"A girl could get used to this," I murmured as I buried my face into Ryan's chest. Dawn was peeking in through the window, a gentle reminder that our little fairytale was drawing to a close.

"I know, baby," he replied, pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. "But we better get back. I can't have folks thinking I kidnapped you."

I sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "I'll just tell them I went along willingly. No Stockholm syndrome or anything like that," I teased. "Next time you kidnap me, though, give me a heads-up so I can pack a toothbrush—and bring my good underwear."

Ryan grinned and, with a playful tug, pulled my satin panties from beneath the sheet. "If these aren't your good underwear, baby, then I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have."

I wrinkled my nose in mock indignation and yanked them back from his grasp. "Give me those," I said, laughing. "And tell me—where did you hide my bra?"

He pointed at the chair. I grabbed the sheet from the bed, wrapping it around myself as I moved over to retrieve my bra.

"You know, I've seen all of you before," he teased, watching me struggle to cover up.

"Not in this lighting," I retorted with a smirk. "And not all at once."

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror above the desk—hair in disarray, makeup smeared, a raw reminder of the night's chaos.

"I need a shower," I said, shooting him a look. "That's not an invitation."

He chuckled softly. "Wasn't even thinking about it."

"Yeah, you were," I retorted with a playful edge.

"Well… it might have crossed my mind," he admitted. "Go ahead—I promise I'll wait here."

I slipped into the bathroom, feeling an odd mix of anxiety and resignation. I couldn't understand why I was so self-conscious about him seeing me like this. After all, he'd seen me covered in dirt and mud before. So why did this feel different?

Perhaps it was because this time it wasn't about work. Outside of the ranch duties, I rarely presented myself as the polished girl that everyone expected. Sure, I was attractive—I had good boobs and kept myself in shape for riding—but I never really made the effort to look or act like a girl off the saddle. And in this moment, I realized that the unvarnished version of me was just as real as any carefully curated image.

I stepped out of the shower and slipped back into my jeans, feeling a little more like myself—less exposed, less vulnerable.

"Alex," Ryan called softly, tapping on the door. I opened it to let him in, and of course, even with bedhead and a sleepy glimmer in his eyes, he looked incredibly sexy. In his hand, he carried a package with a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.

"Thank you," I said with a playful smile. "I'll feel a lot better about kissing you if I don't have morning breath."

He chuckled and pulled me into his chest. "I was wondering what that was all about."

I arched a brow. "Honeymoon phase over already?"

"If that means I get to watch you do your morning routine, then sure," he replied with a mischievous glint.

I stepped away from his warmth, running my hands over his chest—still sprinkled with my body glitter. "You need a shower," I teased.

Ryan smirked as he scooted past me toward the bathroom. "I thought you were branding me so those horny girls would stay away."

I shot him a playful glare. "There aren't any horny girls at the ranch. Unless you want to explain to my father why you're wearing so much glitter."

"Shower it is," he said, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before slipping behind the curtain. "You can join me if you want."

I hesitated, then decided it was safer to stay here. I waited until I heard the water running, then swished and spit out my toothpaste, all the while watching him from the doorway, a mix of amusement and anticipation in my eyes.

I did the room a once over, making sure nothing was forgotten before we stepped out. Back to reality.

"I'm buying you breakfast, cowboy," I told him when we got to the truck. "None of that gentleman bullshit either." I still let him open the door for me.

"You're getting real bossy, princess," he glanced up at me with that smile of his, "too used to getting your way."

I never brought up finances with him, it was never an issue. But I knew what Dad paid the hands so I knew that Ryan had likely spent half a week's wages taking me out. It didn't seem fair to me.

"Please, Ryan," I looked over at him, "let me do this."

"Alright, fine," he relented.

"Stopping at a drive-thru on the way doesn't count," I said to him as he eyed the nearest McDonalds.

"I'm not picky, baby," he responded.

"I know you're not, but I want to sit down somewhere," I insisted, folding my arms as I gave him a look.

Ryan exhaled through his nose, shaking his head with a smirk. "Alright, princess, pick the place."

I didn't bother arguing about the nickname. It was easier to let him have it. Plus, the way he said it didn't feel like an insult—it felt like a tease, one I wasn't entirely opposed to.

I scanned the street as we drove, looking for a diner that seemed promising. The neon sign of a little mom-and-pop place caught my eye, boasting Best Pancakes in the County in flashing red letters.

"There," I pointed. "That looks good."

Ryan pulled into the lot, cutting the engine before glancing at me. "You do know this probably costs the same as McDonald's, right?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, but at least I don't have to eat out of a bag."

He chuckled as he climbed out, making his way to my side of the truck to open my door. "I thought we weren't doing the gentleman bullshit?"

I rolled my eyes but stepped out with a smirk. "I make exceptions."

I didn't realize how hungry I was until we stepped food inside. I suppose a wild night with a sexy cowboy drains all of your calories. The lady behind the counter motioned for us to take a seat at an empty table.

"Coffee?" she asked.

"Yes, please, cream," I told her as we slid into the open booth.

He watched as I dumped a hefty amount of sugar and dumped three of those little cups of half-and-half into my warm cup.

"Do you even like coffee?" he chuckled.

"Not everyone drinks it black with no soal in it," I watched him take a sip straight from the cup.

"You're sweet enough, for me," he grinned. "I don't need any extra sugar."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the warmth that crept up my neck. "Smooth talker," I muttered, stirring my coffee.

Ryan smirked, setting his cup down. "Just calling it like I see it."

The waitress returned with a notepad in hand. "Y'all decide what you want?"

I glanced at the menu, even though I already knew. "Short stack with bacon, please."

Ryan barely looked at the menu before ordering. "Same, but make it a full stack. And extra bacon."

The waitress nodded, jotting it down before walking off. I leaned back in the booth, taking another sip of my coffee, watching Ryan across from me. His hair was still a little damp from the shower, his shirt slightly wrinkled. It suited him. Rugged, easygoing—like he hadn't just turned my world upside down last night.

"So," I started, tracing the rim of my cup with my finger, "where do we go from here?"

Ryan leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, unsure how to phrase it without sounding ridiculous. "I mean… was this just a one-time thing? Or are we—" I waved a hand between us, "—something?"

His lips quirked, but his eyes were serious. "What do you want us to be?"

That was the real question, wasn't it? I wasn't sure how to answer it. I hadn't thought past last night—past finally having him the way I'd wanted for so long.

I took a breath, holding his gaze. "I don't know. But I don't want it to be nothing."

Ryan reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine. "Then it won't be."

—-

I relaxed a little when we got back to the ranch. Dad and Rip were already out dealing with the whole bear situation. Jamie finally made it home last night. Got in a fistfight with our father and was told to drop out of the race for Attorney General or leave the ranch.

Jamie left the ranch.

Beth recounted the story to me with entirely too much glee. But I knew she had a strained relationship with Jamie even on their good days.

"I wish you didn't idolize him," she said, "Jamie will always be a snake." I guess maybe I saw something in Jamie she didn't. I knew who my brother was. Maybe I was rooting for him a little to be what he wanted to be.

"Sometimes it's ok to want something other than what Dad wants," I muttered. She wasn't listening to me.

Beth scoffed, lighting a cigarette as she leaned against the fence. "And sometimes, wanting something different just makes you blind to the truth." She exhaled a slow stream of smoke, eyeing me like she was waiting for me to argue.

I didn't. Not because I agreed with her, but because I was too damn tired to get into it. Jamie had made his choice, and so had Dad. None of it was my business—not really.

Beth studied me for a beat, then smirked. "You look like hell, by the way."

"Thanks, Beth," I muttered, rubbing my temples.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and then she grinned like she'd just uncovered some dirty little secret. "Oh, wait. This isn't about Jamie at all, is it? You're all dreamy-eyed and distracted. Who was it?"

I frowned. "Who was what?"

Beth rolled her eyes. "Who rocked your world last night, little sister?"

I felt the heat creep up my neck, but I played it cool, crossing my arms. "None of your damn business."

Her laughter was sharp and knowing. "Oh, it's my business now. Spill."

I hesitated, but Beth had a way of seeing through the bullshit. And besides, if I didn't tell her, she'd figure it out on her own.

"Ryan."

Beth's smirk widened. "Well, well. Took you long enough."

I blinked. "You knew?"

"Please," she flicked her cigarette away, "you've been looking at that man like he hung the damn stars since you were sixteen."

I opened my mouth to argue, but she wasn't wrong.

Beth looped an arm around my shoulders, tugging me close. "Just promise me one thing, okay?"

I sighed. "What?"

She met my gaze, all the teasing gone from her expression. "Don't let him break your heart, again."

I swallowed hard, because I wasn't sure how to promise that.

"I'm gonna go get changed before Dad gets back," I said then walked inside and up the steps.

I looked at myself in the mirror, did I look that much different than I had the day before? I wasn't exactly a virgin before Ryan. And he and I had fucked each other in almost every corner of the ranch at least once. But something about last night had shifted things—it wasn't just a stolen moment or reckless indulgence. It meant something.

Shaking the thought away, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the lingering haze of the night. After changing into fresh clothes, I buttoned up my shirt and stepped out of my room—only to collide with a man I didn't recognize.

He was dressed in sweats and a tank top, looking like he'd barely survived whatever the hell last night had thrown at him. Before I could ask who the hell he was, he muttered one word.

"Beth."

"She's probably still outside," I replied, watching him trudge down the steps like every movement was a personal betrayal.

Curiosity piqued, I followed him downstairs and out the kitchen door to the porch—just in time to watch him stagger to the edge and violently empty the contents of his stomach into my grandmother's rosebush.

Dad's voice cut through the moment like a blade. "Who the fuck are you?"

I lifted my coffee mug to my lips, watching the scene unfold. "I don't fucking know. He's not with me." I gestured toward the hungover mess bent over the flowers. "Pretty sure he's Beth's new boyfriend."

"God, no," Beth's voice came from behind me as she sauntered outside. "That's Jason. My assistant."

I shot her a look. "Your assistant is puking in the roses."

She took one glance at him and shrugged. "Guess he can't handle his whiskey."

Dad muttered something under his breath and shook his head, while Jason groaned and wiped his mouth.

Beth smirked and patted his back—maybe a little too hard. "Welcome to the ranch, city boy."

Jason grumbled something unintelligible before retreating inside, no doubt heading for a shower to wash off both the whiskey and his humiliation.

Dad exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face before turning his attention to me. "How was the rodeo, sweetheart?"

I blinked. He never asked me about the rodeo.

"It was good," I said carefully. "Ran late, so I stayed the night in Bozeman." It's not technically a lie—just an omission of the more interesting details. The technicalities were starting to pile up.

He nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Well, I'm glad you had a good time." Then his expression hardened. "I'm heading out. And I don't want you trying to run interference for your brother. Got it? He fucked up, and he's gonna deal with the consequences."

"Yes, sir." There was no arguing with John Dutton when his mind was made up. Not for me, not for anyone.

Jamie had made a mess of the whole damn situation. All he had to do was pick up the phone. I knew there had to be a reason—even if it didn't excuse it.

"Come on, little sister," Beth's voice cut through my thoughts as she stepped outside, Jason trailing behind her looking half alive. "We're going on a little field trip."

"What? Where?" I stood up, falling in step behind her. Beth never involved me in her business. Maybe she thought I was too naïve. Or maybe she just assumed I wasn't interested in anything beyond my horse. That second part was mostly true.

"Do not put your dirty boots on my leather seats," she warned as I slid into the passenger seat of her Bentley.

"I wasn't going to," I muttered, settling into the plush seat. The car suited Beth—sleek, stylish, powerful. Everything she was and I wasn't. I drove a truck. It was practical. And covered in mud on most days.

"So," Beth smirked as she pulled onto the road, "how was he?"

I blinked. "Did you really drag me along just to ask about my sex life?"

"You have one now, so yeah, we get to talk about it." She pressed her foot harder on the gas. "I used to tell you about mine."

"In excruciating detail," I groaned.

"If I didn't, who the hell else was gonna teach you?" Beth shot me a look. "Our brothers still think you're too sweet to fuck around. But I know better."

I scoffed. "I don't exactly fuck around, Beth."

"I know, I know," she rolled her eyes. "You only have eyes for one cowboy."

A small smile tugged at my lips, but I glanced out the window as the fields of the ranch rolled past. "Lee was actually pretty helpful in that department," I admitted. We didn't talk about Lee much.

Beth was quiet for a beat. "I wish I had gone to Lee for help when I needed it…" she trailed off, her voice softer than usual.

There was more to the story but I didn't press. Beth was always closed-lipped. If she wanted me to know, I'd already know.

My brow furrowed when Beth pulled to a stop right outside Jamie's campaign office.

"Why are we here?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

"To take him down several notches," she smirked, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Come on, let's see what our brother thinks is more important than his family."

I sighed, shaking my head, but still followed behind her. Someone had to at least try to keep her from making a scene. Or, at the very least, minimize the damage.

The moment we stepped inside, every eye in the room was on Beth. That wasn't unusual. Beth had a way of commanding attention, like a flame drawing in helpless moths—only for them to end up burned. She walked with purpose, cutting through the room like a shark scenting blood, while I scanned the space for Jamie. He needed a warning, even a small one. I was angry at him, furious even, for how he had hurt our father, how he had chosen himself over all of us. But I also understood why he had done it. And I knew there was still a way back—if only Jamie would take it.

We pushed through to the back, where he sat at a table, deep in conversation with his assistant. Beth leaned casually against the doorframe, smirking like she had just caught them in the act. My attention went straight to Jamie's face. The bruising along his cheekbone was stark against his pale skin, and I instinctively took a step forward.

"Don't do it," Beth muttered, throwing an arm out to stop me.

The woman sitting with Jamie turned to us with an expression that made my stomach turn. Smug. Satisfied. Like she had just won something valuable. So, this was her—the problem. She didn't care about Jamie, not really. She wanted his power.

Beth saw it too. "I'm sure she'll fulfill those pegging fantasies of yours with those hips," she sneered at Jamie, her voice dripping with condescension.

Jamie tensed, his lips pressing into a firm line. I ignored Beth's taunts and took a softer approach. "Jamie," I said gently, "just come back. Work it out with Dad."

His jaw clenched. "No. This is what I want," he said with conviction. "I'm not gonna let him take it from me. I won't let him."

Beth didn't miss a beat, shifting her attention to the woman beside him. "When he lets you down, sweetheart—and we all know how soft he really is—you can keep him."

"He won't let me down," the woman replied, her voice so thick with smug confidence that it made my skin crawl.

Beth scoffed, turning her full focus back to Jamie. "We're doing a little restructuring. You're being replaced as Chief Counsel." She held out her hand expectantly. "I'm gonna need your credit card, your bank card, and the keys to your truck."

Jamie's eyes darkened, his anger barely restrained. "I've spent my whole life fighting for this family," he spat, "and now I'm just not a part of it anymore?"

"You can't unmake family, Jamie," Beth said smoothly, fingers wiggling in the air, "but you can take their gold card."

For a long moment, he just stared at her, his face unreadable. Then, with a sharp exhale, he pulled out his wallet, yanked out a card, and tossed it onto the table. His truck keys followed. Beth snatched them up and, without hesitation, threw them at me.

Jamie's eyes met mine. Don't look at me like that, I wanted to tell him. I didn't ask for this. I shook my head, hoping he would see the truth in it. I am not part of this plan.

Beth turned on her heel and sauntered toward the door. Before I could follow, she shot me a pointed look. "Do not give him any money, Alex."

Jamie didn't say a word, just clenched his jaw and looked away.

I gave him an apologetic glance before turning and following my sister out the door.

—

I hated to admit it, but Jamie's truck drove a hell of a lot smoother than mine. Not that I had any intention of keeping it. But I couldn't ignore the fact that it was decked out with all the bells and whistles—the latest GPS navigation system, satellite radio, and leather seats so damn soft they felt like they belonged in a luxury car, not a ranch truck.

Pulling into the driveway, I shifted into park and climbed out, giving the truck another once-over. Shaking my head, I let out a scoff. This thing has never hauled a damn thing in its life. It was pristine, barely a speck of dust on it, and I couldn't picture it with a trailer loaded full of horses rattling behind it.

It didn't belong on the ranch.

And Jamie… maybe he didn't either.

He made his choice, and it wasn't us. It was her. That smug, conniving bitch. Would I have felt this way about any woman my brothers dated? No—I liked Monica well enough. So it had to be her. Something about the way she looked at us, like she'd already won some twisted game we didn't even know we were playing.

I started toward the house, then stopped. I already knew what waited for me behind those doors—more drama, more tension, more of Dad's cold, unwavering judgment. And right now, I wasn't ready for it.

I needed a moment to breathe. To shake off the weight of everything before I let it bury me.

So I turned on my heel and headed for the bunkhouse.

It had always been a sanctuary, a place where I could let my guard down, even just a little. But now… now, it was something else entirely.

The guys were gathered around the table, a deck of cards worn at the edges between them, trading jabs and testing each other's patience to see who would break first. It was their ritual, their unspoken tradition.

For a brief second, I hesitated in the doorway.

I wasn't one of the guys anymore. Not really. I'd grown up in this bunkhouse, but things had shifted. I wasn't sure if it was because of Ryan or just because I'd changed. Maybe both.

Colby must've seen the doubt flicker across my face because, without missing a beat, he shoved a cold beer into my hand and kicked out an empty chair at the table. Sit down. Stay. My welcome here hadn't worn out just yet.

So I plopped down, letting the familiar energy of the room settle around me.

"Is he bluffing?" Colby asked, eyeing Ryan across the table. "He's lookin' smug as hell and not crackin'."

I grinned, taking a sip of my beer. "I'm not giving away any trade secrets."

"Told you she wouldn't rat me out," Ryan said, all cocky, before draping his arm around my shoulders and pressing a kiss to my temple. His cards shifted slightly in his hand, and I caught a glimpse of them.

I glanced at Colby and gave him a subtle thumbs-up.

Ryan was definitely bluffing.

"How you liking that fancy new hat, Jimmy?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.

"I done fucked up and put it on the bed. You know how to undo that?" he asked, looking genuinely concerned.

I smirked, taking a slow sip of my beer. "I don't know, lots of sage? Never actually knew a cowboy dumb enough to do it before."

The table erupted in laughter, and Jimmy grumbled, sinking further into his seat.

"Don't worry," I added with a teasing grin. "I can't see how your luck could get much worse. You fall off your horse every damn day."

"Twice on Thursdays," Jake chimed in, shaking his head. "I fold. I can't tell if he's bluffin', and I'm too broke to find out."

"I'm all in," Colby announced, tossing a bill into the growing pot in the center of the table.

Ryan stayed stone-faced as the rest of the guys hesitated, trying to read him.

"Turn your cards over, boys," Lloyd finally said, his gruff voice laced with amusement.

Ryan smirked as he laid his cards down, but the table went silent when Jimmy revealed his hand.

"Son of a bitch," Ryan muttered.

Lloyd chuckled, slapping Jimmy on the back. "Looks like your luck's turnin' around, kid."

Jimmy grinned, looking down at his winnings like he couldn't quite believe it himself. Maybe that cursed hat wasn't so cursed after all.

The table went dead silent when the bunkhouse door swung open. Rip walked in, a woman at his side. She had a quiet confidence about her, the kind that said she didn't take shit from anyone. Her sharp gaze swept the room, sizing up the men like she was the one deciding if they belonged here.

"This here is Avery," Rip said. "She's the new groomer. Y'all are gonna treat her like any other cowboy, that clear?"

The guys nodded, but it was obvious Rip might as well have left a rattlesnake in the room. They looked between each other, waiting until Rip left before their jaws hit the floor.

I wasn't the type to get threatened by other women, but I had to admit, if the boys hadn't looked so damn slack-jawed, I might have been.

"Which bunk is free?" she asked, all business.

Ryan pointed toward the corner. "Over there."

"Pisser?"

Jake nodded in the direction of the bathroom. "Shower's there too."

Colby, never one to keep his mouth shut, squinted at her. "Didn't you used to work at the strip—"

Ryan cut him off with a sharp look.

Avery, unfazed, smirked. "Yeah."

She strode over to her bunk, unfurling a bedroll like she'd been here all along. The guys, like idiots, got up to watch her.

She huffed, shaking her head. "Might as well get this over with."

Without hesitation, she unbuttoned her jeans, shimmied them down her hips, and stood there in nothing but her underwear.

"If I wake up in the middle of the night to one of you assholes standing over me beating off," she said, completely unfazed, "I'll cut it off."

The stunned silence that followed was delicious.

I bit my lip to hold back a laugh, but as soon as the bathroom door shut behind her, I couldn't help myself.

Ryan glanced at me, then toward the closed door. "That don't bother you?"

"Not in the slightest," I grinned, taking a sip of my beer.

"You want in on this hand, baby?" Ryan asked, shuffling the deck as the guys gathered around the table for another round.

"Sure, deal me in," I said, pulling a wad of bills from my pocket and tossing it into the pot. The weight of the cash made a satisfying thud against the table, drawing a few raised brows from the others.

Avery emerged from the shower, fresh-faced and wearing a loose-fitting tank and sweats. She pulled up a stool beside me, running a towel through her damp hair.

"You a hand too?" she asked, eyeing me with curiosity.

"Not exactly," I replied, watching as Ryan dealt the cards.

"She's the boss's daughter," Jake cut in before I could say more, shooting Avery a knowing look. "But she ropes and rides as good as any of us."

"Better than most of you," Lloyd added, smirking as he looked at his cards.

"Damn right," I said, picking up my cards.

Avery let out a low chuckle, leaning back on her stool. "Didn't peg you for the type that liked getting your hands dirty."

I arched a brow. "You spend enough time here, you'll learn real fast—I don't just sit pretty on the porch."

She gave me an appraising nod, then looked at Ryan. "So, cowboy, how bad you gonna let your girl take your money?"

Ryan grinned, draping an arm across the back of my chair. "Wouldn't be the first time."

I smirked and tossed a few more bills into the pot. "And it won't be the last."

The table erupted with laughter as the game went on, the stakes rising right along with the tension.

"Who's turn is it anyway?" Ryan asked.

"Pretty sure it's your turn like always," Colby said.

"I think he's trying to focus," I gave his thigh a gentle squeeze.

"Between the two of you," Ryan eyed between me and Avery, "you're bleeding me dry and somehow I kind of like it."

The bunkhouse went quiet again when the door swung open again. This time my brother, Kayce, came walking through.

"Someone point me to an empty bunk," he said. His voice was cold. Kayce strode over and climbed up in the bunk.

"Come on, let's go again, though I might need a small loan," Ryan chuckled.

I smirked, sliding my cash in front of him as I stood. "Don't lose it all in one go, cowboy."

Ryan gave me a wink. "No promises."

I walked over to where Kayce laid. Staring at the ceiling like it held all the answers he was looking for.

I pulled a stool over and sat beside him, resting my elbows on my knees. "You wanna talk about it?"

His jaw tightened, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed whatever was on his mind. "No."

I sighed. "Alright."

Silence stretched between us, the only sounds in the room coming from the poker game continuing at the table. Ryan was laughing at something Avery said, and Colby grumbled about his bad luck.

Kayce finally turned his head toward me. "Dad kick you out here?"

I scoffed. "No, I just needed a break." I tilted my head. "You gonna tell me what happened?"

His eyes darkened. "Not tonight."

I nodded, understanding. Sometimes, words didn't come easy. Sometimes, you just needed someone to sit with you in the silence.

"Alright," I said again, reaching out to squeeze his arm before standing up. "You know where to find me."

Kayce was never the brother I would push for answers. He would always tell me in his own time, or I'd just know what was wrong. So I left him with his thoughts.

"I love you," I told him as I turned to walk back to the group.

"I know you do," Kayce responded, "Love you too."

"Awe," Colby laughed as I made it back to the table, "that was truly a heartfelt moment. Hallmark will be calling to write one of those movies about it."

"Shut up," I gave him a playful nudge. "How much of my money did you lose?" I asked Ryan as I sat back down beside him.

Ryan had the decency to at least look a little sheepish as he glanced at the dwindling stack of cash in front of him. He scratched the back of his neck, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips.

"Well, sweetheart," he drawled, "depends on how you define 'lose.'"

I raised a brow. "If it's not in your pile, I'd say that counts as lost."

Colby chuckled. "He put up a good fight, though. Even bluffed his way through a couple of hands. But in the end—" he reached out and pulled the pot toward himself with a triumphant grin— "luck just wasn't on his side."

Ryan groaned, leaning back in his chair. "I swear, I was winning when you weren't looking."

Avery smirked. "That's cute. Keep telling yourself that, Ryan."

I laughed, nudging Ryan's knee with mine. "I guess I'll have to start charging interest if you plan on losing any more of my money."

Ryan turned to me, flashing that slow, charming grin of his. "Or I could just win it all back in the next round."

Colby snorted. "Now that's wishful thinking."

I shook my head, amused. "Alright, deal me in. Let's see if I can salvage what's left of my investment."

Lloyd shuffled the deck, handing out the cards as the game picked up again. I could still feel Kayce's presence in the corner, his silence heavy, but I knew he'd talk when he was ready.

For now, I let myself enjoy the moment—the laughter, the friendly jabs, and the easy warmth of Ryan's arm brushing against mine. The bunkhouse had always been my escape, but now, it was starting to feel a little more like home.

"You staying?" Ryan asked as the night wound down, his voice low and easy.

"Do you want me to stay?" I arched a brow, a teasing lilt in my voice. "But just so we're clear—I'm not having sex with you while my brother is across the room."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Didn't expect you to. Just like having you in my arms when I sleep."

The sincerity in his voice softened me, made it impossible to say no. I pressed a slow, lingering kiss to his jaw. "Well, when you put it like that… how can I refuse?"

With a knowing smirk, he reached into his chest and pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of his sweatpants, handing them to me without a word. The warmth of his fingers brushed against mine, a silent invitation. Ryan always had a way of making the simplest things feel intimate—like handing me something to wear was just another way of pulling me closer to him.

"Don't fall asleep before I get back," I teased, already making my way toward the bathroom.

He smirked. "No promises."

That sent a little shiver down my spine, but I didn't let him see it. Instead, I just shook my head and disappeared into the bathroom, peeling off my jeans and shirt before slipping into the well-worn softness of his t-shirt and sweats. They were loose, comfortable, and smelled like him—like cedar, leather, and the faintest hint of sweat from a long day's work.

By the time I came back, the bunkhouse had settled down. The poker game had ended, and most of the guys were either passed out in their bunks or quietly talking amongst themselves. Kayce still hadn't moved from where he lay, his back to the room, lost in his own world.

Ryan was already stretched out in his bunk, arms folded behind his head, watching me with that lazy smile of his. He lifted the blanket in invitation. "C'mere, sweetheart."

I didn't hesitate. Climbing in beside him, I nestled against his side, my head resting on his chest. His arms wrapped around me, warm and solid, pulling me close like he never wanted to let go.

"This alright?" he murmured against my hair.

I sighed, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat calm me. "Yeah. This is perfect."

And for the first time that day, I actually meant it.