Everyone had been incredibly friendly for the most part—the book carnage incident aside. I laughed at the memory of the Littles worrying I’d damaged the book. Honestly, I liked that. Books were precious. I appreciated their concern.
And everyone else’s concern, particularly Atlas’ and Everest’s. The room heated, and my knees went weak. I checked the thermostat. Seventy degrees.
It wasn’t the cabin—it was me, or more specifically my reaction to the three men I’d met. I picked up my book and fanned myself. The idea of having unprotected sex with someone felt so much more ominous when I actually had someone in mind.
My phone alarm chimed a second time. I smiled as I pulled it outagain. The memo read:Don’t cheat yourself of this experience. Get with a Dom and find out if you’re a sub. Say it out loud.
Worrying my lower lip, I walked to the mirror. I’d already failed to say the statement with the first alarm.
My reflection was a raggedy mess. Bonus points to everyone who had been nice to me or taken pity on me.
Fortified by my promise to myself, I made a quick trip to the bathroom where I splashed water on my face, brushed my hair, and straightened my shirt, then headed back to the mirror.
“I promise to make the most of this experience.” I paused to make sure the universe wouldn’t laugh so hard it broke the mirror. “Don’t cheat myself of this experience. Get with a Dom and find out if I’m a sub.”
No cracks. Just me and my reflection at a kink camp. For good measure, I added the thing that had sold me on Rawhide Ranch. “Rawhide Ranch is a safe place. Everyone here deals with something that’s not mainstream.”
For once, I wasn’t the social outlier.
My heart swelled. I’d read about people who came to the Ranch and never left. I could already see why.
Tears threatened. I could also already understand why people would want to stay.
Any chance one of the men I’d met was a Dom? Replaying what I could from our introductions, it didn’t seem like it. They’d mentioned being here to help, finding rooms, car repair, and massages.
Any of them could be a nice starting point though.
I stared at the door. I had to leave this cabin, which had suddenly become very comfortable.
My legs went weak again thinking of how quickly I’d gotten lost in Atlas’ eyes. Such a fitting name. I sensed he would carry the weight of my world on his shoulders. Was that really his name, or did they do stage names here?
Duh, it’s a fitting nickname to give to someone who can make people feel that way with one look. Also good for a Dom, even if he wasn’t as Dom-ish as I would have expected.
I took the next step and grabbed the door handle.
Everest’s good with his hands. Should I have read so much innuendo into that statement? Maybe not, given his comment about getting here late was better than never. I shook off the tension that immediately gripped me at the memory of having to turn my car around when the road got slippery.
But he offered a massage. Was I ready for someone to touch me?
If it was him, yes.
What about that other ranch hand, the broody Phoenix?
Oh my, that’s a perfect way to stall—psychoanalyze the only three men I’d met so far.
Why don’t I simply go for a walk, get some fresh air and sunshine, and see who else I ran into.
Opening the door, I was met with a fist coming toward my face.
Chapter Four
Everest
I’d rushed to Penny’s cabin, excited by the news we’d pried from Atlas, and was swinging my arm to knock as I took the final step to her door. Momentum was not in my favor.
As her door opened, my hand flew forward, passing through the threshold, failing to meet wood. Worst timing ever.
“Ahhh!” Penny screamed.
