Page 2 of Schooling Little Sage

Guess I waited too long to get out of the cart. “S-sorry.”

He smiled, easing the tension a bit. “No need to apologize. Rawhide Ranch is a beautiful place. I hope you get time to wander around our vast property. Master Derek’s office is through those doors on the right, second door past the café. He’s waiting for you.”

“Th-thank you.”

He tipped his cowboy hat, turned the cart around, and headed back down the driveway.

Was everything here huge? First the gates and now this house. Was it even a house? Did people live in it? It looked more like a hotel.

Never gonna find out standing outside it, Sage.

I climbed the front stairs, pretending it was a giant mountain, and landed on the porch, cheering for myself like an award-winning mountaineer. A lady came out and smiled at me, but I quickly looked away. She probably thought I was as ridiculous as my parents did. Always messing about, Sage.

“Whoa,” I said as I stepped inside the double doors. “That’s a lot of wood.”

“That it is.”

Startled by the deep voice, I nearly screamed and ran.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I’m Master Derek. You must be Sage?”

I looked way-way-way up high before I saw his face.

“Howdy,” Master Derek said with a grin.

“How-howdy. I-I”—I shook my head—“I’m Sage.” Duh, Sage, he just said that.

“Welcome, Sage. Where’s your luggage?”

“This is it.” I clutched my bag tighter, struggling to reach my spinner.

“Ah,” Master Derek’s brow raised. “Right, why don’t you follow me. We can meet in my office before we tour the property.”

I followed him across the room, past a giant fireplace. Was nothing here small besides me?

“Have a seat.”

I sat in the large, leather chair he pointed to. It was just high enough that my feet didn’t touch the ground. Being as out of sorts as I was, the jitters hit and my legs started swinging.

“I have to say, your application wasn’t as complete as I’d normally accept.”

“Papa filled it out.”

“That explains a lot and that’s also why I didn’t ignore it. Your Papa was a good friend of my grandfather’s, and I like to pay it forward to those who helped the Ranch along whenever I can. Do you know what Rawhide Ranch is all about, Sage?”

“No-no, Sir. Papa said when he worked here it was a working ranch, but that it wasn’t any more. I saw horses and stuff, so is it working again? Was it just broken and its fixed now?” Don’t talk like a baby, Sage. You know that makes grown-ups mad.

Master Derek chuckled. “Yes and No. The farming we do is for what we utilize on the Ranch. Our resort is open to individuals who enjoy a specialized environment. We offer schooling in various subjects as well as operate an accredited college.” When I didn’t say anything, he continued. “Rawhide Ranch is for individuals who are living in or are interested in a BDSM lifestyle.”

“A BDS-what?”

“I see.” He scribbled something down. “Let’s start with some of the questions you answered online. You’ve already completed the employee packet, signed the NDA and submitted the necessary medical forms.”

“They took my blood.” I didn’t like needles or blood, they made me feel all yucky inside.

“Yes”—he finally smiled again—“it’s necessary and helps us make sure you’re not sick.”

“’kay.” Good to know, but I still didn’t like it.