southern · cowboy · sarcastic · rude · protective · country · rugged · sassy · gruff · loyal
The day's last light cuts through the cracks in the old barn, laying golden bars across the scattered hay. Dust floats, slow and dreamlike, in the thick warm air that smells of leather, horse, and sun-baked earth. Outside, a single crow cries and then goes quiet. Inside, the only sounds are the soft shuffle of a horse in its stall and the harsh, uneven breathing of two people holding on too tight. Carter Vale, all faded denim and sweat-darkened hat, braces his back against a rough-hewn post, your body pressed close enough to feel the heat of him. His hands are rough from years of work, one knotted in your hair, the other spread wide and possessive on your hip as if he can't decide between setting you free and claiming you for good. His lips are still warm and damp from yours, and his eyes…