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

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

H e’d gotten more than he’d expected. Rance kept telling himself that as he and Lani put on their clothes, mostly in silence. Before they’d left the bed she’d thanked him for a wonderful time. He’d thanked her for staying for a second round.

After that, conversation had been brief and stilted. He couldn’t say what he was thinking, that they needed to find more such opportunities this holiday.

That idea had to come from her, right? Clearly she hadn’t leaped to that conclusion or she would have said so by now. She was likely still in the mindset that continuing to have sex would make their future dealings even more impossible.

That could be true. It could be untrue. Nobody could accurately predict the future, could they? Why give up present pleasure when the future of a relationship was still a big fat question mark?

But if he brought up the prospect of more alone time, he might start an argument and ruin the evening they’d just enjoyed. He was incredibly lucky to have spent this time with her, and if that was all he ever had….

Oh, to hell with it. He didn’t care for that self-defeating crap. She’d be here until New Year’s Day. That was a long damn time to have her within reach while lecturing himself to be grateful for what he’d had. He wasn’t that noble.

He finished buttoning his shirt and tucked it into the waistband of his jeans. “I’ve been thinking.”

“So that’s why smoke’s coming out your ears.”

“You’re a funny lady.”

“Just trying to keep the mood light.” She pulled her red sweater over her head.

He’d enjoyed taking it off. Soft as a baby blanket, but her skin was even softer.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“How am I looking at you?”

“You know perfectly well. It’s your smolder.”

“I’ve never smoldered in my life.”

“Ha. You do it all the time.”

“And you hate that, too.”

“No. That’s why you need to stop.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He glanced away. “I have an idea.”

“Saw that coming.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I haven’t checked the time. What?—”

“Almost midnight.”

“Good. My parents will be asleep. Ready to go?”

“Right after I run this idea past you.”

She crossed her arms. “Okay.” Her body language said it all. She’d literally armed herself against him.

He’d tell her anyway, let the thought simmer in her brain… and her body. “I said I’d announce the book to the gang on Christmas Day, but there are advantages to spreading the word tomorrow. First we tell Mom and Andy like we planned. Then I send out a group text to everybody else.”

“That doesn’t sound like you. I’d expect that low-key approach from Lucky or Cheyenne.”

“I’d love to see their faces when they get the news, but I’ll gladly give up that moment for the chance to be alone with you again.”

“Huh?”

“It’s baked into the concept, but I didn’t see that before. You’re my editor. Before you give the manuscript to your boss, you have suggestions for strengthening the conflict.”

“Ah.” Her eyes darkened and she sucked in a breath, but her arms stayed crossed. “Brainstorming sessions.”

“Chaperoned brainstorming sessions. Perfectly legit. No one needs to know what goes on in those sessions but you, me, and Granny.”

“You’re the most devious man I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you.”

“You know in your heart it’s a terrible idea.”

“Not true. My heart likes it a lot. So does my?—”

“Never mind. My answer is no. I actually do have a couple of small suggestions, but I’ll put them in an email.”

“That’s ridiculous. I’m right here.”

“I’m aware of that. Very aware.”

“We’re looking at years and years of not having sex with each other. Please don’t throw away this golden opportunity. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner.”

“I do. You figured once I read the book we’d live happily ever after. You didn’t expect to be grasping at straws.”

“You’re much more fun to cuddle than a straw, Lani-lou.”

She let out a sigh. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. You’d better take me home.”

“Oh, it might get us somewhere. I’m sending the group text, regardless of your decision. You’ll have several days to think it over. If you change your mind, and I’m gonna bet you do, you know where to find me.”

She shook her head. “You’re impossible.”

“And that’s why you love me.” Her startled gasp told him he’d hit a nerve. He hadn’t meant to. “Sorry. That’s my automatic response when somebody says I’m impossible. I’ve been called that a lot.”

“Listen, Rance, I?—”

“Hey, we’re dealing with some complicated emotions. Falling for each other isn’t the same as making a commitment. I didn’t mean to imply you had. Like I said. Knee-jerk reaction.”

“We should leave.”

“Yes, we should.” He gestured for her to go out ahead of him.

As he followed her into the living room and helped her on with her coat, he resisted the urge to massage his chest, which was tight as a drum and hurt like hell.

Nice little speech he’d made, but it didn’t change what he’d seen in her eyes when he’d come out with that flippant comment. She wasn’t just falling. She was there. In love. With him.

That was what he’d wanted, right? And he’d succeeded brilliantly. Congrats to him. How was she supposed to go find that husband now? As things stood, he’d just handed her a bucketful of suffering.

Unless he was willing to let her carry it for months, maybe years, he’d better come up with a solution to this mess. And do it fast. The problem required a permanent fix, something more consequential than a few stolen hours in each other’s arms.

He'd find it or die trying. Well, he wouldn’t literally die. But if he brought long-term sorrow to the woman he loved, he might as well be dead.