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Memories of finally taking her to task for her atrocious behavior flooded my mind, but I reined it in before I got too far down the Harmony rabbit hole. Writing my name across the board, I considered how best to use my minor in political science to help my students here.
When Derek had found out what I was teaching at the etiquette school in New York, he asked me to create a similar class on employment strategies but make life-style choices inclusive in the curriculum so those Littles and Middles seeking employment in the world could feel like it was less me vs them. Being in the lifestyle didn’t have to create segregation, but something more synergistic to lessen the stressors plaguing graduates getting ready to fly the roost. Derek felt that was a lesson everyone could benefit from.
From my discussion with Derek and Sadie the night before, the biggest issue the grads faced was fear of not being accepted and the world noticing they were different. They came to Rawhide to escape judgment, and they sure as heck didn’t need it going back out into the world of employment.
Using my political science background, my second class would include current events and debating. I was excited to teach the verbal sparring skills needed in higher management, careers, law, journalism, and politics. I wanted the wallflowers, knowing I could aid them in blooming to their full potential. And even the shyest among them could gain amazing verbal skills.
I heard shuffling and voices coming down the hall. Plastering a welcoming smile on my face, I greeted each student as they entered. The classroom was almost at full capacity when they all sat at their desks. I leaned against mine to begin class but was interrupted by a tap on the door. Someone was late.
Without waiting to be bidden, the door flew open, and all eyes turned toward the intrusion. My eyes rounded when I saw who strutted through the door, and suddenly Sadie’s teasing words last night made sense.
“‘Good luck tomorrow, Master Gray, you may need it.’”
That was an understatement of epic proportions. Rawhide was my sanctuary. She wasn’t supposed to be here. But there she stood, Harmony Carrington, her haughty smirk in place, and all my enthusiasm dissipated, along with my smile.
Chapter 5
Harmony
No. Friggin. Way! The man who had filled every waking thought of my day was standing before me. When I imagined him, though, I pictured him looking like a lovesick puppy dog, missing me as much as I missed him. The man standing in front of me did not depict that at all. On the contrary, with his battle-ready stance and expression, he actually didn’t look happy to see me at all. His gray eyes morphed from light and smiling to dark and stormy, like the frothing sea when it was getting tossed around.
Crap! What do I do?
I’d slunk away from New York with my tail between my legs. My parents didn’t say goodbye or ask where I was going. Their stony expressions burned a hole in my back as I left the penthouse.
I guess I should have been grateful for the funds they provided that allowed me to pay for a flight and leave their den of disappointment. Other than that, they’d completely cut me off except for the trust fund, which fed a tiny expense account I’d never used. Thankfully, Rawhide University provided for the bulk of my needs, which left my small stipend available for me to attempt to keep up my preferred quality of life.
“What are you doing here?” I spat, wanting to get the first words in. I knew I should be more respectful, as I was pretty sure there was a clause about behavior and consequences in that contract I’d signed in Master Hawkins’ office yesterday, but I needed to keep the upper hand with Gray. If I didn’t, there was no telling how any of this would play out.
“Ms. Carrington. Welcome to Rawhide Ranch and my class. You’re late. Please take a seat.”
I could tell he was grinding his teeth while he spoke politely to me, as if nothing had happened between us only several days ago. Not wanting to push my luck, I simply smirked and sashayed over to an empty desk in the center of the room.
Front and center. I wanted to show him I wasn’t rattled at all by his presence, and if he wanted to pretend having me in his class didn’t affect him, let him try.
“Welcome to Employment Strategies 101.”
I rolled my eyes. Same crap, new place.
I didn’t really know what I was expecting, but a replay of my experiences in New York had not been at the top of my list.
“Today we will do an informal session, as I wish to get to know you all a bit and discuss your career goals. Many of you will graduate in a few months, while some others”–his glance landed on me—“are still new and have no clue what you want to do long term. My hope is by the time this semester ends, you all will feel a greater connection with your purpose and how to get there.”
While he continued to talk, I scanned the room to see who I was sharing space with, and to choose easy victims to help me get Mr. Hot Body’s attention. My cousin Jacob had warned me that this wasn’t your average Ranch, and this school wasn’t your average school. He explained on the car ride from the airport what the Ranch was all about, and how Master Derek and the staff at Rawhide University kept everyone in line. Gray had already spanked me, so I wasn’t too concerned about another encounter like that with him. In fact, I kind of welcomed the idea.
However, when I was touring through the facility, I’d witnessed a spanking in the Littles’ wing that had a different effect on me. For starters, it didn’t fill in the fantasy image I had of the spankings in the books I read. The scene was intimate despite that lack of privacy. The young woman cried real tears and showed real regret afterwards. I was almost jealous of the tender care she received after everything was said and done. I wanted someone who would see through all my crap to the real Harmony and fix me like that woman was fixed. When she left the room, passing me in the hallway, she offered me a brilliant smile before disappearing up the stairs to what I assumed were the private rooms for some who lived there.
In Master Derek’s office, he had gone over the rules, and I signed a contract. But while he spoke, his stern presence and large masculine hands mesmerized me. He had to be a genuine cowboy, and for the rest of my time in his office I was on autopilot, imagining what those hands could do. But it wasn’t his hands I wanted on me. When he turned a growling warning on his wife, it had been so reminiscent of Gray that my stomach clenched.
I was crushing hard on the stern man from my past, having never met someone I wanted as much as I wanted him. I still cursed that darn administrator, Mr. Babington, for interrupting our session, because if we hadn’t been interrupted things would have progressed, and the whole situation would have turned out very differently for me.
Now that I was here, I’d made myself a promise to find the dominant man I was looking for. Only I’d had no idea Gray would be standing in the way of that. How the heck did he know I would be at Rawhide? It was way too big of a coincidence to ignore. Except he seemed just as surprised to see me as I was to see him. The universe sure did have a wicked sense of humor.
“Oh, my god! I thought I escaped all of this when I left New York!” I exclaimed, dramatically flinging my arms in the air.
Every set of eyes turned my way and that familiar feeling of being the center of attention excited me.
“Ms. Carrington, please come to the front of the class and bend over the desk.”
