Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Hayden
Rawhide Ranch at night was something else entirely.
The main Dungeon space had been transformed for Valentine’s Day Eve—red lights casting warm shadows across the exposed beams, strategically placed candles creating intimate pockets throughout the space.
Submissives moved through the room wearing hearts and flowers, some in elaborate costumes, others in simple red and pink accents on their usual leather and lace.
I stood near the entrance, taking it all in. First time here, and Majesty hadn’t oversold it.
“Impressive, right?” Majesty appeared at my elbow with two glasses of bourbon. He handed me one. “Wait until you see the private rooms.”
“Lead the way.”
He guided me through the space, pointing out various stations and equipment as we went. The St. Andrew’s crosses. The suspension points and elaborate rope work on display. Everything was top-tier, maintained to perfection. Well, at least in my eyes.
“You can use any of this,” Majesty explained. “Private rooms are available if you want more intimacy. Just check the booking system.”
“Appreciate it, man.” I took a sip of bourbon. “Though I’m not seeing anyone that catches my interest.”
“Give it time. Night’s young.” He gestured around. “Plenty of beautiful people here.”
Beautiful, sure. But beauty wasn’t the problem. I’d seen beautiful. Dated beautiful. Scened with beautiful. What I hadn’t found was interesting.
“I need a real drink,” I said. “This bourbon isn’t cutting it.”
Majesty laughed. “Bar’s this way.”
We made our way back up the few steps to the main lounge area. The bar was elegant mahogany, well-stocked, tended by someone who clearly knew their craft. I ordered a gin and tonic, top shelf, and leaned against the bar while waiting.
That’s when I heard it. A laugh that cut through the ambient noise like a bell. Bright and genuine and completely unguarded. I turned toward the sound.
Two women sat at a corner table, leaning close in conversation.
One had honey-hued streaks throughout her black hair styled in swooping layers that caught the light.
The other had vibrant purple hair cut into a neat, precise bob.
Both were stunning in completely different ways—different shades of brown skin, different builds, different energies that somehow complemented each other perfectly.
The one with black hair was animated, her hands moving as she talked. The laugh belonged to her. The purple-haired one listened with a soft smile that seemed to light up her eyes, occasionally interjecting something that made the redhead laugh again.
“Who are they?” I asked Majesty, not taking my eyes off the pair.
The two of them were refreshing, I could tell from over here and it had nothing to do with physical attributes. They interacted like they were yin and yang. Two opposite beings that needed one another. Complimentary souls.
He followed my gaze. “Scarlett and Iris. Good people. Scarlett’s the one with black hair, Iris has purple hair.”
“They together?”
“No. Just really good friends, but nothing romantic or sexual between them.” Majesty accepted his fresh bourbon from the bartender. “Why?”
“Just curious.”
I watched them for the next thirty minutes as I nursed my gin and tonic. They moved from the lounge to the Dungeon floor, not to participate but to observe. And the way they took care of each other was fascinating.
When Scarlett looked overwhelmed by a particularly intense scene, Iris immediately touched her arm and guided her to a quieter corner. When Iris seemed to withdraw into herself, Scarlett made her laugh with some comment I couldn’t hear from across the room.
They were in sync. There was something deeper than romance between these two. Something I couldn’t quite name but found myself drawn to.
“What’s their deal?” I asked Majesty when he rejoined me after checking on something across the Dungeon.
“I told you. Friends.”
“But there’s something else there. The way they move together, take care of each other.”
Majesty studied them for a moment, then nodded. “They’re attached. Have been since they met. They’re not often seen without each other. It’s not sexual or romantic, but it’s... intense. Like they understand something about each other that no one else does.”
That made me even more curious.
“I’m going to go say hello,” I decided.
Majesty raised an eyebrow. “To which one?”
“Both.”
“Good luck with that.” Majesty chuckled. “Those two are trouble together.”
That only prompted me to set down my empty glass and cross the Dungeon floor toward their corner. As I approached, Iris noticed me first. Her eyes went wide, and she immediately started to stand.
“I should go,” she said to Scarlett. “He probably wants to talk to you.”
“Wait, darlin’,” I said, holding up a hand. “I want to talk to both of you.”
Iris paused, confused. Scarlett looked between us, her brow furrowed.
“We’re not into that,” Scarlett said carefully. “We’re platonic friends.”
I wouldn’t call it that, but I went with the story they gave. “I know.” I kept my voice even, non-threatening. “Majesty told me. But I’d still like to talk to you both if you’re willing.”
“Why?” Iris asked, suspicion clear in her voice.
“Because you’re two gorgeous women and anybody would have to be a fool to dismiss either of you. Both of you.” I gestured toward the bar. “Can I buy you a drink? No expectations, no pressure. Just conversation.”
They exchanged a look, some silent communication passing between them.
“Fine,” Scarlett said finally. “But we’re getting juice. We don’t drink while at the Ranch.”
“Juice it is.”
I led them back to the bar and ordered two cranberry juices while I got another gin and tonic. We settled at a high-top table with good sightlines to the Dungeon floor.
“So,” Scarlett said, sitting with perfect posture. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Whatever you want to talk about.” I took a sip of my drink. “Tell me about yourselves. How do you know each other?”
“We met here,” Iris said, her voice quieter than Scarlett’s. “During a workshop.”
“And became friends immediately,” Scarlett added. “We just... clicked.”
I watched the way Iris relaxed slightly when Scarlett spoke, the way Scarlett’s hand rested on the table between them, casually available if Iris needed to reach for it.
“That’s rare,” I observed. “That kind of instant connection.”
“It is,” Scarlett agreed. “Most people don’t understand it.”
“They think we’re secretly sleeping together,” Iris said with a slight eye roll. “Or that we’re looking for a third.”
“Are you?”
“No,” they said in unison.
“We’re not into each other like that,” Scarlett explained. “We’re just us. Best friends who happen to be in the lifestyle.”
I nodded, filing that away. “And you both come to events together?”
“Usually. It’s safer, and more fun.” Scarlett smiled. “Plus, we can give each other feedback on potential partners.”
“We’re each other’s screeners,” Iris added. “If Scarlett doesn’t like someone I’m interested in, I listen. And vice versa.”
“Smart.” I leaned back in my chair. “So what are you both looking for? In partners, I mean.”
They exchanged another look.
“I’m looking for someone stable,” Scarlett said slowly. “Someone who won’t try to change our friendship or make me choose.”
“I’m looking for someone who won’t treat me like I’m broken just because I’m quiet,” Iris said, her voice gaining strength. “Someone who understands that I need Scarlett in my life.”
“What if someone wanted both of you?” I asked carefully.
“We told you—” Scarlett started.
“Not sexually,” I clarified. “Not romantically between you two. But what if someone wanted to date both of you, as individuals, while respecting your friendship?”
Silence fell over the table.
“That’s not really a thing,” Iris said finally.
“Why not?”
“Because people don’t work like that,” Scarlett said. “They want couples or they want to create couples. They don’t want... whatever we are.”
“What if I do?”
Both of them stared at me.
“What?” Scarlett asked.
“I’m interested in both of you. Not as a couple. As two separate, fascinating women who happen to have an incredible friendship.” I set down my glass. “I’d like to take you both on a date. Get to know you better. See if this curiosity I’m feeling is mutual.”
“You’re joking,” Iris said.
“I’m completely serious.” I looked between them. “I have no interest in forcing you two into anything sexual or romantic with each other. That’s not what this is about. This is about me being intrigued by both of you individually, and by whatever dynamic the three of us might create together.”
“That’s...” Scarlett shook her head. “I don’t even know what to call that.”
“Call it a date. Two women and one man, getting to know each other, seeing if there’s potential for something… unconventional.”
Iris studied me with those sharp eyes. “And you promise you won’t try to push us together?”
“I promise. Your friendship is clearly sacred to both of you. I’d never mess with that.”
Scarlett looked at Iris. Iris looked at Scarlett. More silent communication.
Then Iris turned back to me. “Yes.”
“What?” Scarlett’s eyes went wide.
“Yes, we’ll go on a date with you. As long as you keep your word.” Iris held out her hand. “But the second you try anything that makes either of us uncomfortable, we’re done. Both of us. Together.”
“Deal.” I shook her hand, then offered it to Scarlett.
She hesitated, then took it. “This is insane.”
“Maybe,” I agreed. “But sometimes the best things are.”
“When?” Iris asked, all business now.
“Tomorrow night. Seven o’clock. There’s a diner in Porter’s Corner called Leroy’s Place. Meet me there?”
“Both of us?” Scarlett confirmed.
“Both of you.”
They exchanged another look, then nodded in unison.
“Okay,” Scarlett said. “Tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night,” I repeated, a smile spreading across my face.
I watched them walk away a few minutes later, their heads bent close as they processed what had just happened.
Majesty appeared at my elbow. “Did you just ask them both out?”
“I did.”
“And they said yes?”
“They did.”
“You’re either a genius or completely insane.”
“Probably both.” I finished my gin and tonic. “But I think this is going to be interesting.” I couldn’t tell him my thoughts, but now I had all kinds of fantasies building in my mind.
“Interesting is one word for it.” Majesty laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. “Good luck, brother. You’re going to need it.”
Maybe I was. But as I watched Scarlett and Iris disappear into the crowd, still moving as one unit, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just stumbled onto something rare. A goddamn goldmine worth pursuing. Maybe this is exactly what all three of us needed.
Tomorrow would tell me if this was the oddest plan I’d ever come up with or if my instincts were still the best trait I had. I had a feeling about them.
When I walked by and saw them together on a couch, I slowed my steps to take them in.
Iris was sitting and Scarlett’s head was in her lap.
Iris casually massaged her scalp while Scarlett’s eyes were closed.
Scarlett laid on her side facing the room, peace relaxed her features reminding me of a kitten being petted.
Iris watched her as if she were the only thing in the world that could protect her from harm.
Watching the two of them in their safe space, felt like I was watching an aftercare session between lovers. It was more intimate than some of the sexual scenes I’d witnessed.
Maybe they didn’t realize that they are a package deal, but I did. And I wanted them exactly how they were. Unfiltered and raw, like in this moment. Getting them to see themselves the way I did was going to take work, a lot of trust, and thinking outside the box.
That was my goddamn specialty.
I approached Majesty and he was kissing the hell out of some curvy Missy that was wrapped all around him. When he gripped her ass and cornered her against the wall I cleared my throat.
“This must be Cami.” I chuckled.
This son a bitch had told me that he was sprung over some sassy woman. He’d never mentioned how beautifully curvy she was or that she was sexy as hell. I loved that for him.
“Yes, Sir,” she muttered, curling into Majesty. “And you are?”
“Baby, this is Hayden Armstrong. He couldn’t make it to the in class presentations, so he’ll get the replay. He’s one of my best friends.” Majesty said.
“Hello.” She nodded at me. “Nice to meet you, Sir.”
Yeah, he was a lucky son of a bitch. “Thank you.” I stretched my arms, feeling the ache in my shoulders from my long flight. “I’m going to turn in for the night. Got a long day tomorrow.”
Majesty’s lips tilted up in a knowing smirk. “Rest up, because you’ll need your A-game.”
“Don’t I know it?” I gave him a quick fist bump before moving toward the exit.
Iris and Scarlett were gone so I’d missed the opportunity to see them one more time. That was okay, because seeing them on the couch was a memory I couldn’t erase if I wanted to.