Page 6 of Joining Little Jessica

But the temptation to let down her guard, even just a little, gnawed at her.

Rowan’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “So, what do you say? Want to hang with us today?”

Jessica hesitated, the invitation hanging in the air. Part of her wanted to say yes, to trust that she could have fun with them again, without worrying. Another part—the bigger part—told her to be careful, to keep her distance.

She glanced back at them—Forrest’s easy grin, Rowan’s bright eyes, and Sebastian’s calm, steady presence. They weren’t pushing her. They didn’t seem like they ever would unless she asked them to.

Finally, she nodded, offering them a small smile. “I’d like that,” she said, surprising herself with how much she meant it.

Forrest’s grin widened, Rowan whooped, and Sebastian gave her a nod, his eyes warm and welcoming.

“Great! We’ll make sure it’s a fun day,” Rowan said with a wink.

Jessica laughed softly, feeling the familiar nervous flutter in her stomach, but this time, it wasn’t just fear. For the first time in a long time, she felt a little hopeful. Maybe spending time with these men could help her heal. Maybe it could be more than just fun.

Maybe... just maybe it could be the start of something new.

CHAPTER 4

The crisp morning air filled Jessica’s lungs as she stood beside the stables, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves dancing in her stomach. The snowfall from the night before had stopped, leaving a perfect day for the promised horseback ride. She had never gone riding since arriving at the Ranch, even though she’d been here for almost a year. The idea of lessons with one of the ranch hands had always been too daunting. Most of them were big men—intimidating in their own right—and their presence triggered memories she’d worked hard to bury. The Ranch had been a sanctuary, but there were still parts of it she hadn’t explored because of the fear they stirred in her.

Now, though, with Sebastian, Rowan and Forrest standing next to her, she felt a little braver. Still nervous, but... curious.

“Have you ever ridden before?” Rowan asked, holding the reins of his own horse as he smiled down at her, his dark skin glowing in the morning light. There was always that spark of energy in him, like he was ready to turn any moment into an adventure.

Jessica bit her lip, casting a glance at the horses lined up for them. “Not really,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “I’ve wanted to... just never felt like the right time.” She’dconsidered telling them it didn’t feel safe enough, but at the last minute chickened out. Still, from the looks the men were giving her, she thought they probably got what she meant.

Sebastian, standing on her other side, offered her a reassuring smile. “We’ll take it slow. No pressure. If you don’t want to go far, that’s fine.”

His calm presence made her feel a little more grounded, and she appreciated how he always seemed to know the right thing to say to put her at ease. Forrest, meanwhile, stood quietly to the side, his laid-back vibe unmistakable even in the chilly weather. He gave her a soft smile, but his eyes watched her carefully, always attentive, always tuned into the emotions of those around him.

The horse in front of her shifted slightly, and Jessica felt her heart speed up. It was a beautiful creature, tall and sleek, its black coat gleaming in the sunlight. But even as she admired it, her nerves tightened in her chest. What if something went wrong? What if she couldn’t handle it?

“It’s okay,” Forrest said, stepping forward, sensing her unease. His voice was steady, gentle. “I’ll walk beside you the whole time if you want. I used to help train beginners back in the day... although less horseback riding and more... pony training.”

Jessica blinked at him curiously. “You did?”

He nodded, adjusting the reins of his own horse. “Yeah, just not here. I was a kink instructor for a while—trained a lot of new Doms for clubs and private groups.”

She tilted her head, genuinely intrigued. “A kink instructor?”

Forrest chuckled softly. “It’s not as glamorous as it sounds, but yeah. I worked with a lot of people just getting started in the lifestyle. Taught them how to handle themselves, how to communicate properly, how to make sure everything and everyone was safe at all times.”

Jessica stared at him, surprised. When they’d played last night, there hadn’t been a lot of time for get-to-know-you discussions, but she hadn’t figured these out-of-town guests to be as into the lifestyle as having been actual instructors.

But she enjoyed knowing this new thing about him. “Why did you stop?” she asked before she could think better of it.

The question seemed to shift something in him. Forrest’s easy smile faded, and his eyes grew distant, as if a memory had slid into his mind uninvited. His jaw clenched and for a long moment, he said nothing.

Jessica’s stomach twisted. The change in his demeanor was sudden, like a door slamming shut, and she felt the familiar pang of anxiety grip her. It was the same way her father used to react—shutting down before exploding in rage. Her breath hitched, and suddenly, all the safety and warmth of the morning felt like it was slipping away.

The other men seemed to notice the shift, too. Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he glanced at Forrest, and Rowan, usually so animated, grew quiet, his eyes flicking between Jessica and Forrest, as if trying to gauge what was happening.

Forrest exhaled slowly, his shoulders tensing. “I just... it was time for a change,” he muttered, but his voice had lost all its warmth.

Jessica’s pulse quickened. The way he said it reminded her too much of her father’s unpredictable moods—the way he would withdraw and grow silent before unleashing his temper on her or her mother. Her chest tightened, and panic clawed at the edges of her thoughts. She took a small step back, suddenly wanting to flee.

“Jessie?” Rowan’s voice was soft, but it still made her flinch. “Are you okay?”

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