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“None of the above. As you know, I recently got out of a long-term relationship with my Dom, but I’ve never been married. As for kids, well, I’ve never really wanted any, so much so that I got a tubal a few years ago. And I love cats and dogs but sadly, I’m highly allergic to both. I sneeze like crazy when I’m around one and my eyes get all red and puffy.” She held her breath, awaiting his response. Would he think less of her for not wanting children? In her experience, a lot of men did, and she always made a point to tell a romantic interest about her tubal on the very first date. It helped weed out the… well, weeds. She had nothing against children, and she was an honorary auntie to many of her friends’ kids, she just didn’t want any of her own. She knew her mind better than anyone else and didn’t appreciate some rando trying to tell her that she would change her mind once she met the right guy and settled down.
To her utter relief, Stephen’s sparkling blue eyes held no judgment. He was silent for a while, as though digesting her words. Finally, he said, “I don’t have any pets either. As for wanting children, well, I was always on the fence about having them. During my years as a police officer, and later, a detective, I saw a lot of bad things that made me hesitate to bring a child into the world.” A troubled, faraway look stole over him. “Heather felt the same way for the first few years of our marriage, though she later changed her mind. I wanted her to be happy, so we tried, but it never worked out and then she got sick and...” His voice trailed off.
Overcome by the need to comfort him, Kaylee placed her hand on his thigh, careful to avoid groping his crotch again. She didn’t have any words of wisdom, so she took the coward’s way out and decided to ask a question unrelated to his wife. “How long were you a police officer and then a detective?”
“Twenty-five years in total. I retired a few months ago. Spent the first six years as a police officer and the rest as a detective specializing in violent crime.” He peered around the cafeteria, a look of appreciation filling his gaze. “Even though I saw a lot of dark things, I felt called to the job and wanted to make a difference. But I must admit, I’m enjoying my semi-retirement. Working at Rawhide has been a breeze so far compared to what I was used to.”
“Sounds like you earned your retirement. Do you just work part time now?”
He nodded. “Usually about twenty hours a week, though I’m always happy to take an extra shift if they need me. I was a member of the Ranch’s online forum for a few years, though I was more of a lurker than a poster. I always dreamed of visiting this place, and once I finally did, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to move.”
“I’m more of a lurker too,” she confessed. “But I’ve been to the Ranch about a dozen times. Chad and I used to come together. This is my first time coming alone.”
Stephen took a long sip of coffee, then set his cup down and turned to face her, giving her his undivided attention. “Tell me about Chad. I get the sense he really hurt you. I mean, you’re planning to spend the holidays here rather than with any family or friends back in Richmond. I’d like to know if I need to buy a plane ticket so I can kick his ass.”
Chapter 6
Thankfully, Stephen’s attempt at humor not only lightened the mood, but it also made Kaylee laugh. He watched as she settled deeper in the booth as a contemplative look crossed her face. He waited patiently, not wanting to rush her. A thrill undulated through him that they were getting along so well. They’d only spent about an hour around one another in total but damn if it didn’t feel like he’d known her for years. He was that comfortable around her, and he hoped she felt the same way in his presence as well. He very much wanted her to feel safe and at ease with him.
“I met Chad at a BDSM club. He was my first and only Dom, and we lived together.” She drew in a shaky breath. “About two weeks ago, I arrived home early—on our two-year anniversary of all days—and found him in bed with my cousin, Amy. Turns out they’d been sleeping together for a few months, and they claimed to be deeply in love. So, that about sums up my reasons for coming here. Don’t want to be home alone in my new apartment during the holidays. I can’t exactly spend Christmas with my relatives. Not when Amy will be there, likely with Chad as a plus one. You see, my parents passed away over a decade ago, and my family was pretty small to begin with. All that’s left is my aunt and Amy, and a few distant cousins I usually just see once or twice a year.” Her shoulders slumped and she suddenly appeared exhausted. He placed his hand atop hers and gently rubbed circles on her soft flesh.
“That’s quite a story. God, I’m sorry. I was joking about buying a plane ticket, but now I’m seriously considering it. Chad needs to have his nose broken.”
“Not gonna lie, I’d love to see someone punch him in the face, but I’d like to try to be the bigger person. I’m a little ashamed to admit that when I caught them in bed, I hurled a bouquet of flowers at his head.”
“That’s nothing to be ashamed about, sweetheart. He deserved far worse.”
They finished their coffee at the same time, and Stephen went to get them a refill, completely forgetting about his wet pants until he returned to the booth with the cups in hand and noticed Kaylee staring wide-eyed at his crotch, her cheeks flushed dark pink.
She shot him an amused look, then peered around the cafeteria, cupped her hands to her mouth, and whisper-shouted, “It’s just water, folks! He didn’t pee himself!”
Stephen scooted into the seat next to her and gave her a stern look. “Not funny, young lady.”
Her eyes danced with mischief. “Oh, I thought it was funny.” She giggled. “Relax, Mr.Oh So Serious. No one even heard me.”
He growled. She laughed again.
They spent another hour talking and getting to know one another, and Stephen felt like he was on cloud nine. He enjoyed spending time with Kaylee. She was sweet and playful and so absolutely precious that he couldn’t stop imagining her as his Little.
“How about dinner tonight?” he asked once they finished their second cup of coffee.
She flushed and nodded, her expression a mix of relief and excitement. Her eagerness to see him again boosted his ego and gave him hope. He only prayed he wasn’t making a mistake by getting involved with a woman who would be leaving in a month. But he quickly dashed those worries aside. He knew better than anyone that life was too short not to take risks.
He escorted Kaylee to the elevators and turned to face her. “I had a wonderful time this morning, Kaylee.”
“So did I and—” She stepped closer to him at the exact second he attempted to close the space between them, causing them to collide awkwardly—and painfully. His chin bumped the top of her head and they both gasped. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me,” she burst out in an exasperated tone. “You must think I’m the most uncoordinated idiot ever. First I spill hot chocolate on you, then I get your crotch all wet, then I accidentally grope you, then I—”
He cupped her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers, cutting off her speech. She tasted like raspberries and coffee and mint. He couldn’t get enough, and he emitted a low growl and deepened the kiss. She whimpered as he delved his tongue in her mouth. His mind whirled with pleasure, warmth rushed through him, and his pants became uncomfortably tight as they stood in front of the elevators making out.
“Oh oh oh! Iknewit!” Someone standing behind them squealed with delight, and they broke apart to see who it was. Sadie. Of course it was Sadie, Little Miss Matchmaker herself.
Derek hurried up behind Sadie as he scolded her about running indoors, but he stopped speaking when he noticed Stephen and Kaylee. Sadie bounced on her heels, looking much too pleased with herself.
“Look, Daddy, look!” she said, pointing. “I told you they’d make the perfect couple, and you said I needed to mind my own business, blah blah blah, but look how right I was! Did you see how he kissed her, Daddy? The way he held her head and how she whimpered and he growled like a lion. Oh, it was so romantic.” She placed a hand over her heart and peered intently at them. “Kiss again.”
Derek sighed and glared at his wife. She glanced his way with awho, me?sort of look and batted her eyelashes, then returned her attention to Stephen and Kaylee. “Well, are you gonna kiss again?”
“Young lady, that’s enough.” Derek’s voice was calm but infused with authority. “Stephen, good to see you. Thanks for picking up Rhodes’s overnight shift. I hear he’s pretty sick. Kaylee, I’m glad to see you out and about, and I hope you’re enjoying your stay at Rawhide so far.”
