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“You deserve time for yourself. It means you’ll return home to your daughter happy and rejuvenated. If you choose to stay with me, I’ll do everything in my power to keep a smile on your face, sweetheart.”

Dylan really was the best person to help her right now. The support he offered with his words and actions back at the barn wasn’t a service she’d paid for.

“You really care about your job, don’t you?”

“Sure. But I care about people more. I got into this line of work thinking it would be a good time. Easy. Soon I learned how difficult it is, and what an honor it is to be trusted with a woman’s troubles.” His jaw shifted. His throat worked on a hard swallow. “Sloane, I don’t know what happened between you and Shaw, but if you stay, I’ll make sure he leaves you alone.”

A roughened laugh bubbled up. “How do you plan to do that? Shaw’s determination is unmatched.”

“Oh, it’s matched—by me. I’ll handle him.”

The anger in his eyes was undercut by something else, something she didn’t know how to interpret.

“The ranch is beautiful. It feels like I’m in another world. After diapers and doctor visits and sleepless nights having an infant, and now a toddler, I need a break.”

“Like I told you, you deserve one.”

She held his stare for a long moment. “He made me feel like a terrible mom.”

“It was a dick thing to say to you.”

While she enjoyed having Dylan at her back and his righteous anger burning for her cause, a deep inner part of her felt the need to defend her ex.

“Shaw supports his daughter. He isn’t a total deadbeat.”

“Glad to hear it.” His clenched fist resting on his knee relaxed a bit.

They fell silent, each deep in their own thoughts. When she looked up, she caught Dylan staring at her with such a sharp expression of longing that her insides somersaulted.

He opened his arms, and she shot from the chair and into them. He gathered her close.

God, the feel of his strong arms were comforting in a brand-new way she never expected when she booked her stay on The Boot Knockers Ranch. She thought she’d be wined, dined and sixty-nined. But talking out her troubles and getting validation that she was doing the right thing never came onto her radar.

He tucked her head under his jaw and leaned back on the sofa. Closing her eyes, she breathed in his scent. Spicy, masculine, fresh. It stirred her body to life.

Twisting her face, she found his neck with her lips. He issued a low groan when she flicked her tongue over his flesh, tasting him.

“Love…”

The endearment sank into her brain. Of course, it was only a word. Something people just said. She’d heard it enough on movie sets and photoshoots, from men and women alike. But now the word spread a warmth through Sloane that trickled into her belly.

She rocked in his lap, dragging another low groan from him.

“I feel better. A lot better. You made me feel better, Dylan.” She slipped off his lap and landed on her knees between his splayed thighs.

“Christ, Sloane.”

Need coiled inside her. Reaching for his belt, she worked it open, then popped the button of his jeans and slowly slid the zipper down. “I want to return the favor.”

* * * * *

Desire flared hot and bright inside Dylan as Sloane’s sweet lips wrapped around his cock and she engulfed him in her smoldering hot mouth.

“Fffuck!” Lifting his hips, he shoved his jeans and boxers down to free himself.

She sucked him deep into the back of her throat. Tangling his fingers in her silky hair, he watched her. He’d witnessed a hell of a lot of erotic things around this place, but this by far stole the prize.

His muscles clenched as she drew off his length inch by inch, and ran her tongue around the tip.