Page 7 of Ranch Rules

“What...” She licked her dry lips. “What is that thing?”

“This?” He tugged a bit on the implement, his expression innocuous. “It’s called a tawse.”

“What does it... I mean, what is it for?”

She watched the men exchange a look, and suddenly, she knew she didn’t want to hear the answer.

It was Nate who answered. “It’s to keep our guests in line.”

Natalie was very good at schooling her expression. She’d always been gifted at keeping her thoughts off her face, and a career in law only honed the skill. She turned her attention to Nate, and gave him a once-over that was at once discreet, but thorough. He was attractive, rugged where Thomas was all-American good looks.

“Are all the workers here former Calvin Klein models?” She grinned, hoping to lighten the mood.

No such luck. Both men’s expressions remained somber.

“Please, take a seat.” Nate gestured toward the chair opposite his desk, but his voice made it clear it wasn’t an invitation. It was an order.

What choice did she have? She minced toward the chair and took a seat, though her butt was propped on the very edge in case she needed to make a hasty getaway.

Nate followed and leaned against the desk, his arms folded across his chest, looking every inch the scolding papa as he surveyed her.

She could feel Thomas move behind the chair, though she refused to look at him. Why bother, when all she would see was the same disapproving scowl? She hadn’t liked it when she saw it the first time.

“I think it’s time we discuss the rules of Discipline Ranch,” Nate began.

Natalie swallowed hard. Something told her she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. But she strove to keep her voice light nonetheless. “I take it this isn’t your typical spa, huh?”

Nate’s brow furrowed. “Spa? Who told you that?”

Now that she thought about it, she wasn’t quite sure where she’d gotten that idea. “A girl can hope, right?”

He offered a small smile. “Well, sorry to say this isn’t anything like a spa. In fact, it’s not your typical vacation spot in any respect.”

“Then how do you stay in business?” Her curious nature took over, despite her misgivings. “You seem to do well. You must offer something people want.”

“You could say that.”

“Well? I’m dying of suspense over here.”

Thomas cleared his throat from behind her, directing her attention to him. “The service we offer is discipline.”

“Discipline,” she echoed, drawing the word out slowly.

“Yes.”

“I don’t understand,” she said, though her eyes were inexplicably drawn back to the hanging implements, her brain screaming at her that she was being dense in a way that defied her advanced education.

“People come here, or are sent here, when there is a specific need in their lives for—”

“Discipline,” she completed Nate’s sentence.

He nodded.

Even as she saw it, she was shaking her own head. “But I don’t need... I mean, I didn’t come here for... I thought I was going to a spa.”

“I’m not sure where she got that idea,” Thomas interjected to Nate.

“Well, we have a hose.”

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