Page 3 of Seducing Serena

She turned her head and looked at Noah as he used the side of his fist to pound loudly on the big wooden door. If there was someone in the lobby, surely they would hear him. It was the same kind of heavy thumping all first responders used when facing a door blocking them from a dangerous situation.

She just hoped there was someone on the other side of the locked panel to hear the noise and let them in. Serena wasn’t sure who was more startled when Noah raised his hand to knock again only to strike air as the door suddenly opened.

“But the door was locked,” she said softly.

“No, just very heavy,” said the large man who filled the doorway. At Serena’s little squeak of surprise, he smiled. “Sorry to startle you.” He pulled the door wide. “Good evening. You must be Ford, Noah, and Serena. Welcome to Rawhide Ranch.”

“We are,” Ford said, extending one hand while continuing to hold her to his side. “Sorry we’re arriving so late.”

The big man shook his hand and then Noah’s before nodding at her. “Not a problem. I’m Derek Hawkins.”

Serena blinked when the big man introduced himself. She would never have expected to be met by the resort’s owner at this late hour. She remained silent and simply followed along. The bone-deep exhaustion that had been plaguing her for weeks was making itself known once again. She hoped their room wasn’t too far away because she was not sure she could do a hike to the back of the property without help. And the men had their hands full with their luggage.

“Do you often greet late arrivals personally?” Ford asked as he made sure she was standing up before stepping away from her.

He picked up the bags he’d carried from the car and ushered her through the front door past Derek and Noah.

“Not often, but my wife is having a sleepover with some of her friends in the Littles’ Wing, so I figured I should be nearby, just in case. I told our night clerk, Les, I’d take over when he had to step away for a moment.”

“Where would you like me to move the car to?” Ford asked as they followed Derek to the reception desk.

“If you’ll leave the keys with me, I’ll have Dax or Moses move it in the morning. For now, let’s get you checked in, so you can go to your room. You all look done in. We’ll get together after breakfast for your official welcome to Rawhide meeting.”

While Ford checked them in, Serena took a moment to look around. The lobby had vaulted ceilings that gave the room an airy feel. The exposed logs in the walls and bare wood floors glowed a warm golden brown and gave the place a rustic-ranch vibe. Area rugs with large armchairs and small side tables groupings were situated around the lobby to encourage guests to sit and visit or spend a few minutes resting and reading.

The massive double-sided stone fireplace held pots of colorful flowers that made her smile despite her tiredness. She could imagine a fire would keep the lobby warm during the cold fall and winter months. Looking out the front windows, she could only see as far as the lighted porch, but once again, her imagination filled the darkness with a pastoral scene with the mountains in the background.

Her attention shifted back to the reception desk when the night clerk returned and introduced himself as Les. He gave them each a keycard for their room and explained it would allow them to shop and dine without worrying about carrying cash all the time as well as giving them access to the Dungeon.

By the time they reached their room on the first floor, all Serena wanted was to curl up on a flat surface and sleep. A glance at the men showed her Noah was nearing that point as well. Touching her keycard to the reader pad on the door, she held her breath until it clicked.

She pushed the door open and then held it for the two men to follow her inside. Then she closed the door and secured the locks. As she looked at the knob, she wondered if Ford had brought his special, intruder-proof lock. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to let go of that thought. It was time to allow herself to drop fully into her submissive mindset and let them worry about security issues. And everything else.

Without bothering to look around, Serena pushed past the two men and headed for the bathroom. After peeing, she washed her hands and face. She would brush her teeth in the morning. For now, she just wanted to sleep.

It wasn’t until she stepped out of the bathroom and looked around the room that she realized there was only one bed. Granted it was the biggest bed she’d ever seen, but still, there was only one. Noah passed her with a pat to her ass.

“Get in bed, sugar.”

She frowned at the bed and then looked at Ford who was unpacking his bag. She always teased him that he would make someone a great butler since he could not settle anywhere until he unpacked his suitcase.

“Um, Ford? Where am I supposed to sleep?”

CHAPTER3

Ford looked from Serena to the king-size bed. “You’re sleeping in the bed with us. Where did you think you’d be sleeping?”

“But… but… you’re gay, and committed to each other,” she said after a moment. “Why would you want to share a bed with me?”

He knew they were too tired from being in travel mode for the past eighteen hours, but they needed to set the record straight with her before they went any further. She needed to understand that her conception of them was wrong.

Setting his empty suitcase in the closet, he set Serena’s on the bed and opened it. He then began to unpack her clothes into the dresser as well. Noah would be happy living out of his suitcase, but there was no reason they had to.

He didn’t immediately answer her. Instead, he waited for Noah to emerge from the bathroom, looking as bleary-eyed as their girl did.

Meeting his partner’s gaze he asked, “Do you want to tell her or shall I?”

Noah shrugged as he put his dirty clothes into the plastic grocery bag he kept in his suitcase. “Go ahead and tell her.”

---