Page 27 of On His Ranch

“What he needs is a nice girl who can show him that there’s more to life than starring in his own real-life western.” Patti laughed ruefully at her own words.

“It’s going to take more than anicegirl to keep Chase happy,” she quipped before she even realized she’d opened her mouth.

Patti smiled and released her. “Maybe you’re right. Well, you better be going. When Chase says something, he means it.”

Piper knew that all too well, but she was going to keep that one to herself.

* * *

As soon as he heard the screen door swing open, he stepped back to admire the lovely creature that was Piper. Yesterday, she’d been eye-catching and that was when she’d been rumpled, sleepy, with bits of hay in her hair.

But the Piper that was well-rested with cowgirl boots and braids made his cock stand to attention at first glance. He had no doubt he would be in serious pain by the end of the day, but it would be worth it.

“Are we going to get going?” she asked in her little-girl breathy voice.

“In a minute,” he replied, his voice coming out stern to cover for the way his balls ached. “Before we do, I think I oughta lay down the ground rules.”

“Okay.” She clasped her hands in front of her and waited.

Which Piper did he prefer? The meek, obedient little girl, or the untamed hell-cat he’d met in the barn yesterday? What a decision to have…

“First off, I don’t abide by eye-rollin’.”

“What? When did I—”

His only answer was to twirl his finger.

Her green eyes widened, to his delight. “Chase! But… your mom…”

“Guess you shoulda thought of that,” he quipped.

Swallowing hard, Piper turned around and as soon as her back was to him, he laid three quick, sharp swats on her jean-clad bottom. When she spun back to face him, her face was ablaze with humiliation, but the way her eyes sparkled told him the hell-cat was still in there.

Might be able to pull it out of her and have a little fun later, he mused.

“As I was sayin’, I have a few rules and if you don’t want a repeat of what happened in the barn yesterday, you need to know them, and you sure as hell better follow them.”

“Yes, sir,” she answered in a dutiful whisper. “What are they?”

“Well, look at that.” He chuckled. “Little girl has remembered her manners after all.”

“I’m not a little girl. Why do you keep calling me that?”

He tilted his head, his eyes raking over her face. “Why does it bother you so much?” He had a hunch, but he preferred to hear from her.

“I’m not exactly sure, but if I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Alrighty then. Now listen close, ‘cus I’m only gonna go over this once. Rule two… You obey everythin’ I tell you to do, understand? If not, I’ll find a switch for that bottom. Understand?” he demanded, his longing for her making his voice harsher than he’d intended.

“Yes, sir.”

Her meek words belied the fire in her eyes. She was a contradiction, this girl was. On the one hand, the longer he was with her the more certain he was that there was a little girl inside her, dying to be seen for who she really was. But there was strength there, too, although every time he caught so much of a glimpse, she’d contradict herself again.

“And I won’t tolerate any disrespect, either, y’hear? Or else.” He would have left it at that, too, but when he saw the little shudder that ran through her, he couldn’t resist adding, “There are plenty of stumps I can find to bend you over.”

“Anything else?” she near-whispered, her lips trembling.

“As a matter of fact, there is. Rule four: it is my job to keep you safe, so if I see you doin’ anything to endanger yourself, or me, then—”

---