Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Sure is.” Derek joined him at the fence.
They stood in silence for a while.
“Anything wrong?” Eliot finally asked.
“Wrong? No. Last night I went to order some food for some guests, worried that they might not have dinner otherwise only to learn that you’d beat me to it.”
“Ahh, right. Yes. They didn’t get a chance to eat before Isla hurt herself.”
“Thanks for looking out for them.”
“Figure it’s the responsibility of all Tops to look out for Littles and subs.”
Derek nodded. “Not everyone would, though.”
That was true. But he also felt this pull toward them, even though he wasn’t sure why. And he definitely wasn’t planning on acting on it.
“Anyway, just wanted to say thanks. I’m going to check on them later. Make sure they’re okay. See if they want to join in on any of the Easter activities we have set up.”
They weren’t signed up for the activities? That seemed odd. But it was none of his business. They weren’t his to worry about, so he just gave a soft grunt of reply.
“You doing all right?” Derek asked.
“As okay as I can be, I guess.”
Derek patted him on the back. “Glad you’re back here. Anything you need, let me know.”
He nodded absently, but his mind was stuck thinking about Marcus and Isla.
Did they want to join in on the activities? Was something holding them back? Were they being properly taken care of?
“Do you think we’re in trouble?” Isla could barely breathe for the fear running through her.
It was so silly.
She wasn’t being held here against her will. She could leave at any time. But when she’d woken this morning, she’d come to a realization; she could spend this holiday in her room, too scared to go anywhere or do anything, or she could take this opportunity to really understand who she was and what she needed.
Most of all, she wanted to make sure that Marcus had a good time. If that meant being brave and putting herself out there, she would.
Be brave.
Marcus wrapped his hand around her good hand, stilling it. She hadn’t realized that she’d been nervously tapping her fingers on her thigh.
“Why? Because Master Derek wants to see us? What could we have done wrong? We haven’t even done anything. I hope it doesn’t take long because I’m starved. Sheesh, it’s close to lunchtime now.”
They’d slept in and then decided to have a dip in the jacuzzi before getting dressed. One thing led to another, and she’d found herself bent over the sofa in their hotel room with Marcus taking her from behind.
“Maybe we should have had breakfast before—”
“I fucked you so thoroughly you could barely walk?”
“Marcus!” she said, but she was grinning.
“Maybe. But no regrets.” He winked at her.
Her stomach let out a small grumble. She willed it to be quiet. The door to the office opened and a woman came out. Her face was red, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held her bottom with both hands. She startled, staring at them both before turning and running off.
Isla stared after her with wide eyes.
“Someone was naughty,” Marcus sang.
“He-he spanked her?” She didn’t know what she was feeling… panic or interest?
Then Master Derek was at the door, staring down at them kindly. “Ahh, Marcus and Isla, thank you for coming to see me. Would you please come in?”
She jumped to her feet. “I don’t want to be spanked!”
Master Derek’s eyes widened.
“And even though Marcus can be a bit naughty sometimes, he hasn’t done anything, so I don’t think he should be spanked either.”
“Whoa, darlin’. I didn’t call you here because you need a spanking.”
Marcus was up in an instant, wrapping his arm around her. She was aware that she was trembling.
“Remember, no one is going to do anything against your will,” Marcus said in a soothing voice. “That’s not what the Ranch is about. Safe, sane, and consensual. Anytime anyone tries to force you to do something you don’t want, you knee them in the balls.”
She felt sure Master Derek would get angry, but he nodded. “Marcus is right. Everything that happens is consensual. If Britt was truly scared or believed she didn’t deserve the spanking, she would tell me, and I would listen. Does that help?”
She supposed so.
Oh.
“I only want what’s best for everyone on the Ranch,” Master Derek explained. “This place is a safe place for Littles and subs. A place where they can be themselves without being ridiculed. Where they can explore and fall, and someone will be there to catch them. Or to provide boundaries if that’s what’s needed. Sometimes those boundaries might need to be enforced, but there are various ways that can be achieved. It’s not all about spankings. Would the two of you like to come in?” He gave them both a kind smile.
Marcus took hold of her hand and led her into the office.