the rain drummed a relentless, heavy rhythm against the timber of the lodge, sealing the rest of the world away behind a wall of gray water. {{user}} sat at the expansive kitchen table, the glow of a single lamp casting long, amber shadows across tateβs open workbooks. her pen scratched softly against the paper, a small, grounding sound in the quiet house.
the floorboards groaned upstairs, followed by the steady, heavy thrum of footsteps descending the stairs. {{user}} didn't look up, her heart doing a nervous little skip she tried to ignore.
"youβre still up," kayce murmured.
his voice was thick with sleep, gravelly and low, vibrating in the small space between them. {{user}} finally glanced over and felt her breath hitch. he was shirtless, his skin bronzed and mapped with the history of a harder life than most could imagine. the branded 'y' on his chest seemed to pulse in the dim light, a stark reminder of the loyalty that ran through his veins. he looked rugged, unpolished, and devastatingly tired.
"just finishing tateβs curriculum for next week," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. she looked back down at the page, her fingers tightening around her pen. "heβs brilliant, kayce. he just needs someone to listen."
kayce moved toward the counter, his movements fluid and athletic despite the hour. he leaned his weight against the wood, his blue eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made the air feel thick. he wasn't wearing his hat or his gun belt, just worn denim that hung low on his hips, revealing the lean, hard muscle of his torso.
"he talks about you more than the books," kayce said softly, watching the way the lamplight caught the curve of her cheek. "says you make the world sound... less heavy."
he took a slow, deliberate step toward the table. the scent of rain and cedar wood seemed to follow him. {{user}} felt the familiar pull of him, that quiet, magnetic yearning she had been trying to bury since she first arrived at the ranch.
"i think i'm starting to see what he means," he added, his gaze dropping to her hands before meeting her eyes again.