“I didn’t know that was a thing.”
“I didn’t either, but life is full of surprises, isn’t it?” She smiled at me. “Would you like to talk, or is my duty done by giving you water?”
I glanced to my side. “I’d like to talk.”
She took the seat. Her bottle had blue glitter.
“Do you think it could work between the four of us?”
Her laugh was heartfelt. “Given all of the things I’ve seen at the Ranch, I’d say anything’s possible. Master Derek, Samuel, and I have all spoken with them about the need for honesty in a relationship, particularly a relationship involving kink… opening themselves up and being vulnerable, as you’ve done.”
“Everybody tells me I’m too naive, but it’s okay to forgive my stepbrothers, isn’t it?”
“That’s not for me to decide, but the ability to forgive is admirable as long as you do it for the right reasons.”
“And those would be?”
“Forgive them because you don’t want to hold anger or resentment in your heart. Forgive them because we’re all human, and if we examine our own lives, we can each find something we’ve done that given the chance, we’d go back and do differently.”
“That makes sense.” Drinking glitter water did not. I had to force myself not to think about how glitter moved through the body.
“But only move forward in the relationship if you feel ready.”
“Huh… forgiving them and moving forward with them are two separate things, aren’t they?”
“Very distinct. They have to hear you and respect you. Being in a relationship with someone else, and navigating that person’s interests, fears, concerns with your own is hard enough. Doing it with three is a tougher dynamic.”
“It seems almost impossible to pull off without getting overwhelmed,” I said.
She motioned to the festivities. “We’re sitting here watching a unicorn party. Embrace the magic of possibility. And think outside of the box. Talk to them about whatever you need to keep the experience positive.”
“Do you think blindfolds could help? One of the instructors said blindfolds can heighten awareness in the other senses, but withoutseeingeverybody, I wonder if it could help?”
“The only way you’ll know if it works for you is if you try, but that’s perfect thinking. I’m going to give you my number, and if you ever need to talk, even after you go home, call me. I offer you my services free of charge.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” Sunshine glinted off of my trio’s armor causing me to reflexively close my eyes. I took that as a sign and asked, “Is it too late to reserve a room in the Dungeon, and would it be possible to set up a table and have dinner served in one of the private rooms?”
Catherine patted my hand. “Nothing’s impossible at Rawhide Ranch.”
Chapter Twenty
Penny
I waved at the guys then pointed at Catherine before heading to my cabin. She’d made a couple calls to help me set up the evening and was going to let them know the details.
My bags had been returned to my cabin so I took a long, soaking bath while practicing thinking outside the box for the details of the evening I hadn’t discussed with Catherine—like whether my quirks would make me too controlling for a submissive.
After the bath, I lounged in my pajamas and folded pages for another hour to completely settle myself.
Then it was time. I slipped into my bluebird-covered sundress and allowed myself a half hour to get used to the Dungeon room.
No overhead lights, just candles, a spanking bench, a bed, and a table with settings for four. My heart swelled. I’d set up a date! The likelihood I was submissive felt smaller and smaller.
Atlas had said I was strong and knew what I wanted, and here I was dictating the evening. Was I doing it wrong?
Perhaps if my thoughts hadn’t been tangled in my trio for the last few days, I would have remembered more from the classes.It seemed like one of the instructors had said something about it taking a lot of courage to be a sub, and that surrendering control didn’t mean a person wasless. It was an agreed upon dynamic.
I supposed the exact wording didn’t matter so long as we kept communication open.
