Page 18 of Rebuilding Rebecca

As Dante massaged Rebecca’s feet, the sharp edges of his earlier thoughts about his profession dulled. The courtroom dramas, the faces of the accused, the endless debates—they all disappeared to the far corners of his mind.

His focus was here, on Rebecca’s soft sighs of relaxation, on the gentle rhythm of his hands working away the day’s strain from her feet.

CHAPTER 16

The following day would be the last at the Ranch for Rebecca, and she welcomed the distraction of manning the front desk. As she settled beside Erika, the seasoned staff member, excitement, and nerves coursed through her veins. The grandeur of the lobby, with its rustic charm, was a stark contrast to the grim and confined settings she had found herself in for the past several years.

Her last day at the Ranch was arriving faster than she expected. The fleeting moment planted seeds of worry about the uncertain future ahead. Could she possibly apply for a job in a hotel, or dare she dream, apply for residency at the Ranch? Despite the swirl of thoughts, the steady flow of guests arriving at erratic intervals kept her mind anchored to the present, leaving little room for worrying. Beside her, Erika adeptly managed the desk. Her ease born of experience offered Rebecca assurance. Through the sporadic lulls in arrivals and departures, their camaraderie blossomed, the shared stories amidst the check-ins and check-outs painting strokes of normalcy in Rebecca’s disrupted world.

Erika was a pro, handling guests with an ease that made Rebecca admire her. They were the welcoming committee, the first taste of Rawhide Ranch for arriving guests.

As Rebecca settled beside Erika at the front desk, a bout of apprehension made her fidget in her seat. The process seemed simple enough—greet the guests, check their reservations, hand over the keys, and wish them a pleasant stay. However, when Erika informed her that she needed to run an errand for Master Derek, leaving her to handle the desk by herself, Rebecca nodded, but a subtle tremble in her hands betrayed her calm facade.

Erika, noticing her unease, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’ll do great, Rebecca. Remember, take one task at a time. If I didn’t feel you were ready, I’d not leave you alone, but I know you’ll do great.” She squeezed Rebecca’s arm and added, “Just breathe and have fun. I won’t be long, okay?”

Rebecca managed to give her a smile, neither mentioning that it might look a bit shaky, but at least she didn’t jump up and run off the moment Erika disappeared down the hallway.

She watched the clock, each tick amplifying the anticipation of her newly appointed role. Her fingers tapped against the wooden surface of the desk. The apprehension made her chew the inside of her cheek, a futile attempt to calm the swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

Rebecca did her best to channel Erika’s confidence as a new couple stepped through the lobby’s doors. With a deep breath, she welcomed them, her hands trembling slightly as she typed into the computer. She imagined Erika was still seated beside her, a reassuring presence, guiding her with quiet strength and understanding whenever she hesitated. The couple were friendly and seemed understanding, their smiles easing the knots of anxiety in Rebecca’s stomach.

As more guests approached, Rebecca’s confidence gradually built up. Each successful interaction chipped away at the initial apprehension, yet that flicker of anxiety lingered, ready to flare with any misstep. Rebecca navigated through the morning, exchanging pleasantries with the guests. She managed to push the dark clouds of her past further away, even if just for a fleeting moment.

With each interaction, her voice became steadier, and by the time Erika returned, Rebecca’s smiles were far more genuine.

Between the check-ins and check-outs, Erika shared snippets of her own journey, painting pictures of hope. Erika’s casual mention of her relationship with Jared brought a soft smile to Rebecca’s face. The tenderness in Erika’s voice as she recounted how understanding and patience had bridged the gap between their worlds was comforting.

Around noon, Rebecca and Erika found themselves in a rare quiet moment, the lobby free of arriving or departing guests. Cherry, who had been introduced to Rebecca as one of the Ranch’s service-submissives, had taken over the desk for them, and they nestled into the cozy armchairs near the fireplace. The warmth and crackling of the fire blended delicately with their conversation. Erika had just shared her story about how she and Jared had started as a couple. It was a tender and funny story that made Rebecca smile, but also stirred something deeper within her.

As Erika spoke of Jared’s care and understanding, Rebecca’s mind unwittingly drifted to Dante. His gentle massage, the way he made her laugh, the safety she felt around him—it was all completely unknown and terrifyingly beautiful. But would it last beyond this week?

Erika’s laughter pulled her away from her thoughts. “Can you believe my gaggle of Littles hid Santa’s beard so Jared would spank me?” Erika chuckled, her eyes twinkling with the memory.

“Spank you?” Rebecca leaned back in her chair and tried to smile but her thoughts were a whirlpool of emotions. “But why?”

Erika caught the tone, her eyes softening as she reached over to squeeze Rebecca’s hand. “When my friends found out Jared was coming, they made a plan to help us fall in love. Like the kids do in the movies sometimes.”

“Yeah, okay, I get that, but spanking?” Rebecca chewed her bottom lip. Did Jared really beat this sweet woman? And Master Derek? Did he hit Sadie? That woman always seemed to be getting into some kind of trouble.

“Relax.” Erika held up a hand. “He doesn’t abuse me. Look...” she trailed off and her eyes drifted to the side before returning to Rebecca’s face. “I don’t really like pain, but I like paying penance and having a clean slate.” Erika’s face softened and her eyes became dreamy. “I like how Jared cuddles me after discipline and tells me what a ‘good little squirrel’ I am.”

Rebecca nodded as she remembered Dante’s punishment and his care afterward. “I felt relieved after being punished for snooping around,” she said, realizing it was true.

“See.” Erika bobbed her head and gripped Rebecca’s hands in a surprisingly firm grip. “Our way of life isn’t always understood, but there is so much balance between couples in the lifestyle. And I adore my Jared.”

“I can see that and his love for you, as I can tell Master Derek and Sadie love each other deeply. But...” Rebecca mauled her bottom lip. “How do you... know? I thought my boyfriend loved me. All he wanted was to use me to make money.” She closed her eyes and fought back the tears threatening to fall.

Erika squeezed her hands. “You know, life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. I don’t know Dante well, but he’d never treat a woman like that. And from what I’ve seen, you and he seem to have a really special connection. Would you want to stay with him?”

Rebecca sighed, looking into the flickering flames. “It’s... complicated. I want to explore what’s there, but fears and doubts rage inside me. My past... it’s a dark cloud hovering over everything.”

Erika nodded, her expression understanding. “It’s a journey, Rebecca. And it’s okay to take it one step at a time. The right person will walk beside you, no matter how stormy it gets.”

Rebecca returned her gaze to Erika, her chest filled with fragile hope. She wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there could be a sliver of light in her future.

The chime of the front desk bell interrupted their heartfelt conversation as a trio approached to check in. They both stood up to help Cherry, their professional smiles back in place, ready to welcome the newly arrived guests. Yet, Rebecca’s heart carried the tender thread of hope from their conversation as she navigated through the rest of her day.

CHAPTER 17

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