Mallory could not help but do a little dance as she crossed the lobby, heading back to her room to pack her belongings to make the move into her new life. A few phone calls and some time on her computer tablet put her life back home in an indefinite holding pattern.
Chapter Two
Fletcher Thomas felt his entire body relax as he left the impressive security gate behind and drove the road that led to the main resort buildings of Rawhide Ranch. He’d been looking forward to this since his last stay. It was hard to believe it had been a full year since his last visit.
For the last few years, his time at Rawhide Ranch was the only thing that kept him sane. Having turned forty the month before, he was too young to retire, but too old for the models, actresses, celebutants, and social climbers who threw themselves at him every time he left his ranch.
Most of them were hoping for a sugar daddy, not knowing the kink Fletcher indulged in. The last woman he’d dated had threatened to take him to court for assault when he’d given her a spanking after she’d overindulged at a party they’d attended. It had been their third date and there had not been a fourth. She gave up her dream of a big payday for keeping silent when his attorneys presented hers with a copy of the ironclad NDA she’d signed before their first dinner.
Coming to Rawhide Ranch protected him from such women while allowing him to indulge in BDSM fun and games. The women he met here had been screened and approved as healthy,discreet, and somewhat knowledgeable about the world of kink, in and out of the bedroom. Fletcher just had to make his request for a submissive partner experienced in whatever he wished to practice that visit.
The only issue lately was that he was growing bored. With women, with BDSM, with life. Nothing seemed to provide him with the challenge he was looking for.
Though Rawhide Ranch was famous in BDSM circles for housing, training, and protecting Littles, he wanted a submissive to Master, not a Little to Daddy. In the past, there had always been a good selection of experienced submissives in residence as well.
He just hoped there were a few more mature submissives available because he was tired of playing with women who were nearly young enough to be his daughter. This year his interest lay in bondage and he hoped Derek could recommend a patient submissive interested in being a rope bunny he could practice on.
For the past year, he’d been studying more extensive shibari on his own, using his ropes to tie up a mannequin. On his last visit, he’d spent some time with some other Dominants and Dungeon Monitors as they’d practiced their techniques. Evidently, he’d impressed someone enough with his abilities that Derek had asked him to give a demonstration or two later during his stay this time. Fletcher was very much looking forward to partnering with a living, breathing woman.
He smiled when the main resort building came into view. Everything around was spring green and the flowers filling the beds across the front of the porch were in full bloom, providing a riot of color to contrast with the brown of the three-story building behind them. He was surprised there was no one sitting on the porch taking advantage of the warm spring afternoon.
Pulling to a stop in front of the steps that led to the double front doors, Fletcher parked. He turned off the engine and pulled the keys but left them on the dashboard. From past visits, he knew that Moses or Dax would move his car to the guest parking lot and deliver his luggage to his room.
Taking his briefcase with him, Fletcher left the car and climbed the stairs, not surprised when the door opened at the top of the steps. Derek Hawkins stepped out, followed by his beautiful wife, Sadie.
While Derek was dressed as always in jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt, his woman appeared to be in full Little headspace. She wore pink jeans tucked into pink cowgirl boots with a matching pink vest over a pink and white plaid shirt. Her hair was plaited into two braids, tied with pink ribbons, and a bright white cowgirl hat topped off the outfit.
“How do you do it?” he asked with a grin.
“Do what?” Sadie asked, cocking her head to the side.
“Know exactly when to step out to greet your guests?” Fletcher elaborated as he joined them on the porch. “Especially when it’s so early in the morning.”
“Oh, that’s easy,” Sadie answered with a giggle. “The guard at the gate calls the front desk clerk, which today is me, then I call Daddy and tell him. If he’s not too busy, he comes outside, and if he is busy, I come out. It’s quite the ‘sponsibility.”
Fletcher chuckled as Sadie bounced with excitement. “I’m sure it is, Miss Sadie. I’m glad you weren’t too busy to come and say hello.”
“I also wanted to give you this,” Sadie gushed as she threw herself at him, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Welcome back, Master Fletcher.”
“Thank you, Miss Sadie.” Fletcher wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back, even as he looked up and met Derek’s darkening gaze.
“That’s enough, Sadie. Don’t give the man any ideas,” Derek said, sounding not too happy with his wife.
Sadie slowly pulled away and stepped back to her Daddy’s side. She wrapped her arms around his middle and snuggled close to the man who was her everything.
“Sorry, Master Fletcher, but Daddy’s a little needy today, because I had a sleepover in the Littles’ dormitory last night.”
“And now you need to go check our guest in,” Derek reminded her with a smack to her butt.
“Eep!” Sadie squeaked before rushing through the front door and out of sight.
“Welcome back to Rawhide Ranch, Fletcher,” Derek said, extending a hand.
Once they’d shaken, he pulled Fletcher forward and they embraced, patting each other’s back before stepping back again.
“So, you’re looking for a rope bunny this year?” Derek asked as he pulled the door open and waved Fletcher through first.
“Only if you don’t want me to send for Martha,” Fletcher said with a chuckle as they crossed to the front desk where Sadie was putting together his welcome package.
