Page 60 of Sinful Sharing

My chest feels painfully tight from the burden resting on it. I close the distance between Taylor and me, standing beside Jude. “I worked long hours, buried myself in every distraction I could find, convincing myself those feelings would fade. They didn’t. The more I tried to escape them, the stronger they became.”

He sucks in a soft breath.

“You asked if I was using you. No.” I meet his stare, placing a fist on my chest. “This is the realest I’ve felt in a long time.”

Taylor’s composure finally cracks. His lower lip trembles. He looks down at his hands, dragging in an uneven breath. “I moved to New York after Mom won the election, thinking—hoping it would feel as if I belonged there. It didn’t.”

He glances up and takes in the entire property, then Jude, then me. A softness settles in his features. “Not like this place did. It’s more peaceful here. Safer. Better for my mental health. Yet, I spent three months convincing myself I could live without this place. Without you guys.”

His shoulders sag, as though he’s too exhausted to keep pretending. “I can’t. So if what you said is true... I’d really like to come home.”

Home. The tightness in my chest loosens. Without missing a beat, I pull him into a warm embrace. Jude’s arm slips around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. I’m not sure how long we stand in this position, but the sun is sinking behind the mountains when we pull apart.

“Welcome home.” Jude ruffles his hair affectionately. I notice how red Jude’s eyes are. When have I ever seen him cry? “You’ll always be safe here, understand? Roman and I will burn down the world for you.”

Taylor smiles softly. “It’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time.”

A gust of icy wind sweeps across the property. He looks around, and his smile slowly fades into something more serious. “I’m happy Mom kept her word. I know exactly how I can help restore this place.”

“Told you he was the answer we’ve been looking for,” Jude says, his tone as smug as his expression.

I ignore him and ask Taylor, “How are things between you and Natasha?” Besides the phone call from her assistant, I haven’t heard from her. She refused to take my calls. Not that I blame her.

He shrugs casually, but I glimpse a tension on his face. “We’re still trying to figure it out.”

It’s not exactly what I wanted to hear. Technically, Natasha is the only parent he has. The last thing I’d want is for him to lose her, too.

Jude squeezes his shoulder. “Well, until you work things out, you’ve got a second family right here.”

Taylor offers him a soft smile.

“Much better. Now, let’s get you settled.” Jude strides toward the SUV. “This is not the Ritz, but I don’t mind carrying your bags this time.”

“Actually...” Taylor makes a face.

Jude whips around. “What?”

“I, uh... left my bags at a hotel in town.”

“You didn’t.”

“What? It’s not like I knew how this conversation would turn out.” Taylor looks at me as if asking for understanding. I shrug. He huffs. “Come on, I’m sorry.”

Jude stalks toward him, a wicked look darkening his features. I roll my eyes, already foreseeing the crazy dynamic of this situation we’ve found ourselves in. “That’s okay. I have at least a dozen ways you can make it up to me.”

Taylor groans in his throat when Jude dips and swipes him up, bridal style. “This is ridiculous,” he complains, yet he makes no move to wiggle out of Jude’s hold. A beautiful flush covers his face and neck. He throws an arm around Jude’s shoulders as they head toward the house. I follow them, shaking my head, not holding back the first genuine smile I’ve had in ages.

For the first time in months, everything feels right again.

The ranch doesn’t feel so empty anymore.

34

Epilogue-Taylor

Nine Months Later

“Twenty-four hours to go.” I whistle, pulling a chair from around the dining table, the smell of fresh coffee and sizzling bacon making my mouth water. “Is anyone as terrified as I am?”