Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but it was almost like she needed to be given permission to be able to have a toy, to let her Little out.
Hugging the bear, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.
Brand stared at his phone as though he thought that might make it ring.
Why had no one called him?
Should he try calling Jolie? But what if she was resting? Fuck it. He’d never been this indecisive before.
Opening his phone, he thumbed through his messages and emails. He knew he should reply to the messages he’d had from his family, but he just didn’t have the patience for that right now. He sent something quick to his mom so she wouldn’t worry.
He glanced at the time. Fuck, it was getting late. He guessed he wasn’t hearing from Jolie again tonight.
He paced back and forth. He shouldn’t have left without seeing her. Fuck. What if she was really ill and needed him?
He should have gotten Hawkins’ number.
Idiot.
His phone rang and his heart jumped before he saw it was Kelly, his agent.
“Kelly, now isn’t a good time,” he said abruptly.
“I was calling about some PR opportunities for the tour.”
“I’m kind of busy,” he said dismissively. Then something occurred to him. Kelly had been in the lifestyle for a long time.
“You ever heard of Rawhide Ranch in Montana?”
There was a beat of silence. “Funny you should ask, I have. Where are you?”
“In Montana. What do you know about them?” he asked.
“I know they sent through a request to have you play there on the Fourth of July,” Kelly replied.
“They did? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Um, because you don’t do small, private gigs and it just came through.”
“Send it through to me,” he demanded.
“What?” Kelly asked. “Really?”
“Send it to me,” he repeated.
“You can’t be considering doing it. Right, Brand?” Kelly said.
“I want to see it.”
“You can’t agree to something like that without me negotiating your fee and conditions,” Kelly said.
“For fuck’s sake, Kelly. I’m not charging them. There are no fee and conditions.”
“What are you talking about? Wait. Is it for charity? But we’ve only got eight days to set things up. I need to get Press there. Are the rest of the band doing it with you?”
“Not everything is a fucking transaction or for publicity or whatever.”
“So, you just want to play for… for fun?” the other man asked.
“I do know how to have fun.” Or he had once.
“You’re contracted for this tour,” Kelly warned.
“It’s a favor for a friend,” he lied. “I’m allowed to sing for family and friends, right?”
Kelly sighed. “I suppose I could figure something out.”
“Good. Send me the email.”
As soon as it came through, he read it. Surprise filled him as he noted that the email said he could check into the Ranch at any time over the next week.
He immediately replied with his acceptance. Maybe Derek had come through for him after all.
Jolie, I’m coming for you, baby.
CHAPTER 6
“Where’s Jolie?” Brand demanded as soon as he saw Derek Hawkins approach him in the reception area of the Ranch.
He’d just checked in and been given his key card. A quiet, older man called Moses had grabbed his bag for him. Brand guessed he was taking it to his room. He didn’t know and didn’t much care. The other guy could steal his stuff and he wouldn’t give a crap.
All he wanted was to check on Jolie.
Derek stilled, his eyebrows raising.
Yeah, Brand was being a rude jerk.
No, he didn’t much care.
“Look, man. I appreciate the invitation to sing at the picnic or celebration or whatever. And the fact that you let me come stay early. But we both know the real reason I’m here, and it’s not about some free accommodation and a Fourth of July celebration.”
“I know that. But we have some rules here on the Ranch. Come into my office for a moment.”
Brand barely bit back an impatient sigh. Derek waved his hand at a chair and Brand sat, his foot jiggling.
“You don’t look like you got much sleep,” Derek observed.
More like none at all.
That’s why he’d had four coffees already this morning.
“Did you get a chance to read the information that Erika sent you about Rawhide Ranch?”
“Yeah.” It had made for some interesting reading. He hadn’t been aware that places like this one actually existed.
“Then you know our aim is to provide a safe place for Littles and submissives. A place where they can be cared for and protected?”
“Yeah,” he replied. He didn’t like that people needed a place like this, but it was good to know it existed.
It did make him wonder what brought Jolie here. Was she a sub? A Little?
She had to be, right? He couldn’t see her as a Domme. Nah, that didn’t feel right at all.
He’d known he was a Dominant ever since his uncle took him to his first BDSM club back when he was in his early twenties. He was confident he could meet Jolie’s needs if she were a sub.