She surprised me. Dinner was the last thing I expected her to ask for. “Not in the least, food sounds good to me. How about some Italian?”
“Yes, please.”
I scanned her clothing. “I’m fine with your scene outfit, but did you wish to change first?”
Her lovely lips parted in an O and her skin flushed a bit darker. “Uh, yes. My clothes are in the changing room. Excuse me.”
I was glad she hadn’t asked me for permission. I knew that many high-protocol submissives would seek permission for every single thing they did. That was not my jam, but while my natural inclination was to control, with Lena, I was far more interested in getting to know her and what she needed.
When she returned, I held out my elbow and she placed her arm through mine. I felt a strange surge in my chest. Her arm wrapped around mine felt so right. I kept the megawatt smile to a low voltage and led Lena away from the Dungeon.
The Italian restaurant was almost empty and we had our choice of tables. Guessing she preferred cozy corners, I selected a table in the back corner. She took her seat and while her posture remained perfectly erect, her contented sigh let me know she was comfortable with my choice.
“Would you like me to order for you, Lena?” Yeah, I’d make this all about choices. It gave me plenty of opportunities to observe and learn, because according to my past subs… I wasn’t available. Stillness through observation was my new mantra. Who knew, if it worked well, maybe it would become a principle I could use in business as well.
“I do like baked macaroni and cheese, but if you have a suggestion, Sir, I would be open to hearing it.”
“Ethan, and mac and cheese it is. Hmm, white wine? Or do you prefer red?”
“White would be nice. Thank you.”
I wanted to knock down her walls and move her away from polite conversation, but I also knew pushing her would only drive a wedge between us. So, I did what I did best and led the conversation.
“It’s beautiful here at the Ranch. Have you been here before?”
She waited until our server had taken our order. “No. I’ve been checking it out for a while, but when I heard about this pilot program, I applied right away.”
Interesting. “And so far, has it met your expectations?”
She rubbed her delicate hands along denim-clad thighs. On any other woman it would look like a simple gesture. But with her, it seemed the most real thing about her, and I wanted more of that Lena.
“It is proving helpful. What about you, Ethan?” She gulped after saying my name.
“I guess you could say that my trip is in progress.”
She nodded. Our food arrived and our conversation moved into a comfortable silence. I had no expectations of her and that seemed to set her at ease even more. “I enjoyed your scene. You have beautiful hands.” Our plates had been removed, and we sat back enjoying that last bit of wine in our glasses.
“Thank you for saying so. They haven’t always been. I’ve had to work on my clumsiness.”
She’d taken a compliment of beauty and turned it into a thing of action. How very curious. “How did you do that? With the help of a Dom?” I admit I was fishing but I couldn’t help it as she intrigued me.
She blanched and then recovered. “I’m sorry, Ethan, I can’t talk about that right now.” Lena dipped her head, her gaze dropping as if drawing a boundary was a bad thing.
“That is no problem at all. I completely respect your boundaries, but if you ever wish to talk, know that I am here for you.” Her focus slid back to mine and her eyes held a glimmer of light in her otherwise tumultuous gaze.
“That’s very nice, thank you. Um, I have to be up very early. Do you mind if I go?”
“May I escort you back?” When she hesitated, I added, “I’ll leave you at the stairs. It wouldn't sit right with me if something happened to you.” The assurance seemed to appease her.
“Of course.”
Our short walk was silent, but not in a bad way, more in a way we were busy with our own thoughts. At the stairs I bid her goodnight. I watched her for a moment. When she disappeared, I left the main lodge and headed for my cabin. The night air and the starlit sky were my only companions. It had been an interesting evening. I’d learned one thing… I definitely wanted Lena to myself. While it had been educational to observe her in a scene, I wanted them to occur with me, and only me. I held out hope that I would be able to restrain myself but still accomplish what I was here to do. Not override but be present.
CHAPTER 5
Lena
The area around the firepit was surprisingly empty of people and I had a little slice of outdoor heaven to myself. I’d been living in a small apartment in the middle of the city. The closest thing to nature were those small spindly trees that lined the concrete sidewalks apartment dogs used for peeing on.
