.” He was breathing harder, now. He’d picked up the pace, too. “Time to bring it on home, Lani-lou.” Propped up on both arms again, he held her gaze. “You with me?”

She gasped as the first tremor rolled through her core. “Yes.”

“Didn’t hear you.” He pumped faster.

“Yes!”

“Still didn’t hear you!”

“ Yes !” The dam broke. Pleasure flooded her body as Rance, bellowing in triumph, pushed deep and came with her, his cock pulsing in time with the waves of her climax.

He’d managed to create a spectacular finale to their evening. They could end things on a high note, resist the urge to repeat this behavior and act like rational adults for the rest of the holiday.

Then, in a private moment before she flew back to New Jersey, they’d vow to stay friends as they navigated the next forty, fifty or sixty years.

Yay.