Cowboy Casanova (Rough Riders #12)(69)

Ben took her hands in his. “Ainsley. I wanna get to know you. All sides of you. Not

just how you respond to me when you’re nekkid and trussed up.”


“That’s a relief.”


“For me too.”


“Why?”


“Performance anxiety.”


She laughed softly, naturally. “I doubt you’ve ever suffered from that in your life.

”


“There’s always that first time. Now, I’ve gotta make an embarrassing confession.”

Ben hung his head. “I’m addicted to Wheel of Fortune. Most nights I eat supper in

front of the TV so I can get my fix.”


“Well, that changes things between us dramatically. Because I’m more of a Jeopardy

fan myself.”


“That’s because you have way more brain power than me, smart girl.”


“Because you’re just a simple rancher, right?” she teased.


“Yep. So how about if I fix us a bowl of popcorn and you can snicker at me as I try to

guess the puzzles?”


“Sounds good. You need help?”


“Why? Do you think I’ll burn it?”


“No. I just want to make sure you pour extra butter on mine.” She stood on tiptoe and

kissed him. “If your goal is to keep me off balance, it’s working.”


They settled in front of the TV. Ben thought you could learn a lot about a person by

how they ate popcorn. The quiet munchers? Reserved in life. Loud crunchers? Enjoyed

everything with gusto. Eating a single kernel at a time? Very methodical. Piling on

extra butter, extra salt and extra seasoning? A hedonistic bent. So it’d pleased him

to watch Ainsley pour butter and sprinkle all sorts of seasonings on her popcorn.


She bumped him with her shoulder. “Have you figured out this phrase yet?”


“Nope. You?”


“Yes.”


“Prove it.”


“On a chicken wing and a prayer.”


He groaned. “I hate the pun ones.”


“Aren’t they all puns?”


“No. Heh. Look. He went bankrupt anyway. That sucks.”


During the next commercial, he casually asked, “Are we usin’ condoms?”


She stiffened. “I guess. Why?”


“I just hoped you were on the pill. But no biggie.”


“I’m on the pill but I don’t know if I’m comfortable having sex without a condom,

with a man who frequents a sex club. No offense.”


“None taken. I’ll just mention I got a clean bill of health three months ago and I

could show you the paperwork. Twice yearly testing is mandatory for club members. I’ve

always worn a condom. No exceptions.”


“Even when you…play like this, outside the club?”


Ben faced her, but she was busy rooting around in her bowl. “Look at me.”


She peeked at him from beneath her lashes.


“In the years I’ve belonged to the Rawhide I’ve seen a woman outside the club only a

few times. But I’ve never done this—asked a woman to be my submissive for a month

outside the club.”


“What about inside the club?”