Caleb waved goodbye as the woman helped me into my robe, telling me about the snacks she had ready for me, and that my bed was turned down as well. Evidently the staff at Rawhide was used to doing aftercare, because before I knew it I was clean, full, and falling asleep in my comfy bed.

CHAPTER 6

Caleb

I tried to politely move away from the group of women who blocked me from entering the classroom. All of them were single, beautiful in their own way, and keeping me from what I really wanted. While I was glad they’d enjoyed how beautifully Ivy had responded to me, the last thing I wanted to do was prick Ivy’s jealousy.

Again.

“I see you’re still wearing your ring,” the blonde in a red and white cheerleader’s outfit said in a perky voice. “And my collar is still empty. After watching you work that woman”—the blonde gave a little shudder, her eyes glassy with desire—“I knew I had to have you.”

“Me too,” a kind of familiar brunette wearing a gold lame dress purred. “You have a very good reputation, Master Caleb. I would be honored to wear your ring.”

“That role play you did”—the blonde cheerleader fanned herself dramatically—“so hot. Big brother’s best friend seducing the little sister. I was so turned on I masturbated watching you.”

I quickly scanned the area, relived to not see Ivy within hearing distance at the moment.

No doubt she’d take this situation the wrong way.

Unreasonable jealousy in a relationship was an instant red flag for me. Key word being unreasonable. In Ivy’s case, I felt like she’d be justified at being a little pissed at the way the cheerleader was now openly pawing at me. Her hands wandered to my belt quickly. I took a step back as she yanked at the button of my jeans while attempting to grope me, frowning down at the blonde as her inviting smile wilted.

“Consent,” I said in a crisp voice, “is a two-way street. I didn’t invite you to touch me. Go to the Principal’s Office and tell them you need a detention and a reminder about consent. Ask before you touch, always.”

Red suffused her face and she stuttered before saying, “You can’t send me to detention, you’re not a professor.”

Derek’s deep voice came from behind us. “No, but I can, and I think after that little display you may find yourself spending the night in detention. And trust me when I say it will be the kind of night that you will never forget.”

The sinister tone to Derek’s voice had the cheerleader going pale, then kind of bouncing in place before squeaking out, “I’m so sorry, Master Derek. How do I get to detention, Sir?”

“I’ll take you there myself,” he said in a way that left no doubt about his displeasure.

Gotta love my boss. He always took care of his people. Both guests and staff.

The third woman, this one probably in her fifties and wearing one hell of a shoulder-padded black power suit, smiled at me with perfectly white teeth. “Master Caleb, do you offer private classes? My husband and I would be interested in learning more about your method. Like your submissive I’ve had issues achieving satisfaction from that act.”

I gave her a tilt of my head as I said, “I’m sorry but I don’t teach. However, I can recommend that you stop by our library. Our staff has access to an outstanding amount of information, and they’ll be able to tell you if anyone at the Rawhide Resort can give you a hand. No pun intended.”

She laughed, a very pleasant sound, then reached into her jacket and pulled out a black and gold embossed business card. “Thank you so much. If you ever change your mind about private lessons, please let me know.”

“Though I wouldn’t count on it, will do,” I said as I slipped the card into the back pocket of my jeans.

At this point I was getting close to being late for class, and ignored various people trying to catch my eye as I entered the room. There were only a few desks left at the back, and Ivy was nowhere to be seen. I scanned the crowd for her distinctive mane of red-gold hair but didn’t see her at first. This was because sometime during the break between classes, she’d gone and changed into a flowing white dress with abstract primary color blocks along the hem. And her mane of hair had been tamed into braids on either side of her head. She turned slightly and I took in her perfectly made up face before she looked away again.

Very different than when I’d seen her last, sweat soaked and makeup smeared beyond repair.

And her lips. God, her glossy fucking lips. So full and pink. I couldn’t wait to see them swollen again from my attentions. Everything about her seemed fresh and clean, and I swore I could smell her baby powder-scented perfume from here. One would think the last thing I’d find Ivy was innocent and pure after what I’d done to her, but I did. There was an artlessness about her, an honest joy in life that many people lost after childhood.

Her mischievous spirit, her spunk, her wicked imagination—all of these things blended together into a glorious and confusing mix of a woman.

A chime sounded in the hallway and from the speaker in the corner of the room, reminding everyone class started in five minutes. People took their seats, and while I considered asking one of the people sitting by Ivy to move, I didn’t want to create a scene. I knew the Dominatrix teaching this class, and the last thing I wanted to do was piss her off.

After all, I was already on her shit list.

If Ivy hadn’t been here, there was no way I would have attended.

Mistress Susan must have laughed her butt off when she approved my addition to the class.

She stood around six feet tall in heels, had an amazing natural hourglass figure, and was one hell of a sadist. With red hair shorn into a buzz cut and almost cat-like blue eyes she was, without a doubt, a beautiful woman. Unfortunately, I’d pissed her off the first week I’d started working here and she’d held a grudge ever since. The shibari artist she’d wanted to come teach at the Ranch had asked for way too much money for three simple classes. Yes, he was amazing at what he did, but it was my job to find talent that was both skilled and affordable. He wouldn’t come down on his price, and we simply could not afford to blow a quarter of our budget on one man.