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She’d belonged to him for two years, and now it was suddenly over. It was a complete shock to her system. During their relationship, she hadn’t once suspected he was being unfaithful. They sometimes played with other people at clubs, but only when they were together and only if they both consented. But just play, not full-on sex. Not the giddy-up session she’d just witnessed in her apartment in her own freaking bed.
Her chest tightened with grief, and a sob erupted from her throat when a huge Christmas tree in a nearby shopping center lit up in its full glory, reminding her that not only were the holidays coming, but she would spend them alone. Hell, she couldn’t even seek solace with her family. Her parents had passed away while she was in college, and she usually spent holidays at Aunt Mabel’s house—yep, that would be Amy’s mother.
What a shitshow. She almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation.
At least she had the funds needed to relocate. She owned a successful public relations firm and kept her finances separate from Chad’s. Also, the apartment was leased in his name. Moving would be a pain in the ass, but it wouldn’t break her—financially, at least. Emotionally and spiritually, well, that was another story.
For the rest of the night, she wavered between anger and heartbreak. When her phone started buzzing, she ignored it. She also ignored the incessant dings that indicated someone was text bombing her.
She peered at the Christmas tree and her spirits sank further.
Alone. In all her life, she’d never felt so alone.
Chapter 2
Stephen took one final walk around his home. Well, former home. Tomorrow, he would sign the closing documents and turn the keys over to the new owners. Tonight, he would sleep in a hotel. His belongings were currently on a moving truck enroute to Montana.
He walked from room to room, feeling an unexpected sense of closure. He’d expected to be filled with grief and perhaps regret over selling the house he’d lived in for the last twenty plus years—the very house he’d shared with his late wife and Little, Heather. But instead of sadness or regret, a strange hopefulness spread through his chest and buoyed his spirits.
After spending the last six years alone, he was eager for a change of scenery. Eager for a fresh start and maybe, just maybe, a second chance at love. Some people did just fine alone but he wasn’t one of them. He longed for a special woman to share his life with. Not just any woman, but a Little.
Yes, more than anything in the world, he wanted to settle down and build a new life with a sweet Little he could dote upon.
He prayed he would eventually find what he was looking for at Rawhide Ranch. The kink-friendly resort would soon be his new home, as he’d recently accepted a job as a security guard there. He’d also been offered an employee apartment, though he could easily imagine himself building a home at the Ranch or perhaps in the nearby town of Porter’s Corner. He’d been a member of the Ranch’s online forum for some time, and when he’d visited the resort for a long weekend several months ago, he’d instantly felt at home among the friendly, like-minded people he’d met.
A knock sounded on the door, and Stephen hurried to see who’d come calling, figuring it was a neighbor who’d stopped by to say farewell. But he opened the door to reveal Chuck, his realtor and close friend. Chuck grinned and held up a bottle of whiskey in one hand and two glasses in the other.
“Hey, Stephen. Saw your car as I was driving by and thought you might want some company. Lucky for you, I always keep emergency whiskey in the trunk of my car.” Chuck waggled his eyebrows.
Stephen chuckled and invited the younger man inside. They sat side by side on the bottom step of a staircase, sipping the strong drink in companionable silence for a few minutes.
“Feels like the end of an era.” Chuck swallowed hard. “Shit, man, I’m gonna miss you.”
“I’ll come visit now and then, and you’re welcome to visit me too.” Stephen took another sip of whiskey, reveling in the delicious burn as it warmed his insides.
“Sure you don’t want to delay moving until after the holidays? You know you’d be welcome to stay with Barb and me. We’d love to have you for Thanksgiving and Christmas. New Year’s, too.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure.” A wistful feeling came over Stephen as he peered around the empty house. “I can’t explain it, but I feel like right now is the perfect time to leave. Besides, I’m all set to start my new job in five days. I already signed the paperwork. Can’t back out now.”
Chuck rolled his eyes and huffed a dramatic sigh. “If you don’t show up for your job at Rawhide Ranch in five days, I highly doubt the kink police are gonna drive all the way to Chicago and drag you away to work for them. I swear I’m not trying to talk you out of your plans, I just want to make sure this is what you really want.”
“This is what I want.”
“Okay, but you’re like a brother to me, and I want you to be happy.” Chuck paused to pour a second serving of whiskey into both their glasses. “I know you’ve been a member of the Ranch’s online forum for a while, but you’ve only visited the resort once. There’s also the fact that we both know you don’t need the money. Between your pension, what your parents left you, and the… uh, life insurance, you’re practically a Rockefeller.”
Stephen couldn’t help but flinch when Chuck saidlife insurance. He would gladly give up all his money for just one more day with Heather. Chuck, noticing his discomfort, shot him an apologetic look.
“Sorry,” Chuck said after a moment. “But it’s true. You don’t need the money. You could live large and spend the rest of your life going on one glamorous vacation after another. I just worry about you, man. I was thrilled when you hit twenty-five years in the force and finally decided to retire. I know being a security guard isn’t as dangerous as being a detective, but I’m still going to worry about you.”
Stephen took a long, calming breath and reminded himself that Chuck meant well. Guilt also settled over him because he hadn’t been totally honest with his friend about his reasons for moving to the Ranch. He hadn’t yet admitted he hoped to find love again.
“Listen, Chuck, I appreciate your concern, but I’m going to be okay. I’m not just moving to Rawhide Ranch for the job and the adult activities. I hope to meet someone special and like-minded I can share my life with permanently.”
Chuck’s head shot up, his face lit with surprise but also hopefulness. “Really? That’s wonderful. I thought… well, to be honest, I worried you’d never be open to finding another Little.”
“I threw myself into work after Heather died. I now realize that was a coping mechanism to deal with my grief and loneliness. But now that I’ve been retired for a few months, my mind has finally had time to settle. I’ve had way too much time to think lately, but I believe I’m ready for a fresh start. A second career, a new place to live among people who share my interests, and eventually, a sweet Little to call my own.”
Chuck smiled and raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that. To new beginnings.”
