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“Of course,” Travis said. “I’m curious.”
“Me, too,” Hank said as he did the same. “Grace’s men told me they read her books. I know of at least a couple of other guys who read romance novels as well. It’s good to see into a woman’s fantasy.”
“It is?” She nervously fingered the stem of her wine glass before taking another sip.
Travis and Hank shared a glance and a knowing smile. “It is indeed.”
It was too soon to bring up his proposal but he saw the interest flame to life in her eyes.
Travis peered at the screen on his phone. “Let’s see what else is here. Damn, darlin’, you’re prolific.”
Veronica nodded. “I write a lot. Mostly mainstream sweet romance.”
“Closed bedroom door?”
“Firmly closed. I’m experimenting with branching out though. It’s partly why I’m interested in the ménages in Divine.”
“Oh yeah?” Hank asked, interest sparking in his eyes. “But you know there are plenty of them in Lusty, too, right?”
She nodded as her eyes darted around the room and she looked like she was losing her buzz. She also seemed tired, judging by the way her eyelids drooped. “Yes, but they’re related to me. I know it probably sounds not very nice but I can’t research with family members, even distant family.”
“Understandable, but you should at least make a visit to your family’s museum. I hear it’s really something to see.”
“That’s what Cord and Jackson said. They seem to love it in Lusty. Anyway, I’ve wanted to try writing something erotic since it sells so well. It’s not just the money though. I’m ready to move on…and what Grace writes—extremely hot ménage erotic romance—holds a lot of interest for me.”
Hank nodded over her head at Travis, a smile on his face. Travis clasped his fingers with hers and smiled when she didn’t pull away.
Hank stroked her thigh again and broached a subject that Travis had been pondering earlier while she ate. “Veronica, don’t think I’m being rude, but how much sleep do you get on a regular basis?”
Veronica shrugged. “Not much. I don’t have a regular sleep habit. Did Grandma Kate tattle on me?”
Hank grinned and nodded. “Do you get eight hours most of the time?”
Veronica chuckled and shook her head. “No. I sleep in four to six hour stretches and nap when I need to. I’ve always been a night owl, and I’ve never been what you’d call a morning person. My family could never understand that, since I grew up on a ranch.”
“You said earlier you were a social underachiever in your family. Is that how they see you, or how you see yourself?”
“Both. They’ve always been pretty vocal.” Veronica looked around and said, “If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about my family. I’m having a good time and I don’t want to spoil it. In answer to your earlier question, I sleep when I can and nap as needed. A lot of my writing is done at night.”
Hank touched her chin, instantly drawing her gaze. “How many hours did you get last night?”
Veronica lowered her eyes and licked her lower lip as she thought. “Three hours, I think. It would’ve been more but a story idea woke me up. That doesn’t happen very often and I have to run with it when it does. Sleep doesn’t matter when inspiration strikes.” She laid her hand over Hank’s, still resting on her leg, and held Travis’s hand in her gentle grasp as she seemed to gather her thoughts. The wine must’ve been getting to her because she wouldn’t have done that otherwise. He’d learned enough about her that day to know that much. “You don’t need to worry. I catch up when I can. And in Billings it’s no big deal. I don’t get out much, so there’s plenty of time for rest.”
“No man in your life?” Travis asked, taking the obvious opening.
Veronica sighed and shook her head. “I broke up with him last week before I came out to Texas. He was a cheater, and…” His senses went on alert when she raised her hand to her face and stroked her cheekbone. Travis knew then why Kate had suggested that Veronica might benefit from self-defense classes. He hoped for the chance to spend a little quality time with the cheating bastard who’d put the sadness in Veronica’s eyes.
