Page 27 of The Rancher's Code

“Some kind of emotion-based flu, sure—Shit! Dylan!” My sister’s response went from playful to dead serious. “The ladder!”

I looked over at Dylan, the ladder wobbling underneath him. Without thinking, I crossed the barn in a flash, steadying the ladder as best as I could, Dylan’s fingers held tight to the rung in front of him. Dylan slightly shifted and the ladder wobbled again, this time causing him to lose his grip. As he fell towards the barn floor, I reached out for him, intent on catching him in my arms.

He landed in a perfect cradle, the ladder falling down right beside us.

“Are you okay? Tell me you’re okay…” I murmured.

“Don’t—you shouldn’t—” Dylan started, his eyes wide. “We look like a scene out of some kind of romantic drama. If you don’t want people to know about us…”

“I don’t give a shit about that right now, Dylan. I just need to know if you’re okay.”

“I’m okay…” His skin flushed as he looked up at me. “Now, put me down.”

“Whatever you say,baby.”

“I hate you so much right now,” Dylan groaned, as I let him out of my arms. Amber came running up to us, then, wild with concern.

“Dylan! Oh, my God! Are you okay?”

I stepped away from the conversation, just as Dylan looked over at me, our eyes meeting from across the room. I flashed him a smile before heading out of the barn completely, thoughts of holding him in my arms all over again casually making their way through my head.

“Uh, this place is huge.”

Dylan walked through the front door of my personal cabin on the ranch, his gaze quickly taking everything in. “Like, this is pretty much a mansion huge. Did you know that you lived in a mansion? Or am I the first person to tell you?”

I looked around the room, no longer noticing the size of the place. I’d gotten used to the high ceilings, the grand staircases, the oversized windows with blinds that I could control with my voice. Honestly, I’d gotten so used to my home as just a place to get some sleep after a long day of work, there wasn’t any magic to it anymore.

There was also the fact that I hadn’t chosen any of it for myself.

“It was inherited.” I closed the door behind him. “If it was up to me, it’d be a lot more… reasonable.”

“I think it’s reasonable. And outrageous. All at the same time.” Dylan grinned. “Seriously, though. It’s gorgeous.”

He paused for a moment. “Inherited? From your Dad?”

I nodded. “He built a separate place for himself on the ranch. I think he wanted something more manageable, the older he got.”

“You really are the favorite son, huh?”

“People keep telling me that. Doesn’t feel like it.”

“Why not?”

“We don’t have to talk about that right now.”

“You’re right. We don’t. Besides, what’s the point of ruining the mood?” Dylan smiled as he closed the distance between us, his hands going up to my shoulders. “Thanks for saving my life earlier, by the way. I owe you one.”

“You owe me one?” I hummed, wrapping my arms around Dylan’s waist. “Can I cash that in right now?”

“What do you want to cash it in for?”

“You.”

“How much of me?” Dylan’s words were hesitant, his gaze locked on mine.

“All of you.” I pressed a soft kiss against his lips. “I want all of you, Dylan.”

“Take me to your bedroom?”

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