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

Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

R ance kept his rolltop desk closed out of habit. He tended to write random bits about his story on slips of paper. He hadn’t wanted anyone to see those scattered notes in case they’d guess what he was up to.

Didn’t matter anymore. After sliding back the cover to take out his laptop, he left it open and headed for his bedroom.

Felt weird not to be hiding this project and even more strange to think of twenty-plus copies circulating among his family members. Eventually the book would end up in the hands of strangers.

He alternated between the thrill of having an audience and the terror of being vulnerable. But there was no terror when it came to Lani. He wanted her to see him, to have all the information.

If she hadn’t liked this book… but she had, more than he’d dared hope. Tonight they’d dive into a new experience, rewriting a section of it with her input. That excited him. Not as much as the promise of making love afterward, but he wanted this experience, too.

Ditching the idea of having something to drink while they worked, he began setting up. He switched on the fireplace, choosing glowing embers. He left the comforter pulled up and stacked pillows against the headboard.

Last of all he picked up his favorite pillow, climbed in and balanced the laptop on it. Both firm and fat, it was better than any lap desk he’d tried.

He'd opened the book file and was scrolling to find the sex scene when the tap of Lani’s boot heels sent a jolt of excitement through his body. The soft click of his door closing made his cock twitch in anticipation.

He kept his eyes on the screen and took a deep breath. He could do this. It would be fun, assuming he could focus on the work.

She paused at the foot of the bed. “I see what you mean.”

“About what?” He glanced up. And longed to grab her.

“Your process. Sitting at a desk isn’t you.”

“I tried it. Mom writes at a desk. I even have her same view of the mountains through that window.” He was pleased with his conversational tone considering he was on fire. “Then one night I brought my laptop in here and now I mostly use the desk to hide the evidence.”

She smiled. “I saw your piles of notes.”

“Top secret. Or it was.” He gestured toward the empty spot next to him. “Come on in. I’ve never had a writing partner. I want to see what it’s like.” And he’d test his willpower to the max.

“Just remember it’s your book.” She walked around the bed and propped her shapely tush on the mattress while she took off her boots. “You don’t have to use my idea.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” The more he stuffed in his head the less room he’d have for lustful impulses.

Swinging her sock-clad feet up on the bed she scooted back. “Your mom and Andy are good brainstormers. They might come up with something better. We ran out of time.” Adjusting the pillows, she shoved one behind her head and leaned against it.

“You discussed this section with them?” He’d missed that part of the scheme.

“Yeah.” She grinned. “Andy’s hilarious, and wow, do those two know their stuff. We bounced ideas around just like I do with my buddies at Square Glasses.”

“Andy’s sharp. Mom says between him and the Wenches, she gets great feedback.”

Lani turned her head and met his gaze. “I forgot that all the Wenches have the book now. Will they give you notes?”

“Probably. I asked them to.” He wanted to kiss her. All over. “We should get started.”

“Yes.” She swallowed. “I’ve never talked about revisions face-to-face with an author.”

“How do you usually handle it?”

“In an email. Sometimes on the phone.”

“We could grab our phones if that would make you more comfortable.”

“We tried talking about the book on the phone the other night, remember?”

“I remember everything, Lani-lou.” And he might have just screwed up his favorite writing routine. Every time he brought his laptop into the bedroom, he’d picture her nestled against the pillows, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright, her body eager for his.

He made himself look down at the screen. “Ready to do this?”

“Yep.” She gestured to the laptop. “Where are you?”

“They’re in the bar. He’s just hung up the closed sign and she’s flirting with him like crazy.” He shifted the pillow so she could see better.

She inched a little closer, bringing her sweet scent with her. “I love their banter here. Her decision to start backing up the stairs and coaxing him to follow is so much fun.”

“Glad you like it.” Her praise, delivered in a slightly breathless voice, sent a message straight to his cock. He sent a message back. Stay down. “He’s trying to talk her out of it.”

“Which fits his character, to lay out his bad track record in detail. But Sophia’s a rescuer, a fixer.”

“That’s why she counters with I don’t care. ”

“Yeah, but what if, instead of saying she doesn’t care, each time she says I know. ”

“Why would she know?”

“Because she’s a cop!”

“Small-town sheriff.”

“Close enough. And because she’s a cop, before she ever makes a move on this guy, she investigates the hell out of him. I think readers will like that she did that.”

“She looked into his background enough to find out he used to be a deputy.”

“But that was work related. She needed his help with cases. When her interest became personal, she dug deeper. She’s been burned before.”

“She has.” He’d resisted the suggestion, but now he got it. “She would want more info.” He began changing Sophia’s responses from don’t care to I know.

“And then, when she has him where she wants him?—”

“Which is?”

“Here.” She pointed to the line.

Dooley gave up. With a groan of surrender, he thrust deep.

Rance’s breath caught as a sharp pain told him his cock was not happy. He gave it a talking to. “Okay, what happens then besides the obvious?” Not sounding so casual now, was he?

“I have another piece of dialogue if you want to hear it.”

“You bet.”

“Before they continue, Dooley says Is there anything you don’t know about me? And she says I don’t know if you’re any good in the sack. And he says?—”

“Time to finish your investigation.”

“Yes! Exactly!”

He grinned as he continued to type. “I like it. A lot. Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

If only she meant that. He finished making the changes, hit Save and turned the screen her way. “Want to take a look?”

“Later.”

Her sultry tone caught his attention. Oh, yeah. The sizzle of passion in her eyes warmed him all over, especially the area below his belt. Closing the laptop, he laid it on the nightstand and tossed the pillow to the floor. “Much later.”