Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Rowan leaned against the porch railing of the main building, sipping his coffee as the late morning sun bathed the Ranch in a golden glow. The peacefulness of the Ranch was feeling less like a holiday escape and more like home, something that had been creeping up on him ever since he’d met Jessica. He wasn’t sure when exactly it had happened, but the connection with her felt like the missing piece he hadn’t realized he was searching for.

His mind wandered to the night before, how Jessica had responded so beautifully to his touch, her soft moans still echoing in his head. There was something special about her, something that made him feel more settled, more grounded than he had in years. And it wasn’t just him. He could tell by the way Forrest and Sebastian looked at her they were equally invested.

He took another sip, staring out at the rolling hills beyond the Ranch. The more time he spent here, the more he felt like he was falling in love—not only with Jessica, but with the place itself. The Ranch was everything he hadn’t known he needed. The people, the lifestyle, the sense of community. It was more than just a retreat. It was a place where he could finally see himself settling down. Or at the very least in Porter’s Corner or over on the Ridge. And maybe starting a future with Jessica.

The door creaked open behind him, and Rowan turned to see Sebastian and Forrest step out, both looking as contemplative as he felt. He nodded toward the chairs on the porch, setting his mug down on the small table beside him. “I think it’s time we had a serious talk.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow as he sat down, and Forrest followed, taking the chair next to him. They both seemed to know what was coming, and Rowan wasn’t one to dance around the subject.

“Look,” Rowan began, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I know we came here for a break. Just a few weeks to see in the new year, and unwind, recharge, get away from our normal lives. But I’ve been thinking about staying.”

Forrest’s brow furrowed in thought, and Sebastian remained silent, his eyes flickering with curiosity.

“I’m not just talking about extending the vacation,” Rowan clarified. “I mean settling down. Here. And if she’ll have me, with Jessica.”

Sebastian sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “It’s not that simple, Rowan.”

“I know it’s not,” Rowan said quickly. “But hear me out. This place, these people—it’s like they’re building something special here. A genuine community. And Jessica, she’s part of that. I’m falling for her. I can see a life here with her. Not just a few weeks of fun, but something lasting.”

Forrest, who had been quiet until now, glanced over at Rowan, his expression thoughtful. “I won’t lie. The idea has crossed my mind too,” he admitted. “I’ve been in this lifestyle for a long time, but I’ve never had a relationship like this. Jessica brings out something different in me. She’s... she’s special.”

Sebastian nodded slowly but didn’t speak right away, his eyes distant as he considered the weight of Rowan’s words. “I’m not against the idea of staying,” he finally said. “But it’s not that simple for me. I can’t just drop everything and disappear. No matter how much I want to.”

Rowan had expected this. He knew how dedicated Sebastian was to his work, and he wasn’t about to pretend that a decision like this wouldn’t come with sacrifices. “I get it,” he said softly. “And I’m not asking you to give everything up overnight. But there’s a middle ground. You could still manage your business from here, at least part of the time. There are plenty of people who live in one place and work remotely. You’ve got the kind of career that could work with that.”

Sebastian’s lips pressed into a thin line. “It’s not just about logistics, Rowan. This is a big shift... and there are other things to consider. Not to mention, this will be a full-time kink relationship. It’s different from what we’ve done before. And what about Jessie? Have you thought about how she feels about this?”

Rowan saw the way Sebastian’s posture stiffened and something in his facial expression and body language told Rowan that this wasn’t just about Jessie and Sebastian’s job. There was something else their friend was hiding from them. But there was no point in pushing now.

“I have,” Rowan answered him, his voice firm. “We haven’t talked about it directly, but I know she feels something for all of us. She has to, or she wouldn’t have opened up as much as she has. You see it too, don’t you? The way she lights up when we’re around, the way she trusts us? This is more than just a fling for her. I’m sure of it.”

Forrest leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “I don’t doubt that,” he drawled. “But we should talk to her before we make any big decisions. And we need to be on the same page ourselves. This is a big step, and it’s not just about staying at the Ranch. It’s about building a future with her, and with each other. Are we all ready for that?”

Rowan nodded. “That’s why I wanted to have this conversation. I don’t want to move forward unless we’re all committed. This isn’t something we can half-ass. If we do this, it’s for real. We’re building something together, with Jessica at the center of it.”

Sebastian looked over the hills, the silence stretching between them as he mulled it over. After a moment, he sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “You’re right. She’s special. I don’t want to walk away from this, from her. But I need time to figure out how this would work.”

Rowan smiled, feeling a surge of hope. “That’s all I’m asking for. Time to figure it out together.”

Forrest leaned forward, his voice steady. “I’m in. But, as Sebastian said, we have to be realistic. We need to talk to Jessica. And we need to figure out what a full-time kink relationship means for all of us. It’s not just about play anymore—it’s about trust, communication, and making sure everyone’s needs are met.”

Rowan nodded, feeling a sense of relief. “I know. But I think we can do this, I really do.”

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair. “We’ll talk to her after lunch,” he said, his tone decisive. “And we’ll take it one step at a time.”

Rowan felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he watched his friends, his partners, come to the same realization he had. This wasn’t just about the Ranch or the lifestyle—it was about building something real with Jessica. Something that could last.

“Speaking of one step at a time,” Sebastian said, resting his head in his hands, his elbows on his knees. “I had some ulterior motives when I invited you guys here for this vacation.” He sighed, his shoulders slumped forward and his body the definition of despondency.

Rowan pushed forward, the urge to console his friend or smack him around depending on what he was about to tell them, riding him hard.

“I had an operation a few months back. Heart surgery.”

“For fuck’s sake!” Forrest bit out, pushing up off the chair. “Why the hell are we only hearing about this now? You should have called us when it happened! We would have been there for you, you fucking idiot!”

Rowan sat, immobile, his feelings overwhelming him as he watched Forrest pace up and down.

“Honestly, I was so fucking embarrassed. I was knocked down, and I didn’t know how to handle it. So I hid. And then I hid some more. And while I was hiding, I realized that the one thing I regretted most was not spending more time with you two idiots. I wanted to have you guys here to talk to you about maybe settling down together. Finding a woman to share. I just didn’t think it would happen this soon, and so far away from home.”

“Are you fine now?” Rowan finally asked, pushing the question past the lump in his throat.

“Yeah, I need to watch my diet, and have some medication to take daily, but my prognosis is good.” Sebastian looked straight at Rowan, so much emotion on his face.

“Then it doesn’t matter, does it? We found our girl, we’re all on the same page. Now we just need to get her on it with us.”

As the three men sat together, a sense of purpose settled over them. They had a future to discuss, a future that included Jessica, and for the first time in a long time, Rowan felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.