Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
The adrenaline that had surged through her while she’d been in the sinkhole rescuing the two young women had mostly flowed away by the time they climbed out of the golf cart. All she wanted was a long, hot shower, something to eat, and to cuddle with her men for the rest of the night.
Tomorrow she would demand they visit the Dungeon where she would confess the lie that was sitting in her belly like a red-hot stone. While everything had turned out all right, the guilt of lying still bothered her. She knew a good spanking would help her release the guilt and cool down the burning knot.
The crowd in the lobby that began to cheer when she and her men walked in stunned her. She hadn’t known there were that many people visiting the Ranch, but then began to recognize that not only were guests present, but also residents, and staff. It seemed like everyone had gathered to celebrate their return.
Sadie Hawkins was standing at the front of the crowd and stepped forward. “You’re a hero!” she stated before throwing herself at Serena and hugging her tight.
Serena wanted to argue, to declare that she’d just done what was needed at the time but couldn’t find the words. For her to diminish the rescue when it could have turned out so much worse was the last thing these people needed.
“Thank you,” she whispered as she hugged Sadie back.
Once the woman stepped back, another stepped forward and then there was a line of people who wanted to hug her. Looking at Ford and Noah she saw they were receiving the same treatment. With a mental shrug, she gave in and allowed herself to be hugged dozens of times. When the last person stepped away, she yawned widely. The rescue and this overwhelming show of love had drained the last of the earlier adrenaline spike from her.
She looked at Ford and he immediately moved to pull her close to his side, giving her the physical support she needed.
“Thank you all,” Noah said, stepping around to her other side. “We don’t often get such a welcome and appreciate it more than you could know. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to get cleaned up and have some dinner before we all collapse.”
The crowd slowly dispersed, leaving them standing with Sadie, who didn’t seem as Little as she had just moments before.
“What kind of dinner would you like?” she asked. “I’ll have it fixed and brought to your room if you don’t feel like going to one of the restaurants.”
Serena looked at Ford and Noah, and they watched her as if she were going to explode at any moment. When they didn’t answer for her, she finally said, “I’d really love a grilled-cheese sandwich and some tomato soup, if that’s not too much trouble?”
“No trouble at all,” Chef Connor said as he approached. “I’ll even see if there’s some pie left over from dinner.”
“That sounds good to me, but I’d like two sandwiches, please,” Noah said.
“Same for me, please,” Ford added.
“Great. You all go clean up and relax. Dinner will be at your door in an hour,” Chef Connor said before walking away.
Serena looked from Noah to Ford. “Shall we?”
The men exchanged a glance before Ford said, “We shall,” and started them walking across the lobby.
Once they were behind the locked door of their room, the men surrounded her and gave her one more hug. “You were amazing out there, in case we didn’t tell you,” Noah said, brushing a kiss on the side of her neck.
“So amazing,” Ford added before kissing her temple on the other side. “If I didn’t know better, I would never have guessed you’d only done a couple descents like that before… while at the academy.”
Serena froze and turned just her head to look into Ford’s eyes. “You knew?”
He chuckled as he nodded. “I’m the shift captain and keep the training records. Don’t worry, other than Noah and me, no one else knows you were breaking your rescue cherry. Now, would the lady hero prefer a shower or a bath?”
“Could I have a shower and then a bath? I want to get clean, but I also want to soak the muscles of my back that are letting me know I need to do more upper body strength exercises before I try to rescue anyone else out of a sinkhole.”
The men chuckled. “All right, a quick shower and then you can soak in the tub until the food comes.”
* * *
Noah took the tray of food from Chef Connor with a smile. He’d lost the arm wrestling that determined that he would wash Serena in the shower and Ford would join her in the tub.
“Thanks. I never expected you to deliver it personally.”
“I had to pull rank on half the staff who wanted to bring it to you. Let us know if there’s anything else you need. You’ve been put at the top of the VIP list.”
Noah shook his head. “We’re not VIPs. Please don’t let them treat us any differently.”
The chef chuckled as he stepped back into the hallway. “I’ll try, but don’t expect to be treated like all the other guests. Good night.”
“Good night,” Noah said, closing the door and carrying the food to the table by the patio door.
He pulled the curtains before going to the bathroom door. “Food’s here. Are you two ever getting out? Or should I bring dinner and join you in there?”
“We’re coming,” Ford said, standing from the half-filled bathtub.
He then pulled Serena to her feet before climbing out. Noah joined him and together they dried off their wet woman who looked more asleep than awake. After they were both dried off and dressed, Serena in panties and one of Noah’s t-shirts that fit her like a dress, Noah lifted her into his arms bridal style. He carried her to the table and set her down on the chair that she regularly used.
Pulling the domes off the three plates, he set the one with a single sandwich in front of her before taking one of the other plates for himself.
“Do you need something to drink, honey?” Ford asked as he opened the refrigerator.
“Water, please?”
“Me, too, please,” Noah added before biting into his sandwich.
The slice of tomato in the middle of the warm, gooey cheese caught him by surprise, but added some zing to the sandwich.
“Yummy,” Serena hummed after chewing and swallowing her first bite.
“Indeed,” Ford added.
Silence reigned as they ate the rest of their dinner. Once finished, Serena sat at the table half asleep while Ford piled the plates together and put the tray out in the hall. Noah pulled the toy bag out of the closet, determined that their girl would not disappear from the bed without at least one of them knowing about it.