Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
Winston
He’d known that Rawhide Ranch was a resort. He’d seen guests whenever he dropped in to visit with Derek, but it wasn’t until this evening that he realized how many people shared a love of kink. Sure, he’d been to many different clubs, but those were usually filled with the same couples who’d found a safe place to play and catered more to the BDSM end of the kink spectrum. Tonight though, he saw just as many Littles as submissives, if not more.
“Hi, Master Rooster! I’m so glad you came.”
Winston wondered if there was a day when Sadie wasn’t as bubbly as a glass of champagne. As he figured she was part of the draw to her husband’s Ranch, he sincerely hoped not.
“Glad to be here, Miss Sadie. It looks like quite a crowd.”
Sadie looked over the group around them. “This is actually a smaller gathering than some. You should see it around the holidays. At Christmas you can barely move without bumping into someone.”
“And that’s why it’s always fun!” Hayleigh said as she purposefully bumped her hip against her friend’s.
“Speaking of fun, how do you feel about games?” Sadie asked.
“What sort of games?”
Sadie’s brow furrowed. “You know, the regular kind. Like Twister, Go Fish, or there are all sorts of board games too.”
He thought about it, but none of those sounded appealing. Then again, he’d admit that unless he was looking across the table, or better yet, twisting his body around a certain Little girl with curly black hair, he really wasn’t interested. Winston didn’t have a chance to make his apologies before Sadie put her hand on his arm.
“It’s a way to break the ice. Some people find it hard just to jump into a conversation with a stranger even though they know they are in a safe place. When playing a game, it can make it easier.”
The sincerity in her eyes was a reminder that while she might be a Little, she was also a very empathetic adult. Winston would rather chop off his arm than be a source of disappointment to her. He figured the least he could do was man up and show some appreciation for what she and all her friends had created. “Does anyone play charades?”
“Oh, I love charades! I’ll be one captain and, Hayleigh, you can be the other? Okay?”
“What do we get when we beat your team’s butts?” Hayleigh asked.
“Doesn’t matter ’cause no way is that happening!”
Before Winston knew it, he was being directed to help rearrange a pair of couches until they faced each other. Once that was done, Sadie looked a bit put out when Hayleigh declared he was on her team but took it in stride. It turned out payback was in play when Sadie looked around and pointed at Chef Connor. The amazing thing was, not a single soul objected to being picked, asked what they were supposed to be doing or hesitated to follow the girls’ lead. Of course, when Winston noted the fact that no one had a list of topics handy, Sadie solved that problem by stating each team could decide what the other had to act out, which made it far more of a joint effort.
Despite himself, Winston was having fun. This wasn’t the sort of party where white-gloved servers silently roamed the room offering canapes on silver trays. Instead, there was an entire table loaded with all sorts of snacks and treats and another holding a huge punch bowl and bottles of water. It was, in fact, one of the best times he could remember having. If he looked at the door of the resort far too often, well, that wasn’t the fault of any of the Littles who were on his team.
“We win!” a Little who’d introduced herself as Mindy yelled, bouncing to her feet with her arms above her head, her fists punching the air.
“Free cookies for everyone,” Sadie declared while Chef Connor shook his head and led the team toward the treat table.
Winston watched as the group trooped off. “Aren’t the cookies free for anyone?” he asked as Hayleigh plopped down beside him.
“Yes, but that’s not the point. It’s more fun to think of them as a prize.”
He could see that and nodded. “Sorry about not bringing home the win.”
“That’s okay. It’s hard to get that one unless you pull off your boots and wiggle your toes.”
“Wish I’d thought of that instead of snorting and strutting around with my imaginary purse over my arm.”
Hayleigh’s attempt to hide her giggle didn’t work. Winston was still rather awestruck that these Littles felt completely at ease to simply be themselves. It had to be freeing to live life without having to fit into the molds society tried to squeeze people into. With that, he realized that was exactly what he’d been attempting to do with a woman he’d interacted with for the whole of five minutes.
“Thanks, I needed that,” he said when she finally stopped giggling and wiped her eyes which had begun leaking with the effort of suppressing her enjoyment of his poor acting abilities. “Don’t tell Sadie, but I wasn’t interested in playing games tonight. Not if Robyn wasn’t playing as well. But I’m glad I did. It made me realize that I’ve been trying to make her into someone she obviously doesn’t want to be. I have no right to do that. She has every right to choose what she wants to do and who she wants to do it with. When you see her again, could you offer my apologies?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, and I really wasn’t laughing at you,” Hayleigh said. “I mean, I was, but not because of your performance. Even though no one had a clue what you were attempting, it really was fun to watch.”
“Then what caused you to practically bust your gut laughing?”
“Um, I was just feeling silly.”
“Little girl, I might not have a Little of my own, but that doesn’t mean I can’t spot a fib when I hear one.”
Hayleigh had the grace to blush but then shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean. Oh, sorry, I’ve gotta go!”
Despite the urgency of her statement, when she got off the couch, she didn’t race across the lobby. She sauntered as if she hadn’t a care in the world. When she turned and gave him a little wave, he suddenly had a suspicion that the game hadn’t quite ended. All he had to do was figure out the right clue.
Winston spent the rest of the evening talking with several other Bigs as well as chatting with a few more Littles. Every single one was gracious and he enjoyed speaking with them, but try as he might, he didn’t feel anything more than pleasure at spending a few moments getting to know one another.
Proud that he’d stayed for a couple of hours, Winston began to make his way toward the door to take his leave when Derek caught up with him.
“Before you go, I wanted to let you know I’ve made that reservation for you. That is if you’re still interested in checking into the B&B.”
“I am,” Winston assured him. “Do you know if there is a specific cut off time for check-in? I’ll need to meet with the construction crew in the morning.”
“The grand opening ceremony starts at 10 o’clock, so any time after that will work. The room is yours so you can show up whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“That works, and I appreciate you intervening on my behalf. Oh, and thank Sadie for me. I had fun.”
“I will.” Derek grinned. “She can make the roughest days run smoothly. Then again, she can also make the smoothest day feel like a hurricane married a tornado and had a tsunami.”
Winston laughed, easily imagining the Little doing exactly that. “I believe it. You found a treasure in that one. Good night and thanks again.” Winston turned to reach for the doorknob again. He had the door pulled open when he realized he had no clue where the B&B was located. Shaking his head, he turned back. “By the way, got an address for me?”
“An address?” Derek patted his pockets. “I’m afraid I forgot to write it down. I’d go ask Erika but I think she and Jared left a few minutes ago. But you can’t miss it. Turn right out of the gates and then left at the first road. That takes you to the Ridge. The B&B is the big yellow Victorian house on the crest of the first hill off to the right. Just look for the balloons.”
Remembering the grand opening, Winston nodded. “Yellow and balloons. If I get lost, I’ll give you a call.”
Derek lifted a hand. “I’ve got faith you’ll get the job done. Have a good night.”
Winston nodded and finally managed to step through the door. As he pulled out onto the main road, he thought about driving by the place but since it was dark and he really did have to get up early to meet the contractor, he only gave the road a look as he passed it by.