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Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

The next morning dawned bright and clear, sunlight reflecting off the snow and casting a soft glow through the lodge’s windows. Jessica had admired it on her way down to the basement play area, where she quickly took up her favorite spot on a beanbag chair in the corner by a bookshelf holding books and games. She drew her knees up to her chest as she cradled a mug of hot chocolate she’d snuck out of the cafeteria. Strictly speaking, Littles weren’t allowed to bring food and drink down here without proper supervision, but she desperately needed a chocolate hit on a cold wintery morning. She was only too relieved that classes were closed for the holiday season because just the thought of having to sit at one of the desks made her groan.

She watched as a few other Littles settled in with some toys, their caregivers watching over them, but she was happy in her corner. It was peaceful here—safe. But even in the quiet warmth of the lodge, Jessica couldn’t quite shake the feeling of being on edge.

The night before had been fun—more fun than she’d expected. Sebastian, Rowan, and Forrest had been kind, playful and so easy to be around. They hadn’t pushed her, hadn’t pried into her personal life like others sometimes did. Instead, they had simply included her, making her feel like part of their group without the pressure to be more than she was ready for.

Still, a part of her remained guarded. She knew better than to let her walls down too quickly.

As much as she liked them, Jessica couldn’t forget that she barely knew these men. The weight of her past hung heavily over her, a constant reminder of what trust had cost her before. Her parents had controlled every part of her life, using their authority to manipulate and abuse her until she’d felt trapped in her own skin. Even after nearly a year at the Ranch and months of therapy with Mrs. Cat—which is how most Littles addressed Dr. Catherine Denten– the scars ran deep. Trusting people—especially men as large as her father—was still hard, no matter how far she’d come.

“Hey, Jessie!”

Jessica jumped, startled out of her thoughts as Rowan’s voice broke through the quiet. She turned and found him walking toward her, his usual wide grin in place, with Sebastian and Forrest trailing behind him. All three of them looked relaxed, dressed casually in jeans and sweaters, as if they had no care in the world.

She felt a sudden urge to slip away, to retreat back into the safety of her room. Pretend she didn’t see them. But there was something about these men that made her want to stay, even if a small part of her wanted to flee.

“Morning, little one,” Rowan said, his tone softening as he reached her. “You’re up early.”

Sebastian gave her a small smile as he sat down on the couch nearby, his presence solid and calming. Forrest followed settling on the other side of Sebastian, his quiet demeanor offering reassurance without needing words. Rowan dropped into the beanbag chair across from her, still beaming.

Jessica managed a shy smile in return, her fingers tightening around her mug. “Yeah, I like the mornings. It’s peaceful.”

“Peaceful’s good,” Sebastian said, his deep voice rumbling in a way that made her feel oddly safe. “I’m still waking up. But you seem like you’ve been up for hours.”

“I don’t sleep much,” Jessica admitted, her voice barely a whisper. “Not ever, really.”

The words had slipped out before she could stop them, and immediately, she felt a pang of regret. She hadn’t meant to say that. She hadn’t meant to share anything at all.

Rowan, ever perceptive, tilted his head, his smile fading just a little. “Bad dreams?”

Jessica shrugged, staring down at her mug as if it held all the answers. “Sometimes.” What she didn’t say, not even when she was young, she didn’t sleep well because she always had to be aware of what her parents were up to. And if her dad ever came home in a foul mood, it would be safer for her to hide, than to even stay in bed.

There was a long moment of silence, and she felt their eyes on her, watching but not judging. They didn’t ask questions, didn’t push her to explain further. And for that she was grateful.

“It’s okay, Jessie,” Forrest said softly, his voice like a gentle breeze. “You don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready to.”

His words hit her hard, a wave of relief washing over her at the simple understanding. They weren’t here to force her to open up. They were just... here. Waiting. Giving her space to be herself. Whatever that meant.

“Thanks,” she murmured, still not meeting their eyes. Her heart beat a little faster and she took a sip of her rapidly cooling drink to steady her nerves.

The truth was, she had enjoyed playing with them last night. They had been playful and fun, treating her with a care she wasn’t used to from men. There was no sense of danger with them, no undercurrent of manipulation or control. It had been easy to laugh with them, to join in the games without fear of getting hurt.

But that didn’t mean her walls would come down easily. She had spent so long building them up, piece by piece after everything she had been through. It wasn’t something that could be undone overnight, no matter how kind these men seemed.

Still, a part of her wanted to try.

“Do you want to hang out with us today?” Rowan asked after a beat, his tone casual, like he wasn’t offering her anything more than a simple invitation. “We’re going for a horseback ride later, if the snow stays away, and then maybe join the snowman building competition this afternoon.”

Jessica couldn’t help but steal a glance at each of them as they sat there waiting for her to answer. She hadn’t allowed herself to appreciate it before, but now, in the quiet of the morning, she took in the way they looked. Even though she’d only met them yesterday, she could tell each of them had a presence that was hard to ignore, though in very different ways.

Forrest, with his laid-back surfer-boy vibe, seemed like he had just stepped off the beach, despite it being cold outside. His sandy-blonde hair fell casually across his forehead, and his sun-kissed skin gave him an almost golden glow. There was something easy about him—his smile, his mannerisms. Yet there was an undercurrent of steel. Something in the way he moved told Jessica in no uncertain terms, this man was not to be crossed. But even with that steel backbone, there was a warmth to him that made her feel safe around him. Perhaps it was because of that steel backbone that she felt so safe. Jessica realized Forrest made her feel like he would protect her above all else.

Then there was Rowan. His dark skin contrasted sharply with the soft light from the fireplace, making him stand out in the best possible way. He had an energy about him, vibrant and alive, as if every moment was an adventure waiting to happen. His African heritage only added to his striking looks—chocolate brown eyes that always seemed to sparkle with mischief when she saw him, and a grin that lit up the entire room. Rowan made everything seem like fun, even when Jessica was too nervous to fully let go. Just being around him made her feel like maybe it was okay to laugh, to enjoy herself and just be Little.

And last, but most certainly not least, Sebastian. His presence was more subtle but somehow more commanding. He had that relaxed CEO vibe that spoke of someone who was used to being in charge but didn’t need to flaunt it. His dark hair was neatly styled, but there was a casualness to him, especially when he smiled. His broad shoulders and quiet confidence drew her in, and when he spoke in that deep voice, Jessica couldn’t help but listen. There was a safety in Sebastian’s calm, like nothing could go wrong as long as he was there.

Jessica didn’t often think about men this way—hadn’t allowed herself to for fear of getting hurt. But as she looked at them now, she couldn’t deny that there was something that drew her to them that went far deeper than physical attractiveness which they all had in spades. It made her nervous in a way she couldn’t quite explain, but also curious. She knew they weren’t like her dad and other men like him. These three wouldn’t try to hurt her or control her in a way she didn’t want. They were different. Still, her heart warred with her mind, making her unsure of how much she should allow herself to feel.

Her gaze lingered a moment longer on each of them before she glanced away, feeling her cheeks flush. What was she thinking? They were just being kind, giving her space to breathe, to heal. She wasn’t ready for more than that. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

But the temptation to let down her guard, even just a little, gnawed at her.

Rowan’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “So, what do you say? Want to hang with us today?”

Jessica hesitated, the invitation hanging in the air. Part of her wanted to say yes, to trust that she could have fun with them again, without worrying. Another part—the bigger part—told her to be careful, to keep her distance.

She glanced back at them—Forrest’s easy grin, Rowan’s bright eyes, and Sebastian’s calm, steady presence. They weren’t pushing her. They didn’t seem like they ever would unless she asked them to.

Finally, she nodded, offering them a small smile. “I’d like that,” she said, surprising herself with how much she meant it.

Forrest’s grin widened, Rowan whooped, and Sebastian gave her a nod, his eyes warm and welcoming.

“Great! We’ll make sure it’s a fun day,” Rowan said with a wink.

Jessica laughed softly, feeling the familiar nervous flutter in her stomach, but this time, it wasn’t just fear. For the first time in a long time, she felt a little hopeful. Maybe spending time with these men could help her heal. Maybe it could be more than just fun.

Maybe... just maybe it could be the start of something new.

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