Page 57 of Kissing Kayley
“Tell your Daddy I’ll take it out of his hide if there’s more to this.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I still might take it out of his hide after I see this darn thing.”
“Thank you!” she squealed and started to run off when he called out to her.
“Hey, it’s not covered with glitter, is it? You know how I feel about glitter.” He waggled a finger at her. “Noglitter, little lady.”
She shook her head. “Nope! No glitter! It’s a horse-shaped disco ball!”
At that she ran off.
Honestly, by this point I was dying and couldn’t hold it in any longer. I…
Well, Ihowled. Hey, even Vic snickered and didn’t bother hiding it.
Derek arched an eyebrow at me but his barely concealed smile betrayed that he wasn’t at all upset. “See what I have to put up with?” he said just loudly enough we could hear him.
“Yeah,” I somehow managed to choke out, now wanting more than I ever dreamed possible to see what a disco horse looked like.
He stepped closer, his voice still low. “And it’s moments like these I viciously defend and protect,” he said. “Hence my initial reluctance about allowing you in.”
He tipped his head in the direction the woman ran off in. “Them. I protect them, and everyone else in my care. If they’re on this Ranch, I’m ultimately responsible for their safety and well-being. Emmy’s Daddy has Lilah under his protection, for now, and they live over on Rawhide Ridge.”
My psychologist suddenly took the reins. “That’s admirable,” I said. “And while I completely understand the safety aspect, you can’t personally shoulder the weight of everyone’s psychological health. That’s determined by factors far beyond your ken, for the most part.”
He grimly smiled. “Tell me what I just ‘begrudgingly’ allowed won’t bring joy to the Littles,” he said. “No, I’m not unrealistic. They absolutely have to do the work to heal themselves, but what I do or don’t do plays a huge role, too, and can mean the difference between them having a safe place to heal and grow and explore, or them ending up in a dark place beyond our ability to help.”
I guess I hadn’t focused on that part of things since we got here, between my own shock and then trying to enjoy my time with Vic and figure out… well,us.
This truly was more than “just” a kinky vacation spot.
I suddenly felt desperate to lighten the mood. “Frankly, you’re an idiot of you don’t ban Malört from the Ranch,” I said. “That stuff’s disgusting.”
Vic winced but Derek laughed. “You and I are in complete agreement on that. But while I can dictate what the unpartnered Littles and even submissives can or can’t do while on the Ranch, I can’t proactively ban everything. Oh, I can choose not to carry or serve it here, but outside of excluding things like illegal drugs, it’d be like trying to ban certain brands of soda and would create unnecessary work for my staff, as well as resentment among guests. I’d rather let people learn some lessons for themselves, as long as it isn’t disruptive to the Ranch’s operations.”
“You want people to touch the stove on their own,” I noted.
His smile widened. “You are very perceptive. It’s also been my experience that, sometimes, those lessons are the ones best learned and most vividly remembered.”
“Not to get up in your business,” I said, dropping my voice, “but please ease my mind and assure me you have qualified mental health professionals working with the people who are under your care.”
“We do,” he said. “And they are experienced dealing with people in the lifestyle, as well as with trauma.” He eyed me.“Although I would never turn down discussing employment if another qualified expert in that field wanted to inquire.”
I shoved away the curious flutter that tickled my brain over the idea. My life was in California. And, unfortunately, intrinsically tied to DC for the indefinite future.
“That’s flattering, but unfortunately not practical for me,” I said. “Not with my current contract and professional obligations.” I belatedly realized why Vic kept swiveling his head as we talked, because I was treading intodon’t blow your coverterritory by discussing this in public, even though no one currently stood close enough to us to overhear.
“But if you ever find you need someone to conduct telehealth consultations,” I added, “I’d be happy to discuss that with you. I’m also experienced dealing with neurodivergent clients, and I use trauma-informed treatment methods. And I would be willing to work on a sliding scale for those who need it.”
He nodded. “Understood, and thanks.” Someone else called for Derek, and he said good-bye to head over and deal with whatever it was.
Vic draped an arm around my shoulders. “Disco horse, huh?” he muttered. “Bet that will be popular around here with some of them.”
I laughed. “I’m sure you’re not wrong.”
CHAPTER 21
Kayley
Over the next two days, we took full advantage of the Ranch amenities, including a visit to the old mine, hiking, and more trail rides. It was fun letting loose and playing cowgirl for a few hours.
