Page 4 of Liberating Lena

I chuckled. “How on earth did you manage to figure out who to reach out to? And Cade no less—we are casual acquaintances at best.”

Derek had eyes that could switch from casual humor to intense Alpha in a nanosecond. “The rest of the questionnaire gave me plenty of clues as to where to look,” he answered.

“I guess that is how your security man at the gate, Jacob, knew my full name. Mystery solved. I should have expected it, and I’m sorry for the cloak-and-dagger, but I’m well known and striving for anonymity during my stay here.”

Derek looked thoughtful. “Here we are.” He pulled up in front of a quaint cabin that looked exactly like the one I’d chosen online.

“Listen, Ethan, I have no problem with your request, but if you plan on involving yourself with anyone here, I expect you to be up front and honest about who you are and what you’re looking for, play or otherwise.” He gave me what I could only refer to as an “arch” look. The one Alphas everywhere had perfected with a single brow lifted and held, which I had no doubt made the knees of Littles and submissives knock.

“That won’t be a problem. This trip is about regrouping, learning to see and hear better. No, I’m not the big-bad wolf, but sometimes I feel like it. I’m working on being still and being fully available to a submissive.”

Derek nodded his head. “I’m glad to hear it. Seek me out if you need anything, Mr. Reacher. Enjoy your time at Rawhide.”

“Ethan, please, and thank you, Derek. I truly appreciate the one-on-one.” I meant it, too. Derek waved as he drove off. I used the card scanner as he’d shown me and entered the cabin. To the right of the door was a suitcase stand, where I immediately placed my largest case.

Under the big picture window was an L-shaped couch with a couple of plaid blankets tossed across the back rather than precisely folded. The effect offered a much homier feeling and seemed to evoke a sense of welcome, come sit, take a load off and relax. I dropped my carry-on there. Across from the couch sat a decent-sized flat screen on a rustic stand which held a few books and a copy of the Ranch rules.

Behind that was a bachelor-pad-sized kitchen. Who knew, maybe I’d find time to cook here. I found the activity soothing, but back in the city there had been little time to indulge. To the right was a closed door. I opened it to a well-appointed although rustic bedroom with a large birch bed in the center.The bedcovering carried on the plaid theme as did the matching curtains.

There were two doors opposite each other, one leading to a small walk-in closet while the other led to the bathroom which housed a shower for two as well as a soaker tub. I suddenly hoped I’d get to share that with another person during my stay.

The place was perfect for my two-week stay. When I’d booked, two weeks seemed almost too long to be away from the city and my company, but now that I was here, I was already negotiating with myself to stay longer.

I quickly unpacked and changed into a pair of Wranglers and a white tee and grabbed a book from the stand in the living room then headed outside to break in the hammock. I sank into the netting, the warmth of the sun heating the lower half of my body, the upper part shaded by the generous branches of the tree the hammock was tied to. I released a big sigh. This was the beginning of what I hoped would be a return to me. Cracking open the book, I couldn't hold back the smile that tugged at my lips. This felt right. Coming to Rawhide filled me with a sense of hope I’d been missing for months.

Whatever else needed to happen, I would take it in stride. No way would I rush, push or check out. This was my reset and I promised myself right there under the big Montana sky that was exactly what would happen.

CHAPTER 3

Lena

I woke before the sun rose, excited and a little nervous about my first day. I could hear Carrie outside my door moving through the space and visualized her making coffee and taking advantage of the stillness to do her morning meditation. She had a lovely spot in the living room where she’d set up a yoga mat. A singing bowl had been placed at one end, a few rocks and crystals were scattered along the edges, and completing her little serenity place, was a happy looking spider plant.

I showered and dressed in the uniform provided and with a last look in the mirror, left the safety of my bedroom. Sure enough, Carrie was sitting on her mat, a steaming cup of java before her and she was shuffling cards. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat on the couch.

“Good morning, Lena, why don’t you join me.”

I slid to the floor and scooched over the two feet to sit close.

“What exactly are you doing?” I peered over her shoulder at the cards in her hands.

“These are called intention cards. Basically, you shuffle until you feel a pull or a card pops out of the deck and that is what your focus should be for the rest of the day. Look, I got ‘Faith’.”

She handed me the card and I read the message, “Everything I need always comes.” Hmm, interesting.

“Want to try?” Before I could answer, she handed me the deck. “Now close your eyes and concentrate on what you need or want.”

I shuffled the deck, my thoughts shifting from Daniel to what I wanted. To feel safe in play with the hopes of one day finding the right Dom who offered the balance of protocol and love that I so desperately needed. A card popped out of the deck, just like Carrie said it would. I silently read the card’s face.

Abundance–follow the Tao and serve something beyond the ego. Be abundant, do not chase it.

It was Carrie’s turn to lean over my shoulder. She smiled when she read the message. “What a great message for your first day. Does it resonate?”

Resonate? What the heck did that mean? “Uh, I guess so?”

Carrie giggled at my confusion. “I’m asking, does that sound accurate?”

“Oh. Yes. I, uh, have been on my own for almost two years. Before that, I spent six months with a Dom. Let’s just say my time with him left some scars and I’m here to… well, for a lot of reasons actually.”

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