Redneck Romeo (Rough Riders 15)

Hopefully she’d get a callback from one of the other places she’d applied the past few weeks. Problem was, even if she got offered her dream job, she couldn’t accept it until she finished this special project.

“You’re awful quiet, sugarplum.”

“Lost in bad workday thoughts. Thank you for coming over to try and chase them away.”

He stroked her hair. “Nowhere I’d rather be than with you. If you’re still needing a distraction, I have an idea on how to force them ugly work thoughts right outta your pretty head.”

Rory straddled Dalton’s thighs, tucking her knees by his hips as she faced him. “Force?”

“Coax,” he corrected, placing a kiss on the center of her chest. “Damn. You always smell good.”

“But I’m sweaty.”

“I’m pretty sure my sodium intake is dangerously low today.” He parted his lips and dragged his mouth across her collarbone. “You taste good too.”

“Keep that up, McKay, and you know what’ll happen next.”

“Yeah. You’ll be even sweatier wearing a big ol’ smile.”

Rory tipped his head back and ran her fingers though his hair. “Anything interesting happen in your world today? Did HGTV stop by and offer you a home improvement show?”

Dalton snorted. “No, but my cousin Ben did drop in.”

Not that she’d ever say anything to him, but it bothered her that few of Dalton’s McKay relatives had stopped by to see him. “What did he want?”

“To say hello and invite me to a family poker game a week from next Sunday.”

“You going?”

“Hell yes. Gonna school them.” He twisted a piece of her hair around his index finger. “So you know how we’ve been all social and stuff lately? I was lookin’ in the paper to see what’s goin’ on this weekend and I saw that next weekend there’s a poker tournament in Deadwood. Thought it might be fun if we rented a room Friday and Saturday night. I haven’t played in a while so I figured I could brush up on my skills and we could make a weekend of it. Eat out. Hang out. Have lots of wild, kinky, loud hotel room sex.”

Rory grinned. “I’m in as long as you’re not expecting me to enter the tournament.”

Dalton actually looked horrified at that prospect. “Ah. No.”

“Cool. So if I’m arm candy for a high roller, should I plan on wearing my skankiest outfits? Wouldn’t it be fun if people thought I was a hooker?”

“Jesus, Rory. That’s not funny.”

“Sure it is.” She shifted her hips side to side across his groin. “We could even play the gambler and the whore.” She rubbed her tits under his chin. “After all, it is Deadwood.”

“I’ll make reservations.”

“Was Kyler there when Ben stopped by?”

Dalton shook his head. “He called to let me know he couldn’t help out today. He has a big history project due. But he did say to pass along his thanks that we went to his game last weekend.”

“It was really sweet that you wanted to go.”

“Sweet. Right.”

“I’m serious. You’re such a sweet, thoughtful man.”

His cheeks reddened. “Stop. You’re about to get a demonstration of my not-so-sweet side.”

“I’m game.” Rory teased his lips with hers. “Want me to get out the handcuffs, blindfold and anal lube?”

Dalton’s eyes lit up. “You bought anal lube?”

She smirked. “Nope. Just wanted to see your reaction.”

“Oh, you’re not gonna get the reaction you’d hoped for, jungle girl.” Dalton pinned her to the couch and started tickling her.

“Dalton!”

He teased her and tickled her until she was laughing and yelling at him to stop. Just when she caught her breath, he’d start in again. The crazy man used to tickle her all the time when they were kids so he knew her most ticklish spots.

Jingle started barking and Rory seized Dalton’s distraction to squirm away from him. “I swear I’m gonna pay you back for this when you least expect it.”

But Dalton wasn’t looking at her. Rory turned and saw her mother standing by the front door. She scooted upright and straightened her clothes. “Mom? What are you doing here?” What was up with people just barging into her private space without knocking today?

Her mom eyed Dalton before meeting Rory’s gaze. “Sorry I just walked in. I didn’t know you had company.”

Bull. Dalton’s truck was parked right outside.

Dalton said, “Hey Mrs. D.,” and put his arm around Rory.

“So what’s up?”

“I hadn’t seen or heard from you for a couple of days so I wanted to make sure you were all right.”

“I’m fine, besides my shitty workday. I ended up working late tonight and Dalton was sweet enough to bring me supper.”

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “I like takin’ care of you.”

Man. Could he act any more proprietary?

“I see that.” Her mother pointed to the revamped doggie door. “Is that your doing too?”

“Yes. Isn’t it awesome?” Rory answered. “Cold air poured in and Jingle had problems with it closing around her. Dalton fixed it for me, which was such a great surprise.” Rory didn’t tell her mom she nearly burst into tears after seeing Dalton’s handiwork. He knew how much her dog meant to her and he couldn’t have picked a more romantic gesture.

Her mom said, “That was really nice of you, Dalton.”

“Wasn’t a big thing. Just swapping out the seal and tweaking it here and there.”

Silence.

“Anyway, I won’t keep you. I brought you a loaf of pumpkin bread since it’s your favorite.”

Rory stood and walked over to her mom, giving her a hug. “Thanks. I’ve been bragging to Dalton how delicious your pumpkin bread is, so I might not get to eat the whole loaf myself this time.”

She smiled. “I can always make more.”

“Hey, before I forget, can you keep an eye on Jingle next weekend? Dalton is taking me away.”

“Sure. Where are you going?”

“I haven’t decided,” Dalton inserted. “It’ll be a romantic surprise for her.”

Why had he said that?

“Sounds fun. Have a good night.” Then her mom left.

After she left, Dalton said, “Good thing I hadn’t gone with my first idea and stripped your pants off to tickle you with my mouth.”