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

Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

L ani left the bed and started ripping off her clothes. So did Rance. Their frenzied efforts made her laugh. “Is this a contest?”

“Yes, ma’am. First one naked gets to choose the position.” He yanked his partially unbuttoned shirt over his head.

She didn’t care who was where as long as he found a way to relieve the ache deep in her core. Reading his sexy words while snuggled close to his tempting body had created a need that wouldn’t be denied.

But she never could resist a challenge. When she tossed away her bra and unfastened her jeans, he totally lost his place in the game. Victory was in her grasp as his motions slowed and his hungry gaze swept over her.

“Hey, there, slowpoke.”

Blinking, he quickly unbuckled his belt, but it was too late to catch up.

She kicked away her jeans and pulled off her socks. Smiling in triumph, she savored her front-row view of Rance McLintock taking off his pants.

She didn’t consider herself shallow. She prized inner beauty over outer. But when a man was built like Rance, ignoring his attributes would be like refusing to look at a spectacular sunrise.

Her breath caught when he ditched his briefs and stood before her gloriously naked and aroused. Going down this path was risky, but he was worth it.

“Go ahead and climb in.” He pulled open the nightstand drawer. “I need to make sure we don’t procreate.”

“Yeah, that would be a game changer.”

“It would.” He held her gaze, not for long, but long enough for an ache to settle into her womb.

He’d be the kind of dad who’d call his kids munchkins, who’d get down on the floor with them, blow raspberries on their bellies, pick them up and dance around the room, laughing as they squealed with joy.

She pictured him climbing into bed without a condom, eager to create a baby. He’d make beautiful ones. The ache in her womb was joined by an ache in her heart.

“What do you want?” His soft murmur was close, very close.

She opened her eyes. When had she closed them? “You.” Her throat wasn’t working right. She cleared it. “I want you.”

He smiled. “You won.” Dipping his head, he brushed his mouth over hers. “I have to keep my kisses light so my bristle doesn’t give you a rash, but other than that, anything goes. You get to choose how you want me.”

Her throat tightened. Why did he have to be so sweet and sexy? Why did he have to be so absolutely perfect? “Just… just love me.”

He lifted his head, his gaze searching hers. “Did I say the wrong thing a minute ago?”

“About what?”

“Making sure we don’t procreate. Introducing something we haven’t?—”

“It’s okay.”

“If I touched a nerve, I’m sorry.”

“The thing is, I want to have kids.”

A flash of pain in his eyes was quickly doused. “And I’m sure you will.”

“I want yours.”

His eyes widened.

“I know that’s messed up. I saw you with those little cutie-pies and of course you’ll have your own and I won’t be the?—”

“Shh.” He dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “It’ll be okay.” Moving over her, he eased between her thighs, rocked his hips and made the connection she craved. So easy. So elemental. So right.

She held on, wrapping him in her arms as she rose to meet him and focused on just this moment. And the next, and the next.

Holding her gaze, he gently built tension stroke by stroke. “Any requests?”

“Don’t stop.”

“Not gonna.” His breathing roughened. “You’ve got me where you want me, Lani-lou. I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”

She lost herself in his eyes — dark, intense, fully engaged.

“We’ll figure this out.” He increased the pace. “You don’t believe me, but we will.”

She didn’t believe him. But she believed in this. Tightening her grip on his sweat-slicked body, she hovered on the edge of a climax. There. A ripple. Almost….

With a gasp, he bore down.

Her world exploded, wrenching a sharp cry from her throat. Powerful waves of release tossed her like a toy boat in a hurricane. She clung to him, calling his name.

“I’m here.” His low-pitched words ended in a shout of triumph. Pushing deep, he let go, gulping for air. His body shook in response to the strong pulse of his cock as it bestowed the most intimate caress of all.

She reveled in the sensation, breathing in his scent. She wanted more of it, longed to bury her nose in the curve of his neck.

As his breathing slowed, she pressed gently on his back. “Come down here.”

He resisted. “I’m sweaty. And heavy.”

“I like sweaty. I’m not asking you to drop like a stone. Just come closer.”

He eased down until his soft chest hair tickled her skin.

“More. Press down a little. Rest your head on my shoulder.”

His mouth tilted up in a half-smile. “Found your mojo, did you?”

“I like how you smell, okay?”

He chuckled. “I don’t hear that very often.” Easing down until his pecs pressed lightly against her breasts, he laid his head on her shoulder. “For the record, I like how you smell, too. Especially now.”

“That’s lovely to hear.” She stroked his damp hair back from his forehead and sighed. “Why do you have to smell like the man who should father my babies?”

“For the same reason you smell like the woman who should have my babies. Pheromones.”

“I thought that was nonsense.”

“Guess not.” He nestled closer. “At least now you know what to look for. Or sniff out.”

“It’s not that easy. I’ve never had this reaction before.”

“Backatcha.”

“It’s a cruel joke played by Mother Nature.”

“You don’t believe we can fix this.”

“I don’t. Your determination is sexy, but it’s unrealistic.”

“If you think my determination is sexy, wait til you get a load of my ingenuity. You’ll want to jump my bones on the spot.”

“I’m sure I will.”

“Thinking my way out of tight spots is my superpower.” Raising his head, he gazed at her. “I need to abandon this cozy bed and take care of business. Don’t go away.”

“Not likely, since I’d have to swipe your truck.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do.” He didn’t want her to get dressed and announce it was time to go. “I’ll be here.”

“Good.” He left the bed and headed for his bathroom.

He wasn’t kidding about his ingenuity. The next three nights were taken, but her plane didn’t leave until New Year’s Day. Guaranteed he’d find more excuses for them to be alone between Christmas and her departure.

What then? She’d fly home with her memories and the latest version of his manuscript. Square Glasses would buy it. She had her pitch ready and Sasha respected her judgment.

Rance would become her author, beginning a business relationship that would last as long as he stayed with Square Glasses. Being sensible adults, they’d downgrade their personal connection from lovers to friends.

Yeah, right. As he walked out of the bathroom looking like every woman’s fantasy, she made a command decision.

Scooting up into a sitting position, she faced him. “This isn’t gonna work.”