Chapter 2 #2
Fighting back a smile, two things occurred to me. First of all, I had to tone down my thoughts and reactions to her or I’d get kicked out. Being a horndog who wanted to breed my stepsister might push the limits of acceptable kink, even here.
Second, my mouth hurt from smiling. That was weird.
Erika took a phone call, leaving us in an awkward moment where Penny looked like she’d like to disappear. This was not going well.
“Your drive was stressful? What happened?” Everest clutched the win, getting her shoulders to relax.
She continued to watch her thumb run over the folded pages of her book. “Everything’s fine now.”
“Did you have car trouble? I could look at it.” Everest said.
“You’re not a mechanic.” Phoenix’s grumble matched my irritation that Everest managed an insightful line of questioning.
We’d all spent time under the hood of cars growing up. Dad had insisted we be able to manage our lives without throwing money at problems, despite having more than enough money to throw.
“My car is fine. I forgot to check the weather before I left and didn’t realize it was snowing on the mountain pass. It was so sunny at home… and here.”
The thought of her sliding off the road sent more possessive energy coursing through me.
She continued, “I didn’t have cell phone reception and had to turn around until I found a place to pull off and search for a new route. Then I realized I was going to be late and got even more frazzled.”
“Turning around was the right choice. Better late than ne—” Everest seemed to cut himself off when he realized what he’d implied.
“I suppose so.”
The desire to egg him on to say more stupid shit was cut short when he came up with a redemptive comment.
“Would a massage help? I’m a certified masseuse.” Everest was determined to help her.
“A masseuse and a mechanic?”
“What can I say… I’m good with my hands.”
Shit! Tell me he didn’t just say that. Phoenix leaned toward me and whispered. “This better not work.”
So Phoenix had feelings for her too. Was it possible for all three of us to be attracted to her? That couldn’t possibly end well. At some point, she was going to find out who we were.
I needed that to be after she got to know me and what I wanted to do for her.
Erika hung up and politely asked the three of us to help with chicken-coop duty since one of the other ranch hands wasn’t feeling well.
Aside from the possibility we were all three needed elsewhere, I suspected it was a subtle way of giving Penny space.
I hated Erika for it but took comfort in her attention to Penny’s needs—something I had to get better at.
Once we were outside of the main building, Phoenix shoved my shoulder and said, “Thought you were leaving.”
“I signed a contract. I’ll do my job.”
“You’re not fooling anyone. It’s not the job you want to do.”
Everest added, “What gave it away? The fact that he smiled for the first time in his life?”
“I smile tons.” Not true. Understanding these new emotions was another thing to get in check. I felt like a complete spaz.
“And you don’t get to call dibs on Penny.” Phoenix rushed ahead.
“I didn’t call dibs.”
“Yeah, worse. You said she’s yours.” Everest picked up his pace. “Focus on your job.”
My job. Yep. Dad said to make sure Penny was safe while she’s here. I planned to do that and more.
“I’ll catch up with you guys in a minute.” I doubled back to the main lodge.
“Hold on, where are you going?” Everest asked.
“I gotta hit the john.” I kept moving toward where we’d just come from.
Phoenix said, “They have a restroom at the barn.”
I took the first step up the porch. “I’m sure they do, but I want to be ready to work when I get there.” I waved and bolted up the other steps.
Their grumbles faded as they continued to the chickens.
Inside the reception area, I was shocked that Penny was already gone. I looked over my shoulder to make sure my brothers weren’t following me, then called out, “Erika.”
She popped her head around the corner. “Was there a problem?”
“No, no problem at all. Everest and Phoenix are on their way, and I’ll be there in a second. I just need to clear something up with you.”
“Okay.”
“The woman who just came in… Penny…”
“Yes, you three boys seemed a little taken by her.”
I scrunched my lips and shrugged my shoulders. “I can’t speak for my brothers, but I sensed that she’s a little vulnerable.” My words drew out as I tried to decide how to create a necessity for my involvement in her stay.
“We pay close attention to the needs of all our guests. She’s safe here.”
“Of course.” I waved my hands. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise, just perhaps she could use a little extra guidance.”
“Are you wanting to provide that little extra guidance?” she asked coyly.
I straightened my shoulders, uncomfortable with the possessive urgency raging through me. “I want to be the best employee possible. And when we hired on, Master Derek mentioned that not only were we hired as ranch hands, but we were considered guests as well.”
“Yes, that’s why we fully vetted you. We take our guests’ protection seriously. We wouldn’t bring anyone onto the Ranch without being certain they can accept the needs of everyone here. Everything’s in place if you want to do more than work.”
I raked a hand through my hair. “Okay, so if I wanted to… watch out for…”
Based on the look in Erika’s eyes, she wasn’t buying my reserved wording. “Your scheduled work hours take priority.”
“Of course. So, if I wanted to watch out for Penny, it would help if I knew what she’s here for, what she’s looking for. Is that something you can disclose?”
“You’re in luck. I read over her file this morning, confirming her preferences, and she—”
“Does she have any kinks? Any fantasies?”
Erika chuckled at my overzealous interruption.
“She thinks she might be a sub but doesn’t want to limit herself yet. She hopes to play with different dynamics by meeting people and seeing what feels right, but suspects she’ll need firm encouragement.” Erika read over Penny’s information. “Oh, and I think you’re gonna like this.”
What could she possibly say that would make me like Penny more?
“She thinks she might have a spanking kink.”
My eyebrows shot up so fast and hard, I thought they pulled my cock up, but that was a separate problem. “So she wants to be spanked while she’s here?”
“She probably wants to be spanked other times too, but yes, while she’s here.”
“Okay, thank you.” I tapped my fingers on the desk before pushing off. If I didn’t get back to Everest and Phoenix soon, they’d come looking for me.
“Okay.” The odd formality in Erika’s voice drew my attention. “You’re welcome. Please let me know what else I can do for you.” As she continued, I realized she was mocking me.
She wouldn’t be the first person to consider me too closed off.
Could I open up enough to get Penny to trust me?
Could I control myself enough to avoid more puzzled looks like the one Erika had shot me?
Could I be the man Penny deserved?