Page 11 of Releasing Reenie

Even if he seemed determined to bring it up. Even if it was all I could think about.

“Ms. Stahlbaum?” Master Derek’s voice cut through the silence, interrupting my trip down memory lane.

“Yes, Sir?” As if merely my thoughts about Trent had somehow left me looking as tattered as I felt, I patted the strands of hair holding my tight bun in place and smoothed my skirt.

“Now that we’re alone. Did you need to talk to me about Trent Holland? I noted some hesitancy on your part and tension between the two of you. So I’m asking once more, is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Everything’s fine, Master Derek. I’m sorry if I seem off. I’ve got something on my mind that’s all.”

“Oh? Is this why you asked to meet me?”

“Yes, actually. I’m a little concerned about Mira.” I filled him in on the situation, even though Trent’s invasion of Rawhide Ranch was suddenly far more concerning.

After I explained what happened, Derek reassured me I’d done the right thing by coming to him. We agreed to keep our conversation between us for now, but he promised to check on Mira’s progress with her other professors.

“I just want her to succeed. And if she’s taking on too much, we need to intervene,” I finished, bringing the conversation to a close.

Derek reached out, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “I’m glad I hired you, Maureen. You’re great at your job and just the kind of professor Rawhide needs.”

“Thank you, Master Derek. I appreciate your encouragement.”

“Certainly. Is there anything else?”

“No.” I forced a smile onto my face so he’d see nothing was amiss.

“Okay, good. And remember I’m always here if you need to talk.”

I nodded again, feeling a little like a bobblehead.Nod enough and everyone will believe you.

“Oh, and Maureen, thanks for helping out with Trent. I’ve been swamped since he arrived.”

I waved in answer and cursed under my breath. I couldn’t feign forgetting about the man now that I’d been reminded again. I could, however, do a scene in the Dungeon first to burn off my tension before meeting him.

CHAPTER 8

Maureen

Despite Derek’s comments to Trent, I wasn’t a regular player at the Dungeon, although it was true that I was sought after when I was there. While I very much enjoyed being a Domme, it wasn’t sexual for me. I didn’t get off on it in that way. I enjoyed the control, yes, but mostly I enjoyed giving submissives something they needed in a safe environment.

There were so many people in the world, both inside the BDSM community and outside of it, who would see a sweet, submissive person and care only about their own personal needs. They would take the gentlest spirit and break it, and not in an empowering way, not in the way they were meant to. Fake Dominants were a real problem, and despite all sorts of educational resources, so many still fell prey to them. I’d heard far too many horror stories in my time here at the Ranch.

Not that there were any here; the vetting process was far too thorough. But before coming here… far too many of the sweet subs and Littles here had been victims of fake Dominants, justtrusting too easily and wanting someone who could give them what they craved.

There were still a lot of unattached submissives and Littles here, and I’d become a favorite to many for play sessions because I could fulfill their needs, whatever they may be at the time.

Tonight, I’d been the one to reach out, contacting a favorite sub to play with. It was rare that I was the one who needed to take the edge off, but with Trent’s arrival, here we were.

Luna was a service sub who worked on the Ranch and was someone I’d developed somewhat of a friendship with. We met for coffee occasionally, sometimes ate together in the cafeteria and had gotten to the point where we were comfortable texting each other if one of us wanted to play, with no real strings attached.

When I’d sent her the eight word text,“Need to work some shit out. You available?”she’d agreed to meet me in the Dungeon ten minutes later, mentioning she’d been in serious need herself.

All I’d had to do was avoid Trent until she got there.

“Mission accomplished,”I thought as she finally walked through the door of the Dungeon. My shoulders sagged with relief as she made her way over to me wearing a mesh crop-top, her hips swaying in a barely there thong. Luna wouldn’t admit it, but I was pretty sure she had a thing for Drake, the on-duty Dungeon security officer.

I rolled my eyes as she cast him a glance over her shoulder, and he let his eyes linger on her ass a little too long. I wasn’t sure how Drake felt but Luna clearly wanted more, even if she wouldn’t admit it yet. The skimpy outfit was clearly for Drake’s benefit, not mine. I never really knew what was going on withthem and their warm/cold on-again/off-again friends-with-benefits arrangement. It seemed like it was off at the moment.

I didn’t comment on it though; I didn’t really have time, and I already knew she loved to torment him. No use calling her out on it now.

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