Crone let his voice drop to those sinful depths that always shattered her composure. “No, Sienna... you’re not, but you will be.”
Sienna
Sapphire Mountains, Rawhide Ranch
Sienna’s world had transformed in the two months since Crone entered her life. Joy crept in where shadows once lived and laughter replaced silence. She even started taking photos again, capturing moments of light rather than darkness. Now, along with finding beauty in simple pleasures like morning coffee on the porch, she smiled more and, heaven help her neighbor, sang in the shower.
Yet here she sat, guilt churning in her stomach as they rode deeper into the Sapphire Mountains. The Dungeon scene replayed in her mind. How could she have acted like that? It wasn’t in her nature to burst out in irrational rage, even though it was because of Crone cradling another woman. If she was honest, she’d been hurt, and that emotion exploded into unchecked sharp words. At that moment, she had forgotteneverything she had learned about proper Rawhide Ranch protocol. The sight of him offering comfort to another sub had unleashed something primitive and possessive inside her.
The intensity of her reactions frightened her. Her heart thundered whenever their eyes met, and a crushing ache consumed her when he touched another woman. These feelings defied all logic. Dead hearts didn’t feel this alive, did they? Broken spirits definitely didn’t soar at the sound of a voice or yearned for the brush of familiar hands.
Snickers’ steady gait kept rhythm with her troubled thoughts. She patted the mare’s neck, grateful for Sadie’s insistence she take her for the trip. The small brown horse’s gentle nature soothed her nerves, unlike the massive beasts some of the other riders preferred.
Crone rode slightly ahead on one of them, Magic, a black stallion standing at eighteen hands high. Even now, angry with her, her Master’s protective instincts showed in each backward glance, checking her position, and ensuring her safety. The tenderness beneath his anger only heightened her shame.
Master Derek’s presence during her outburst made everything worse. She had broken countless protocols, disrupted another sub’s aftercare, and disrespected her Dom publicly. The punishment she’d earned loomed closer with each hoofbeat into the wilderness.
For the first time, she would be completely alone with Crone, away from the safe haven of Rawhide’s walls. Her belly clenched as old fears stirred. Stan’s face flickered through her memories. He was always charming in public, only to turn vicious in private.
Crone isn’t Stan. The words echoed in her mind.He will never hurt you.
He’s never been this angry at me either.She fought against the tremors threatening to overtake her body.
“We’re here.” Crone’s deep voice cut through her distress as Magic stopped in a natural alcove. Trees and brush created a private sanctuary with a sweeping view of Rawhide Ranch far below.
The sight stole Sienna’s breath. This was no rough mountain camp with basic tents and campfire rings. A luxury safari tent with cream canvas walls gleaming in the midday sun dominated the natural platform. A wooden deck wrapped around it and was complete with a bubbling hot tub overlooking the valley. Solar lights were strung between the trees, promising magic once darkness fell.
The tent itself stood tall enough to walk in comfortably. Its sides were rolled up to reveal glimpses of a plush interior.
“There’s a real bed piled with scatter cushions,” she gushed as she walked closer to study the rustic wooden furniture and a small, fully stocked kitchen area in one corner. A separate enclosed section suggested modern bathroom facilities.
“How long has this been here? I’ve never heard any talk of us having a glamping camp.” She turned in a slow circle, taking in the details that suggested careful planning and thought had gone into the design. There was a tasteful outdoor seating area with sheltered cooking space and discrete solar panels tucked among the trees.
Crone led the horses to a covered shelter she hadn’t noticed at first. “Jagger, Derek, and I built it over the past six weeks.” His hands moved with practiced ease as he removed Magic’s saddle. “We wanted to create something special. An extension of the sanctuary where couples could escape for those special occasions without sacrificing comfort or security.”
The pride in his voice softened some of the earlier tension between them. “We’re going to have a competition to have it named when we present it to the community.” He paused in unbridling Snickers to gesture at the panoramic view. “Up here,surrounded by nothing but mountains and the sky, dreams should be free to roam and offer hope.”
The words stirred that unknown emotion in her chest even as they awakened new butterflies in her stomach. “And we’re the first to…”
“Test it out, yes.” His lips curved slightly. “Consider yourself our quality control inspector.”
The attempt at humor couldn’t quite mask the underlying current between them. They both knew this isolation would first serve another purpose. Still, looking at the beautiful space he had helped create, Sienna couldn’t help but feel touched that she would be the first to experience it with him.
Chapter Fifteen
Glamping camp site, Sapphire Mountains, Rawhide Ranch
Sienna
The shift was palpable. Without looking at him, Sienna sensed the change in Crone, the man becoming Master. His presence filled the space behind her, his heat radiating against her back though she hadn’t heard him move from tending the horses.
“Since I have every intention to enjoy this trip, it’s best to get the unpleasantries out of the way.” His dark Dom voice sent shivers down her spine.
“You’re going to punish me,” she whispered without turning in an effort to hide the shame overwhelming her once again. “I am so sorry for how I acted. I don’t know what came over me but seeing your hands all over her while you told me to wait... I just…”
“Look at me, Sienna.”
Taking a deep breath, she turned to face him. His eyes were a cocktail of authority and disappointment.
