I smiled, trying to see the humor.
“Look, Luke has some problems. Which I’m not at liberty to share with either of you, in detail. You’ll have to ask him if you want to know. But these are things not easy for him to share.”
“Is he okay? I mean, I know he has to be punished, but do you think he’ll be all right?”
Adam nodded. “He craves punishment. That’s why he pulls this shit. He wants to be held accountable. He wants to learn to behave. I thought we were making some headway. Because if he doesn’t learn to hold himself accountable, he’ll always get into trouble.”
“Oh.”
“He didn’t have a real authority figure for most of his childhood. Whether this stems from a lack of parenting, or the trauma he’s been through, I’m not sure. Maybe both. I do know being here is keeping him safe, for now. I’ve still got a few weeks to get through to him, so when he does go back out there, hopefully he’ll have better coping mechanisms.”
I glanced at Noah, then looked at Adam. “I still don’t really understand why a pony-play ranch is a good place for Luke if he’s so messed up.”
“Jensen, we’re all messed up. None of us are perfectly adjusted. I certainly don’t believe the BCR is the place for everyone who’s struggling. But Luke was getting into some kinky stuff with people who weren’t practicing safely. He likes kink; he likes role-play. He likes power play and discipline. A lot. And, I figured, at least if he can explore his needs here in a safely managed environment with trained staff who have lots of experience with healthy kink, it’ll be helpful to him. At the very least, it lets him know a penchant for stuff like this is nothing to be ashamed of and gives him an idea of what to look for in a play partner. Or partners.” He winked.
I nodded and put my hat back on. “That makes sense.”
“I’m glad you think so. This ranch means a lot to me. I’m very lucky to be employed here.”
I smiled. “I mean, I feel grateful too. Everything I’ve seen here, even though unusual and, frankly, mind-blowing, has been…mutually enjoyable and respectful.”
“Consent is the backbone of the ranch. We do a lot of crazy things here, but everything is either requested or agreed to in advance. Every one of our ponyboys fills out an information sheet with things they want to do and things they don’t want to do. So, even if they are being punished—” He gestured at the ceiling. “—like your priapic friend up there is going to be, the technique will involve activities he’s agreed to. And he can always use his safeword. Always. Some of our trainers, Kamal, in particular, can be very creative within those boundaries. Which is why he scares Luke a little. Maybe a lot. But deep down, Luke gets off on his discipline. I don’t think he’d get the same things out of, say, Lorraine, he gets from Kamal.”
“I like Lorraine,” Noah said softly, and Adam smiled.
“I know you do. And I know she can be as merciless as Kamal in some ways. Right?”
Noah blushed and the corner of his mouth twitched. “Right.”
“But where her techniques are perfect for you, Noah, I think you will agree Luke needs something a little more…forceful. Threatening? Even if the consequence is threatening in a pretend way?”
“Yeah,” Noah agreed.
Adam leaned forward. “And Jensen. How are you adapting to the requirements of your position?”
I squirmed, my freshly fucked ass a little sore. “Well, up until this incident, I thought I was adapting pretty well.”
“I’m assuming everything was consensual between the three of you?”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “Except for him telling us he had your blessing to use the room.”
“Yeah, that was a cheap trick. But, otherwise, he didn’t cross any boundaries with either of you, did he?”
We both said no.
“We were having a great time,” I admitted, feeling the rush of blood to my cheeks. “Until you showed up. Honestly.”
Adam grinned. “Well, I have been accused of ruining a good party before. But it’s part of the job.” He stood, extending his hand. “Anyway, I’d better get back there. God knows what I’ll find if I wait much longer.”
I shook his hand. “Thanks. I mean, for not being mad at me or Noah.”
Noah shook Adam’s hand, a little more at ease. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Well, I can’t blame either of you for agreeing to a soak and a three-way, can I? The fact my room was involved was Luke’s fault, and he will be dealt with.”
*
The ranch was dark by the time we returned to the bunkhouse. We heard shouting from the far pasture, and singing, and in the distance, the bright flames of the bonfire shot up into the night.
