Page 84 of Giddy Up, Daddy

In all fairness, Sam hadn’t realized how low the temperatures had dropped overnight. He probably would have rethought things, but once he’d stepped outside and slammed the door behind him, it was too late to go back.

Nothing felt sillier than storming off in a snit, and then having to come right back. So, he’d pulled up his collar, shoved his hands in his pockets, and gone off to find something or someone to take his mood out on.

“Yeah. If I’d stayed home, we would have ended up arguing about it.”

“You know you’re most likely overthinking this, right? I mean, even if she is getting up to something, how bad could it be?”

It was beyond Sam’s imagination to even guess. Nick was trying to look sympathetic, but his mouth kept twitching like he wanted to grin. Sam’s eyes narrowed. “I’m glad you find this so amusing,pal.”

Nick snorted a laugh. “I’m not amused you’re having problems and stressing yourself out. I just think it’s funny how these gals can stir up so much mischief when they aren’t even trying.”

Sam grunted. That was true enough.

“Anyway, I think you should just head home and spank her. You don’t have to spank her for ‘this’ in particular. Just… you know… do the Dom thing. You’ll both feel better,” Nick advised.

Maybe, but Sam wasn’t ready to head home yet. “I need to work off some of this energy first. I was looking for something to do, but you seem to have everything under control here.” Thatwas a sign that Nick was doing a good job, but this morning, when Sam needed a distraction, it was annoying.

Nick’s broad grin flashed white teeth. “I can put you to work. There’s always things needing done around here, Boss.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want the hands to think I’m…”

“Trying to take over?” Nick suggested, when Sam didn’t continue.

“Yep.”

“Don’t worry about it, bossman. Trust me. Why don’t you saddle up and meet me out front. I was going to ride a circuit out around the north pasture to make sure the water wasn’t frozen over. You can come with.”

Sam hesitated, frowning. It was bound to be chilling out there. The north pasture had no tree line to cut the wind, which is why the water tended to freeze up there first.

“Unless the mighty ranch owner is too good to get his ass in the saddle, of course.” One eyebrow went up as Nick shot him a look. His mouth twisted into a taunting smirk.

“Too good? No. Too underdressed…” He tugged at his coat, which wasn’t thick or warm enough for a ride. He’d left his gloves at home besides.

“We’ve got plenty of spares around here. C’mon… it will do you good. Cool you down, so you can head home and deal with your missus.”

Nick’s black eyes seemed to glint with good humor, and Sam found himself agreeing. Half an hour later they were both saddled up and heading out.

Chapter Two

In the beginning, when Charlie had first come back to the ranch, there’d been a lot of fighting with Sam. The reasons were all very complicated and had a lot to do with her father leaving the ranch to both of them, but putting Sam in charge legally.

She’d been angry and hurt. It was all the more awkward because Sam was her ex, and she’d never really stopped loving him. Their breakup had also been complicated, and there’d been a lot of regret on both sides.

It was probably inevitable that returning home and seeing him on a daily basis would lead to the sparks rekindling. Chemistry wasn’t enough though; there had been a lot to work through, if it was going to last this time.

But through it all Sam had been there. Good ole Sam, stable, reliable, supporting her when she needed it the most. Staying mad at him was hard, when she knew none of it was really his fault. She’d fallen into his arms easily, but letting him back into her heart had been harder.

They’d gotten there in the end, but not without going through a hell of a lot. Finding out why her father had written his will the way he did had been a good start. But finally realizing what she needed from Sam had been the real clincher.

They’d grown up together, the only children on the ranch; keeping each other company as friends. Then puberty hit and everything started to shift.

Feelings changed. Hormones kicked in. Suddenly they were trying to find out-of-the-way places to kiss and touch, and a ranch spread had a lot of nooks and corners. Eventually it led to more. They discovered each other… and then they discovered kink.

The spicy side of things had instantly attracted them both and they were probably too young when they first started to explore kink. Sam was a natural Dom, and Charlie enjoyed letting him lead the way. Most of what they tried involved the physical sensations: spanking, bondage, pleasure and pain.

Neither had really understood the wider aspects of D/s then. There was no formal relationship. No titles or specific dynamic. They just played and enjoyed themselves, which probably wasn’t a bad thing, considering how young they’d been.

In her memories it had all been perfect.

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