Training Tristan (Submissives of Rawhide Ranch Book 6)

Chapter 1

Tristan

I smiled down at the sprite-like maid scowling at me with her hands on her hips, her curly pink pigtails bouncing as she said, “Mr. Tristan, you know you’re not supposed to wear your boots in here after you come in from the stables.”

“Sorry about that.” I took a seat on the brightly painted blue rocking chair near the double front doors of the main building as I pulled off my worn cowboy boots. “I was helping Wren out in the stables when I got the text from Derek to come see him.”

Picking up the broom from where she’d set it against the wall, Maisey gave a huff and a narrow-eyed look that had me neatly setting my boots out of the way as I stood there in my socks. Despite being half my size and resembling an anime character wearing a maid costume that was all ruffles and black lace along with pink cat ears, Maisey took her job of keeping the main building of the resort clean very seriously. One might think that because she was a submissive, she’d be all blushes and subdued manners, but she was just as fierce as any Dom when it came to protecting what she loved. Kind of like me. I was big, bald, and built like a professional wrestler thanks to my dedication in the gym. Looking at me you’d think I always had to be in charge. But like Maisey, I was also submissive.

Just of a very different flavor than most subs on the Ranch. High power, a handful, hard to break—there were a dozen different ways to describe my lifestyle, but none of them exactly fit. Hell, I didn’t even know how to describe myself, so it was no surprise others floundered as well. All I knew was when a powerful woman held me under her control, when I could forget about the world and live for her pleasure, I was in heaven.

Giving Maisey a nod, I walked past her and into the large foyer, raising my hand in greetings as a busy Luna gave me an absent wave. There was some famous burlesque star coming in this weekend to teach some classes on manners and dancing or some shit. I wasn’t sure what the big deal was, but I knew that we were almost at max capacity, and everyone was busting their ass to make sure things were running smoothly. We were also hosting our annual Teddy Bear Picnic which always drew a crowd, and I’d been working from dawn to dusk with everyone else employed at the Ranch to get everything ready.

The large foyer of the main building echoed with the sounds of at least a hundred people talking and laughing. There was a line at the reception desk of people dressed mostly in what I considered their “real world” clothes holding their suitcases. Their nervous energy and sense of anticipation rolled over me as I strolled past. A harried-looking male service submissive almost ran me over with a luggage rack as he rushed past, and the ding of the elevators was a near constant background noise.

It didn’t take me long to reach my boss’ office once I cleared the lobby, and after I gave a quick knock on the thick oak door he bellowed, “Come in.”

Derek, an older man with a salt and pepper beard and an easy smile, sat behind the big mahogany desk of his that dominated the room. He was surrounded by stacks of papers and his desk was unusually cluttered looking. Wearing a white button-down shirt with a pair of worn jeans, he didn’t look like a multi-millionaire, but he was. Smart, kind, and generous Derek was the best boss I’d ever had, and I respected him greatly.

“Tristan,” Derek strode around his desk to give me a pat on the shoulder. “Good to see you… and your socks.”

I glanced down with a chuckle. “Yeah, Maisey caught me on the porch with muddy boots.” Glancing back up with a smile I said, “Looks like you’re busy.”

He stared at his full desk with a heavy sigh. “It seems like every time I get one project finished and wrapped up, another two pop up in its place. I know it’s early, but I could use a drink. Want one?”

Chuckling, I followed him over to the wet bar. “I’ll take a whisky.”

“Two whiskies it is,” Derek said as he pulled the stopper out of a cut crystal decanter filled halfway with amber liquid. “Normally I don’t drink this early in the day, but between Mistress La Pearl’s arrival, the Teddy Bear Picnic, and the renovations being done on the University, I’m working from dawn to dusk.”

I took the glass that he handed me, the surface cool against my fingers. “Thank you. Anything I can help you with?”

“Nah, I’ve got it handled. Just complaining about it. Weather’s nice,” Derek gestured to the pair of French doors leading out to his private patio. “Let’s go sit outside so I can get some sunshine. I feel like all I do is sit in this office lately.”

Following him onto the spacious patio I took in a deep breath of fresh air, my body relaxing slightly as the ever-present tension inside of me lightened just a little bit. “Nice day.”

Derek gave a low grunt as he set his drink down on a black wrought iron table, then took a seat in one of the padded patio chairs. “I’m so glad winter is over. Was mighty cold this year all the way up to the end of May and I think everyone got a bit of cabin fever being stuck inside. I know the Littles have been restless”—he gave me an odd look—“and they’re not the only ones.”

“I hear that.” I took a sip of my whisky, then pulled out a chair across from Derek, the metal legs scraping the concrete. “I was able to take a long ride on Magic yesterday to make sure the trails were clear for the guests, did us both some good.”

“Travis said they’ve been leading trail and wagon rides pretty much non-stop,” Derek set his glass down, his gaze meeting mine.

“The stables have been busy. We’ve got a mare that’s getting ready to foal, and switching out the winter blankets for the lighter ones used in the spring for the horses has been a chore and a half.”

Derek nodded. “Thanks again for helping out in the stables. I know you signed on as security, but your assistance is very appreciated.”

An ember of pride burned in my chest. “My pleasure, boss. I really enjoy working with horses, so it’s no hardship on my part. Rather deal with a pissy mare than an angry drunk who might have a gun any day of the week.”

“Agreed.” Derek took a slow sip of his whisky then said, “How are things going with you?”

I opened my mouth, ready to spout off the usual lies about being okay, but Derek’s stern look stopped me cold. Some people said my boss could read minds, and I didn’t know if that was real, but he had a bullshit detector as good as that of any police officer I’d ever met. And the truth was, I wasn’t okay.

After taking a healthy drink, I tried to hide my embarrassment and muttered, “I take it you heard about my… issue in the Dungeon the other night? Not surprising considering how people love to gossip around here.”

Instead of denying it, Derek shrugged. “People talk. And while it may be gossip, it wasn’t in a bad way. You have a lot of friends here, Tristan, and they’re worried about you. They don’t like seeing you unhappy, but you’re not exactly the easiest guy to get to open up. People have noticed that you haven’t been your usual self.”

Rubbing my face with my hands, my whiskers scraping against my palms, I looked away from Derek as I said, “Every guy has had a time when he’s failed to… rise to the occasion.”

Derek’s hearty laugh had me looking back at him as he said, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to talk to you about erectile dysfunction.”

“Thank fuck,” I muttered and drained the last of my whisky.

“But I am here to talk about how extreme you’re getting in your play. Not that I’m judging you in any way; you know that I believe that everyone is entitled to their kinks as long as everyone is on the same page and no one is getting taken advantage of, but it seems like you’re searching for something you’re not finding in your partners. You’ve been with some of the best Domme’s both on and visiting our ranch, but I feel like you’re still seeking for something more. And I don’t think you getting tied up and hung from the rafters like a chandelier with weighted clamps hanging from your balls is it. You’re having a problem getting into your subspace, aren’t you?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his description, even though he was dead on target as usual. “I didn’t use to have this problem. When I first started to work here, I could get into the zone easily… but now… I just don’t know what’s wrong. I mean I’ve tried everything, any kink you can think of that’s not on my ‘never fucking ever’ list, but I just can’t get there. And I’ve tried so damn hard. I need it, you know what I mean? After all the shit I’ve been through, subspace is the one place where I can finally relax.”

“I understand,” Derek said in a low voice, all humor gone from his face, replaced by compassion. “I truly do. Working as an undercover police officer in Chicago you’ve seen some of the worst that humanity had to offer. Experienced things that I can’t even imagine without getting anxiety. When you found the Ranch, you finally discovered a place where you felt like you fit in. Where you could heal and live a good life. Where you could be accepted for who you are. Someplace that felt like home. Am I right?”

“I still feel like this is my home,” I quickly said, worried that Derek might be firing me. “I love working and living here, I really do. When Stephen told me about this place, I knew right away that this is where I belong. There isn’t anywhere in this world I’d rather be. I love it here.”

“Easy,” Derek held up his hand in a soothing gesture. “I’m not going to fire you. I’m trying to help you, not get rid of you.”

“Damn mind reader,” I said with a small smile.

Derek shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “No, not a mind reader, but don’t tell the subbies that. I just pay attention, have a lot of experience, and maybe I have an extra dash of intuition into how people think. You are a hard worker, and you will have a job here for as long as you want it. But I don’t want you to just survive here, Tristan, I want you to thrive. And right now, you’re just getting by.”

I pushed my chair back and stood up, pacing in the plant-lined enclosure of his patio. “I know I am, and I hate it, but I don’t know what to do. I’m in therapy with Sam every other week, my work keeps me occupied, and I have good friends here who I spend time with. And I’m sure you know there is never a lack of beautiful women available for some fun. I have everything I could ever want or need.”

“But you’re still not happy.”

“I… fuck. I feel like such a spoiled shithead for even saying it, but no, I feel like something’s missing. It’s like I’ve got this… pressure inside of me that can only be bled off by going into subspace. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sexual aspects of BDSM, but what I need, what I crave, I can’t seem to find. Pet play helped for a while, being a guard dog is totally my thing, but even that can’t get me completely out of my head lately. I thought going harder, taking more punishment, more pain, more everything would be the key but that isn’t working either and I just don’t fucking know what to do anymore!”

My last words echoed as I realized I’d been shouting at my boss, but Derek didn’t look put out by my display of temper. “Maybe going harder isn’t the problem. Maybe you need to go softer. No pun intended.”

I sighed and shook my head, his subtle humor pricking my anger. “What do you mean?”

He squinted in the glare of the sunlight a bit as he looked up at me. “I have a proposition for you. Something you have the freedom to reject, I’ll never force anyone to do something that goes against their will, but something I’ll hope you’ll at least consider. I believe it will greatly benefit you and your situation.”

Hope, a fragile emotion so easily crushed, flared within me. “What’s that?”

“As I’m sure you know, Mistress La Pearl will be arriving later today, and I’ve been informed that she will need a male submissive for the duration of her stay to help her with demonstrations in her classes. Someone she can trust. Someone to keep her company and convince her to consider settling down here and working for Rawhide University. Basically a liaison between her and the Ranch. I believe that someone is you.”

“Ahhh,” I tried to think of a way to say what I was feeling without being insulting. “Isn’t she some kind of etiquette teacher or some shit? I don’t really know anything about that.”

“Don’t worry, she has a business partner who travels with her and acts as her butler who will assist her with her classes if she needs help. What I need you to do is keep her company and make things easy for her. I want you to help her with whatever she needs around the Ranch. I require someone who can show her exactly all the pleasures our Ranch can offer. It’s no secret that I want her to come teach here full time, but she’s not entirely onboard yet. Convincing her to leave the world behind to come live and teach at the Ranch won’t be easy, but I think you’re the right man for the job.”

“Gotta tell ya, boss, I’m not too good at wining and dining. And with my”—I gestured to my crotch area—“issue I’m not sure I’d be of much use to her. And I’m not really good at being all smooth and political. If you want someone to talk her into staying, I don’t think I’m that guy. I mean, I tell it like it is and I’m not good at small talk. Besides, I don’t think I’m the kind of submissive she’d go for. You know, with her being all famous and high class and shit. I’m more than a little rough around the collar.”

“What do you know about Mistress La Pearl?” Derek asked as he watched me slowly pace.

“Not much. Only what I’ll need to know as part of the Ranch security.” I cracked my neck, trying to recall Lawson’s briefing on her visit. “I know she’s a burlesque star, has been in a couple big time movies, did that dancing with celebrities thing, and that she’s toured the world. Uh-she teaches etiquette and protocol or something like that,” I added as I rubbed my shaved head, “and… uh-that’s about it. Like I said before, I’m not really into any of that stuff.”

“Are you willing to learn? You might be pleasantly surprised. And it can’t be any worse than some of the extreme things you’ve been experimenting with lately. How about instead of trying to go harder, you go softer.”

Laughing, I sat back down across from Derek, my fingers tracing the swirling designs in the black wrought iron table. “As you know, going softer was my problem.”

Derek shook his head with a smile. “Nice one. Besides, just because you’re agreeing to be her escort while she’s here doesn’t mean it has to involve sex. You love the Ranch, and not just for the kinky stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the sexual freedom we provide for our guests, but we’re more than a sex resort. We offer a good life to our staff, and I want her to see what it would be like to live and work here.”

I groaned and looked up at the sky. “I don’t know, boss… are you sure I’m the right guy for this? We have other single subs working here, maybe one of those would suit her better. If she’s as sweet as you say, she may not like my sour. I can be a bit of an asshole at times.”

“I’m well aware of your somewhat surly nature,” Derek took out his phone, checking the screen before he looked back at me. “She’ll be arriving tonight, and she’ll have a couple days to settle in and relax before her classes begin on Monday. Why don’t you two meet up, and if things don’t work out, we’ll still have enough time to find a better liaison for her. I don’t have to tell you, a lot is riding on everything going right. If we can show Mistress La Pearl a good time and provide her with the best experience possible, she may just consider taking on a more permanent teaching position. And that will definitely bring in more business to both the Ranch and Rawhide University.”

“We already have more business than we can deal with. Are you trying to get the Ranch booked for the next twenty years?” I said with a smile to let him know I was joking.

A gleam came to his eye as he said, “I have big plans for the Ranch, and Mistress La Pearl is one of the keys to making my dreams come true.”

“Are you sure we’re compatible?” I tried to imagine anyone getting off on having good manners and following rules and couldn’t. “I mean, I’m a junkyard dog. She may be used to purebred poodles and show puppies. Do you think she can handle me?”

“I don’t think that will be a problem at all,” Derek replied with a smile that sent a little bolt of apprehension through me. “Mistress La Pearl may appear to be sugar and spice, all ruffles and lace, but that woman has a steel core to her. I’ve known her for a long time and respect her greatly. Besides, you have more in common with her than you think. You’re both smart and when you want to, you can be very charming. And who knows? While she may not be the kind of woman you’re looking for, and maybe she’s not what you think you want, but what if she’s exactly what you need? Stranger things have happened.”

A small tickle of excitement lit an ember in my belly, chasing away some of the stress tightening my body. “Fine, I’ll take one for the team.”

“You’ll do it?”

“Yeah, I will. I still don’t know if I’m the right guy for the job, but if you believe I am, I’ll give it my best.”

Derek stood up, talking as he touched the screen of his phone, “Excellent. I have some things I need to attend to. Talk to Stephen, Lawson is having him handle this for me. If you have any problems or concerns, any at all, please do not hesitate to let me know. I mean it when I said that this is entirely up to you. I’d no more force you into a sexual relationship against your will than I would any of my subs. And I know, I know, you’re a man, and some people think men will fuck anyone and anything, but I don’t. As a man, as a submissive, you have as much right to say no as any of the smallest Littles here. And I will protect you as much as I protect them. Understood?”

Uncomfortable at the swell of gratitude and friendship I felt for my boss, I looked away as I followed him back into his office. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that. You’re right, some people do assume that all men have no standards or self-respect when it comes to sex. And that’s just not true.”

Derek reached his desk and moved some papers around until he found a book with glittery silver script flowing across the soft-pink of the cover. “Here, read this. It’s one of the books Mistress La Pearl has written on etiquette.”

I took the hefty volume from him. “Damn, she wrote a whole book?”

“She’s written five so far,” Derek said with a grin. “All best sellers. A couple of them non-fiction as well. In addition to being a burlesque bombshell, she has a PhD in Sociology and is well respected in the field.”

“Dr. La Pearl. Huh.” I flipped through the pages, scanning an image of what looked like a collection of photos of women wearing different types of corsets.

“And she has over three million followers on various social media sites,” he added as he sat back down in his chair. “When Mistress La Pearl arrives, she’ll most likely need a chance to settle in. She’s just returning from doing a tour in Asia and might be a little jet lagged, but you may consider yourself on-duty if she requires anything before I get a chance to introduce you tomorrow. Oh, and Tristan? Check out the third page in the book.”

I flipped to the page and was met by the smiling picture of a stunning redheaded woman making love to the camera with her brilliant green eyes.

All the breath left me in a soft whistle as I scanned her image from head to toe. Wearing an emerald-green robe with fluffy green feathers lining the cuffs, she reclined on a bed on top of a black silk duvet, surrounded by pillows and poised like a decadent treat. She had the body and face of a mature woman, probably in her thirties, and she was what my mom would have called a rose in full bloom. Even in the picture I could read the self-confidence that only came with experience in her expression. She had very pale skin, and a smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and her chest. The robe hinted at curves for days, and the kind of thick hips a man could really hold onto. My dick gave a hard throb as I imagined how good she would feel beneath me, all that softness cushioning me as I fucked her into the mattress.

“God love a sinner,” I said with a low whistle. “She could make a blind man see.”

Derek chuckled, “I was pretty sure you’d find her attractive.”

“She’s fucking magnificent,” I said in a rough voice. “I’ll do anything she wants. I’d drink her bath water.”

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary but be sure to show the best our Ranch has to offer. On your way out, can you tell Erika that I’ll be eating lunch in my office again?” He grimaced as he glanced down at his phone. “And tell her, yes, I know I’m spending too much time in the office. Remind her that I’ll be taking a few days off for the Teddy Bear Picnic, and she’ll be doing the majority of my work so it would be in her best interest to help me out now.”

I could barely tear my eyes away from the auburn-haired beauty smiling at me. “Right, will do.”

He muttered something as I walked away, but I was too engrossed in flipping through the book, looking for more pictures of her.

Mistress La Pearl.

I wondered what her first name was.

I wondered if she smelled as good as she looked.

And I wondered if I’d manage to make it back to my house before I jerked off.