Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1
Ezra- Six months later
I smiled at the screen because one of the resident professors at Rawhide Ranch was unable to run his course this summer. I’d been asked if I could bump my Submissive Desires 101 course from the winter months to cover it. Hell yes! I was tired of sleeping at Landon’s apartment when mine was still occupied by Tammy. Her place was being renovated so she could move in, and since I wasn’t set on moving into something different, I adjusted so we could both get what we wanted. She had another month before she could move in. While that was inconvenient, this opportunity to teach would ease the irritation I was feeling.
I’d be living on the grounds for the duration of my teaching experience in my own apartment without worrying about overstaying my welcome with Landon. It was a win-win situation. I confirmed I could take the spot, and another email came through shortly after with the information for arrival. I’d start on Monday but was able to check in anytime between Friday and Sunday. That gave me three days to get my things together to plan the rest. If I got there on Friday, I could work on my syllabus over the weekend without being disturbed.
Saying a silent thank you to the universe, I got up and packed. It was finally time for that new beginning I’d been manifesting. I was going to trust the process and follow this new path without resistance.
Whatever was in store, I was ready.
I was past due.
After meeting with the Ranch owner, Derek Hawkins, he introduced me to his assistant, Erika. Though me and Derek went way back, it was nice to see him in this light–being the man in charge and bossing everybody around. It looked good on him. He was busy today, but I knew we’d get around to chatting. We tended to lose track of time when we hung out. Partly, because we didn’t get to do it often anymore. I lived in Seattle, and he was here at the Ranch. It made for visits being far and few between. Getting checked into the apartment she assigned me and getting my things put away was the easy part. It was more difficult for me to figure out what to do when I didn’t want to stay cooped up in my new place. It was late, and though going to the playrooms was an option, I wasn’t ready to mingle with anybody yet. Going to one of the restaurants allowed me to socialize as I wished without the pressure from the single ladies looking to scene.
A drink would suffice. I walked into the Italian restaurant to find it was much busier than I expected. I found a seat at a table and sat down. A food menu greeted me from the tabletop, and I was grateful I could get everything I need from here.
“What can I get you?” The question came from a young man who’d appeared beside my table.
“Let me try the hot wings and fries, a bourbon neat, and ice water with lemon.”
“Do you have a card or a room you want to charge this to?” he asked.
“I have a room,” I said, giving him the number.
“Okay.” The waiter opened a tab for me and shortly after, he was back with my two drinks.
I sipped while listening to the music playing and thinking about Monday. It was when I decided to change up the course work that my food arrived. I was surprised how good the wings were and the fries came with beer cheese. It was good, but I preferred ketchup. I’d just finished my third bourbon when he came back to me.
“I just wanted to let you know, I’m going to take off but the servers taking over will check with you as soon as they get settled,” the waiter said while removing his apron.
“Thanks,” I said between bites.
He nodded and hurried away. He either had somewhere to be or really didn’t want to be here.
“Anything I can get you right now?” A feminine voice asked.
Though surprised to hear it here, I’d know that sweetness anywhere. “Renee McMillian.” Confirmation came when I peeked up at her.
“And you are?” she asked, not recognizing me.
“Ezra—”
“Hamilton,” we said at the same time.
“One and the same.”
“Wow… you look different.” She fisted the towel, knotting it between both of her hands.
“What did that poor towel do to deserve the mistreatment?” I nodded to the one she was twisting.
“Oh!” She dropped it, provoking me to laugh at her. “Sorry.”
“How’ve you been?” I picked up a wing and took a bite while waiting for her to speak.
“Great actually. What are you doing here?” She looked around the room and then settled her eyes back on me.
“I’m here on business,” I admitted, not sure how much I wanted to tell her.
“That’s good. Did you need another drink?” she asked.
“Yes. Bourbon neat.”
“Coming right up.” She twirled around and I was greeted with a nice view of her ass. She was wearing black pants that hugged her curves and made me remember her cheerleading days. She’d made that skirt sexier than the law should ever allow. Beautiful toned amber smooth thighs, full breasts, and lips that always seemed to be begging for something to part them.
I’d always thought she was shyer than she wanted anybody to know. Though her cheering skills had been solid and she’d seemed happy, joy had never reached her eyes.
“Here you go, darlin’. I saw there was a tab open for you. I added it to that.” She smiled my way, with her ponytail flopping around as she moved.
“How is it that you’re more beautiful than you were all those years ago?” I asked her.
“I uh… I don’t know.”
I sipped my bourbon, and it seemed like every thought I had was coming out of my mouth.
“Did you need anything more to eat before they close down the kitchen?” she asked.
“Chocolate cake,” I blurted.
Renee giggled. “Coming right up. Would you like ice cream with it?”
“Butter pecan?”
“I’ll see. If not, I know we have vanilla and a caramel swirl.”
“Vanilla.”
Renee snickered and disappeared.
What’s funny?
When she returned, I was licking my fingers clean from the wings and fries I’d finished.
“Chocolate cake and butter pecan ice cream.” She placed the bowl in front of me, and I groaned in approval.
I took the first bite, and I didn’t regret ordering it at all.
“What have you been up to?” she asked.
“I’m a Realtor.”
“I know the last time I talked to Tammy, the two of you were dating.” She shifted from one foot to the other.
“Not anymore,” I replied gruffly.
“Sorry about that.”
“I’m not.” I finished the last of my drink and ordered another.
“Are you sure?” she asked. “I don’t want you to fall trying to get back to wherever you need to go.”
“I have an apartment here. I’ll be fine.” And I would.
“All right, but last drink.”
She wagged her finger, and I wanted to bite it.
Renee… I remembered having the biggest crush on her. She’d never given me the time of day. It was weird running into her here of all places. As far as I knew, BDSM wasn’t her thing. I’d never heard about her from any of the boys in high school which meant she’d been either really good at picking out the good ones or she’d stayed away from them for the most part.
What was she like now?
And that thought stuck with me until she returned.