#kayce dutton

You had always liked places that felt untouched by people. Wide open fields, the mountains, clearings in forests.

Montana was good for that.

And you were good in capturing that quiet on camera. Your portfolio showed not only land though, ranchers, cowboys, cattle. You liked to photograph it all.

You sold prints online and worked freelance for magazines and companies, the occasional wedding. It wasn’t as glamorous as people thought it to be but it was yours. And you loved it.

Today you parked at a dirt road that wasn’t here last year. Someone had bought this land pretty recently. There was talk in town about development. Investment money from out of state.

You didn’t thought about it much.

You hiked a little further before you adjusted your lens.

Click.

You zoom in a little. That’s when you noticed the vehicles. Three dark SUVs parked a bit further from where you’re standing.

They looked out of place. You lowered your camera and squint in the distance.

There are men standing close to the cars. Four maybe five. From this far away they’re just silouhettes.

Your photographer instinct won. You lifted your camera again. The images sharpened. They didn’t look relaxed. One man stood slightly apart from the others. Another held something you can’t quite make out.

You adjusted the focus.

Click.

A gesture. Sharp. Argumentative.

You shifted your stance slightly to stabilize the shot.

And that’s when it happened.

One of the men stepped away from the group. Slowly.

He turned his head, not toward the others, toward the horizon.

Toward you.

Through your lens, his face came into focus just as his eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the surroundings.

And for a moment, you were no longer just observing.

You were visible.

Even from this distance, you knew the moment he saw the shape of you. The outline. The raised camera.

Your finger froze on the shutter.

He didn’t move, didn’t indicate that he saw you. He just looked.

Your pulse quickened. Slowly you lowered the camera.

You turn back towards the road and let yourself breathe again.

Getting into your car, not looking back. Only when you started your car you glanced back into the rearview mirror. One of the SUVs has shifted positions. It was angled differently now. Facing the road. Not moving but watching. Your stomach dropped.

You told yourself it was fine, that you were overreacting.

Back home you uploaded the pictures onto your laptop. You hoped it would calm your nerves, maybe your brain had overreacted and he hadn’t even looked at you.

But zooming in your hopes were soon crushed. He looked directly at you. Defeated you zoomed out but before you had done that completely you saw something else.

The shape on the ground near the second vehicle. Unmistakably a body.

You felt your body going cold.

You hadn’t imagined anything.

You didn’t call anyone right away. You tried to busy yourself. It was late. You ended up at the laptop again and again. Zooming in.

You didn’t knew what you stepped into but you knew one thing, they knew that someone saw.

You unlocked your phone multiple times. Almost hit the call button to the local sheriff multiple times. You knew you should report that. Someone was killed.

Your voice was steadier than you expected when someone answered.

You described what you saw.

There was a shift in the tone on the other end almost immediately.

More questions.

Location? Time? Distance? Did they see you?

Your throat tightened slightly at that last question.

“Yes,” you admitted. “I think one of them did.”

There’s a pause.

“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to come in to our office,” the voice said, professional but sharp. “And do not share those images with anyone.”

You looked back at the screen.

At the man staring at you.

“Okay,” you said quietly.

A woman with a badge met you in the station. She didn’t work for the Sheriff. You had never seen her before.

She went through what you told them yesterday again. Making notes. You had handed her your SD cars. They looked at your photos.

”Did you know any of these men?” She asked.

“No.”

“Have you ever been approached by anyone connected to that property?”

“No.”

“Did anyone follow you?”

You hesitated.

“I don’t think so. But one of them saw me.”

That got written down immediately.

The agent nodded once, slow. Then stood.

“Wait here.”

The conference room smelled like old coffee as Kayce stepped in.

He stood near the window instead of sitting down, like always.

He hadn’t slept well, but then again he couldn’t remember the last time he did. Not since last year when his whole world got turned upside down. The ranch, the animals, his job and Tate while handling his own grief and his sons did not leave a lot of space for sleep or relaxing.

A file on the table.

”That’s our witness?“ Agent Ramirez asked, flipping through the pages.

“Photographer,” another agent said. “Freelance. No prior record. Clean.”

Kayce didn’t turn around.

“Anyone run her plates?” he asked.

“Already done. Nothing unusual.”

He nodded once.

“And the land purchase?”

“Company tied to a development group out of state. That group is under federal review for suspected laundering through property acquisitions.”

Kayce exhaled slowly through his nose.

He has seen this before.

Money that looks legitimate until you follow it far enough.

“They know someone was there,” Ramirez added. “One of the men is clearly scanning the ridge in this frame.”

Kayce turned then, stepping toward the table.

He studied the photo again.

“They didn’t chase,” Kayce said quietly. “That means they’re confident.”

“Or patient.”

“Same thing.”

There was a beat of silence.

“Do we have a safe house for her to stay?” Kayce asked.

Ramirez hesitated.

“Closest available is two states over. We’ve got one tied up on a trafficking case and another compromised after last month.”

Kayce’s jaw tightened.

“She can’t stay in her apartment,” he said.

“No.”

Another silence.

One of the younger agents shifted in his seat. “We could move her tonight. Rotate locations.”

“That increases exposure,” Kayce replied immediately. “More transport. More eyes.”

Ramirez leaned back. “Temporary hold with a marshal?”

The suggestion hangs in the air.

Kayce didn’t react outwardly.

But something inside him shifted.

He hasn’t housed a witness in over a year.

Hasn’t had anyone in his space in over a year.

His house is quiet.

Too quiet.

Since Monica died.

Ramirez looked at him directly. “You’re closest to the case.”

Kayce met his gaze.

“It’d be short-term,” Ramirez added. “Until we confirm threat level.”

Kayce looked back down at the photo.

Next to the picture of you. Wrong place, wrong time.

He knew it was the right thing to do. For his work.

”Yeah, she’ll stay with me.“ he said finally.

Ramirez nodded once

”We‘ll rotate surveillance.“

Kayce gave him a nod back as he gathered the file.

Before he left Ramirez stepped closer

”You sure about this?“

For a second something flickered on Kayce’s face.

”It’s a job.“

He said.

You weren’t sure how much time had passed when footsteps were approaching.

Different ones than before.

Heavier.

The door opened.

Broad shoulders. Dark jacket. Badge clipped at his belt. Not polished. Not smiling. Just solid. He was very handsome, but your thoughts were not not lingering on this.

His eyes found you immediately.

They were not cold but something in them looked distant.

"You the photographer?" he asked.

His voice is low. Even. Controlled.

You nodded. "Yes."

He stepped inside and closed the door.

”I‘m deputy Marshal Kayce Dutton.“ he said.

He didn’t fidgeted, didn’t rush, just pulled out the chair across from you and sat.

”You did the right thing coming here.” He told you.

He laid out your photos.

”Walk me through this.“

You leaned forward

”I was about.. maybe three hundred yards out. Long lens. I don’t think they could see me.“

He listened without interrupting. When you finished he tapped the photo of the man looking at your camera.

”He saw you.“ it was not a question and your stomach dropped even though you already knew.

”There’s a threat attached to this case. The land purchase is tied to a federal investigation. And if they think you have evidence…“ he didn’t finish.

”What does that mean for me?“ you asked, mouth feeling dry.

He held your gaze

”It means you don’t go home today.“

Your fingers curled slightly against the table. "I have work. Equipment. My apartment-"

"We'll handle it." His tone wasn’t dismissive but it leaves you no room to discuss.

”You‘ll be under temporary protection until we assess how exposed you are.“

You searched his face for exaggeration, there wasn’t any.

”Is that really necessary?“ you asked quietly.

He didn’t hesitate when he said yes.

He leaned back slightly, letting you absorb the information of the last minutes.

”I won’t lie,“ he said after a moment ”They saw you as a witness, they’ll try to identify you. Right now we‘re one step ahead of them but we won’t take any chances.“

You swallowed

”Okay.“

He nodded once like he had expected that answer.

”I‘ll be your point of contact. If anyone tries to reach out for you, calls you, emails, you tell me immediately.“

You nodded again.

”Did you make copies of that file?“

He asked, not in an accusing tone.

”Yeah.“ you admit

”Good.“ he said with the smallest flicker of approval.

”Bring them with you.“ he added

”With me where?“

He studied you for a moment, then said evenly: ”We don’t have an open safe house within immediate distance.“

He paused before continuing

”You‘ll be staying somewhere secure.“ he stood, motioning for you to do the same

”I‘ll explain in the car.“

but, you ordered anyways, eyes on where beth was shaking her ass away to the fun country music playing and where rip was watching her with the fondest smile you'd ever seen from him.

the bartender slid you your drink. you smiled. "thank you."

he nodded at you, walking down the bar to attend to another customer as you leaned your back against the counter, eyes back to your sister-in-law.

"you've really been busting a move out there."

you turned to see a man, taller than you but definitely shorter than kayce, bigger, with a brown hat and black boots. he wasn't necessarily attractive and there was just something about him that made you want to scrunch your nose, so you did.

"yep," you hummed, sipping on your whiskey.

"you've only had the one partner. i'm sure i could show you some moves if you're looking for a new one," he said, glancing to the side as a smile pulled up one side of his mouth. "i don't see him here anymore."

"he'll be back," you told him, setting your drink down and looking him over again. "and even if i was looking for another partner, you don't look like much of a dancer, buddy."

he knitted his brows at that, looking down at you with a curious smirk on his lips. "spicy. i like that."

you wanted to throw up.

"don't call me that," you said. "that was gross."

"oh come on, darling," he said, shifting so he was more in your view. "just one dance? he'll never even know, he ain't here."

"he is." you held up your ring finger, flashing the rock that was your wedding band at him. "i ain't going with you buddy."

and that was when he grabbed you, hand on your hip as he pulled you into him. he smelled like bad beer, cheap cologne, and straight b.o. you instantly pushed away even as he held you tighter, speaking now: "one dance, baby. life is too short to only dance with one man the rest of it."

"life's too short to dance with ugly men," you retorted, scrunching your nose again as you finally, very forcefully pushed him away from you, backing towards where you knew rip was last standing. except he wasn't there.

you looked at the dance floor and your mind was blown. of course the one time rip wheeler decides to take to the dance floor was when you were actively being harassed at the bar.

the guy didn't like your answer and stepped towards you, mouth open to say something before another figure stepped in front of you, one you knew very well. especially since you'd picked out his shirt. you breathed a breath of relief as he glanced back at you, checking you were okay before returning a much more menacing gaze to your advancer.

"i don't know what you've said or done thus far, but the way my wife is lookin at you doesn't look very good for you," kayce said, his eyes turned in a glare as he stepped towards him.

"look, man, all i wanted was a dance, not anything more-"

"a dance is still too much to ask for, especially when she's already said no," kayce said sternly. "leave. now."

"what, like the whole-"

"i'd really love a reason to punch you and if you keep talking you're gonna be giving me one," kayce warned, but the guy didn't get it apparently because he kept going.

"hey, man i didn't do anything-"

kayce looked back at you. "he touch you?"

the moments between you nodding and kayce full on clocking the guy in the jaw went by in literally the blink of an eye. the man stumbled back and kayce swung again, effectively knocking him to the floor. he kicked him then, the man folding in half with a groan. kayce moved to do it again when you grabbed his arm.

"baby, let's just get out of here," you told him. "i don't need you getting in trouble."

"i'm the livestock commissioner, i'll be fine," he said.

"well, then, just..." you moved around him to where the dude was sprawled on the ground, looking up at your husband in fear as some blood tricked from a cut in his lip and also between his teeth. everyone in this town knew kayce dutton could throw a punch.

you stomped on his hand then, hard, earning a shout and an instant recoil. you could've sworn you felt a crunch under the heel of your boot when you did.

"so you can't grab any other girls anytime soon," you said before turning on your heel and grabbing your husband, who looked like he was chomping at the bit to get back to pummeling him. "c'mon, baby."

but, tonight was supposed to be fun. when you pulled him out the front door for some fresh air and maybe to bar hop, you thought to remind him of that. you turned to him with a smile, hand cupping his face just below his jaw. "c'mere, cowboy." you kissed him slowly, his hands falling to your waist almost instantly as he folded to your touch, returning the kiss eagerly.

when you pulled back, he kept you close, kissing you again.

"thank you," you breathed out when you finally broke again, smiling up at him. "i can always count on your mean right hook to get me out of any bad situation."

"i practice it just for that," he said quietly, pecking your lips again.

you laughed lightly. "seriously, thank you though," you said, wrapping your arms around his middle as you relaxed in his hold. "for saving me."

"i'll always save you," he promised, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "and i'm never going to the bathroom while we're out again."

rip wheeler:

to get rip to go out was a chore. it usually took some promising of later nightly activities and some chanting and begging from the wranglers too. and when you finally got him there, he wasn't exactly interactive, mostly just watching you dance and getting you the appropriate amount of refills to keep you semi-aware.

aware for situations like this.

you were dancing the night away with teeter, hands in the air as you laughed and jumped and twirled with your favorite of the cowboys, glancing up at rip regularly to shoot him a wink or shout something about how great his ass looked in those jeans, when suddenly you felt hands on your waist.

you spun around, brows shot straight up as you swatted this strange, tall and skinny man who oddly reminded you of a drugged out, dark haired jimmy, man away from you, stepping back and bumping into teeter. "damn you're ballsy, dude," you said. he stepped back to you, his hands landing on your waist again, fingers brushing over the waistband of your jeans as teeter grabbed your shoulders and helped you shuffle away. "seriously, get off!"

"hey, come back here, baby-"

it was instinctive, really. your father had taught you how to throw a proper punch and rip had taught you the best places to throw it, and well, the first one that came to mind was the throat.

he staggered back with a choked breath, hand rising to his jugular as he stared at you with wide eyes. "you crazy bitch!"

"did you seriously just call me the bitch?" you said, stepping towards him now with your hand balled into a fist.

but, before you could throw another punch and before the psycho dude could fully recover, rip was now in the picture. two extremely well-placed punches sent the creep into the surrounding crowd. no one did or said anything for a few moments, everyone having seen him grab you and insinuating exactly who rip was in this situation.

he turned back to you, grabbing your hand tightly and sending a look teeter's way that had her collecting the rest of the wranglers, who had all suddenly appeared at your side.

"let's go," he said strictly.

"can we go to another bar?" you asked as he dragged you out of the facility and towards the truck. he let out a short laugh.

"there's no way in hell i'm letting you back into another bar anytime soon," he said. "if another psychotic bastard thinks he can put his hands on you i can't promise that i wouldn't kill him right then. it took a lot of restraint not to keep going in there, baby."

"rip, come on, let's have fun tonight - woah!"

and suddenly you were thrown over his shoulder in a fireman carry. he barely even stopped to do it, just scooping you up and continuing on to where he'd parked the truck.

"nope," he said. "and anyways, there's other ways to have fun." he pulled the door open and set you on the passenger seat with a smirk. "you have a couple promises to fulfill for even dragging me here in the first place."

"damn," you mumbled as he gave you a quick kiss, shutting the door and crossing to the other side. as he got in and buckled, you looked over at him with a bit of a dopey smile on your lips. "have i told you i love you recently?"

"i'm sure you have, baby, but i'm happy to hear it again," he told you, smiling your way as he started the truck up.

"well, i do love you. and thank you. that sucked."

"and it ain't ever gonna happen again on my watch," he promised. "he really just snuck up on you there."

"literally crazy."

ryan:

you weren't much of a games girl, which everyone thought was weird given the man you were with. but, you were content to watch, to sit at the bar conversing with the wranglers who weren't involved in the game of pool or dancing, and to watch colby crash and burn as he approached girls again and again.

that last one was your favorite activity.

every now and again you would wander back over to where ryan was playing lloyd or jake, cheer him on, give him a quick kiss, and then return to the designated spot colby kept coming back to after another failed attempt at wooing a tourist.

the tourists were funny too. you could always tell which ones had just bought their hats and boots before or even while they were in montana just to blend in. some of the girls were wearing such california things you wondered if they were wanting to blend in at all, which the answer was no. colby, and plenty of other cowboys, liked the tourists. or at least, for a quick one.

you were watching him with a grin as he stumbled on his words with a pretty brunette, sipping on your drink casually. he was using his hands to emphasize something and she did not seem like she was interested in that something at all. you giggled to yourself.

"you like people watching?"

you glanced to your side to see a shorter man with spiky blond hair at your side. this guy didn't even take a try at a hat, sticking it with bright and shiny new black tecovas with a pointed toe and a snakeskin design that was so opposite of what you were used to.

you didn't think you'd ever been turned off more by a boot.

"yeah, i do," you nodded, looking back at where colby was actively losing his chosen girl's attention. "it's entertaining."

"it is," he agreed, taking the seat next to you. "you from around here?"

for some reason, you laughed. you guessed it was because he was so obviously not from here that for him to ask you if you were was just funny to you. "yep. you ever heard of the yellowstone dutton ranch?"

"it got anything to do with the park?" he asked.

you laughed again before taking a sip of your drink. "no. around here, when people talk about the yellowstone, they're talking about the 800,000 acre cattle ranch just outside of town owned by the livestock commissioner and the oldest family in montana."

he seemed shocked, but he tried to get through it, continuing his little q&a. "you're from there?"

"it's my family that owns it," you answered easily.

"and what's it like owning 800,000 acres of some of the most coveted land in america?" he asked, tilting his head at you. if you hadn't before, you definitely piqued his interest now.

you shrugged. "it's a lot of work, but it's worth it. it's beautiful."

"lonely, though, i bet," he said, and that made you laugh again. wow, he really tried that one.

"no, actually," you told him. "need a good amount of people to run that ranch. don't get too much time to yourself."

"do you want time to yourself?" he asked.

"i'm good with what i've got, thank you," you told him. you looked over at where ryan had caught sight of your predicament and was making his way over to you. you stood, shooting the man at your right a polite smile. "one of the cowboys we've got is particularly attractive. i'm entertained enough, don't you worry about me."

he saw ryan then and stood as well. "i wouldn't say he's particularly attractive. you could do better."

"are you suggesting yourself?" you asked with a laugh, holding an arm out to wrap around ryan's waist as he came to your side, pressing a kiss to the side of your head before eying the man in front of y'all. "sorry, pal. you may be decently cute, but you ain't no cowboy. if you're looking to get lucky in this town it'd do you good to remember that. shoot for your own kind."

the man looked up at ryan. "you her cowboy?"

"damn straight," ryan answered. "you better take that advice. a lot of the cowgirls you'll see around here anyways are taken, you're asking for a fight talking to 'em. you're just lucky she played nice. it's the only reason i am too." ryan nodded, tilting his hat at the man before stepping away and bringing you with him. "best of luck. just not with my girl."

he took you back to the pool table with him where lloyd was laughing at the sight of you. he pressed another kiss to your head.

"did you really have to call him cute?" he asked you.

"decently cute," you reminded with a shake of your head. "i called you particularly attractive, which is an understatement. i just didn't wanna shake the guy's confidence down too much. those boots are doin that enough for him."

ryan laughed. "damn tourists."

carter:

nearly everything carter did reminded beth of how rip was at that age. and nearly everything you did as you consistently visited reminded her of how she was at that age.

it had her worried and excited.

"don't break his heart," she told you one day, cornering you after lunch. "i've been there, i've done that, it's terrible for everyone involved. save yourself the trouble and just snag him now, you know you want him and he wants you. just date, okay? and don't be a bitch later."

the words shocked you, but definitely kicked you into gear. carter was shier than you ever were, awfully polite and gentlemanly as beth had trained him to be, and so you were the one to get him into going to the bar.

"will we even get served here?" he asked, holding your hand as you led him in.

"hell yeah we will," you answered, smiling back at him as you approached the bar. you were quick to pull out your id - a fake one, but one nonetheless - and slide it to the bartender. "an old fashioned please."

"what about me?" carter whispered.

you laughed lightly. "just get your id out, darlin'."

confused but obedient, he pulled out his wallet and was surprised to see a new driver's license in the clear slot he usually kept his in. one that said he was 21.

he held it up as he cleared his throat, catching the bartender's attention. "make that two." he looked back at you. "these any good?"

"i think so," you answered with a shrug. "you ever have bourbon before, or just beer?"

"just beer," he nodded.

"well, hopefully you'll like it," you said with a shrug. "i've seen your dad make them back at the ranch. i'm sure you'll like them."

"oh, he's not my dad," he corrected as the bartender slid them over to y'all.

you furrowed your brows. "really? you look exactly alike."

it was as he was taking his first swig of his drink that you felt someone slide between you and the person sitting next to you, their arm settling on the counter in front of you. you looked up, brows raised as you found a man, definitely in his late 30s, in a nicer shirt than this bar deserved, brand new boots, and what looked to be a cross between dress pants and jeans. interesting.

"can i help you?" you asked, his positioning crowding you into your seat even though you didn't move much. this was your bubble, he was the one who had to get out of it.

"just wondering if you had anyone paying for this drink," he said, his hand now on your whiskey as you narrowed your eyes.

carter moved sharply to stand, but settled when you set a hand on his knee, thumb rubbing circles into his jeans. you offered the guy a very thin, very fake smile.

"that's a nice shirt," you said, earning a wider smile from the man. "where'd you get it?" he almost went to answer, but you continued, your next few sentences stringing together in almost one breath.

"oh, well, i bet you don't know since your wife bought it for you. or - is it ex-wife, now? i don't see a ring, but i definitely see that faded tan line from it being there for years and recently taken off. probably because of a very similar situation we find ourselves in now. your wife is at home, with the kids, waiting for you to take her out to a dinner that will never happen because you're here, scoping out for the youngest woman you can find to sloppily sleep with in the back of your brand new honda civic that you convinced yourself and that girl was some new sports car because it's a 'newer model'."

already, he was in shock, staring at you with a scared kind of wonder that for some reason made you so proud.

you continued. "so, either you're here trying to do that again behind your wife's back, or she's already divorced you, which for her sake i hope is the case, because you seem like a pathetic piece of shit who blames his infidelity on being overworked and undersupported when really you're just a pedophiliac horndog who doesn't understand what the word 'no' means."

you took your drink back from him, taking a sip from it as you watched his expression change between shocked, offended, confused, and embarrassed.

"and yes," you added, "i do have someone to pay for my drink."

he gaped at you as you turned away from him, hand still on carter's knee as you grinned into your glass, sipping from it again. he glanced behind you at carter and you knew he wanted to exclaim how carter was a boy and he was a man, but didn't because he didn't know what else you would say.

"you psycho bitch," he muttered. "all i did was offer to pay for your drink."

"yeah, well i'm quite obviously young enough to be the daughter you had when you accidentally knocked up the drum major when you were a junior, so it's still kind of disgusting," you told him, rolling your eyes. "especially when it's so easy to see that the man i'm sitting next to is my boyfriend, or at the very least, someone else who is paying for my drink because we got them to us at the exact same time and my hand is on his knee. so fuck off, dickwad."

and he did, scoffing as he left. carter turned to look at you with wide eyes before he breathed out a laugh.

"you're my favorite person ever," he said. you smiled at him, shrugging lightly.

"i was trained by the best," you hummed.

he smiled at that before giving you a curious look, tilting his head at you. "so, i'm your boyfriend?"

"i'm hoping," you said, smiling back. "i mean, i really like you, and i think you like me. beth told me to get on with it already because why waste time, hence why we're here. i can call you my boyfriend, right?"

"yeah, yeah you can," he said, nodding as he breathed out a laugh.

you were beaming, maybe even blushing as you glanced away for a few moments before continuing conversation. "how's your drink?"

"surprisingly good," he answered. "you have good taste."

your smile softened a bit as you looked at him, nodding slowly. "yeah, i do." you finished your drink in one swig, setting the glass on the counter. "hey, do you wanna get out of here?"

"but, we just got here," he said, furrowing his brows.

"well, i just have this feeling more situations are going to arise that will either warrant me coming up with more speeches like that or you punching a guy square in the nose, and i'm not in the mood for either," you answered, standing and pulling your wallet from your bag.

"hey, no, i pay," he said. he tossed a ten and a twenty on the counter, his hand going to your lower back as he followed you out of the bar.

"hey carter?" you asked as he opened the passenger door to the truck, holding your hand to help you up. he smiled up at you.

"yeah?"

you reached forward, taking his face in your hand and pressing your lips to his gently. he froze for a minute, but stepped forward to reach you better and deepened the kiss as best he knew how, his hands on your waist as he pulled you closer to him.

when you pulled away, he was grinning, "damn."

spencer dutton:

when you and spencer left for africa, neither of you were fully prepared for the sheer amount of idiot tourists there would be, both on and off the safaris spencer went to go rescue.

most times, you accompanied him on his little adventures that were the hunts, him wanting to keep you close and you wanting to stay out of the city. but, for one fateful leopard chase, he'd told you to stay back at the lodge, which ended up being the right decision. you met back up with him in nairobi, where you'd stayed, and were sat at the bar waiting for him.

now, when a lady was without her man, other men noticed.

and the british men in africa noticed.

"no, thank you," you said with a polite smile as the tall, british man at your side told the bartender that he would pick up your tab. "i've got it taken care of."

"no, my lady, i insist," he said, helping himself to the seat at your side. he turned to the bartender then. "it'll be on mine. and i'll have a sidecar, please."

"a brandy man," you said, raising your brows as you sipped on your glass.

he chuckled, nodding as he then eyed your drink "yes. and... what it is you're drinking, ma'am?"

you smiled at him as you set your drink down. "whiskey."

"whiskey," he repeated. to say he was surprised would be an understatement, his brows raised so high they nearly touched his hairline. he didn't seem put off by it though, a smirk rising to his lips. "very american."

"well, i am american," you answered as you brought the amber drink back to your lips. "and so is my husband."

"and where is your husband?" he asked. there was a certain air to british people that made them seem as if they were always looking out for you and your wellbeing - he did not have it. his smile had shifted as he eyed you and your whiskey and his arm had somehow slid across the bar to nearly be touching yours.

"he's here," you told him, glancing over his shoulder in hopes that spencer would just appear out of the blue. "he's speaking with some coworkers currently."

"ah, a business man," he said with a gruff laugh.

"a hunter," you answered shortly.

his laugh cut short as he watched you with a hanging smirk, waiting for you to laugh and say instead that he was the viscount of hereford or something. but, you didn't. instead, you nodded, smiling as you set your glass against the counter once more.

"yes, he's an awfully good gunman," you continued. "grew up hunting in montana - where we're from. then, he went off to war. and, i mean, surely you've heard war stories about the american armies - they're intense. he learned a lot. it's definitely his area of expertise, shooting, so he does well here."

you felt a hand on your shoulder then, earning a quick check backwards. a smile tugged your lips up as spencer leaned down to press a kiss to your temple, his eyes on the man opposite you.

"you talking about me, darling?" he asked.

"yes, sir, i am," you hummed before turning to smile at the british man. "this is my husband, spencer dutton."

"i've heard about you," he stammered, brows knitted tightly as he stared at spencer. "you're the hunter, the one on the safaris who shoots the maneaters. the american."

"he's been hung up on the american thing," you mumbled to spencer, shooting him a sideways smile and shrug.

"yeah, i am american," spencer said with a bit of a huff. "had to clean up after y'all during the war, so i thought i might as well keep doing it here. just a bit more exotic, being in africa and all."

the guy didn't know really what to say, looking to you for help but you sure as hell weren't about to offer it. spencer's hand rubbed across the expanse of your shoulders, lingering on the exposed skin he could find.

"now, i appreciate you keeping my lady here safe while i was off, but it'd be good of you to move on now," he said, his brows raised as he eyed him.

"yes, of course sir," the guy answered, standing quickly. he looked to you, offering a tight smile as he nodded. "ma'am."

you nodded in return, an amused smile growing on your lips as you turned back to spencer. "it's about time you showed up. i thought you got eaten by that leopard."

"two leopards, actually," he said with a sigh as he sat on the chair next to you. he smiled when he met your eyes, reaching forward to grab the seat of the chair beneath your legs and pulling it towards him, the legs making a dull screeching sound before he stopped you in front of him. "i missed you."

"i missed you too," you answered, smiling as you reached a hand up to cup his jaw and bring his mouth to yours. he was happy to oblige, his hands on your waist as he tugged you to the edge of your seat.

"you're not leaving my sight for a while, baby," he mumbled as he kissed you again.

you laughed, shaking your head when you pulled back. "i reckon we should probably get back to our room then, hun. i wanna hear all about your hunt."

"i got hit on," he told you with a shrug, his grin growing as you raised a brow.

"serious?" you wondered as he stood, taking your hand and stepping back to let you out from between the bar.

"i'll tell you about it in our room," he said with a hum. you held up a hand as you began walking to the door.

"i don't wanna hear it," you said with a shake of your head. "i mean, she was probably right for thinking it-"

"they."

"they?"

"they."

"they were probably right for thinking it, but those things they were likely dreaming up about your cute face? that's my reality, baby. and i'mma make you say a lot of things that have nothing to do with those other ladies."

he laughed thinly, squeezing your hand as you pulled him out into the night air and down towards your hotel. his steps quickened as he moved close behind you, a certain urgency in his tone as he mumbled in your ear. "you never fail to, baby."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

thanks for reading! leave a request in the comments or message me privately! i love writing, so if you've got an idea you need fleshed out on paper i'd love to be the one to do that for you

“Are you okay?” I ask concerned. I’ve been around the Dutton dynasty long enough to be comfortable around all the members of the family. 

“My stomach hurts and I feel like I am going to be sick.” He mutters out as he holds a hand to his stomach. At that exact moment Beth’s phone starts ringing and she picks up, walking out of the room to have some privacy.

“Oh, buddy. Here, sit down.” I help him sit at the table then walk to the kitchen to fetch him a glass of water. 

“Try a sip. See how you feel.” He carefully takes a couple sips and then places the glass on the table. 

“I don’t think I should drink anymore. I might actually throw up.” 

“Your mom’s at the university right now, isn’t she?” I ask. He nods, while leaning his head in his hands. “I’m going to call your dad. You wait here, okay.” I rub his back for a second then, just like Beth, walk out of the room. 

I retrieve my phone from my purse and go through the saved contacts until I reach Kayce. It takes a couple of rings before he picks up. 

“Y/N?” 

“Kayce, hey.” 

“What’s going on?” I can hear voices in the background yelling to each other. 

“Tate is sick.”

“What’s he got?” Concern laces his voice.

“Stomach ache and he’s feeling nauseous.” 

“Damn. It’s going to take me some time to get home. Can you look after him for me? Just until I can make it back?” 

I think it over for a second. “Of course. I’ll figure something out with Beth and take him to your house so he feels most comfortable.”

“You’re amazing, you know that?” I hear the smile in his voice when he says it. 

Kayce and I have known each other for a long time, but whatever has been going on between us lately is new to us both. 

“Try to make it back quickly, though. I think he would really like you to be here with him.”

“Already on my way.”

“Great. See you soon.” I hang up the phone before it gets awkward and return to the dining room. Beth is sitting next to Tate, carefully looking him over.

“So, I just called your dad and he is on his way, but it’s going to be a while.” Then I turn to Beth. “I told him I would take Tate home and look after him until he gets here. Is that alright with you? I know today is a big deal, but someone needs to take care of him.” 

She sighs like she’s annoyed, but with one glance at her nephew she nods her head. “Sure. I can figure it out on my own. What matters most is that you are feeling better.” She says the last part to Tate and rubs his back to comfort him. I smile thankfully at her and pick up my purse and laptop.

“Come on, let’s get you home.” Tate stands up and walks with me to the front door. “Good luck, Beth. Let me know how it works out.” She gives me a nod and a wave of her hand and we walk out the door. 

I get Tate settled in the back of my car and drive to Kayce’s home. It’s a short drive and I’m thankful for that, because as soon as I park the car and help Tate out of the car, he throws up all over the ground. 

“Oh, dear.” I rub soothing circles on his back and wait for the ratcheting to stop, until there is nothing left in his system. “Let’s get you to bed.” 

I walk him to his room and help him into bed. I quickly run to the kitchen and grab a sick bowl just in case he starts throwing up again and can’t make it to the bathroom in time. I then stay with him, soothingly stroking his back until he falls asleep. I brush my lips against his forehead. It immediately lets me know he is also running a fever. I keep his door ajar so I can hear if he gets sick again or yells if he needs me. 

I situate myself on the couch and watch some tv until I hear the unmistakable rumble of a truck pulling up. I jump up and walk over to the front door. I stand in the doorway as Kayce steps out of the truck. 

“How’s he doing?” He asks as he walks over, clear purpose in his steps. I stop him at the door with a hand to his chest.

“He threw up when we got here, but has been fast asleep for the last hour.” 

“I’m going to go see him.”

“Sure. Just…” He stops mid-stride to look at me, “Try not to wake him. He could really use the rest.” 

I follow Kayce to Tate’s room and watch as he opens the door and steps inside. He runs a hand through his son’s hair, then after looking him over, steps back out the room. 

“He does feel hot.”

“Yeah, I think he’s running a fever.” 

His eyes soften as they land on mine. “Thank you for looking after him. Monica wouldn’t have been able to come for him with her job either.” Monica and Kayce have been divorced for about two years now, but still work well together for the sake of their son and I admire that very much. The children should always come first. 

“You're our saving grace.” I let out a surprised laugh. Not sure what to do with that I turn to the living room and start picking up my stuff

“I should be going.” I mutter out. 

“Maybe you could stay a little longer?” He asks as he places a hand on my back to get my attention. I straighten up and look at him.

“You want me to stay?” 

“I want you to stay.” He says clearly. I only nod and follow him to the couch where he makes me take a seat. He walks to the kitchen and comes back with two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. 

“You really care for him, don’t you?” He asks when we nestled in our seats and he hands me one of the glasses.

“Of course I do. I’ve been around your family so long, it feels like he is a part of my own.” 

“To family?” He asks and raises his glass.

“To family.” I clink my glass with his and take a sip. I can feel the warm liquid going all the way down and feel an immediate heat radiating through me. 

Kayce moves so he sits facing me and places an arm over the back of the couch, his fingers softly tracing over my shoulder. I feel myself getting nervous, not sure what his actions mean and I hastily take another sip of my whiskey, hoping the blush that's rising can be explained away with the drink. 

“You know, when I saw your name on my screen I kinda hoped you called for something else.” He states. I raise an eyebrow at him.

“Yeah? Like what?” 

“Like maybe you wanted to talk to me.” 

“If I did, I would have called in the evening. I know how busy you are during the day.” 

“Just so you know, I will always pick up when it’s you.” My heart skips a beat, but I try not to look too far into it. He looks at me expectantly and I look down at my hands in my lap. 

“I don’t know what to say to that.” I confess. 

He moves in close to me and I can feel his breath on my face when he talks.

“Maybe we don’t need to say anything at all.” His fingers find my chin and my gaze finds his. “Maybe actions speak louder than words.” And with that he closes the distance between us. 

His lips are rough against mine and his hand curls around my cheek, pulling me impossibly close. My hands clasp onto his shirt and I moan as his tongue strokes over my bottom lip and I open my mouth for him. He pushes against me and I feel myself slowly laying down on the couch, his weight pressing on me. His tongue glides against my own and my hands move on their own accord as I push up his shirt, raking my fingers over his toned stomach. He groans in approval as his own hands trace down my body. 

“Y/N?” I don’t register the voice at first, until it calls out again. “Y/N?!” I push Kayce away from me and back away when his lips try to capture mine once more. 

“Tate’s calling.” I murmur. At once Kayce withdraws from me. 

“Shit.” He sits back up and pulls his shirt back down. Then, he rushes to his son’s room and I can hear them talking from the couch.

“It’s me, Tate. I’m home. How are you feeling?” 

“A little better. I don’t feel like throwing up anymore.” 

“That’s good, son.”

“Is Y/N still here?” 

“She is.” Kayce responds and I get up from the couch and walk to Tate’s room where I stand in the doorway.

“You doing better, buddy?” I ask. Tate is sitting up in bed, covers lay thrown to the foot of the bed. 

“Yeah.” He rubs his eyes.

“You look better. Not as pale as before.” 

“Thank you for being there.” 

“Of course. I will always take care of you.” 

“Hey, why don’t you try to sleep some more. Tomorrow morning you’ll feel much better.” Kayce suggested. Tate nods and lays back down on the bed. Kayce pulls up the bedding and covers him up to his chin, making sure he’s nice and warm. “Goodnight, bud.” 

I walk backwards as Kayce closes the door behind him. “Where were we?” He asks, mischievously. His hands reach out and cup my cheeks, pulling me in for another kiss. I giggle against his lips.

“Look, not that I don’t like this. But I really should go check on Beth and the deal we’re trying to make.” He groans as I step out of his grasp. 

“We’re finally past our awkwardness and you’re leaving.” I smile at him. 

“I will be back.” 

“Promise?”

“I promise. I just need to talk to Beth first.” 

“Fine. I’ll be waiting for you.” 

I quickly grab my stuff and walk to the front door. I turn back and place a hasty kiss to Kayce’s lips. 

“Give me an hour.”  

“I’ll be here.”

The sunset was magical, perfection in her opinion. While she’d fallen for the New York skyline, Montana’s view had been her first love. Montana held a lot of her first loves, actually. 

She walked through the arrival gate, smiling when she met Beth’s eyes. They’d never gotten along, but it was nice to see a familiar face after so long.

Beth looked as if she felt the same, smiling as Y/N hugged her quickly. “Little Y/N.” 

“Beth. How are you?” 

“Just dandy. Daddy’s dead, and I’m playing chauffeur.” 

“I-” He just called her, what did she mean he was dead? She frowned. “I’m so sorry Beth.” 

“He knew what he was doing, calling you. It's very impressive; the career you’ve built for yourself.” 

“Thank you.” She felt wrong smiling after learning the news. “I assume we’re going back to the ranch.” 

Beth nodded. “While we have it.” 

“What?” Beth turned around, and Y/N chased after her. “What do you mean, while you have it?”

The car ride had been quiet, not that she minded. Her flight had been full of crying babies and annoying passengers, the last thing she wanted to do was talk to Beth for an hour and a half.

Her breath caught as the lodge came into view; all her memories from the first 18 years of her life came flooding back, along with the realization that she would be seeing Kayce sooner rather than later. “How is he?”

“You know how he is. Pissy, but fine.” 

She didn’t know him anymore, that was the thing. She’d loved him for so long, and now he was just a figment of her imagination, a stranger. “Has he-” 

“Miss Y/N?” She looked out the window, grinning as she threw the door open, practically jumping into the man’s arms.

“Lloyd! Look at you.” She felt like a kid again. “You haven’t changed a bit.” 

“You have. All grown up now.” He smiled. “All the Montana’s left you.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that.” 

Beth whistled, drawing her attention away from the stable hand. “I- I’ll see you around.” 

“Well, I hope so.” 

She grinned, kissing him on the cheek quickly. “You can bet on it.” 

Being here, it felt like she was transported back to 2007. It was like a museum, exactly as she’d left it, imagined it in her mind whenever she got homesick. The fire was still going, even though it was late July. 

Beth pulled her from her thoughts, walking further into the house. “You hungry?” 

“Not real-” 

“Don’t worry, he’s not here.” Ah. So Beth was aware. She even looked almost sorry for her. “I can have Gator warm up some leftovers.” 

“That sounds perfect, thank you.”

Beth looked tired, more tired than Y/N had ever seen her before. Normally, the ginger was a ball of energy, well, more like a bomb of energy, waiting for her fuse to be lit. Still, it was odd seeing a spitfire dimmed to a mere spark. “How have you been, since all of this?” 

“Fine. As fine as I can be.” She poured herself a drink, and Y/N ignored the fact it was only 2 in the afternoon. “I have a plan.” 

There was the Beth she knew. “I knew you would.” 

“Gator!” Beth called out. 

“Yes, ma’am-” The man’s eyes lit up, and he walked over. “Miss Y/N!” 

“Gator!” She stood from her seat, hugging him tightly. “It’s good to see you.” 

“You too.” He smiled. “Can I-” 

Beth cleared her throat. “Could you warm her some leftovers?” 

“Anything. Anything at all. Would you like a chocolate milkshake? Just a hint of coffee?” 

Her heart melted, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “You remembered.” 

“Of course.” Beth raised an eyebrow, and Gator nodded, walking back out of the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.” 

Y/N waited until the chef had left before looking at Beth. “Why am I here, Beth?” 

“Getting straight to business. What happened to little Y/N?” 

“Just wondering why your father called me days before his death to come back home.” She crossed her arms. “I feel like I’m missing something.” 

At that comment, Beth had cackled. “You have no idea.”

“What’s going on-” 

The front door creaked open, and Beth smiled. “In here, baby.” 

Maybe business could wait until later. Y/N smirked. “Baby?” 

Beth nodded. “Baby.” 

“I’m assuming baby is Rip then.” Y/N wiggled her eyebrows. “You two were always-” 

“Y/N?” 

She froze. Beth’s normal smirk grew tenfold, taking another sip of her bourbon. “Reunions are so fun, don’t you think?” 

“Y/N is that you?” 

She forced herself to stand up, turning around. “Kayce.” 

He was smiling, which she was surprised by. “It’s been a while.” 

She swallowed, nodding. “Yeah, it has.” 

Beth groaned. “God, can one of you just address it?” 

“Address what?”

She was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. Y/N felt deeply insecure just being in the same room as her. She was effortlessly perfect, and the way she looked at Kayce- God, she was wearing a ring. Her head started to spin, grabbing the counter to center herself. Kayce’s eyes widened, and he stepped forward, reaching an arm out. “You okay?” 

She nodded, god that was all she could do right now. “I’m-” 

“Dad, who’s this?” 

Dad? She pulled her eyes from Kayce’s taking in the teenager that stood in front of her. He had to be fifteen, or sixteen years old. Just around how long she’d- pulling her arm out of Kayce’s hold, she fixed her blazer and cleared her throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to unpack.” 

“Y/N-” 

“Excuse me.”

Kayce waited until she’d gone upstairs to glare at his sister. “What the hell, Beth?” 

“What?” 

“Why is she here?” 

Monica looked lost. “Who is she, exactly?” 

“Yeah, Kayce,” Beth smirked, wiggling her eyebrows. “Who is she?” 

“Beth, what did you do?” 

“Oh, I didn’t do anything. This-” She waved her finger around in the air. “Is all Daddy’s doing.” 

“What do you mean-” 

“I mean, Dad called her before he died, and asked her to come back to the ranch.” 

She grabbed the first Carhartt jacket she’d seen, pulling it closer as she walked toward the stables. She couldn’t stay in the lodge any longer, knowing that Kayce and his wife and son were there. It was a hard reminder of what she could’ve had, what she should’ve had if Kayce hadn’t broken her heart that day. 

The stable was warm, the perfect respite from the cold of the afternoon air. Her eyes gazed at the names on the stall doors, desperately hoping one horse was still there from her time. JR. 

She pushed the door open, grinning as the horse almost immediately recognized her. “Hey, JR.” 

The horse nickered, rubbing its snout against her palm. “Wanna go on a ride?” 

She showed no sign of protest as Y/N removed her shawl, tightened the saddle, and led her out of the barn. “I’ve missed you, you know.” The horse just stared into the distance. “You’re an old girl now, aren’t you?” At that comment, the horse visibly protested, and Y/N laughed for the first time since her arrival. Hooking her foot in the stirrup, she hoisted herself up, petting JR’s side gently. “Let’s get out of here, huh?” 

She should’ve never came back, she thought to herself. She should have never rode out here either, without anything to protect herself with. She could hear the wolves howling in the distance, but she couldn’t find it in her to leave.

If she left she would have to see Kayce again. He was just as perfect as the day she’d left him, although, she laughed to herself, he finally grew that beard he’d always wanted. 

“Well look at that.” 

She’d thought she was going crazy for a second, but his voice was unmistakeable. She made no movement to turn around, she couldn’t look at him without going crazy. 

Kayce laughed, carefully approaching her until they were face to face. There went her plan of not looking at him. “I thought I’d find you here.” 

She scoffed. “I came here for some solace, Dutton.” 

“Oh, I’m Dutton now?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I don’t think your wife and child would enjoy me calling you pet names, now would they?” She retorted, enjoying his shocked expression. “Just leave me alone.” 

“Can’t do that, now can I?” 

“Yeah,” she jutted her hip. “And why’s that?” 

“So much catchin’ up to do.” His smile peaked through, and she fought the blush she knew was growing on her cheeks. He had this horrible effect on her after all these years. “Why’d you come here?” 

“I think you know why.” She glared as hard hard as she could at him, sitting beside the creek. Kayce got a horrible sense of deja vu as he watched her, but he continued on, sitting right beside her. “Are you happy?” 

He nodded. “I am.” 

She smiled. “That’s good. Really good Kayce.” 

He ignored how his heart fluttered when she said his name. “And you?” 

“I’ve been better.” 

“You got anyone?” 

She laughed, actually laughed. “No one’s interested.”

“Well, they’re missing out.” 

She looked over, blushing when she realized he’d been staring at her the entire time. “What are you doing, Kayc?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“What is this? Why can’t we just- let’s just not talk to each other.” She stood up, dusting off her pants. “Just pretend we never knew each other. Okay?” 

He sat there in shock for a moment, before following after her. “No.” 

“No?” She whipped around, and he almost smiled at the fire that blazed in her eyes. There she was, the girl he knew. “Excuse me?” 

“You heard me.” He stepped toe to toe with her. “I can’t go on like this any longer. I lost you sixteen years ago, and now that you’re back, I can’t do it again.”

“Yes, you can.” She nodded. “You can, because you have a whole life now. You can’t just leave because I came back once.” 

“Well, then what do you want me to do?”

“I want you to be the good man you’ve always been.” Her heart broke as she said it. “That woman loves you, and your son would never forgive you. I know it.” 

“What about the letter?” 

“It- That was a goodbye letter. It was meant for closure.” 

He laughed. “Well shit. It didn’t work, because all I’ve thought about for years was that letter.” He grabbed her hand, holding it over his heart. “It haunts me.” 

“I can’t do this, Kayce. You can’t do this.” Her voice was small. “You have a family, a son. Who suspiciously-” She laughed humourlessly, feeling like a broken record at this point. “Is about as old as how long I’ve been gone.” 

“You can’t- you can’t be mad at me for that! You told me I was dead to you, that you couldn’t even look at me-” 

“Well, you told me you didn’t love me!” She yelled. “What was I supposed to say? Alright with me. Fine? You’re a real bastard, Kayce Dutton.” 

“Well, shit, baby-” His eyes widened. “I couldn’t have you settlin’ for me-” 

“Well, it looks like your life went pretty well. Wouldn’t you say?” Tears were now streaming down her face. “By the way, fuck you for taking that away from me.” 

She whipped around, stalking toward her horse. He yelled at her disappearing figure. “That’s my coat you got on!” 

She gasped, pulling it off as if it was on fire. “Take it!” He stood there in shock, good. Served him right. Walking up to the tree she’d tied JR to, she pulled the reigns loose, walking her out of the woods. 

Kayce sighed, walking after her. “Come on. You’ll freeze without it.” 

“I don’t-” 

He grabbed it, trying to put it back on her frame. “Just-” 

“Kayce, stop!” She shoved him away, getting on the saddle. “Leave me alone.” Not even bothering to wait for his reply, she kicked JR’s side, sending her into a full gallop. 

“Y/N!” Kayce kicked the dirt, jumping up on his horse and following after her. “Goddamit.” 

JR was old, there was no doubt about it, but she was fast, and Kayce was struggling to catch up to her. “Just slow down, let’s talk-” 

“I swear to god-” She groaned, urging JR to run a little faster. “C’mon girl, just a little faster.” 

He reached out, grinning when her reigns laid in his hands. He pulled, and JR slowed down to a slow walk, much to Y/N’s dismay. She jumped off the horse, stalking up the hill. 

“Stop running!” 

She scoffed. “I should stop running?” 

“That’s what I said, isn’t it?” He barked back. “Goddamit, you won’t even look at me for more than a few seconds.” 

“Do you blame me?” Tears were still falling down her cheeks. “You broke my heart, Kayce. Broke it completely in two. Excuse me for being erratic. You can’t just tell a girl you imagine her as your wife one day and then break up with her the next!” 

“We could have never had that!” He yelled. “You had too much potential, and I love you too much- I loved you too much to hold you back in life. I belong here, and you belong out there.”

“For the last time, you don’t get to decide that for me. I am a grown woman, Kayce John Dutton.” She pinched her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. “I swear to god, that argument didn’t hold up 20 years ago, and it doesn’t hold up now.” 

"I was right, wasn't I? Look at the career you've built."

"I never wanted that. I wanted you!" She practically hissed at him. "You’re a coward. That’s what you are.” 

“Oh yeah?” He scoffed. “I’m the coward? You're the coward, returning your ring. Writing that ‘goodbye’ letter!” 

A sob wrecked through her. “It’s over, Kayce. It’s been over for sixteen years.” 

“NO!” His voice rang through the valley. “It’s not over. It’ll never be over.” 

“Kayce-” 

“Baby-” 

“Dont! Don’t call me that.” She pushed at his chest. “Just leave me alone-” 

“I can’t.” He whispered, holding her wrists gently. “All because of that goddamned letter.” 

“Get rid of it then if it 'haunts' you.” She leaned her head against his chest, tiring out. “I should have never come back.”

“Don’t say that.” 

“I mean it. You were right, when you pushed me away. We would have torn each other apart. We would have-” 

“No, we wouldn’t have. We would have been happy-” 

“Kayce!” She sobbed. “Just stop it. Stop the ‘would’ve,’ it’s not going to help either of us.” Reaching up, she pushed a strand of hair behind his ear. “Can you promise me something?” 

“Anything.” His voice sounded desperate. 

“Don’t think about me anymore. Love your wife, love her properly, without me in your mind.” 

“I-” His face looked positively heartbroken. “Why?” 

“You married her Kayce, not me! In the grand scheme of things, I was just a high school girlfriend. You have a whole life with her. I will not-” She hiccuped. “I will not be a homewrecker.” 

“I- I can’t.” 

“Yes you can.” She smiled through the tears. “Because you’re a good man, Kayce Dutton.” 

“I-” 

“Swear to me.” 

“I-” He sighed, kissing the inside of her hand that still lingered on his cheek. “I swear to you.” 

“Good.” She nodded, forcing herself to smile. “Now guide me back to the ranch. I’m lost.” 

“Of course you are.” He laughed, still standing in place, relishing in her touch for the first time in sixteen years. “I missed you.” 

“Stop.” She shook her head. “You swore.” 

“Sorry, sorry.” He muttered. “Let’s go back home, yeah?” Holding her hand in his, he walked them back down the hill, their horses waiting diligently at the bottom. 

“What’s her name?” Her voice was a whipser, he had barely heard it.

“Monica.” 

“She’s beautiful.” 

He smiled, nodding. “Yeah, she is.” 

“And your son?” She sounded like she was holding back tears. “What’s he like?” 

“Reserved. Kind. Loves horses.” 

She laughed. “Just like his father.” 

“Nah.” Kayce shook his head, hoisting her up on JR’s back. “He’s like his mother.” 

Y/N had left two days after that, figuring out his father’s will and saying her goodbyes in record time. She’d shook his hand, when she left. It almost made him laugh, their last interaction was a handshake. 

She’d smiled at Monica, saying niceties. When she looked at Tate, her eyes softened, and Kayce's heart almost broke all over again. “You’re a lucky kid.” 

Tate had laughed. “Thank you?” 

“Take care of your parents, yeah? You only get two of them.” 

Monica smiled. “You should listen to her.” 

Beth yelled out from the car. “You coming?” 

That was the last he’d seen of her. The first love of his life. He’d tried hard to keep her promise, but she was everywhere. She was in the letter, in the ring that lay on the chain holding his dog tags. The ring that got him through his tour.

“Kayc?” Monica called out. “You coming in? Dinner’s ready?” 

“Yeah, baby.” He smiled, tucking his dog tags back in his shirt. “I’m coming.”

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Walking up the wooden stairs inside the main house I heard my phone started ringing inside my blue jeans pocket until I removed it outside of my pocket and pressed it up against my right ear. “Hey cowboy, how bored are you of that desk job already?”

“Extremely. Not much is happening today. I’d definitely rather be working the ranch with you and Tate.” Kayce sighed heavily on the other end of the phone.

I smiled weakly even though he couldn’t see it. “I know, honey. But just a few more hours and we can all cuddle up on the couch with some barbecue that Gator made and have nachos for dinner. How’s that sound?”

“You’re a girl truly after a rancher's heart.” Kayce declares and I swore I could almost hear the smile on his voice.

I snorted a laugh back in response. “Well I am dating one after all.”

“I'll make you my wife tonight when I get back if you keep talking like that. What is that - oh shit!” Kayce mumbled something under his breath before I could hear gun fire on his end of the phone call.

I called out his name, beginning to worry. “Kayce! Kayce what's happening over there?”

“Go to the bunkhouse.”

I asked him not sure what he meant. “What?”

“Find Tate and go to the bunkhouse. Grab one of the shotguns by the kitchen too.” He shouted back at me before I heard gunfire going off in rapid fire before the phone call went dead. I called his name even though the line had cut off, feeling a nervous tightness inside my chest. “Kayce! - shit - Tate, Tate!”

Bolting up the rest of the way of the staircase searching through the rooms for the young boy. When Kayce moved back onto his father’s ranch he had brought his son to live with him. During that time I was hired by John as his new horse trainer, which allowed me and Kayce something to instantly bond over.

He had divorced his wife Monica a few months before we had met. She still has some visitation with Tate but ultimately Kayce and I have full rights and parenting responsibilities over his son.

“Y/n! What happened?” Tate’s voice came from his bedroom before I saw him running straight towards me.

Wrapping my arms around his body once it collided with my body I held him for a brief moment. Remembering the phone call with my fiancé I broke the hug intertwining my hand with his, leading him down the stairs quickly. “Turn around and go down the stairs. Your daddy says we gotta leave.”

We scrambled through the living room heading towards the kitchen that had a door closest in the direction of the Bunkhouse. I gasped slamming into the chest of a guy dressed all in black clothing and a mask so I couldn’t see his face. “Urgh!”

“You or the kid try to run and I’ll kill you.” The stranger reached inside his coat, revealing a handgun from the waist of his jeans.

Pushing Tate behind me I glared at the guy. “You’re going to kill us either way.”

“I’d suggest you not talk back to me girl if you know what is good for you.” He warned me by keeping the barrel aimed directly at my forehead.

I didn’t waste another second before raising my leg and kicking the stranger in his groin causing him to drop the firearm and dropping to the ground in pain. Whipping my head around I hollered to the young Dutton standing behind me. “Tate, get to the bunkhouse - arrgg!” Suddenly the guy yanked me backwards by my hair, throwing me down onto the kitchen floor. He wrapped his hands around my throat, choking me while I attempted to reach for the handgun with my right foot. He noticed and elbowed me with his rib, making me moan. “Asshole!”

“Y/n!” Tate called my name hiding in the doorway of the kitchen, panic clear in his voice.

I punched the guy in the jaw where he held his chin rubbing the sore area. I began crawling away reaching for the gun, nearly grabbing it with my fingertips till he grabbed the back of my jacket dragging me backwards to him. “You’re gonna pay for that, bitch!” He wrapped one hand around my throat taking out a knife and quickly stabbing me in my lower stomach making me scream like a banshee.

The attacker removed the knife ready to stab me a second time but his body immediately collapsed beside me following a loud bang sound. “T-Tate.” Slowly rolling onto my side when I lifted my head I sighed in relief seeing the young kid holding the handgun in his hands.

“Y/n, you’re - you’re bleeding.” He lowered the handgun eyeing the stab wound on my stomach.

Getting up from the ground holding onto the nearby counter for balance I noticed my eyes getting heavier the second I was standing straight up. My throat was sore and I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. “Tate - call - 9 - 1 - 1.” Pressing my freehand to my bleeding wound I saw that my hand was quickly being covered in my own blood. I went to take a step forward towards the kid unfortunately I collapsed before him immediately falling unconscious.

The next time I blinked open my eyes I quickly shut them closed, getting blinded by the bright hospital lights shining down on me. Peeking one eye open I turned my head to the side seeing Kayce sleeping on the bed side of my bed with his head resting on his crossed arms until I lifted my hand close to him gently shaking him awake. “Kayce. Kayce, hey.”

“Hmm. Y/n. Y/n, oh my gosh.” Relief was the first expression to cross the youngest Dutton son’s face. He got up from his chair raising a hand to the side of my face cradling it in his palm. “I thought I had lost you. The nurse said you had lost a lot of blood.”

Leaning into his palm I placed my hand over his larger one. “Nobody can get rid of me that easily. Where’s Tate?”

“He’s out in the waiting room. I didn’t - the doctor recommended that he saw you once- if you woke up. Fuck, I thought I was about to lose you when I saw you all bruised and bandaged up laying in this bed.” Kayce admitted with watery eyes sniffing through tears. I could tell he was trying to remain tough but it didn’t last before he started bawling happy tears.

Opening my arms out wide I gestured my head to the side wanting him to climb up into the hospital bed with me. “Awe, come up here cowboy.”

“We can't both fit on the bed.” He shook his head no.

I smirked in his direction, raising a brow knowing he would cave in a second. “You thought differently when it came to having sex in the backseat of your truck.”

A genuine chuckle left his lips which was a rare sight to see given the lifestyle of his family. He pushed his chair back away from the bed then climbing into the bed once I had scooted over to the other side allowing him room. “Sometimes I wish you didn’t know me so well.” He wrapped his arms around my waist.

Running my thumb over the stubble on his chin I locked my gaze with his deep brown eyes. “If I didn’t pay attention to what you like, I'm not sure I’d be wearing this engagement ring on my finger.”

“I was thinking about that actually. How would you like to get married tonight?”

I sharply gaspe not expecting those words to come from his mouth. “Kayce John Dutton are you shiting me right now?”

“No, darling.” He stared deeply stare at me. “I’m very serious. Today made me realize that I don’t want to wait another minute. I want to call you my wife now.”

Draping my arms over his shoulders I leaned forward connecting my lips with his. He leans into the kiss moving one of his hands to the side of my face and his other hand gently threaded into my hair deepening the kiss the second he earned a moan from my lips. I threw one of my legs over his before he shifted so he was laying on his back and I was sitting on top of his lap, only focusing on how good it felt to kiss the other in this moment.

“Ew gross!” Kayce and I broke the heated kiss quickly turning our heads to the doorway noticing his ten year old son was standing there watching us.

I blushed, sending the kid a bright smile. “Tate, I’m happy to see you.”

“Are you feeling better after getting shot?” He asked nicely, crossing the room until he was at the end of the bed.

Nodding my head I knew I'd definitely feel more of the pain once I left the hospital since they had to do surgery to remove the bullet and close up the stab wound that I had. “I'm a little sore but I'll be fine. I'm just relieved that guy didn't hurt you.”

“So can we go get ice cream to celebrate your okay or are you and my dad going to start having sex again?” The young boy asked catching me and his father off guard.

Kayce turned bright red in the face as I was. “Tate!”

“What. I know when you close the bedroom to cuddle really means.” He shrugged his shoulders, sending us a disgusted face.

Running a hand down my face I sighed heavily so embarrassed. Dropping my hands into my lap I turned my attention back to his father who was likely still waiting on an answer from me. “So - uh about your idea earlier. How exactly would you get me discharged from the hospital in enough time for us to rush to the courthouse to get married before they close for the evening?”

“Simple, we just walk out and say we ain't got time to wait. We wanna get fucking married.” Kayce said with a smirk across his face, and I knew there was no changing his mind once he had an idea in his head.

I warned him. “Kayce.”

“Please darling.” He gave me sweet puppy dog eyes.

Closing my eyes I paused for a moment before getting his son's attention. “Tate, go grab one of the wheelchairs in the hallway. We're busting out of this place.” He ran out into the hallway leaving me and my fiancé in the room alone.

Grabbing Kayce’s jaw with my fingers I turned his chin so he was looking back at me before capturing my lips with his. “I can’t believe I’m gonna be calling you my husband tonight because you’re so impatient, Dutton.”

It’s not too often that you feel content and comfortable with the decisions you’ve made. You often overthink things, especially events that lead you to the moment you’re in. Your brain is always thinking about everything, but the present. You said that when you left Texas to come back here that you weren’t going to think less.

That you would focus on the now, instead of the past or what each small decision is going to lead you to. You want to live in the now, in this moment. And while that may be the case, the comfortability of Kayce’s warm breath on your neck with his arms wrapped tightly around your body is winning out on all the intrusive questions that are coming to your mind.

This could be a bad idea. You could be making a terrible mistake, and you’re better off away and with Tim. But if it’s so bad, why does it feel so comfortable? Why is the early morning light peeking through the curtain, and his body molding to you feel so good? It brings up all the future possibilities with Kayce.

This is home, but is it home because of him? You’re no longer children anymore, you don’t have to pretend, don’t have to tiptoe around with the worst kept secret on the ranch. You can just live, and enjoy him. You can’t hate Kayce. You can’t make him pay for a past misunderstanding anymore. Because if he pays for a misunderstanding, aren’t you ultimately paying for that as well?

“Mmm,” Kayce’s morning snores start to taper off, and you push yourself more into him. He has held you all night long. It won’t always be like this, but you can indulge in the fact that right now, it is like this. It’s warmth, cuddles…it’s home.

You know you’re getting too ahead of yourself, but it could work. It’s worth it to try.

His hand snakes down your stomach. Creating a slinky line all the way to the elastic of your panties. Pausing long enough for you to protest, instead, you prop your leg up to give him better access, and Kayce, still ‘snoring’, seizes the space.

He moans in your ear the moment he comes in contact with your wet heat. Arching your back into him, and stealing a kiss from his lips. He still plays asleep, but his fingers are way too eager. He explores your folds like he hasn’t ever had you before. Working you over into a steady pleasure that has you rocking into his hand in hopes of fucking his fingers.

“Mmm,” his moan is followed by a nip and kiss to your neck, “Greedy one, huh, Bronc?”

“I see you’ve picked up some new tricks,” he gives your bundle of nerves a quick, but pressured pinch, sending your body into overdrive, and you let out a pornographic whimper that has him devouring your neck. He dips two fingers into your warmth, and lets you ride them.

Your hips buck into his digits with so much need that your vision becomes impaired. There isn’t a world outside of this bed, and this man. There is only this moment, and the way that your cunt is consuming now three fingers, his other hand pinching a sensitive nipple, and his mouth dancing along your skin makes your vision blurry. You couldn’t think if you wanted to.

For the first time in so long, your mind is blank. Succumbing to the ministrations of his entire body, even his own hips driving his hard on into your covered ass. It’s too much and not enough.

“Kayce!” You grit out, reaching behind you to pull and tug at his boxers. “Kayce, fuck me.”

“Not this morning,” he struggles to get out. His teeth bite on your tender skin a bit harder.

“Kayce, need you inside me.”

“Not helping, Bronc!” You don’t know why he’s holding out on you, but you just want him more because of it.

“At least let me see you!” He grunts, and maneuvers you to your back with him between your thighs. He pulls aside the gusset of your panties before burying three fingers back into your cunt.

“Fuck yourself on my fingers. Let me watch how desperate you are for my cock,” where the fuck did that come from? And why is it so much of a turn on? You follow his instructions. Rolling your hips to create friction, while he stares needily at where the two of you connect.

He gazes at your cunt soaking his fingers like he’s going to have a test on female anatomy. Struggling to breathe when he looks up at your wrecked face, and hands playing with your tits. He’s just there, letting you use his fingers to make yourself feel good, and he can’t even comprehend how he ever got you back.

He knows that this is his future. Watching you, pleasing you, desiring nothing more than to gorge himself on your honey. “Kayce!” He can tell. Your tight walls flutter around him with the most beautiful pace that he could ever think of.

“Kayce, I’m going to…!”

“Bronc, let go, baby,” there’s something about the tickle to your brain when he leans forward to whisper in your ear to let go. Calling you baby, and needing to be closer to your breath, “Let…”

The dam breaks, and pleasure floods to every extremity of your body. Blacking out from release. He slams his mouth against yours in hopes of tasting your euphoria. Thrusting himself into you at a desperate pace, while your body calms down. Both hands trap him against your mouth, and you hope that he can get some relief with the dry humping he’s doing.

One of his hands slaps on the head board, and he grips it tight. Sucking in a breath just before grunting into your mouth, and a slight yelp just before his warm sticky cum spurts out of him. Clinging to his boxers, while your eyes flutter at the feeling of it getting on you. Primal. It’s how Kayce makes you feel. Animalistic, and raw.

“Fuck, I could get use to that.”

“It’d be better if you were inside me.”

“Yeah,” he grins, looking down at your spent body. A dopey smile on your face, and your legs spread wide to accommodate him. “I am not getting inside your body while I’m still half asleep. No, the next time we have sex, I’m going to take my time with you.”

“How romantic.”

“Oh, I can be romantic, pretty girl,” that crooked smile gets you every time, and you wrap a hand around his neck to pull him down for a series of sweet kisses.

“I’m sure you’re extremely romantic.”

“Don’t worry, I’m going to do things right,” you hope so. You want him. More than you have ever wanted anything before. You want all of him.

“Dad!”

“Ahh!” You are in a mix of pulling Kayce closer and pushing him off you as who you assume is his son slings the bedroom door wipe open. There’s too much movement, and thankfully both of you are mostly fully clothed. Minus his lack of a shirt. And there’s the blanket covering you, which in retrospect is your saving grace, while also a tattle tell as to what is going on under the covers.

“Good lord, son. Morning, Bronc. Grandson, we — he ran in front of me.”

“Who is that? Grandpa, who is she?”

“Tate, uhh — listen to your grandpa,” he gives a quick glance down at you with a grimace before pointing toward the door. “Give us a minute,” John is able to pull Tate out of the bedroom, while heat blooms across your cheeks. You knew Tate was coming today, but didn’t think his dad hovering over you was how you were going to be introduced.

“He’s, uh, excitable.”

“And your cum is leaking out on me.”

“You liked it two minutes ago.”

“Two minutes ago I didn’t have a four year old staring at me.”

“He’s seven.”

“Get off, and let's make ourselves look presentable, and not like horny teenagers, shall we? Do you think they’re going to leave?”

He does oblige, and gets off you. He smirks before stuffing his fingers into his mouth, and sucking them clean. “Don’t try to turn me off when your son is here,” the door to his cabin closes, and you hear John loudly speaking to Tate outside.

“They’re going to the lodge for breakfast, care to join us?” You shake your head no. “Oh, come on. Beth won’t be there, so there won’t be any awkward conversations.”

“Except Tate asking why you were on top of me. Tell you what, cowboy, you eat at the lodge, I’ll eat at the bunkhouse,” Kayce starts to interrupt but you jump out of the bed, and kiss him softly, “And we’ll see each other after, but before chores, so you get to be the one to tell Tate who I am. Okay?”

“That’s rude. Why me?”

“He’s your son, and I truly wish we didn’t meet like this. Later you can properly introduce me.”

“You’re not mad?” He looks across your body with a shy smile.

“No, I’m embarrassed, and next time I know that the bedroom door needs to be locked if we’re — playing.”

“Fine,” he agrees, giving a kiss to your nose. “Let me be the one to deal with the awkward conversation, and tell him we’re just old friends,” old friends that sleep together. It sounds better than girlfriend, no, that’s not what you are. You’re friends, rediscovering each other, and deciding if a relationship should happen.

Not confusing at all.

Tate scrunches his nose before jumping up on the fence. Leaning over as he watches you. He’s not the only one. John stands not far enough away, his interest in you to see how you’re going to handle his grandson. It isn’t enough for you to be working with your new horse enough to hopefully get to ride Lucky. No, you have to make sure you don’t lose yourself to try and impress John. And now Tate.

Not that Kayce only listens to his father, but something tells you that how Tate reacts to you will be the most important. As it should be. “What do you do here?” The little boy asks. “Do you just play with the horse?”

“No,” you give a little chuckle, looking over your shoulder at him. “I am attempting to break Lucky in. She’s a bit stubborn.”

“Isn’t that my dad’s horse?”

You stop spinning, letting Lucky chuff out a breath as you unclip the rope from her. Making sure to press your head against her as you pet her neck, “Was.”

“Why was?”

“He gave her to me. Your dad and I are old friends. I used to live on the ranch. Grew up here. Rip is like a brother to me,” you let out a deep exhale before walking over towards Tate. Nodding your head to John, and to no surprise of your own Lucky steps in right behind you.

“Did you and my dad have a slumber party?” John clears his throat, causing Tate to look back at him.

“Don’t you want to eat a brownie or something?” John tries to save you from another awkward encounter with Tate. But you can’t fully ignore him and his questions. He deserves to know who you are, and why you were in his dad’s bed. Maybe not that part.

“No,” Tate gives an easy enough answer. John walks up closer, leaning against the fence to give Lucky a little pet. “Did you kiss him?”

“Umm, not — well, a little bit, but,” John groans at your answer. “Do you ride?”

“Not really. My dad won’t let me go out with them.”

“One day you will. You’ll wake up too early, spend too long cattling, you’ll come back here and wash up, have dinner at the lodge, and go to sleep. All before it starts all over again. Right now you should focus on being a kid. But sometimes riding isn’t always about work. Not when you live out here. It’s too pretty to be inside.”

“Maybe you could take me,” arching up an eyebrow, you look over to John.

“Not without your dad’s permission. There’s a lot of responsibility with horses,” Tate looks up at John, and you smile shaking your head no. “It would exclusively have to come from your dad.”

“You just don’t want to be responsible for me.”

“Tate,” John warns.

“He’s fine. Remember, you don’t even know me,” Tate takes a minute to gaze at you before nodding.

“Yeah, you could be a psycho that wants to suck my blood. I should definitely have my dad around just in case, right, grandpa?”

“Yeah, you definitely shouldn’t be left alone with a masked murderer. Come on, let's leave Bronc to her job. I hear there’s a cow that needs tending to,” you nod your head, and pull at Lucky’s bridle. Time to get back to work.

“Can you come to dinner at the lodge?” You weren’t expecting for Tate to seek you out, or the fact that he isn’t a baby, he’s a perceptive child, one that has a loyalty to his mother, that his dad is no longer with.

“We’ll see.”

“That means no. Dad always says that, and then it doesn’t happen. He stopped having dinner with me and mom. He always says, ‘We’ll see’. You don’t have to lie,” your situation is not the same as Tate’s at all. You didn’t have anywhere else to go, so you came here. But Rip never lied to you about your parents. It was a bit of an ugly reality.

You sigh, watching your feet kick the ground. “It’ll be up to your dad.”

“Can you tell him that I invited you? Are you going to talk to him?”

“Not before you. You ask him, your dad will know where to find me,” giving his hair a little ruffle, he laughs before giving your hand a nudge away from him. “Time to get back to work, and you need to go eat a brownie with your grandpa.”

——

Tate laughs, and kicks at his grandpa’s leg playfully. He smiles up at you. This is awkward. Kayce would be the type to not beat around the bush. He keeps a hand on the small of your back, and even pulls out your chair for you.

”Beth’s not here tonight, Bronc.”

“She’s not? Guess she had somewhere more important,” anywhere but around you would be best. You don’t hate Beth, but she’s too protective of Kayce, and you’re just not good enough for him. But nobody is.

“She told dad not to get too comfortable with you,” Tate’s voice is meek, and he frowns, replacing it with a fake cover of a smile.

“I think she said not to get too fucking comfortable with you,” you and Tate laugh at Kayce, but John groans with displeasure. “Right, we have a lady and child present. We shouldn’t have foul language at dinner.”

“Does that mean that aunt Beth isn’t a lady?”

“I wouldn’t call Bronc one either,” Kayce is quick to turn around, glaring at his brother, but you beam up at him.

“Lee!” You quickly push back your chair, wrapping your arms around his neck. “Where have you been? I was beginning to think you didn’t work here.”

“I, uh, I had a job elsewhere. You are all grown up, Bronc. I — wow. Old habits die hard, huh?” He looks towards his little brother, pulling at his long hair. You know that Lee probably can’t stand it. “Back to where you truly belong. Well,” he looks over towards Tate. “It’s good to see you back. Tate! What is new with you?”

“Bronc said she’s going to take me riding, but — I have to ask dad. Dad, can I go riding with Bronc?” He looks between you and Tate with a smile. “What?”

“I feel you two are ganging up on me.”

“Nope. I just want to see everything. You can go, too,” that doesn’t sound too bad, honestly. “By the way, grandpa said I can sleep in here tonight, and we won’t go wake you up early.”

“Okay, son. Eat your food, and worry about yourself.”

“So,” you start. Smiling up at Kayce while your legs start pulling the two of you to his bedroom.

“So?”

“You have a cute kid. He admires you,” Kayce’s puppy dog eyes look down at the floor, and shakes his head no. “Oh, he does. He even wants to go riding with you.”

“I think the bigger draw for riding is you,” he’s blinded in thinking that Tate doesn’t love his dad. “I’m the bad guy that left him and his mom. He’s probably just wanting to see who the woman is in my bed.”

Your back hits the wall beside his bedroom door, and your eyes go wide as you gaze up at him. His body crowds you, suffocating you in the wide space. It’s something that truly shouldn’t be possible. The cabin is an open floor plan, but it feels as if the walls are closing in on you. You can’t even have a serious conversation because this man consumes you. Always has.

“I don’t want to talk about my son right now, Bronc,” his fingers tease around the strap of your dress. You gulp, watching your own hands fumble up his shirt. Your chest rises and falls, panting like a dog in heat, and he’s barely doing anything. “I want to talk about the woman that sleeps in my bed.”

“What about her?”

“I want her to know that not only am I all in, I fell even harder for you today,” he isn’t going to say anything about his son, but it’s implied. He said he didn’t want to talk about Tate. “These past few weeks with you here made me realize that I was never going to love anyone like I do you. Hell, Monica always knew,” your face falls, brows furrowing as you look at his chest. “Bronc?”

“Monica?” Instantly his hands collapse by his side. “Monica. Just when were you going to tell me your wife was Monica.”

“Ex-wife.”

“So a soon as I left, she swooped in and…”

“Don’t blame her.”

“Fine. My boyfriend who says the cheating was just a misunderstanding actually married and procreated with that same woman,” he rolls his eyes, and you shove at his chest. Walking towards the door, “I’ll sleep in the bunkhouse.”

“No you won’t.”

Your body spins completely around and you glare at him, “Don’t tell me what I can’t do.”

“Lower your voice.”

“No!”

“Bronc.”

“Kayce.”

“Fine, you want to go to the bunkhouse instead of having an adult conversation. Run away. Just like you always do,” you turn to look back at the door, but your feet no longer move. “Yeah, I married Monica.”

“Why?”

“She was there,” a simple enough response. You know he’s not lying, and still it doesn’t make it feel any better. How is that supposed to make you feel? He didn’t go looking for you. He just settled with her. “There any more questions?”

“Did you ever love her?”

“I thought I did. I loved the idea of getting married before you better,” that stings. But you get it. You know how deeply flawed Kayce is, but underneath that is this resilient romantic side to him. He wanted to be a husband. To you. “Then Tate was born, and I just forced myself to live through it. Until it wasn’t enough. Have you ever heard the expression living a lie? Yeah, that was us. She knew I was in love with a reckless girl from my past, and she resented me for it. I was killing us both.”

“Who filed for divorce?”

“I did,” you gulp, and let your eyes drift close. At least there is that. It’s a pride thing, and you understand that, but you can’t help the relief that clouds your vision. Not only was it him that filed for a divorce, he filed before you came into the picture. “Bronc, I failed you, and failed us. I won’t be doing it again. I’m not going to let your impulsiveness destroy something before it’s even started because you’re afraid. Do you understand?”

“Don’t patronize me,” your voice whispers before you turn around to look at him. “Don’t talk to me like I’m a child.”

“I’m talking to you like nobody else does. You’ve always been able to listen to me like…”

“If you add good girl into your sentence, I’m sleeping on the couch,” he smirks, you're admitting you’re going to stay in the cabin with him even if it’s on the couch. He knows sometimes those small wins really add up.

“If we’re going to make this work, you can’t keep using my marriage against me. I married Monica, and we had a son, and I can’t change that, you know? I’m putting it all out there. I don’t mind answering your questions, but I can’t be treated like I’m not the only one that was living a lie with someone that we didn't truly love. We’re the same.”

“So do you have any questions?”

“Did you love him like you love me,” you shake your no. You loved Tim in a way. Maybe one day you might have married him. Maybe one day you wouldn’t have missed Yellowstone like you did. Maybe it doesn’t matter because maybe is long gone. All that matters is him. “I only have one more question.”

“And what’s that, cowboy?” Lifting his hat off his head, he puts it on the hook. He starts to walk backwards into the bedroom, making a big gesture to undo his belt buckle. “Kayce?”

He pulls at the hem of his shirt, and tugs it over his head before sitting down on the bed, and slowly pulls off each shoe. “What’s wrong?”

“You said you had one more question.”

“I’m a bit tired. You ready for bed?” No, you aren’t ready for bed. Being in this cabin is a bit of whiplash. Things were hot and heavy, then it was Kayce psychoanalyzing you, and now he’s just ready for bed? No. “What’s wrong?”

“I thought you were going to ask me if you could kiss me,” Kayce, leaning over and elbows propped on his knees, looks up at you with the most devilish grin. “Or, I don’t know maybe…”

“Maybe what, darling? You’re the one that tried to walk out that door, and out of my bed tonight. So if you want something you better let me know. It’s been a long day, and I believe you’re going riding with me and Tate tomorrow. So why don’t you rest your legs. Unless you’re out of practice?”

“Out of practice? Excuse me?” You kick your shoes off, and start to pull the straps down on your dress, but Kayce tsks you. “What?”

“Why are you taking your dress off?”

“I’m going to show you how good I ride.”

“Is that what you’re doing? I thought I told you I was tired,” chuffing out a quick breath, you pull your panties down, and throw them at him. “Keep the dress on, will you?”

“Why?”

“If you’re going to fuck me and ride me, let me at least take your clothes off,” so you’re not imagining things. The buzz you feel in your entire body. A heat crawls over your entire skin, settling low on your body. “Or we can just go to sleep. Nothing has to happen, but I do need to hold you.”

“So you know that I’m real,” he smiles, and nods his head. Happy that you still remember his cheesy line from when you were teenagers. “What if I don’t want to go to sleep?”

“Then get over here, and take my cock out,” Kayce’s eyes darken, and a smoky tone is added to his voice. “That is if you still remember how,” his eyes coast down your body, watching your chest heave. He wants you to make the first move, and you want him. You want him more than you have ever wanted anything in your life. But he wants you to show him just how much you want him. You were the one trying to leave earlier, he deserves that.

“Bronc, get your ass over here, and take my cock out. Slowly,” you put one foot in front of the other. Taking slow calculated steps as you get closer and closer to him. He whispers out your name, holding his hand out.

“You never call me that,” your voice is so breathless as your eyes flutter close.

“It seems perfect. Considering if you crawl over my lap, and you let me inside of you, I’m never letting you go ever again.”

“You promise?”

“I promise,” and that’s how you know. Know what exactly? You can’t be sure, but you know that he is yours. Just how you have always been his, he’s yours. There’s no hesitation in your steps as you continue the short distance to him. Glancing up at his eyes before you look at his bulging jeans.

Kayce playfully rolls his eyes before he’s unbuttoning his jeans, and shuffles them down his legs. Reaching to his shirt, he yanks it over his head, and you sigh at the scared skin bearing the Yellowstone brand. Even that imperfection on his skin makes him more perfect.

“Get over here,” he chuckles, and you nearly pounce on him. Crawling over his body onto the bed. His mouth collides into yours, claiming you, and stealing your breath. Your bodies writhe together as he slowly peels the straps of your dress down your shoulder. Pulling away in a gasp just to watch the fabric fall off your breasts.

His mouth hangs open in awe as he watches you undulate your hips. Bucking and rolling into him. Desiring nothing more than to feel his heavy, throbbing cock against your skin. Settled into your body.

“Kayce, do something,” having him just staring at your body is both frustrating and enticing. He’s studying you like homework. His vision traces over every added curve that age has given you. “Kayce,” your voice comes out more of a whine when he cups your breast in his hand. He kneads your sensitive skin while his mouth trails away from yours, and kisses a path down your jaw. Nipping on your neck before kissing all the way down your chest.

Giving you a look through his lashes before he sucks your pebbled nipple into his mouth. Your breathing stutters, and you reach down to his waist. You need him inside of you, “Shh, take your time. We’ve got all night.”

With your tit still in his mouth he looks up at you smirking. “Kayce, I need to feel you,” your breathing is uneasy, and you reach for his waist again. Kayce’s mouth pulls off you with a loud pop as you adjust your weight. Tugging at his boxer briefs, and he lifts his bottom up to pull them down.

Immediately you feel the heat radiating off him. And you reach down, gripping the base. Staring at him is the best when he squeaks in approval. You give his length a few strokes before guiding it to your entrance. Kayce’s eyes lock on yours, and you sink yourself down on him. Mouth going slack when he rests his forehead against yours. The two of you breathe in each other’s breaths, and you don’t stop your descent over him, until he’s balls deep.

“Bronc, I…”

“Don’t start that yet. I can’t handle that right now.”

“So what are we doing tonight?”

“We’re fucking claiming each other,” your voice is already wrecked. Lifting yourself off him slowly, you slam back down. You don’t need to hear Kayce tell you that he loves you. You’re well aware. But saying the words out loud makes this become too real too quickly. And you just want to enjoy him. You want to remind yourself of why you love him.

You set a dangerous pace. Too slowly dragging your hips upwards, and harshly sucking him back inside of you. Over and over again, until his breath is hot and fast across your face. Both his hands on either side of your head, he holds you against him. Kissing you. Devouring you. Before you sit up, and he still chases you, trying to pull you back into him.

You reach down to your dress, and go ahead and pull it off. You want Kayce to see everything. Make yourself the most vulnerable you can. Leaning back, you put your hands behind you, anchoring you, and your hips rotate over him. Pulling his cock into your wet heat over and over again.

His eyes go down your body until he stares at where the two of you connect, “This is new,” he exclaims, gritting his teeth. You’ve never used this position on him before. And that means you used it on him. He got to see your body on full display, sucking his cock back into you while you whimpered his name. As good as it feels, it infuriates him to know that some man got this part of you. That he dared to look over your goddess body, and had the pleasure to experience this.

This is what loathing and jealousy feels like. You might not have had a child with him, might not have married him, but you lived with him. You slept in the same bed with him, and he could have had this every single night if he wanted to.

“Kayce, I’m here,” he’s not a jealous man. Possessions mean nothing to him. Except when it comes to you, you mean everything to him. And you’re too good at this. Because you’ve had the practice, and it wasn’t with him.

Jolting his hip up, he has you flipped over to your back in a matter of a few seconds. He lowers his weight over your body, propping himself up on his forearms. A tangle of limbs, and quivering bodies. And the one thing that is constant is just how deep he is inside of you. He is at your very core, and destroying you from the inside out.

If his goal was to ruin you for other men, he’s succeeded long before tonight, but this moment is also vastly different. It’s a needy desperate shameless consumption of each other. There isn’t a rush to get finished, or a requirement to stay silent. You let the pleasure he pushes into you with every thrust be known to him, and he reciprocates with hopelessly chanting your name like a prayer.

Softly, hungrily buries himself deeper than anyone has ever been inside of you. And it’s not even about his cock. It’s about Kayce completely and irrevocably imprinting himself into your soul. Two bodies join together as one, and this is more than marriage could even pretend to be. This is everything.

It’s sweaty, hungry, greedy, wet, hot, and everything in between. The sounds shared between you and Kayce are primal. It’s something you can never duplicate with anyone even if you wanted to, and all you want is to bask in the glory of the way that he fills you up so completely.

Kayce’s movements stutter, becoming more forceful and quick. He lifts off you enough to slam a hand on the headboard as he pounds into your body with so much force that the bed bounces off the wall. Pictures crash up against the wall with his power, and your hands gripping to his shoulder scratch down his back, and you wrap your legs around him. Trying to keep his body as close to you as possible.

“I’m gonna come,” you know it. It’s not just his body showing you all the signs of his impending release, but you just feel it. “You coming with me?”

You nod your head ferociously. You’re ready to take any ride with Kayce. He changes his angle, and his cock slides into you so deliciously it makes your toes curl. Your entire body starts to seize up, your legs grip to him tighter. He clenches his teeth, grunting, and stifling his words, and you keep your eyes trained on his.

The two of you being swallowed whole by the other. Grabbing onto each other tightly as a tightness fills in your stomach. A rubber band twisting and twisting. Creating so much tension. And the two of you dive into the abyss of one another as the most beautiful deep euphoria courses through your body, and your mind goes blank. Warmth fills you up from every inch of your body.

You tremble as Kayce lowers himself down up you. His thumb gently caresses over your lips as your walls flutter around him. Waiting and watching as you come down from your high. You’ve never felt anything like this. You have always wanted Kayce to be the first person to come inside of you, and he is. He’s the only person to ever have had that privilege.

“You okay?” You quietly nod your head, and pull him down for the sweetest and softest kiss. A promise sitting between you. He’s yours. He was always yours. He will always be yours.

“Yeah, I,” you start to speak, and something catches your throat.

“Remember, you said it was too soon,” you nod again, smiling at him, and thankful he knows. “You’re not leaving this cabin ever again, okay?”

“Okay.”

“If we have a disagreement, we’re going to talk about it. Even if it’s hard. Even if you want to scream. Because we’re worth it,” tears well in your eyes, and all you can do is nod. He sighs as he starts to pull himself out of you, and you just feel — empty.

He leaves you to walk into the bathroom, and you stare at his cute ass while he retreats. He leaves the water running for quite some time before coming back with a warm wet wash cloth, and kneels in between your legs. The softness he uses to clean himself out of you is shocking. It’s so tender.

“You enjoying the view?”

“Yeah. Nothing like seeing you leak of me,” as vulgar as it is, there’s also a sweetness. He tosses the cloth into the hamper, and crawls up the bed. He pulls you into his chest, and rests his chin on your head. “Bronc, I don’t know what it is about you, but you make me feral.”

It’s the way he feels about his son. The way he would do anything to keep you safe, to keep you with him. Beth made a comment the other night that has stuck to him. Bothering him in a way that it shouldn’t. What happens if Tim comes back to take you?

There’s no way that what you feel for Tim could be even half of what you must feel for him. He just knows it, deep down in his soul, he knows that you were made for him. There’s nothing that could ever take you away from him. Nothing. Not one single thing or person.

Nothing.

Next

Masterlist

Taglist: @tis-thedamn-season @theinheriteddutchess @kendallroydefender @kmc1989 @venus111sworld

@rnurse-kole @delicioushottubpeanut @thefairlyaveragegatsby @gothicxbarbie @starksztony

“You’re here early,” he says.

You glance over your shoulder, holding the cloth in your hand. “Someone has to be.”

There’s a hint of a smile in your voice, but you keep it small. Professional.

Kayce leans against the doorway, watching you in that quiet way he always does—not invasive, just… observant.

“You don’t have to do all this alone,” he says.

You shrug, turning back to your work. “It’s my job.”

“Still.”

You pause for just a second before continuing, like his words almost got through.

Days turn into a rhythm.

You come in early. You leave before things get too loud. You keep your head down, your work clean, your distance clear.

But Kayce…

He keeps finding reasons to be around.

“You missed a spot,” he says one morning, pointing lazily at a perfectly clean table.

You narrow your eyes slightly. “Did I?”

He walks over, dragging his finger across it… then holds it up.

Clean.

You cross your arms. “Very funny.”

A small smirk tugs at his mouth. “Had to make sure you were paying attention.”

“I always am,” you reply.

And something about the way you say it makes the moment linger a little longer than it should.

The flirting starts small.

You’re in the kitchen, drying dishes, when he leans against the counter—closer than usual.

“Y’know,” Kayce says casually, “you’re making the rest of us look bad.”

You glance at him. “How?”

He nods toward the spotless kitchen. “Place has never looked this good.”

You smirk a little. “Sounds like a you problem.”

He huffs a quiet laugh, eyes staying on you longer than they should.

“Maybe,” he says. “Or maybe I just need to keep you around.”

Your hands pause for just a second on the towel.

“That part’s not up to you.”

Kayce tilts his head slightly, studying you.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t try.”

Your heart does something you don’t quite like—because it’s noticeable.

A few days later, it gets harder to ignore.

You’re outside this time, hanging a line of freshly washed cloths, when you feel him before you see him.

“Thought you only worked inside,” he says.

You don’t turn right away. “I do what needs to be done.”

“Yeah,” he replies, stepping closer, “I’ve noticed that about you.”

You glance back at him, the corner of your mouth lifting slightly. “You notice a lot.”

“Only things worth noticing.”

There it is again—that look.

Steady. Intent.

Too much and not enough all at once.

You turn back to your work, but your focus isn’t the same.

That evening, a storm rolls in.

The sky darkens fast, thunder echoing across the land. You’re finishing up in the kitchen when the lights flicker—and then go out.

You freeze for a second.

Then—

“It’s alright,” Kayce’s voice comes from the doorway.

You exhale, tension you didn’t realize you were holding slipping away.

“Just the storm,” he adds, stepping closer.

“I should probably head out,” you say, even though you don’t move.

“Not in this, you’re not.”

You turn—and your breath catches slightly.

John Dutton stands there, steady and unmoving.

“I don’t want to be a bother, sir—”

“You’re not,” John says calmly. He glances at the rain hitting the windows. “Storm like this washes roads out. You won’t make it far.”

You hesitate. “I can try—”

“No.”

Simple. Final.

“You stay the night,” he adds.

“…Yes, sir,” you say quietly.

He nods once and leaves.

The room feels different after he does.

Kayce exhales softly. “That’s him being nice.”

You glance at him. “I figured.”

Later, the rain is steady, the house dim with only candlelight.

You’re leaning against the counter when Kayce steps closer again—closer than he has before.

“So,” he says, voice low, “since you’re stuck here…”

You raise a brow. “Stuck?”

“Yeah,” he says, a hint of a smirk forming. “Figure I should make the most of it.”

You cross your arms slightly, trying to ignore the way your pulse picks up. “And what exactly does that mean?”

He looks at you for a second—really looks at you.

Then—

“I wanna take you out.”

The words land heavier than you expect.

You blink. “Out… where?”

Kayce shrugs a little. “Somewhere that’s not you working and me pretending I don’t watch you work.”

Your breath catches—just slightly.

“That’s what you’ve been doing?” you ask.

“Pretty much,” he admits, not even trying to hide it.

You shake your head, a small laugh slipping out. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Not a no,” he points out.

You hesitate.

Because it would be easier to say no.

Safer.

But—

“…It’s not a yes either,” you reply.

Kayce steps just a little closer, his voice softer now.

“Alright,” he says. “Then let me ask it the right way.”

Your heart pounds a little louder.

“Go ahead.”

He tilts his head, a small, genuine smile finally breaking through.

“Will you go on a date with me?” he asks. “No cleaning. No pretending this is just a job.”

For a moment, the storm, the house, everything else fades.

It’s just him.

Waiting.

You swallow lightly.

“…One date,” you say.

Kayce’s smile grows, just enough to see it.

“I’ll take it.”

~

It’s not what you expected.

No fancy restaurant. No big plan.

Just Kayce pulling up in his truck, leaning over to open the passenger door like it matters.

“You clean up nice,” he says, looking at you in a way that makes your stomach flip.

You roll your eyes, but you can’t hide your smile. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Too late,” he replies.

He drives you out past the ranch, further than you’ve ever been.

The land stretches endlessly, the sky turning soft shades of orange and purple as the sun starts to dip.

When he finally stops, it’s quiet.

Just open land. A blanket in the back of the truck. A small cooler.

You raise a brow. “This your idea of a date?”

Kayce shrugs, a little sheepish. “Figured you spend enough time inside working. Thought I’d give you something different.”

You hesitate… then smile.

“It’s perfect.”

That seems to catch him off guard.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

You sit side by side in the back of the truck, legs dangling, sharing a quiet conversation that feels… easy.

Too easy.

“You don’t talk much when you’re working,” Kayce says.

“I’m not there to talk.”

“Shame,” he replies. “I like hearing you.”

You glance at him, caught off guard.

“You flirt like that with everyone?” you ask.

“No,” he says simply. “Just you.”

Your heart skips.

The conversation shifts slowly, naturally… until it doesn’t.

Until it lands somewhere heavier.

Kayce leans back on his hands, eyes drifting out across the land.

“I was married,” he says.

You glance at him. “Was?”

He nods once.

“To Monica Dutton.”

You’ve heard the name before. Around the ranch. In passing.

But this is different.

This is him telling you.

“What happened?” you ask softly.

Kayce exhales, slow.

“Life,” he says at first. Then shakes his head. “No… that’s too easy.”

He runs a hand over the back of his neck, like the words don’t come naturally.

“I loved her,” he says. “Still do, in a way.”

That should sting more than it does.

Because of how honest he is.

“But sometimes love isn’t enough to make two people stay in the same place,” he continues. “We kept pulling in different directions. Ranch. Family. Everything.”

You stay quiet, letting him speak.

“I tried to be who she needed,” he says. “But I kept ending up back here. And she… she needed something different.”

There’s no anger in his voice.

Just truth.

“That doesn’t make her the bad guy,” he adds. “Or me.”

You nod slowly. “Just means it wasn’t right anymore.”

He glances at you, something soft in his expression.

“Yeah,” he says. “Exactly.”

A quiet settles between you—but it’s not uncomfortable.

It’s real.

“Why tell me that?” you ask after a moment.

Kayce looks at you fully now.

“Because if I’m gonna do this,” he says, voice steady, “I’m not doing it halfway.”

Your breath catches.

“This?” you ask.

He leans just slightly closer.

“You,” he says.

The air feels different now.

Closer.

Warmer.

You swallow lightly. “You barely know me.”

Kayce smiles a little. “I know enough.”

“That I clean your house?”

“That you care about things that aren’t yours,” he says. “That you don’t run from hard work. That you try to stay invisible… even when you shouldn’t.”

Your heart pounds.

“That’s a lot to figure out from watching someone clean,” you say quietly.

He tilts his head.

“I’ve been paying attention.”

Silence falls again—but this time, it’s charged.

Intentional.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” he adds.

“What question?”

He leans in just a little more.

“Whether this was just one date…”

Your breath catches.

“…or if I get another.”

You look at him—really look at him.

At the honesty. The patience. The way he’s not pushing… but he’s not backing down either.

“…You might,” you say.

Kayce smirks slightly. “I’ll take ‘might.’”

By the time he drives you back to the ranch, the stars are out again.

Everything looks the same.

But nothing feels the same.

Because this time—

When you step out of the truck…

You don’t feel like you’re just the girl who cleans the house.

And when Kayce looks at you—

He doesn’t see you that way either.

~

Its a few days later when Kayce’s voice stirs you from your cleaning…

“You ever been to the county fair?” Kayce Dutton asks one morning, watching you from the doorway while you dust the shelves.

You glance at him. “Not in a long time.”

He nods like he expected that. “Then you’re going.”

You pause. “That didn’t sound like a question.”

“It wasn’t.”

You try to fight the smile pulling at your lips. “I have work.”

“I’ll talk to my dad,” he says simply.

Your eyes narrow slightly. “You’d do that?”

“For you?” he replies, shrugging. “Yeah.”

Your heart does that thing again.

“…Fine,” you say. “But if it’s terrible, I’m blaming you.”

Kayce smirks. “You won’t be.”

By the time you get there, the sun is starting to dip, painting everything in warm gold.

Lights flicker on across the fairgrounds. Music drifts through the air. Laughter, voices, the smell of fried food and sugar—it’s loud, crowded… alive.

You glance around, taking it all in.

“This is… a lot,” you admit.

Kayce watches you, not the fair.

“You alright?” he asks.

You nod slowly. “Yeah. I just forgot what this feels like.”

He steps a little closer. “Then we’ll take it slow.”

You don’t.

Not really.

Because before long, he’s pulling you toward a game booth.

“Pick something,” he says.

You cross your arms. “Why?”

“Because I’m gonna win it.”

You laugh softly. “Confident.”

“Always.”

You point at a stuffed animal hanging from the top. “That one.”

Kayce glances at it, then back at you. “That’s the hardest one.”

You shrug. “Then I guess you’re in trouble.”

He huffs a quiet laugh—and then actually focuses.

It takes him a couple tries.

But when he finally wins it, he hands it to you without hesitation.

“Told you,” he says.

You take it, smiling more than you meant to. “I’m impressed.”

“Yeah,” he replies. “You should be.”

Later, you’re walking side by side through the crowd, your shoulders brushing every so often.

Neither of you moves away.

“You hungry?” he asks.

“When am I not?” you reply.

Kayce smirks. “Good answer.”

He comes back with food—nothing fancy, just fair food, messy and warm.

You sit together on a bench, sharing it, laughing when you inevitably get powdered sugar everywhere.

“You’re not very graceful,” he says.

“You’re the one who handed me this,” you shoot back.

“Still your fault.”

The night settles in deeper, lights glowing brighter now.

Music plays somewhere nearby—slow, steady.

Kayce glances toward it… then back at you.

“C’mon.”

You frown slightly. “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

Before you can argue, he takes your hand.

And this time—

It feels natural.

He leads you to a small open space where a few couples are dancing.

Nothing big. Nothing formal.

Just people swaying under string lights.

You hesitate. “Kayce…”

“Relax,” he says softly. “It’s just a dance.”

“I don’t dance.”

He steps closer, one hand settling lightly at your waist.

“Yeah,” he murmurs. “You do.”

Your breath catches slightly.

Because now you are.

You move slowly, unsure at first—but he guides you without making it obvious.

His hand is steady.

Warm.

“You’re staring,” you say quietly.

“Can you blame me?” he replies.

You roll your eyes—but your grip on him tightens just a little.

After a while, the world fades again.

It’s just him.

Just this.

And for once—

You’re not thinking about leaving.

The night settles in deeper.

Lights glow brighter. Music drifts more slowly now.

Kayce glances toward a quieter part of the fairgrounds—away from the crowd, where the noise softens, and the lights feel warmer.

“C’mon,” he says, gently taking your hand.

This time—

You don’t hesitate.

He leads you past the noise, toward the edge where things feel calmer. A Ferris wheel turns slowly nearby, casting soft light over everything.

You stop walking.

“So this was the plan?” you ask quietly.

Kayce shakes his head. “Didn’t really have one.”

You smile slightly. “That checks out.”

The air shifts.

He steps closer.

Not rushed. Not forced.

Just enough that you feel it.

Your breath catches as his eyes drop briefly to your lips… then back to your eyes.

“You gonna pull away?” he asks quietly.

You shake your head, just barely.

“No.”

That’s all it takes.

Kayce closes the distance slowly, giving you time—giving you the choice.

And when his hand gently comes up to rest at your waist, steady and warm—

You lean in.

The kiss is soft at first.

Careful.

Like neither of you wants to break the moment.

But then it deepens just slightly—not rushed, just real. Like everything unspoken between you, you finally found a way out.

Your fingers curl lightly into his shirt.

And for a second—

Nothing else exists.

Not the lights.

Not the music.

Just him.

When you finally pull back, it’s slow.

Reluctant.

Kayce rests his forehead lightly against yours, his breath still close.

“Yeah…” he murmurs quietly. “Definitely worth bringing you.”

You let out a soft laugh, your heart still racing.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Yeah,” he says, a faint smile in his voice. “But you kissed me anyway.”

You shake your head, but you don’t step away.

Later that night, back at the ranch, the quiet feels different.

Softer.

Like something has settled into place.

You step outside under the stars.

And like always—

He’s there.

“You had fun,” Kayce says.

“Maybe.”

“That’s as good as I’m getting?”

“For now.”

~

A few days pass before it happens.

Days where nothing changes—and everything does.

You still wake up early. Still clean the house like you always have. Still keep your distance… at least, you try to.

But now—

There are looks.

Longer ones.

Small touches that linger just a second too long.

And conversations that don’t feel like just passing time anymore.

It’s late when it finally happens.

The ranch is quiet, the kind of quiet that settles in after a long day. The sky is clear, stretched wide with stars that seem brighter the longer you look at them.

You step outside for air.

And he’s already there.

Kayce Dutton leans against the fence, like he knew you’d come.

“You always find me out here,” you say softly.

He glances over, a small smile forming. “Or maybe you always find me.”

You roll your eyes a little, but you walk over anyway.

That part’s not a choice anymore.

You stand beside him, close—but not quite touching.

Not yet.

“You been avoiding me?” he asks after a moment.

You scoff lightly. “I see you every day.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

You glance at him, caught.

“…Maybe a little.”

He nods like he expected that.

“Why?”

You hesitate.

Because the truth feels a little too big to say out loud.

“Because this…” you gesture faintly between you, “…isn’t simple.”

“No,” he agrees quietly. “It’s not.”

The air feels different now.

He’s closer than he’s ever been.

And for the first time… neither of you pulls away.

Kayce studies your face like he’s trying to memorize it.

“You should know something,” he says quietly.

Your heart pounds. “What?”

He hesitates—just for a second.

Not because he’s unsure.

Because it matters.

“I don’t play games,” he says. “I don’t start things I don’t mean.”

Your chest tightens.

“I can tell,” you whisper.

He nods slightly, eyes never leaving yours.

“And I know this is fast,” he continues. “I know I don’t know everything about you yet.”

He pauses.

“But I know how I feel when I’m around you.”

Your breath catches.

“And I haven’t felt that in a long time.”

The world feels very, very still.

Then—

Kayce reaches for your hand, slow enough that you could pull away if you wanted to.

You don’t.

His fingers wrap around yours, warm, steady.

“I’m yours…” he says quietly, voice softer than you’ve ever heard it.

Your heart skips.

“…if you’ll have me.”

The words settle between you like something fragile.

Real.

You stare at him, searching his face for anything uncertain.

You don’t find it.

Just honesty.

Just him.

Your fingers tighten slightly around his.

“You don’t make this easy,” you whisper.

A small smile touches his lips. “Wasn’t trying to.”

You shake your head, a soft breath leaving you.

“…I don’t want easy.”

Kayce’s eyes soften.

“Good,” he says.

The stars stretch endlessly above you, the night quiet and full.

And for the first time since you stepped onto this ranch…

You don’t feel like you’re just passing through.

Because this time—