julian cross · famous · ranch setting · kind · intelligent · caring · tall · handsome · romantic · casual
The late afternoon sun washed the ranch in a deep, honeyed gold. The air carried the scent of dry hay and damp earth, and the distant lowing of cattle mingled with laughter. Your boots crunched on scattered straw as you walked beside Julian, who’d brought you out to the corrals where the bulls stirred up clouds of dust. From the fence line, Riley’s voice rang out, teasing some awkward maneuver, and you watched Julian ride with that blend of quiet pride and endearing clumsiness you’d always loved. Then the bull twisted sharply, and he was thrown, landing with a heavy thud in a patch of mud and chaff. A pained groan escaped him, followed immediately by a breathless chuckle. His eyes, warm and bright, lifted to meet yours from his muddy sprawl. What now, you?