Chapter 2 #2
“What kind of demonstrations? Testimony?” I asked, then immediately wanted to take it back. Did I really want to know?
“Nothing you’re not comfortable with,” Lex said immediately, his tone firm. “That’s non-negotiable. We’ll discuss your limits before we even begin. Hard limits, soft limits, things you’re curious about but need to ease into. Everything is negotiated. And they’ll want to know your thoughts, too.”
Candace returned with our drinks, and we paused to order food. I suggested the seafood-stuffed steak, and both men took my recommendation, Majesty getting the mac and cheese and fries, Lex opting for the broccolini and mashed potatoes–same as me.
Once Candace left, Majesty raised his glass. “To new adventures and clear communication.”
We clinked glasses, and I took a sip of wine, letting it warm away some of my nerves.
“So,” Lex said, setting his scotch down with deliberate care. “Any other questions for us?”
I had about a thousand, but one rose to the surface first. “Why do you two work together? I mean, you co-own a business, you teach together—that’s a lot of partnership. How does that work?”
Majesty’s laugh was warm and genuine. “That’s actually a really good question. Most people don’t ask that.”
“We complement each other,” Lex said simply. “Majesty is better with people—he reads a room, knows how to make someone feel at ease. I’m better with structure and technical precision. Together, we cover more ground than either of us could alone.”
“Plus,” Majesty added with a grin, “he keeps me from being too chaotic, and I keep him from being too rigid. It’s a good balance.”
“How long have you known each other?”
“Eighteen years,” Lex answered. “Met at college, realized we had similar philosophies about teaching, kinks, wood techniques, and community building. Started the furniture business three years later.”
“That’s a long time to know someone. What kind of furniture do you make?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Majesty’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “The fun kind. Spanking benches, bondage frames, custom pieces for people with specific needs. We do a lot of high-end custom work—stuff that looks like regular furniture but has hidden features.”
“Like what?”
“Like a bed frame with discreet attachment points,” Lex supplied. “Or a coffee table that converts into a kneeling bench. We pride ourselves on craftsmanship and discretion.”
I tried to picture their workshop and failed. “That’s... not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?” Majesty asked, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“I don’t know. Something less legitimate?”
Lex’s eyebrow arched. “You thought we were running an illegal operation?”
“No! I just—” I fumbled for words, embarrassed. “I didn’t know custom BDSM furniture was a real industry.”
“Very real,” Majesty assured me. “Very profitable, too. Turns out people will pay good money for quality craftsmanship that doesn’t look like it came from a porn set.”
I laughed despite myself, some of the tension draining from my shoulders.
“My turn,” Lex said, his dark eyes studying me with that same intense focus. “Why did you say yes to this? Sampson mentioned you were curious about multi-partner dynamics, but curiosity alone doesn’t usually get someone to commit to two weeks at a ranch with strangers.”
The question hit closer to home than I was ready for. I took another sip of wine, buying time.
“Honest answer?” I finally said.
“Always,” Lex replied.
“I watched my best friend build something beautiful with her husband and their girlfriend. They have this bond that I can’t quite explain—this willingness to be vulnerable and open and to work through hard things together.
I want that. Not necessarily the exact same dynamic, but that level of connection.
And I don’t know if I’m capable of it. So when this opportunity came up”—I trailed off, shrugging—“I guess I wanted to see if I could even handle the idea of it before I went looking for the real thing.”
The silence that followed felt heavy, but not uncomfortable.
“That’s brave,” Majesty said softly. “Most people aren’t that honest with themselves, let alone with strangers.”
“It’s also smart,” Lex added. “Better to explore your boundaries in a controlled environment than to dive into a relationship and realize you’re in over your head.”
Our food arrived, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics—favorite places to travel, music preferences, embarrassing stories from past workshops.
Majesty was a natural storyteller, spinning tales that had me laughing until my sides hurt.
Lex contributed with dry observations and perfectly timed quips that somehow made everything funnier.
They were good together. Easy. And the way they included me in their banter, the way they made space for me in their dynamic without making me feel like an outsider was effortless.
Halfway through dinner, Majesty stole a bite of my mashed potatoes, and I retaliated by taking some of his mac and cheese. Lex watched with quiet amusement, sipping his scotch.
“See?” Majesty said to Lex. “I told you she’d be perfect.”
“Perfect for what?” I asked.
“For us,” Lex said simply, and the weight of those two words settled somewhere deep in my chest.
The way he said it felt heavier than about the next two weeks.
The gleam in his eyes didn’t make it any easier.
Nor the heat that wouldn’t go away when I looked at either of them too long.
I was seated between the two of them with plenty of space, but the walls still felt like they were closing in on me.
Like even the air in here was controlled by them.
By the time we finished eating, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone once. Hadn’t thought about texting Shelly. Hadn’t felt the need to escape.
“We should probably let you get home,” Majesty said reluctantly as Candace cleared our plates. “But before we do—any concerns? Anything we haven’t addressed?”
I hesitated, then decided to be honest. “I’m scared I’m going to embarrass myself. That I’ll freeze up or say something stupid or prove that I’m completely out of my depth.”
“You won’t,” Lex said with quiet certainty. “And if you do freeze up, we’ll help you through it. That’s part of our job.”
“Plus,” Majesty added with a grin, “everyone feels out of their depth at first. That’s kind of the point. Growth doesn’t happen within your comfort zone.”
Lex paid the check despite my protests while Majesty and I walked out into the cool evening air together. Lex stayed behind a beat to chat with Howard. Then the three of us were outside standing together.
“Can we give you a ride back home?” Majesty offered. “I know we picked you up, but we don’t want to assume that it’s okay to take you back.”
Something warm bloomed in my chest. “I appreciate that. Yes, we can go back.” I sent Shelly a quick text.
Me:
We’re on our way back. All is good. They’re great.
Her response was immediate.
Shelly:
TOLD YOU. Call me later!!!
The drive home was short. When we pulled into my driveway, they walked me to my front door.
“We’ll see you in two weeks, Cami,” Majesty said.
“Two weeks,” I confirmed, unlocking my door.
“And, Cami?” Lex spoke.
I turned back toward them.
“Thank you for saying yes,” he said.
“You’re welcome.” I exhaled. I stepped inside and closed the door, leaning against it.
My phone buzzed a few minutes later.
Majesty:
Tonight was great. Sleep well.
Lex:
Looking forward to seeing you at the Ranch.
Me:
Same. I enjoyed myself as well.
I smiled at the screen, my nerves replaced by something that felt dangerously close to anticipation.
I knew it hadn’t been a date, but it felt close to it.
It had been fun. I’d learned so much about both of them.
Neither of them had tried anything, but that didn’t remove the pull toward them.
I exhaled and went to the kitchen where I pulled out the cheesecake that I’d made.
I cut myself a slice, warmed some hot cocoa, and sat on the couch to enjoy it.
I turned on a movie and tried to get lost in it, but my mind kept going back to the two men I’d just shared the night with.
It was going to be an interesting two weeks. Had to be if they were feeling anything like I was. That was worth looking forward to.