Chapter 4

After Sadie helpedher check in, gave her the key to her room, and entered her information into the security system to record purchases and everything else the resort used them for, Dolly met with Master Derek. Once they reviewed her paperwork and he gave his official welcome to Rawhide Ranch speech, she explained that she was focused on learning about BDSM and especially about her submissive side.

She did not divulge that she would be using what she learned in her work as an erotic romance author. When their meeting was over, Dolly was surprised to find Sadie waiting just outside her husband's office.

"I thought I could show you to your room and then, maybe, give you a tour of the place?" Sadie said, looking more at her husband instead of Dolly.

Dolly turned to look at the resort owner who was shaking his head. "Sorry, angel. You and I have an appointment with the dentist in town. I'm sure Miss Carson will be able to find her room and unpack on her own."

"But, Daddy," Sadie whined. When Derek raised one eyebrow, she bit her lip and huffed a disappointed sigh.

Dolly watched, impressed that the man did not need to say a word to stop her from arguing.

"Thank you for the offer, Sadie. Maybe we can get together when you return from town?" Dolly smiled as she took a step back.

"Oh, yes. That would be wonderful," Sadie gushed. "I'll see you later, Dolly. It was so nice to meet you."

Dolly nodded and made her escape, heading to the hallway Sadie had pointed out earlier would lead to her room. Pulling out the small card Sadie had given her Dolly checked her room number with the ones on the doors she passed until she found hers near the end of the hall.

Using her newly issued key card, she entered her room, not surprised to find her suitcase sitting at the foot of the king-size bed. After all, it had been thirty minutes since Derek had handed it over to one of the staff in the lobby.

The room was luxurious with golden hardwood floors instead of carpet, and matching wooden beams in the ceiling, giving it a rustic feel. The bed was a king-size, four-poster that made her want to lie down and take a nap. The O-rings she could see set into the posts at various heights as well as in the ceiling over the bed made Dolly's pussy clench as she thought of what kinky sexy opportunities they might offer.

She took in the sitting area, dining area, and small kitchenette as she prowled the suite, learning where everything was located. The sliding glass doors led to a small patio with a low fence and a gate that opened out onto the pool area.

After taking a few minutes to unpack and put away her belongings, Dolly crawled into the middle of the bed and laid upside down with her feet on the pillows and her head at the foot of the mattress.

It was only mid-morning. What was she supposed to do now?

This was why she never liked to vacation alone. When she traveled for business, there was always an agenda to stick to, meetings to attend, and she usually wished she had more time to get some sightseeing in. Now, for the next week, she had no meetings scheduled, no plans made, and nothing where she was required to make an appearance.

"This is ridiculous. You can't meet potential play partners if you're hiding in your room like a scared potato," she scolded herself before laughing.

A sharp rapping sound had her jumping off the bed like she was guilty of something. Walking to the hall door, she laughed at her reaction. Sadie had probably sent someone to give her a tour of the Ranch.

Opening the door, she frowned when there was no one standing on the other side.

"Hello?" she said, leaning out and looking up and down the hall. There was no one in sight.

Stepping back into her room, she allowed the door to close before flipping the night locks once again. "Dolly, old girl, you're losing your mind."

As she crossed back to the bed, the three sharp taps sounded again, startling her. She jumped and looked at the one door she had yet to open, knowing it would lead into the room next door. Confused, she unlocked it and pulled it open. She was surprised to find Mr. Nelson standing on the other side.

"Hello," she said.

"Hi," he replied with a smile that sent another shiver through Dolly. It was amazing how strongly she reacted to this man without knowing anything about him. "I was wondering if you'd like to go exploring. Or is Sadie sending someone to give you an official tour?"

Dolly felt her cheeks heat as she shifted under the man's intense and direct deep emerald-green gaze.

"No, Sadie had to go to town with Master Derek. I wasn't sure if I'm allowed to just wander around, without an escort I mean."

"So, you were just going to sit here until the meet and greet this evening? I don't think so. Let's go," he said, reaching past her to push her door until it clicked into a clip to hold it open.

When he grabbed her hand and pulled her through the now open portal, she planted her feet and said, "Wait."

He stopped but did not release her hand. "What's up?"

"I can't go with you until I know one thing," she said, hoping that he would not take offense.

Because she really was feeling drawn to this man, and if their kinks meshed, she could see them having some good times together. She just needed to know one thing.

He tilted his head slightly as he asked, "What do you want to know?"

"What's your first name? I refuse to call you Mister Nelson all day. Or do you prefer that kind of formality in a submissive?"

Quincy released her hand and shifted to face her. Then he held out his right hand. "Quincy Nelson. Straight, Dominant, and looking for a female submissive play partner. Pleased to meet you."

He forced himself to stop talking before he shared that he was a widower, a doctor, and newly retired from the Army. Unless someone was injured bad enough to need a doctor's care, he planned to keep that bit of information to himself.

"Dolly Carter, straight, submissive, and looking for a Dominant male play partner." The sweet woman introduced herself as she took his hand and shook it.

When she tried to pull her hand free, he held fast, refusing to release it. Her hand felt right, felt perfect, in his. His cock twitched as he considered what else might fit together equally well. Could this pretty little subbie be the woman he'd been dreaming about since Janine's death? The woman who could fill the holes in his heart and help him find the adventure in life once again?

He could only hope.

"Shall we wander around a bit?" he asked when he realized the silence had gone on too long. "I always like to get my bearings as soon as I arrive in a new place and thought you might feel the same?"

He was not surprised when she nodded. "I'd like that."

"Great, let's go," he said, turning toward the hall door of his room.

Though he had not requested adjoining rooms, he was quite pleased Derek had shifted his room assignment, so they were neighbors. That didn't mean he would take advantage of her nearness. He would not step through the connecting doorway until she invited him. He was after all, an officer and a gentlemen, even though he was now retired.

Going exploring together would also give him time to find out more about the lovely Dolly Carter and see if her wants meshed with his own needs.

As they walked down the hall toward the lobby, he asked the first question that came to mind, hoping it would lead to a conversation.

"So, Miss Dolly, have you been in the lifestyle long?"

The hand in his tensed, which roused his curiosity a bit more.

"Um, no. I'm brand new to it. I visited a BDSM club back home, but after my third visit… they, um, asked me not to come back."

He had never heard of a club kicking out a member unless there was a serious breach of rules or other problem. Dolly did not seem the type to either blatantly break the rules or cause trouble between other members. Curious, he asked the next obvious question.

"What did you do to make them not want a lovely submissive like you as a member of their club?"