Page 8 of Ride With Me
Well, look at that. It seemed like there were some things Savannah was willing to talk about. Maybe there was a hint of a chance here.
“So, you do know about horses,” I confirmed.
“Well… yes.” Savannah admitted, her volume decreasing back to her usual soft voice. “I… yes.”
I forced myself to stay an arm’s length away from Savannah, even as I wanted to put an arm around her and hold her close. I didn’t want her to close up again.
“So here’s my ask. I need someone—like you—who knows about horses to come and stay at the ranch. With me. Until Lena has the foal. So that you can help with all of this. You know better than anyone that it can happen any time, day or night.” I reached my hand out to tilt her face up to meet my eyes, then stopped. I didn’t want to spook her. I dropped my hand into my lap. “Please? For Lena.”
Savannah’s usual blush was firing up again. “I guess… I can help.” She swallowed, nodding, as emotions warred on her face. “Yes, I can help.”
“Thank you, doll. It means more than you know.”
It did, too. I was immensely grateful for her help. But even more, it meant everything that she was talking to me. Opening up, even just a little. That she was willing to come and stay at the ranch with me for a little bit.
“You’re welcome,” Savannah whispered.
“One catch though,” I continued. I crossed my fingers that this wouldn’t be pushing too far. “I need to know that I can trust you to tell me things, to let me know when you need help, when things are too much for you. I know you’ve got a wall there, love. I’m not trying to break it. Just to make sure you know how to open the door when you need to.”
I watched her face pale slightly, saw her hitch of breath. Yeah, this idea terrified her. What was she so scared of?
I kept going before she could back out. “Here is what we’ll do, should you consent to it. I’d like to do a scene with you tonight. Maybe some rope, since it seemed like that worked well for us before. And there will be some questions for you, to practice communicating. You don’t have to answer everything,” I added, as her eyes grew even wider, “but you do need to show me you can communicate. If you aren’t comfortable answering something, you need to say the words. Do you think you can do that?” I looked at her, going in for the kill. “For Lena?”
7
Savannah
Crap.Hewasn’tplayingfair. This was my chance to scene with Logan again, something I’d been fantasizing about for months. And he needed help with a horse. Horses were my weak spot. I couldn’t say no to a horse that needed me.
Not after Ace.
I swallowed hard, pushing down the butterflies that had reappeared in my stomach. “Okay, Sir.”
“Good girl.” Logan smiled. “Now, tell me your safe words.”
These were the easy questions. “Um, red, for stop. Yellow for slow down.”
“And do you have something you would like to use when you’re not comfortable answering a question?”
I didn’t, not really. No Dom had ever offered me the option of not answering. I shrugged, shaking my head while I kept my gaze on my lap.
“Now, doll, that’s your current response when you don’t want to talk. We’re going to find something you can say out loud. How about ‘I’m not ready to share’?” Logan’s voice was patient, kind.
I could do this. “Okay, Sir,” I whispered.
“Try it, love,” he prodded.
“I’m not—I’m not ready. To share.” I repeated the words back. They weren’t exactly comfortable, but it was something. I wouldn’t have to spill all my secrets.
“Good girl. Would you prefer to do a scene in the main play area? Or would you feel more comfortable in a private room?” Logan studied me, then nodded. “Okay, love. You don’t have to answer that. I think the best option might be a theme room. It will be a little out of the way, so there’s not a big audience, but it won’t be too secluded. Does that sound okay?”
I managed to nod. What had he seen on my face? He was right, but how did he know?
“All right, love. Follow me.”
Logan stood from the couch and held his hand out to me. He walked us through the play area, weaving around scenes and equipment, and to the hallway where the theme rooms were located. He paused by the first door. “Are you still up for some rope play, Savannah?”
I peered inside the room. The light was low and warm. There was a scaffold in the center, with attachment points for rope bondage. Several coils of rope in a rainbow of colors were lined up against the left-hand wall.
