“Almost four months!”
“A medium-sized relationship?”
“A significant one. Transformative.”
“Uh-huh. Super smart guy. Lousy in the sack.”
She fought the urge to laugh. “You could say that.”
He tugged on the brim of his hat in a typical Rance gesture. “I believe I just did.” A seductive glimmer lit his brown eyes. “Then you weren’t reacting to me with that hip action. You’re just extremely frustrated after spending four months with a dude who couldn’t find a G-spot if his life depended on it.”
Hit by a wave of lust, she nearly tackled him. “Yep.” If he was willing to hand her a logical excuse for her behavior, she’d take it.
“In that case, I’m happy to offer my services.”
“Rance!” Her face grew hot along with the rest of her. “Good grief! I’m not going to have an affair with you.”
“Why not? You have an itch. I’m happy to scratch it. That’s perfectly legit in the twenty-first century.”
“It’s a trap. You want me to fall in love with you and move to Rowdy Ranch.”
“You’re a level-headed woman. I’m sure you wouldn’t confuse good sex with love.”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t, but even if I considered it, which I won’t, there’s the matter of logistics. I’m in my folks’ cabin and you have Granny living in yours.” Why was she even discussing it with him?Because you want to, dummy.
“Facing the roadblocks is the first step toward removing them.”
“We can’t remove them. I’m not sneaking you into my parents’ guest room and I can’t imagine frolicking in yours with Granny right across the hall.”
He grinned. “Frolicking is such a great word. I’ll bet you didn’t frolic with what’s-his-name.”
Not because she hadn’t tried. “I’m not going to frolic with you, either.” But how she wished she could.
“What if I told you I’ve discussed the possibility with Granny and she’s all for it?”
“What?”
“I do believe you’re more prudish than she is. Last week, before you and your folks arrived, she brought up the subject.”
“On her own?”
“Absolutely. I swear she can read my mind. I was talking about the sleigh ride, and out of the blue she says,Ya know, luv, I’m in bed by nine and out like a light.Then she winked at me.”
“But she’s still in the cabin. Unless you’ve soundproofed your bedroom… oh, wait. I can picture you doing that.”
His eyebrows arched. “Can you, now?” He looked more pleased than insulted.
“I wouldn’t put anything past you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“It isn’t.”
He shrugged. “If you say so. Anyway, Granny had a follow-up.I took to wearin’ earplugs to block m’oul fella’s snorin’ and now they’re a comfort even if it makes no sense anymore. Once I take out m’hearin’ aids and put in m’earplugs, it’s deaf as a post I am.”
“Wow, you sound just like her. So does the granny in your story, by the way.”
“Thanks. I’ve worked hard on her character. But we’re straying from the topic of roadblocks. Which are now gone.”
