Chapter 8

"Areyou sure I'm allowed to visit the Dungeon tonight? I haven't even taken the beginners' class yet," Dolly whispered after they'd eaten and were leaving the restaurant.

"It will be fine. There will probably only be a few people playing tonight. Later in the week the crowds will grow," Quincy answered, causing her cheeks to heat once more.

Dinner had been an adventure of laughter and learning as Sadie tried to talk her into being a Little for a day or two, while Derek and Quincy spoke of rules and procedure, high and low protocol, and a dozen other subjects. By the end of dinner, Dolly's head was filled to overflowing with new information.

She wished she could retreat to her luxurious suite and make notes of all she had learned and experienced since arrival. Her uber-creative brain was already working on building the beginnings of a new series of books. Instead, she was about to learn exactly how to find the Ranch's Dungeon.

Quincy wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his body as if sensing her nervousness. "Trust me, pet. I won't let anyone but me hurt you."

"With that, we'll say our good-nights," Derek said with a wide smile.

"But, Daddy, I want to go in with them to give Dolly emotional support," Sadie argued.

"Not tonight, angel. You have a bath and a movie waiting for you."

"But… Daddy!" she squealed when he bent and lifted her so she was draped over one shoulder. He then gave her several sharp swats to reinforce his words.

Sadie arched up and waved as Master Derek carried her away. "Good luck, Dolly! Maybe I'll see you tomorrow and we can talk then."

"Good night, Sadie, Master Derek," Dolly called as the couple strode across the lobby floor.

With their departure, Quincy slid his arm from her shoulders to take her hand and led her toward the elevator which would deliver them to the lowest level of the resort where the BDSM Dungeon was located. The elevator arrived and when the doors opened, Quincy squeezed her hand. "Come along, pet. Let's go exploring," Quincy said.

The ride was smooth and when the doors opened again, he led her toward an impressive set of large double doors that accessed the Dungeon. The doors were beautiful, highly polished with circles of copper imbedded in the shape of a cross.

"Good evening," a man rose from a stool behind a podium situated in front of the doors.

"Good evening," Quincy replied. "We'd like to take a look around, if that's possible?"

Dolly didn't speak, knowing from her research that if in doubt, a submissive should remain silent. She watched wide-eyed as the guard, with twinkly gray eyes, a close-cropped mohawk, and silver beard nodded, but did not give them leave to go inside.

"I'm sorry, the Dungeon is closed from seven to nine, morning and evening, so the staff can clean and restock. But come back after nine and you can play all night long."

"Oh, that's right. I can't believe I forgot." Quincy looked down at Dolly. "Guess the excitement to show you where we'll play shoved that info right out of my head." Giving her a smile, he turned back to the guard. "Okay. Thank you, Jaben. We'll come back."

Quincy sounded nearly as disappointed as Dolly felt.

"So, what do you want to do now?" she asked as they walked back to the elevator to return upstairs.

"If I remember correctly, there's a movie playing in the theater room and karaoke in the lobby," Quincy said as they reboarded the elevator. "Which would you prefer?"

Though she had rested before dinner, Dolly knew if they sat in a dark theater watching a movie, she would fall asleep, which would be embarrassing to both her and Quincy as her Dom. "Let's check out the karaoke."

He punched the button for the main floor and the elevator quickly delivered them. Only a few steps and they were in the lobby, where a man was belting out an old Johnny Cash song like his life depended on it.

Quincy refused to release her hand as they crossed the lobby to join the crowd. But he did not stop at the edge of the group. He pulled her around to the table where a signup sheet and list of available songs lay.

He handed her the list. "Pick a song."

She shook her head and tried to hand it back. "I don't sing."

He frowned at her, but she did not explain that she had not sung since junior high school. That was when her father killed her dream of being a singer by brusquely ordering her to shut up because she sounded like an alley cat yowling at the moon. She had not sung a note since that day. She had continued going to rehearsals and even the concert for the school choir that year, but only mouthed the words instead of actually singing them.

The next singer stepped up and sang off-key but with such gusto that no one seemed to mind the sour notes.

"You can't be as bad as that. Now pick a song," Quincy said with a wince as the singer hit a particularly harsh note. "Do well, and I'll buy you a hot chocolate and a cookie afterwards."

With that kind of incentive, Dolly decided to try. Reading down the page, she looked over the sign-up sheet and saw that no one had yet to sing her choice.

"This one," she said, pointing to her selection. "I should be able to do this one."

Though she wasn't a Little, she loved Disney movies. Beauty and the Beast was a particular favorite. She figured if a teapot could sing her choice, she should not butcher it too bad.

After signing her up, Quincy laid down the pen and then took her hand again.

"Aren't you singing?"

"Absolutely not. I can't carry a tune in a wheelbarrow."

"But…" She wanted to argue but bit her lip to keep her protest inside.

He was the Dom and if he wanted to hear her screech like an alley cat, it was his ears. She just felt sorry for everyone else who had to listen.

A chair opened up just as Dolly's name was called two songs later. Quincy settled in as she accepted the microphone and moved to stand in front of the monitor where the words she sang would flash.

She looked pale and nervous but determined. When she found him in the small crowd, he smiled and winked in encouragement. She could do this.

As the music started, she turned her attention back to the screen and took a deep breath. Lifting the microphone to her mouth, she began to sing with a pure, beautiful perfectly on-key tone that had the entire room go silent as everyone in the area listened. Her singing drew others who were passing through the lobby to join the crowd.

The silence extended for several seconds after she finished, before everyone began applauding, whistling, and crying, "More, more."

When Dolly tried to hand the microphone back to the staff member in charge of the event, he shook his head in refusal. Dolly then looked Quincy's way with tears in her eyes. She was obviously close to panicking and needed him.

He rose and went to her, pulling her in for a hug. He dropped a kiss on the top of her head before murmuring, "You were amazing. Can you please sing another one?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You have a beautiful voice. Why don't you sing?"

"It's a long story. But if you're sure, I'll do one more."

"I'm sure," Quincy said then gave her a squeeze before releasing her and returning to his seat.

Looking quickly at the sheet, she made her choice and the host nodded and queued the song up. Another Disney tune, this time the big hit from Frozen and again, she was amazing, hitting all the notes on key and holding them out where needed.

When she finished the second song, she laid the microphone on the table and hurried to his side as the crowd once again went wild with its approval and appreciation.

"Can we go now?" she asked, looking flustered.

"Certainly, pet. You were amazing." Quincy rose and gave her another hug. "Are you ready for hot chocolate and cookies? Or would you rather have ice cream?"

"Ice cream, please," she said into his chest as she hid her face.

With an arm around her shoulder, Quincy led the way toward the café. "Ice cream it is. By the time we finish, the Dungeon should be open again, if you'd like to go down and check things out."

She shrugged, and he studied her. Singing had tested her nerves and from her heavy eyelids and drooping shoulders, he could tell she was exhausted and in need of sleep, not Dungeon play. Instead of entering the café, he turned and guided her back across the lobby toward the hall where their rooms were located.

"Where are we going?"

"You're done in. Ice cream and exploring the Dungeon will have to wait until tomorrow."

"I'm okay," she said and then yawned widely, her body proving her words wrong.

"No, you're not, you're exhausted. And if you continue to argue with your Dom, who is looking out for your best welfare, you'll be going to bed with a freshly spanked ass."

He smiled as Dolly huffed a sigh. "Well, that just sucks. I want ice cream."

Pulling his arm from around her back, he fought down a chuckle as he gave her ass a sharp swat. At her room, he waited until she opened the door. He put his foot against the door to hold it open as he pulled her close for a long hug and a hot, deep kiss that tested his restraint.

Tempted to loosen hold of his control and take her right there in the hallway, Quincy finally pulled back. "Good night. Go right to bed. Sleep well and have beautiful dreams. I'll see you tomorrow."

Though half-asleep, she looked befuddled as she nodded then stumbled into her room. "Night."