She dropped her gaze to see he was wearing a plaid flannel shirt, blue jeans and cowboy boots. It was his usual look and always impressed Mallory with the cowboy appearance despite owning a world-famous BDSM resort.
She then dropped her gaze to her fingers laced together. Master Derek was the ultimate Dominant and some swore he could read a person’s thoughts by simply looking in their eyes. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide, she was just afraid he would read her soul and see the dreams she’d hidden from the world for most of her life. Without asking, she thought she was older than the man, but he still made her nervous.
“Um, yes, Sir, I am.”
“Well, come on in and let’s talk.”
Though she’d visited his office the first day she’d arrived, she hadn’t been back since. Entering from the lobby, Mallory paused to admire the man’s office while he went into Erika’s to speak to her for a moment.
The desk was massive, ornate, and highly polished mahogany that fit the big room, yet it also left plenty of space for a long couch against the wall behind her, a large armoire on the other side of the desk, and a straight-back chair that Mallory wassure had hosted innumerable spankings over the years. French doors behind the desk showed a private terrace and the fields leading to the mountains beyond.
She’d heard about the contents of the armoire, and though she was curious about spankings and punishment, she had yet to find herself on the receiving end of either. At almost fifty, she’d been raised to be a rule follower and good girl. As a child she’d always hated seeing the disappointed look on her mother’s face.
When Master Derek returned a moment later, he surprised her by sitting in the large chair beside her instead of in the one behind his desk. When she shifted in her chair to face him, he smiled, his expression relaxed and friendly.
“This doesn’t feel like an official meeting, so I’d rather sit here and talk instead of being behind my desk. Now, how can I help you? Have you enjoyed your stay here at Rawhide Ranch?”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “I have. Very much. In fact, I was wondering if there was a way for me to stay longer instead of going home tomorrow?”
The only problem with her response was that her words tumbled out faster and faster as she answered his questions then made her request. By the end, she spoke so fast that the words came out as one long string of syllables.
Dropping her head so her chin hit her chest, she used one hand to smack her forehead. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
Before her hand connected the third time, Master Derek caught it and pulled it away from her head. “Self-harm is not allowed here, nor is calling yourself bad names. Please go stand in that corner until I call you out and then you will ask your question again slowly and clearly so I can understand your request.”
Mallory looked at the corner and sighed, her entire being slumping with defeat. “Yes, Sir.”
Since he had not mentioned spanking her, maybe he was just giving her a few minutes to settle down. Being in his office, in his presence alone, made her more nervous than she’d expected.
At least he allowed her to keep her clothes on while she stared at the corner and focused on keeping her breathing slow and even while she regained control.
“All right, darlin’, you can come out and take your seat again,” Master Derek said a few minutes later, once her shoulders dropped away from her ears, and she’d relaxed.
Returning to her seat, she focused on keeping her breathing slow and her anxiety under control.
“Now, please ask your question again, speaking slowly and loud enough that I can hear and understand your words.”
Mallory nodded and pulled in a long, slow breath. “Can I stay? I know I’m supposed to go home tomorrow, and I don’t have any ranch skills or teaching credentials, but I love it here and would like to stay.”
Master Derek looked away for several moments, apparently deep in thought. Without answering, he stood and moved around his desk. After sitting, he opened the file in the center of his desk and began flipping through the pages inside. Mallory found herself holding her breath as he then shifted his attention to his computer and began tapping keys.
He finally folded his hands on top of the desk and looked into her eyes with a warm smile. “We can always use service submissives, but with that change in your status, your housing and the rules you live here under will also change. You’ll move into one of the suites we house our service submissives in and will be assigned to a work detail. The Dungeon needs another person on their staff. You would hand out supplies, make sure the various stations are stocked with condoms, towels, blankets, and clean the stations between uses. You would also helpthoroughly clean when the Dungeon is closed for a couple of hours in the morning and evening.”
He paused a moment before continuing, “Since that position consists of a lot of waiting around, I would like you to spend that time working on your artwork. I understand from Sadie that the Littles are impressed with the caricatures you’ve been drawing of them the past few days.”
Mallory blinked at that. “I’m glad they like them. Drawing and art always made me happy, but after my husband died, it felt like the creative part of my soul died with him. It’s been fun to get back to drawing again.”
Master Derek nodded with a smile. “Submissives are also encouraged to continue taking classes. Your schedule will be arranged around whatever classes you want to take to learn more about BDSM and being submissive. My only request is that you would be willing to attend the weekly Meet and Greet gatherings to meet the unattached Tops who visit Rawhide Ranch. I’m told I have a knack for matchmaking, and it is my belief that you’ll eventually need a Top to continue your next lessons in BDSM.”
For the first time that morning, Mallory took in a full breath and smiled. “That sounds perfect. Thank you, Master Derek.”
“Great. Erika will add you to the ten-to-six overnight shift during your training. Caren oversees that shift and she’ll teach you everything you need to know. The overnight shift is busy to begin with, but usually quiets down after midnight. Erika will also assign you to one of the submissive suites and Moses can help you get moved this afternoon.”
Mallory wasn’t sure what else to say, so she repeated, “Thank you, Master Derek.”
“You’re very welcome, darlin’. Please keep me informed on how things are going and if there’s anything else we can do to make your stay comfortable.”
Mallory stood and left the office by the door that led to Erika’s office. A few minutes later, she’d been assigned to room with Caren in a service submissive’s suite on the second floor and had been added to the Dungeon’s work detail. She would begin her new position the following evening.
