Oneshots - Kayce Dutton Book 2

Darlin'

Request - Jealous Kayce

Ryan calls reader love. Kayce gets jealous and asks, " why does he call you love if your just friends?" "Why do you call me darling?" she asks "because I care about you " Kayce snaps or something like that.

You had decided to take Kayce up on an offer to ride out to one of their pastures and help tag some cattle in the afternoon. Jimmy, Ryan, and Colby came along with you two as you set out.

You had developed a very close friendship with Kayce, probably borderline romantic. There had been a few times where touches lingered and a kiss on the cheek was a little too close to the lips, but there was nothing more. Kayce had a challenging life, recently divorced from a bad marriage, had a son he shared with his now ex-wife, his father who ran the valley whether he actually did or not...and then you.

You came into his life like a hurricane and didn't put up with his bullshit. But you also understood more than anyone else in Kayce's life. You allowed him to make mistakes and learn from them, instead of yelling at him or giving him ultimatums. The two of you had grown close over the past few months.

"How many tags you got left, Y/N?" Ryan rode up and asked you.

Kayce and Jimmy were off their horses right now, clipping ears while Colby would thread the tags. You and Ryan were getting the tags ready for Colby to take and also watching the herd for movement.

"About thirty," You glanced down at the stack in your lap. "You?"

"Same," Ryan nodded. "Think we can finish this herd?

"I think so," You nodded. "We could start pasture nine tomorrow morning and probably be done by noon if we get another wrangler to join us."

"I like the way you think," Ryan smirked.

"Someone's gotta have some brains out here," You laughed.

"Alright, love," Ryan nodded. "Let me know when you're out and we'll call it."

"Will do," You called off as Ryan rode out to the other side of the taggers.

Your eyes looked down and you saw Kayce staring right at you. His eyes were dark under his hat, and you felt a sick feeling in your stomach for some reason, but you couldn't place it. For the rest of the time, Kayce didn't speak to you. He moved around your horse and would take tags you handed but spoke no words to you.

In another hour, you all were done, and everyone was back on a horse, walking back toward the barns. You rode up next to Kayce who glanced over at you, the sour look still on his face.

"Did I do something?" You asked him softly.

"No," Kayce muttered.

"Then is there a specific reason why you're being a dick to me right now?" You asked.

"I just didn't know you were seeing Ryan," Kayce shrugged. "My mistake."

"What?" You asked, shocked. "Seeing...I ain't seeing Ryan?"

"You don't have to lie," Kayce eyed you. "Wranglers bring women around all the time...just didn't realize you were one of them."

"Hold on!" You moved your horse in front of Kayce's, making him stop. "First off...I'm not seeing anyone on this ranch. Second off...fuck you for that comment."

Kayce blinked back at you surprised now.

"Where on Earth did you get off that I was seeing Ryan?" You glared at him.

"He called you love," Kayce pointed out.

"So?" You shook your head.

"Just friends don't call each other that," Kayce said.

"Yeah, they do, Kayce," You nodded your head. "Because that's what Ryan and I are...just friends."

"Kind of a strong pet name for friends," Kayce mumbled.

"You call me darlin' sometimes," You pointed out.

"Because I care about you," Kayce slipped out.

You looked at him, watching his chest rise and fall as he tried to slow down his breathing. Tugging gently at the reigns you walked your horse, so you were right next to Kayce, facing him. To help steady yourself, you reached out and held his arm farthest away from you. Kayce looked at you.

"Why haven't you said anything?" You asked softly.

"Not sure if you've noticed, but my life ain't been very calm lately," Kayce had a light pink dusting along his cheeks. "And I'm terrified of scaring you away."

"You don't scare me," You smiled. "You make me nervous...but you don't scare me."

Kayce took his arm closest to you and wrapped it around the other side of you. Your horses stood still as if they knew you both needed them to cooperate.

"I don't know what I can promise you right now," Kayce said. "But I know I need you in my life more than just a friend."

"Then...let's try this out?" You offered. "Any other rules?"

"No more pet names from anyone else," Kayce muttered.

"Figured that would be one of your rules," You smirked. "What about pet names for you?"

"I don't have pet names," Kayce looked at you confused.

"No, I mean can I call you pet names?" You laughed.

"Depends..." Kayce looked like he was going to regret this. "What do you have in mind?"

"Guess for me to know and you to find out," You smirked.

"Okay, darlin'," Kayce smiled.

"Mmm," You hummed, leaning your lips closer to his. "That will never get old."