Page 14 of The Gruff Loner’s Bargain

“What were you hollering about?” I ask.

“Why didn’t we even consider this?”

“What? Can you help me with some extra words, maybe some charades? Just tell me it’s not a goddamn lizard. I hate those fucking things.”

She turns and looks at me with a frown. “What are you even talking about?”

“I don’t know. You screamed; I figured it was a critter of some kind. What the hell is wrong?”

She starts to laugh, and then it’s all over because she dissolves into a fit of giggles. It’s kinda bordering on hysteria, but that sound is so magical that I don’t even care. I probably look a bit like I’m touched with hysteria too, by the size of my smile. I can’t see it, but I sure can feel it.

After wiping her eyes, she exhales slowly. “I needed that, Landry, thank you.”

“I’ll give you whatever you need, Manhattan, you just have to ask. Chocolate, a foot rub, multiple orgasms, you say it and I’ll deliver.”

“Where does all that arrogance come from?” she asks with a tilt of her head.

“Experience. I’ll have you know I can spot a piece of chocolate across the room before anyone else.”

She rolls her eyes and turns back to face the bed. “That,” she points. “What are we gonna do about that?”

I go stand next to her to see if I’m missing what she’s seeing. “The bed?”

“Exactly!”

“Uh… I’ve never been to the panhandle of Texas, but they do have beds there, right?”

She smacks me on my chest. “I’m being serious.”

“I know. And it’s confusing the fuck out of me. Speak slower for the kids in the back, Manhattan, we weren’t all ‘A’ students.”

“There’s only one bed, but there are two of us.”

“Excellent math skills.” I nod at the bed. “I do see the problem. Are you worried that you can’t be that close to me and not crawl all over me?”

She doesn’t even crack a hint of a smile. “Uh, no. But we obviously can’t sleep together.”

“Why is that obvious?”

“Because we’re not actually engaged.”

“Aww, darlin, are you saving yourself for our wedding night?”

She walks away, throwing her arms up in exasperation. “I can’t even with you right now.”

“I know you pretend not to like me, Manhattan, but I think I’m wearing you down. By the end of this trip, I’m gonna be your favorite person.” I go and stand behind her at the big picture window overlooking the ridges. I grip her biceps and give them gentle squeezes. “Don’t worry about it, darlin; I’ll sleep on the floor. It’s just three days. Can’t be worse than summer camp in Waco.” I shudder.

She laughs. “Do I want to know?”

“Nope.”

“Fair enough.” She bites down on her lip and looks up at me. “Won’t that be really uncomfortable? Sleeping on the floor?”

I lean closer, bracing one arm on the wall behind her, then I tuck a piece of her brown hair behind her ear. “If you want me to snuggle in that big ‘ol bed with you, darlin, you just have to ask.”

She shoves at my chest, but she’s smiling and laughing.

“Come on, Manhattan, let’s go relax in the hot tub. I’ll go get it set up. You go do whatever it is ladies do before getting in a swimsuit.”