Page 1 of Caging Cessie
PROLOGUE
The late afternoon sun cast long golden streaks across the polished wood floor. The aroma of leather was faint compared to the verdant scents carried on the breeze through the open window as Jared Stark scanned the application.
“You’re hesitating.” Derek leaned back, his own copy of the application on his lap. He’d read it, analyzed it, and was now simply waiting.
“I don’t know about them.”
“What’s concerning?”
“They’re a couple.” Jared tapped the application.
“Yes, they are.”
“A couple whose relationship is about to fall apart. We help people heal, not give them a place to have a breakup fight.”
“You think they’re so broken they can’t be put back together?”
Jared sighed. “I know, I know. You always believe everyone can heal.”
“But you don’t?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then why are you thinking about turning them down?”
“Because I wonder if the only way for”—Jared paused to check the application—“Leon and Cessie to heal is to walk away from one another.”
Derek shook his head. “And my gut is telling me what they need is to walktowardeach other. There’s no better place for them to realize that’s what they need than here at the Ranch.”
CHAPTER 1
Two Years Before the Cage
The sun had just crested over the Malibu hills, making the adobe tile roof of Las Palmas appear carmine red while the white walls were painted pale gold with light as Leon and Cessie stepped out into the still-cool morning.
Cessie, her long hair now loose and tousled from the night's scene, was tucked against Leon’s side. She was almost leaning on him as they walked, a soft, serene smile on her face. He loved her like this—relaxed, happy, content. He wished he could help her find this place every day, but his Cessie was wound too tight—and pulled in too many directions—to easily find this headspace.
So far, the only surefire way of helping her let go and relax was a hard BDSM scene.
Leon’s hand rested possessively at the small of her back, guiding her toward the car. When she tipped her head, cheek on his shoulder, he kissed her hair.
“Tonight was perfect,” Cessie murmured.
Leon knew his smile was shifting from soft to smug as he opened the passenger door.
“You did well, baby. Letting go like that—trusting me.” His thumb brushed along the side of her jaw as she climbed into the car, and she paused, leaning into his touch for a moment before letting her butt hit the seat.
He stowed their bags in the trunk before sliding into the driver’s seat.
“How can I feel both heavy and light?” she mused.
“You’re melting into the seat,” he teased as he turned the car on.
She’d put on her seatbelt and reclined just enough that she could lie back and close her eyes.
“I’m one with the car.” Her dramatic intonation made him chuckle.
When he turned to look over his shoulder as he reversed, he skimmed his hand over her chest, collarbone and bare neck before bracing his hand on the back of her seat.
