Page 25 of The Trail Boss

“Of course I do. Sometimes the best fix is a session with a Dom who knows what he’s doing with a flogger. In any event,the secret to writing is to finish, regardless of how bad it is. Remember, you can’t fix what isn’t written.”

Roxie let out a soft laugh, and Gavin felt a pang in his chest at the sound. He wasn’t used to hearing her laugh—at least not like that, free of stress or guardedness.

“What about getting published?” Roxie asked. “That seems… impossible.”

Vanessa tilted her head thoughtfully. “It’s not as impossible as you think. Start with finishing your manuscript. After that, there are dozens of paths—traditional publishing, self-publishing. But the most important thing is to tell your story. No one else can do it for you.”

Roxie nodded, her expression a mix of determination and gratitude. “Thank you. That… helps. A lot.”

Vanessa reached across the table, squeezing Roxie’s hand briefly. “You’ve got this. Just remember—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being brave.”

Gavin stayed where he was, watching as Roxie finished the conversation and returned to the bar. Her posture was lighter, her steps more purposeful as she grabbed a glass of water and took a sip.

When she caught Gavin’s eye, she rolled her eyes dramatically. “You don’t have to loom, you know.”

“Wasn’t looming,” he said, stepping closer.

“Sure you weren’t.”

Gavin grinned but didn’t respond. “How’d it go?”

Roxie’s lips curved into a small smile, the kind that didn’t quite reach her eyes but hinted at something softer. “Good, actually. She gave me some great advice.”

“Good,” Gavin said simply, his voice low.

They stood in silence, the energy between them shifting into something warmer. Gavin’s gaze lingered on her a beat too long, his groin tightening as he watched her smooth a strand of hairbehind her ear. He had to keep his distance he reminded his cock—had to be a professional, but his cock wasn’t listening.

“You really care about this writing thing, don’t you?” he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Roxie looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. “Yeah. I do. It’s… the only thing that feels like mine, you know?”

Gavin nodded, his throat tightening. “Then you keep at it, Roxie. Don’t let anyone—or anything—take it away from you.”

The intensity in his voice caught her off guard, and she just stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest.

“Thanks,” she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

Gavin nodded, glanced at his watch and stepped back slightly. “Your shift is almost over…”

“No it’s not.”

“I’m one of the owners, and I say it is. Let’s get out of here. It’s been a long night.”

Roxie rolled her eyes but said nothing. If she ever became his sub, he was going to curb that bratty attitude, although he was beginning to enjoy it far more than he’d ever thought he would. Roxie disappeared into the locker room.

While he waited, Gavin approached the bar. “Evening, Bones.”

"Evening, Boss, can I get you something?" Bones asked, wiping down a glass.

"Information, actually," Gavin replied, his tone friendly but direct. "I'm looking into some recent... disturbances around here. Wondered if you'd noticed anything unusual."

Bones gaze flickered with curiosity. "Unusual how? Involving our people?"

"Unknown. Just guests or anyone asking too many questions. People showing up who don't seem to belong. That sort of thing."

The man shrugged. "No more than usual. We don’t get a lot of outsiders. Privacy's part of the appeal."

"True," Gavin agreed, sliding a folded bill across the counter. "But sometimes privacy can hide trouble."

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