Chapter 7

By the timeQuincy left her at her door later that afternoon, Dolly felt a lot more comfortable about being at Rawhide Ranch. She had a map of the building in her possession, as well as a list of the classes for the week. Including a BDSM 101 class that she had already signed up for which would start the first thing the next morning.

After closing and locking the door connecting to Quincy's room, she laid down for a nap. She woke to someone knocking on the hall door as if there were a bear chasing them. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand, she was shocked to see that she had slept the afternoon away. The evening's meet and greet was scheduled to start in five minutes.

Rolling out of bed, she tripped on her own toes as she headed to the door. Dancing to maintain her balance, she took a moment to catch her breath before unlocking the door. Opening it, she was not surprised to find Sadie standing there, hopping from one foot to the other.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?"

Sadie stilled. "No, why?"

"You're dancing around like you need to pee in the worst way."

"Oh. No, I don't have to pee. I came to get you so you can meet everyone. Were you sleeping?" Sadie asked as she looked her up and down.

"As a matter of fact, I was. Thank you for waking me up. I didn't expect to sleep that long. Would you like to come in for a minute while I get ready?"

Sadie's smile grew even bigger. "Can I? Daddy didn't want me to bother you, but I told him I'm never a bother."

"And what did he say to that?"

"He got the funny look on his face like when he tries not to laugh."

Dolly giggled as she stepped back and allowed Sadie to enter. "I need to use the bathroom and brush my hair. Is what I'm wearing okay for this?"

Before Sadie could answer, Dolly stepped into the beautifully appointed bathroom and did her business. When she stepped out, it was to find the other woman standing in front of her open closet flipping through the hangers, perusing one outfit after another. After reaching the last offering, she pulled out a deep red sundress and turned to Dolly with a frown.

"You need new clothes," she stated.

Dolly could not help but nod. "You're right. But I didn't know what men here would consider sexy. I don't know what any man would consider sexy."

That was a sad thing to admit as a writer of romantic fiction. She really needed help in all aspects of this new life she was trying to build. But for now, she would wear what Sadie had picked out and hope that the dress that bared her arms and most of her legs combined with sexy thoughts would be enough to attract a man.

Stepping back into the bathroom, she quickly changed and fluffed her hair. After slipping on a pair of ivory ballet flats, she presented herself to Sadie. "All right?"

"Looks great. Come on, we're late," Sadie took her hand and pulled her out of her room.

Dolly did fine until they reached the lobby and she saw it was filled with small groups of people milling about. A portable bar had been set up near the fireplace, which was where Sadie headed. Halfway there, the toe of Dolly's shoe caught on the floor. It took several quick steps to stay on her feet and not fall on her face. If she had, she would have taken Sadie down with her since the other woman had yet to release her hand.

Sadie looked back at her but did not comment on Dolly's grace, or rather lack thereof. Instead, she said, "You need wine. White or red?"

"White, please," Dolly said.

White wouldn't stain if she spilled it. On herself or anyone else.

Accepting the glass of wine, she turned and took a step, slamming into a large, solid body. Her wine ended up all over her while the glass went flying. She watched as it hit the floor right in front of Quincy and Derek and broke into a million tiny shards.

"Shit," she said before turning to the man she had just bumped into.

"Subbies should not swear," he announced in a loud voice before stepping around her to the bar where he gruffly placed his order.

Dolly was not sure how to respond to that, so she kept her mouth shut. Looking at the mess on the floor, she felt that retreating to her room for the rest of the week might be a good idea. Especially since her favorite dress was covered in wine and, from the silence in the room, everyone was staring at her and no doubt judging her to be seriously lacking.

"Are you all right?" a familiar voice asked as Quincy stepped into view with Derek right beside him.

She sighed. Of course he would be present to see her latest blunder. Ignoring his question, she turned to Sadie. "Where can I get a broom to clean up the mess?"

"Don't worry, that's what housekeeping is for," Sadie said as a young woman in a maid's uniform hurried across the lobby with a broom and began to sweep up the glass.

Dolly made a mental note to leave a big tip for the housekeeping staff for she was certain they would earn their pay this week.

She jumped when a pair of warm palms cupped her face. The hands tilted her head back until she was looking up at Quincy.

"Answer me, pet. Are you all right?"

Her cheeks burned as she forced herself to shrug and try for a nonchalant answer. "I'm wet and embarrassed. If you'll excuse me, I'll go and change into something dry." And stay hidden for the rest of the evening, she finished silently.

Quincy could see more than embarrassment in her pretty blue eyes. She felt humiliated, especially after the Dominant stated his opinion of her swearing. If she disappeared now, she might be tempted to hide for the rest of her stay, and he could not have that. She needed to learn that accidents happened and were no one's fault. If anything, the man she had run into had been standing too close, at least in his opinion.

"Allow me to escort you," he said, taking her hand in his.

"We'll be back in a few minutes," he said to Derek as they passed him.

Instead of giving his blessing, Derek stepped in front of Dolly. "Are you okay with Quincy going with you to your room?"

He held his breath as Dolly looked from Derek to him and back again before she whispered, "It's okay."

Derek nodded and looked at him. "Take your time. If you don't make it back here before this is finished, we'll meet you for dinner in an hour."

"What?" Dolly asked, but did not fight him when he walked away, her hand still held securely in his. "You're having dinner with Derek and Sadie?"

"We are. I talked to Derek and told him I've decided to claim you, at least for the week. That is, unless you'd rather have another Dominant take you under his command?"

He kept them moving toward her room as she mulled over his offer. When they reached her room, she opened the door and hurried inside. He entered but remained by the door after it closed.

"Dolly? What do you think about being my submissive for the week?"

It surprised him how anxious he felt waiting for her answer. He watched closely as she opened the closet and then just stared at the contents as if she had never seen them before.

She took a deep breath before turning to him. The tears rolling down her cheeks had him crossing the room and pulling her close for a hug. He didn't give a fuck that she was covered with wine, and it was soaking into his shirt. She needed a hug, and he was happy to provide her with one.

"Sadie was right," she cried into his chest as he cuddled her. "My wardrobe sucks and I do need to go shopping."

He looked over her head and had to agree. From what he could see, the clothes she had brought for a vacation at a BDSM ranch would be more suitable for business meetings and office work.

"Shhhh, pet. I'll find something for you to wear tonight and tomorrow we'll see what the shops here have to offer. If we need to, we'll go into town and shop there. For now, why don't you go clean up and I'll pick you out something to wear."

"You will?"

He brushed a kiss on the top of her head. "I will. I'll even help you get dressed, if you want."

She looked uncertain for a moment before moving her head up and down slowly. "I think I'd like that, Sir."

Her easy acceptance of his dominance in this area surprised Quincy, but he refused to allow it to show on his face. Instead, he smiled and said, "Do you need me to help you get undressed for a quick shower?"

"No, Sir. I don't think so."

"You have three minutes to shower and then I'll come in and drag you out. At which point you will have earned a few spanks."

Adding a thread of Dominant power to his tone earned him a quick nod, and a softly spoken, "Yes, Sir."

With that, Dolly hurried into the bathroom, and he turned to her closet.

Knowing he only had a couple minutes, he flipped through her clothes and found nothing. Turning to the dresser, he found a matching set of peach lace underwear that he couldn't wait to see her in. He then pulled out a pair of denim short-shorts. Holding them up, he smiled and returned to the closet, choosing a white silk blouse. With her curves, this outfit would be perfect to go from the restaurant to the Dungeon with a few minor tweaks.

She stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body just as his watch sounded that her three minutes were up.

"Good timing, pet. Where are your clothes?"

"I left them in the shower. I figured it was easier to rinse them in there instead of trying to wash them in the sink."

"Good thinking," he said as he stepped closer.

Taking hold of the towel that was tucked in between her full breasts, he pulled it from her body, ignoring her shocked gasp.

"Hold still," he ordered.

Once she froze, he circled her, admiring every inch of bare skin. Moving back to stand in front of her, he was surprised she stood with her eyes squeezed closed and her cheeks glowing bright red.

"You're a beautiful woman, Dolly. There's no need to be embarrassed. You should embrace your curves like I'm going to do later."

Her eyes popped open, and she stared at him in shock. "Really? You don't think I need to lose weight?"

"Oh, no, pet," he crooned as he traced his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. "You are perfect just the way you are. I don't understand why women want to be nothing but skin and bones. Women were given curves for a reason. Now, let's get you dressed."

He knelt before her and held out the lace panties, admiring her bare mound as she stepped into them. He forced himself to focus on dressing her and not give in to the impulse to throw her on the bed and fuck her until neither of them could walk straight.

Once her shorts were fastened around her hips, she slid her arms into the bra's straps and he took a moment to adjust the cups over her breasts. He enjoyed the small catch of breath Dolly took when he ran his thumbs over her pebbled nipples before he reached behind her to secure the lacy bra in place. With a smile on his face at the blush on hers, he held the blouse open and helped her into it.

When she reached up to button it, he brushed her hands aside and only secured the two buttons between her breasts. He rolled the bottom of her shirt up to just under her breasts before tying the two sides together.

She looked down at herself and then up at him again. "Really?"

"He nodded. "It's perfect for the Dungeon."

Her eyes widened. "But we're meeting Master Derek and Sadie for dinner before we go downstairs. I can't go to dinner looking like this."

"Why not?"

When her eyes grew glassy, Quincy realized he was pushing too hard too fast. He untied and unrolled the shirt and buttoned the front, so she was fully covered, except for her sexy, curvy legs. This was better anyway. With her body covered, he would not have to blind anyone who looked in her direction.

He took her hand in his and led her into his room where he quickly changed shirts, tossing the wine-dampened one in the bathroom to be dealt with later.

"Just remember who you're with when the other Doms start circling like sharks in chum-filled waters."

She giggled as he led her out of his suite and back toward the lobby. "That is so not going to happen, Sir."