Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Wyatt
Busying myself with finding some medication and a bottle of water for Kennedy, I wondered where I’d gotten the nerve to speak to Alden the way I had. He had a lot of patience but it only stretched so far. Calling him Daddy was not appropriate. I knew how he felt about titles.
Worse than my attitude, he’d asked me if I wanted to explore. Did he mean a dynamic with him or something more? Taming the playboy came to mind. Is that all I was? Alden, Luke, Tate and I had all been in the circuit at the same time. Alden was older than us by a few years. Remembering fondly the way he handled steers and broncos alike made me nostalgic for our years spent in the arenas.
Texting Luke I sent him a quick message.
Wyatt
Think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.
His reply was immediate.
Luke
What have you done, Firecracker?
Wyatt
Poked Alden harder than intended.
Luke sent an entire text message of laughing face emojis. That wasn’t nice. He knew me better than most. Luke sent another text without any additional emojis.
Luke
What’d you do?
Wyatt
I called him Daddy.
Luke
‘Bout time.
Luke was of no help to me. None at all. I rolled my eyes as I thought about a smart-ass reply.
Wyatt
I don’t need him barking orders.
Luke’s reply was lengthy. He told me about myself like he’d written a book on the subject. To be honest, he had. Luke knew what I’d been longing for all these years. He hadn’t forgotten a thing. I highly valued Luke, respected him. I loved him in a different way. We hadn’t been compatible in a relationship, though we’d tried. Time brought us along different paths. He had two submissive partners: Elias, his best friend for over a decade, and Emma, one of the sweetest women I’d ever met. She’d arrived in their lives by running from a scary situation and a toxic ex. Luke and Elias doted on her, helping her heal. I wanted the same sort of happy-ever-after ending for myself.
After typing and deleting several times I finally sent,
Wyatt
He’s my best friend.
I already knew that Luke wouldn’t accept that answer.
Luke
Sometimes love is in front of your face. Let Alden lead.
As if I had a choice on that front.
Wyatt
Will let you know how that goes.
Luke sent a winky-face emoji.
Luke
I’ll buy a new pillow for you to sit on.
Huffing, I strutted out of the bathroom. For a Dom, Luke sure was a brat.
Making my way to the guest bedroom, I knocked once before walking in. I hadn’t respected Kennedy’s privacy earlier, and I wouldn’t make that mistake again. Alden called out that I could enter.
“Good timing, Wyatt. Kennedy is all tucked in.”
“I brought our little galloping goddess some meds.”
Kennedy held out her hands. “Thank you.”
I handed her the water bottle along with the pills.
“Things could have really gone badly for me this afternoon if you weren’t here to help,” she said sincerely.
“You’re welcome. I’m really glad you’re okay.”
She hugged me, then settled into the mattress. I tucked the blanket around her, surprising myself. We flirted like we breathed, but tonight something had shifted in the air. Our closest friends were in throuples: two-man, one-woman relationships. I thought the world of her, but I had zero clue if she’d ever consider me as her partner. Could I somehow believe that after all this time I could balance two relationships?
Don’t get ahead of yourself .
She nuzzled my knuckles before I dropped my hand from the pile of blankets. That sweet gesture was new, but Kennedy had been through a lot today even if she pretended like it wasn’t a big deal.
“Sweet dreams.”
“Good night, Wyatt.”
Keenly aware of Alden’s presence behind us, I crossed in front of him into the hall. Leaning against the wall, I waited semi-patiently. Alden bid Kennedy good night, closing the door behind him. He stared at me for a minute without speaking. Did he seek an apology for my odd behavior today? It wasn’t just the teasing in front of Kennedy. No, I’d been poking his buttons since I arrived at the ranch. Scratch that. I’d been seeking a reaction from him for years.
“I should get going,” I said casually.
“We have a conversation to finish, Wyatt. I’ll give you a choice. Follow me to the barn or to the couch. Select carefully.”
“I’m very sorry for referring to you with a title. I threw it in your face to get under your skin.”
“Barn or couch?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“Make a choice or I’ll do it for you.”
Jabbing my fingers into my hair, I looked up at the ceiling as if the answer to my dilemma would be penned across it. It wasn’t. I thought about the text messages with Luke. He had no idea how true his last statement had been. Alden was going to bust my ass. And I was going to thank him for it. I battled bratty submissives on the regular. Figuring out their motivations, plans, and unearthing the heart of the matter brought me great satisfaction. For me personally? Only one man had unraveled the complicated web of needs, wants, and desires that I spun around the wall keeping my heart together. And that man was no longer available to me. I’d been searching for someone else, but never really tried. No. I hadn’t found anyone because the person I’d been needing was right in front of me. Alden tapped my boot with his.
“Barn it is.” He made the choice for me. “Are you gonna walk or do I need to carry you?”
“Hang on. You don’t, I mean, I don’t–” I stammered.
“You got nowhere to be tonight. After our walk, we can come back to the house, cuddle, and watch a movie.”
“Cuddle?”
“Unless you'd rather be doing something else?”
“I didn’t think you’d ever want to curl up with me.”
His face lost its hard edge and he scratched his throat. For a moment he stared at me, his expression unreadable before stepping to my feet.
“Tell me what you need, Wyatt. Whatever it is, I’ll give it to you. But I’m shooting in the dark.”
“I’ve wanted to be yours for a long time. Why do you think I’ve been asking you to get back into the circuit? It’s not just because you’re the best top I’ve ever had.”
“Well, I’m not one to brag.”
Alden played off the name of his spot in our team roping but he was right as usual. He was dominant in more ways than one.
“I meant in the… you know what I meant. I miss you. We haven’t spent as much time together because my ass is in that ring more often than it’s not.”
“Why is that, Wyatt?”
I said nothing. He was going to crack me wide open. Then he’d see all my insecurities and vulnerabilities. The ones I hid deep down inside of me whenever I entered the ring. And he hadn’t even spanked me yet. Once my ass wore his handprints, anything I’d ever stuffed away deep in my gullet would sputter out of my mouth like a hose filling a trough.
“You’ve been chasing something tangible because you won’t admit what you’re missing,” he continued as we walked. The sky was clear with a smattering of stars. Chilly but not overly cool, perfect weather for stargazing. The smell of something burning off in the distance, maybe his fireplace, reached my nostrils. I kept my eyes on the sky instead of on the man next to me currently unraveling my resolve.
“You might be onto something,” I said.
“It’s not that you won’t admit it to me, but to yourself.”
“I don’t know.”
Taking in the familiar sounds and smells of the barn, the hay crunching under my boots, the moonlight filtering in, eased some of the mounting tension swelling around us. Some of the nerves firing through my brain eased, but not all of them. We spent a lot of time here having picnics, celebrations, game nights and so on. Alden had added a small kitchenette, fridge, freezer and cozy, comfortable furniture. Focusing on the space instead of Alden’s intentions kept me walking forward instead of hightailing it home. If I didn’t get my thoughts and feelings out tonight, I may never do it. Not that I was looking forward to confessing.
“You did a brave thing today, rebel.”
Alden’s praise drew my attention to him again instead of keeping me trapped in my head.
“Huh?”
“Not everyone would have jumped the way you did. It may not have played out so well if you weren’t here.”
“You’d have handled it.”
“While I appreciate your faith in me, I may not have.” Alden unbuttoned his flannel shirt.
I’d seen him in various stages of undress in our lives, but his slow, purposeful movements had my nerves on edge. He slid one arm out and then the other leaving him in only a black A-line tank top along with his jeans. His thighs were magnificent: muscular and strong from all his years of riding. I wondered what it would be like to be held across them. Alden had spanked me more than once over the years, but never across his lap. My gaze shifted from the ropey muscles of his biceps and forearms back to his pecs.
Alden stepped closer, a cocky grin on his face. “You done starin’?”
“Uh, what?” I wiped a line of drool from my mouth in what I hoped was a subtle fashion.
“Last chance. Are you done–”
“I haven’t answered you yet, Alden. What makes you think I’m going to do it now?” Interrupting my best friend wasn’t a smart move on a good day.
“Right.”
Alden grabbed the top of my ear, dragging me to the ornate spanking bench cleverly crafted to appear harmless. More practical furniture and less brat-taming equipment. Shit . That meant he would leave me sore.
“Let go!”
He continued walking, ignoring my protests.
“Hush. I told you the plan. I know your safeword and you have your colors.”
Alden bent me over the spanking bench while I cursed and yelled. He was not gentle with his handling, unbuckling my belt and shucking my jeans and underwear to my knees. Spanking me was usually for fun. Nothing about his movements screamed fun.
“You’ve never done this bare,” I protested again.
“First time for everything.”
Alden ran his fingers through my hair, tugging and gently tugging on the strands. Something about his touch when I knew what was coming for me soothed me. As vulnerable and exposed as I was, even with my ass prominently on display for his correction, brought me peace.
“I won’t be able to hold back if you spank me,” I said, but there was no bravado left. He was serious about taking care of me.
“Good. That’s exactly what I want to happen, Wyatt.”
Leather whipped through the air before a nasty sting bit my upper thigh. Alden’s aim was extremely accurate when it came to rope and whips. The strap in his hand was no different. Several more landed, spread out from my upper thigh to the fuller part of my ass, then down again. I cursed and groaned.
“Quit cursing, rebel. You’re fighting it.”
Alden kneading his fingers into the curve of my right asscheek brought heat to my face. He’d never touched me in such an intimate way. Gritting my teeth, I buried my head under my arms. I wanted this over with so I could escape with my dignity intact.
“Are you going to keep fighting me, Firecracker? Or are you going to let me bring you where ya’ need to go?”
“Whether or not I do isn’t your problem, Alden.”
“If I’m spanking you, you can refer to me as ‘Sir’.”
“I will not.”
“So, you want to call me ‘Daddy’ then?”
That word from his lips had me whimpering. Arousal, need, and something else burned through my body lighting up places inside of me I couldn’t name. Instead I snapped at him. “You wish!”
Tugging the hair at the scruff of my neck arched it painfully. Damn it . He played me like a fiddle.
“Apologize for your tone. Then I’ll continue until you’re a sniffling mess of emotions and promising to be my good boy.”
“Or?”
“You brats and your ‘ors’,” he mused. “Or I’ll get you dressed.”
“I’m sorry for being difficult. Please continue, Daddy?” I hated the whiny tone falling out of my mouth, but it was true. I needed him to become my Daddy more than I needed anything else in my life.
“Finally some honesty,” he mumbled.
Alden pressed a kiss to my neck, then slowly released his hold. He rubbed my shoulders, along my spine and downward until his hands returned to my ass. Cracking the leather strap again, he snapped it against my upper thighs. It was not pleasant. Drumming my heels, it took me a minute to calm down. He gave me the time before landing several more on the lower half of my butt.
“Ouch.” I breathed in and out deeply. The pain lit my nerves and not in a good way.
“A few more. Keep breathing.”
Instead of blocking the sting, I pushed into it. I wasn’t into receiving pain for the most part, but I needed the burn. Alden had a way of placing each stroke in a spot he hadn’t already hit. Somehow the ebb and flow brought me where I needed to go. Soon I was a blubbering mess. Once I stopped fighting, the emotions I’d stuffed away came to the surface. Alden fixed my clothing, rubbing my back and speaking softly. Alden supported me against his side as we walked to the couch, my gait slower than my usual stride. Though I wasn’t usually quiet, I had nothing to say. Sitting down wasn’t pleasant but the way Alden gently rubbed my head and shoulders allowed me to compose myself.
“You’re right,” I said as if it weren’t the most obvious thing in the world.
“Usually am. What are you referring to?”
“I’ve been missing something vital all these years. Not just a dominant partner but someone who cares about me. Someone who wants what’s best for me. I’ve been too chicken-shit to admit that everything is right in front of me.”
“You finally want to give this a go?”
“You?”
“Us, Firecracker,” he said gruffly. “A relationship.”
A relationship? Of course I wanted to be with him more than I needed my next damn breath. “We’ve never talked about it. I wasn’t sure if I could be a good match for you.”
“I didn’t think we needed to or I’d have mentioned it before now. You’re my best friend. We’ve done some incredible work together in the ring. It makes sense that we'd be good together in every way.” Alden ran his fingers through my hair, rubbing and soothing my frazzled nerves. I shifted around to look up at him.
“What about Kennedy?” I knew he had feelings for her. Everyone did. Was Alden looking for a throuple like all of our friends were in? I wasn’t opposed.
“She’s been a bit wild since her divorce. I haven’t asked her what she’s looking for. Though I think I can give her what she needs too.”
“She’s had a crush on you forever. Not that we’ve been talking about you.”
“I bet you have been. You always do, Wyatt,” he corrected.
“Do you think we can… the three of us… I mean if she likes me enough to…” I sighed. Kennedy and I didn’t have a complicated past, but she wasn’t in the dark. She’d seen me parading women and men through my life like a revolving door of partners. Bragging about the one-night stands, casual flings, rodeo groupies. It had all been a blur for years. They had been band-aids on my bleeding heart. I desperately needed a Daddy. Someone who would prioritize me. Keep me in line and not let me go wild. In turn I’d give him my submission. I also wanted a submissive partner. Kennedy fit the bill, but I wasn’t sure I could lead her in the same way Alden could. I never pictured the three of us together.
That’s a lie .
I’d thought about it but never took any action.
Alden rubbed his mouth. “She’s been dancing around the topic much like someone else I know. Kennedy would benefit from a relationship with both of us. We’d encourage her to compete, if she wants. Whatever dreams and goals she’s been sitting on? We’d get her to follow.”
“Sounds pretty. The idea of us helping her.” I wanted to see Kennedy get herself back after her divorce. To see her bloom. And yeah, like Alden, I wanted to be around to help her get there.
“And I’d help you in the same way. I’ve never shied away from anything, I won’t do it now.”
I let the thought bang around in my brain. No, talking about it wouldn’t do any good. My hind end burned and though I tried to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal. It was. “My ass is sore.”
“Good. Back on topic,” he said, reminding me that we’d been discussing the possibility of a relationship.
“Alden,” I huffed, the worries and fears racing through me.
“Stop letting those gears in your brain run you ragged. Are you willing and ready to be in a relationship? If not, you need to stop poking my buttons.”
I sat quietly for a few minutes, mulling over his words. I had been pushing, poking, bratting. It was easier to do those things than tell him what I wanted. Scratch that. What I needed.
“This could be a terrible idea.” I finally gave voice to the thoughts in my head.
“It could be the best one we’ve ever made.”
Excitement leapt painfully in my chest. I knew what I wanted, but I was scared to rush. My friendship with Alden was too important to risk. “I’m used to jumping into things without thinking. It’s served me well for a long-ass time, but this is too important. Please give me a few days.”
“A few days, but not forever. I’ll chase you if I have to, but I won’t be happy about it.”
The mental image of Alden chasing me across our town on a horse flitted through my head, but in the vision he was shirtless, those gorgeous muscles of his on display. Shaking my head, I pushed the thought away.
“It’s not just me,” I answered. “If you and Kennedy are about to get into a relationship, I don’t want to interfere.”
“You let me worry about Kennedy. I’ll float the idea of the three of us to her because I’ll be damned if I have to rope the two of you together to quit fighting me.”
Damn Alden and the visual fantasies he kept feeding my brain.
“You’d enjoy that.” I winked.
“Not as much as you would.”
“I don’t know.” Insecurities flared again and I did my best to push them away.
“Do you want to stay tonight? We can cuddle on the couch if you want. Or just talk for a while.”
He stood and tugged me to my feet before putting his flannel on. I watched him button the shirt, his nimble fingers deftly moving down the line. What was it about him tonight that aroused me? Oh, I answered my own question. I was currently wearing his handprints along with his strap marks.
“No, but I appreciate the offer. It’s important for Kennedy to rest. I’ll be okay.”
“Text me when you get home.” Alden stepped to my feet and wrapped his arms around me.
“Mmmhmm.”
He wasn’t that much taller than me, but the way he held me made me feel smaller, more vulnerable. I glanced up into his face. He was so good-looking it was easy to see why he had hordes of fans back in his circuit years. Alden kissed my lips once, and I protested when he pulled away. He took my chin in his hand, tipping it so he could kiss me again. His tongue delved into my mouth, something I’d fantasized about but never thought would happen. We kissed and I enjoyed the way he tasted. Mint lingering from the gum he’d been chewing combined with the sweetness of his favorite honey whiskey. I could kiss him forever. Finally, he broke away.
“I’m all in, rebel. Do you hear me? You seem to think this is a one-time thing.”
“I believe you. I do. But I have doubts. Insecurities. The shit I keep away from everyone.”
“Everyone has doubts, Wyatt. Don’t let them give you a reason to throw in the towel.”
“I hear what you’re saying.”
“Take it easy tomorrow. You’ll likely be sore, and not just your ass.”
“I will. Thank you for spanking me. I needed it way more than I’ll ever admit. I probably need one often.”
“What else is on your mind? Tell me because your ass can’t handle another round.”
“Does this mean I can call you Daddy sometimes or was that just a vulnerable moment and you don’t actually–”
“You can call me Daddy,” he said gently, interrupting. “But that means you follow my rules. Come over tomorrow night. We’ll discuss them.”
“I need more time to mull over things.”
“Text me your schedule for the week. This conversation will happen.”
“Fine. I’ll do it when I get home.” Feeling brave, I kissed him. He gave me the moment. I moaned softly into his mouth.
Alden broke the kiss, and patted my cheek. “Don’t overthink.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Good boy.”
My insides turned to absolute mush when Alden praised me. He hugged me close to him and I melted into his embrace. I’d been an idiot to believe he would have rejected me. He held his cards close to his chest, but underneath the rough surface Alden hid a softer side. When he released me, I let out a small sigh.
“Night.”
“Good night, Wyatt.”
Trepidation filled me. Every nerve in my body protested as I stepped out of his arms and walked to my truck. Alden brought me peace, a serene sense of safety and comfort. I should have taken his offer to stay but it was important for his attention to be on our girl.
Crap . Not our girl yet. But I loved the way it sounded in my head. Hopefully, he’d talk to Kennedy tomorrow about the three of us. Two partners. One dominant. One submissive. And friends to boot. Things were playing out even better than I’d ever imagined that they could unfold. If I didn’t let my old patterns creep back into my day to day and wreck everything first.