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CHAPTER 4

PIERCE

Three weeks. Three rules. Simple in theory if I could get Charlee on board. My fireplace was a wood-pellet stove and she was splayed out in front of it. She fit into my life better than I hoped. Leaving her side to go into the kitchen I surveyed what I had. Fixing lunch of toasted sourdough bread, smoked turkey and white cheddar cheese plus lettuce and tomatoes kept my hands occupied. Charlee entered the kitchen about fifteen minutes later.

“I’m all cozy now. Do you want me to set the table?”

“Sure, sweetheart. Feel free to explore my cabinets. You don’t need a step stool to reach anything.” I winked. She moved around the room with ease, seemingly more carefree than she’d been a little while ago. Admiring her curves for longer than appropriate, I saw her smirk.

“Sandwiches look yummy. Did you make the bread yourself?”

“No, but I wish I had baking skills. Do you know how to make bread?”

Charlee grinned as she finished setting napkins and kettle chips on the table. “I do! Heaven Leigh taught me. She had a class a few months ago. We learned a few basic recipes: sourdough, rye, biscuits and then a fancy one! We made braided breadsticks.”

“I’ve never tried to bake anything more complicated than chocolate chip cookies. Was it hard to do?”

“No, it wasn’t too hard. I enjoyed punching down the dough after it doubled. I think it’s my most favorite part,” she said as she flopped into the seat grinning.

Carrying the sandwich plates to the table, I nodded at the condiments. “Thanks, sweetheart. Maybe you can show me sometime.”

“Maybe. I think it would be fun.”

Taking a few minutes to add mayo and mustard to the bread I thought about the best way to dig into our rules conversation. “Have you ever followed rules?” I asked directly.

“Sure, I have a driver’s license. My first job was in retail. I had lots of rules to follow there.”

Technically she was correct, but Charlee knew what I’d been asking. Taking a generous bite of my sandwich, I chewed and swallowed. Though she didn’t know, the urge to scoop her out of her seat and manhandle her across my thighs for the remainder of our conversation was growing. I adjusted my question and asked almost the same thing. “Have you had to follow rules in a romantic relationship or any sort of Dominant and submissive dynamic?”

“Not really. You asked me last night if I’ve ever had a Dom. I have not had someone focus their priority solely on me. However, there have been people in my life who have held me accountable for different tasks and such. So, I understand the basic dynamic but I haven’t been in one.”

“What sort of ways were you held accountable?”

Charlee took her first bite of the sandwich, her eyes rolling back in her head. “Oh, wow. I can’t believe this is turkey and cheese. It’s delicious!”

“I bet it’s the turkey. My friend owns a smoker. I’m spoiled. I won’t buy it from the deli anymore. Now get back on track, Charlee.”

“It’s so yummy. I’ve never eaten a sandwich that made me want to savor every bite! Mmmm. Okay, back to our topic,” she babbled sweetly. “I’ve been held accountable via lines. Writing lines I mean. Hmmm? What else?” Charlee looked deep in thought. “Oh, yeah. I’ve had my mouth soaped for cursing.”

“Here?” I asked curiously. There were certain places that had specific rules such as no curse words, but they were mainly only where Littles gathered. As Charlee kept saying she was not Little it was important to clarify.

“Yeah. Here on the Ranch. I don’t know if you know this or not but Professor Kai does not like the rules being broken. Especially in Study Hall and if you’ve already been told more than once. I should have known he was serious after two sets of lines. Haven goes there a lot and she warned me too. I didn’t listen. I argued that I shouldn’t have to follow the rules if I’m not Little. But that didn’t fly.”

“Kai is a stickler for rules. Are you friends with Taz?” I asked about Haven’s sister. She was Kai’s Little girl.

“I guess we are. Sorta. She’s great, but I’ve been keeping to myself even before she moved here. I’ve been meaning to get out of my bubble. I don’t fit in.” She sighed, setting her sandwich down.

I very much wanted to ask her why she’d chosen to become a professor on a Ranch that catered to different types of dynamics if she truly believed she wouldn’t fit in but it would prolong the back and forth. We needed to establish rules now so that she knew I was serious. “Have you ever been spanked, sweetheart?”

“On the Ranch?” She raised her eyebrows.

“Answer the question.”

“Yeah, obviously.”

The sass in her she usually tossed in my direction was replaced with something that sounded like longing.

“Not enough,” I muttered and leaned forward. “For the next three weeks the most important thing is to rest and heal, Charlee. You’ll follow the doctor’s instructions along with mine. No overexerting yourself.”

“Hang on, Pierce. Will you please write the rules down for me? I’m not used to this at all.”

“Good idea.” I walked into the den, grabbed a notebook and pen from one of the side tables and returned. I wrote down the first rule I’d said verbally. “Second rule: you’ll listen to me and obey my guidance. Trust that I’ll take care of you.”

Charlee fretted as she chewed on her thumbnail. “Obedience is not something I’m well-versed in.”

“I don't want blind obedience. Your limits are important to me. Your boundaries too. But I expect you to listen. Will you do that for me?”

Charlene matched my posture leaning across the table and setting her non-injured hand on my arm. “What happens if I don’t listen?”

“We’re getting there. Please answer.” I kept my eyes on her for a few more seconds before jotting down the rule in her new notebook. It was teal and sparkly, much like the throw pillows I’d seen on the loveseat in her bedroom.

“I’ll listen as much as my ears allow,” she muttered.

“As much as your ears…” I licked my lips. “Hmmm? Not convinced of my dedication to this yet?”

“Maybe not. I still appreciate the effort.”

Shaking my head, I continued writing. “Third rule: Respect boundaries. This goes for myself and for you. Communicate with me if anything feels off and I’ll do the same.”

Charlee appeared stressed, and I hated that. Before I could ask if she wanted to clarify, she stood up. Instead of running as I thought she might do, she dragged her plate across the table and nudged my knee.

“May I sit with you? I’m really overthinking. I want to finish eating while I process the implications.”

“Yes, right here.” Patting my thigh I waited for her to join me. She stared into my eyes a moment before resigning to perch on my lap. Shifting, I pulled her closer. “I want to keep track of how often you’re icing your wrist and taking pain medication.”

“That would be very helpful. Thank you, Pierce. For more than I can say.”

“You’re welcome, Charlee.”

We ate in silence but it was a comfortable stretch as she rested her head on my shoulder. She occasionally took bites of the remaining half of her sandwich. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a stalling technique but I gave her the moment.

“I’ll agree but only under one condition,” she said, turning to face me completely, her legs straddling my thighs.

“I have a condition of my own, sweetheart. Go on, and then I’ll tell you mine.”

“If I’m following your rules it’s got to be crystal clear to everyone that I’m not Little. I will not be subjected to the rules Littles follow on the Ranch simply because I’m allowing you to be my Dom. I am not now nor will I ever be Little. Not in size, shape, form, mind or in any way it matters.”

I cupped her face, grazing my thumb along her cheekbone. I had been thinking of a nickname or term of endearment I could call her without using the word she had a visceral reaction to. “Rules are meant to be followed. If they are posted, you will respect them. Regardless of your headspace. Am I clear?”

“But if I’m not–” Charlee shut her mouth. She seemed to mull over her thoughts for once. “Yes, I understand you. I’ll do my best to follow all the rules posted. But that’s not quite fair.”

“In addition to my rules, starlet, I’d like to prove your theory true. Trust me to explore ageplay with you. You don’t have to be into ageplay to be Little,” I clarified though I was fairly certain she knew that. “Might as well give it a few chances so you can see how unpleasant it is. Especially since you’re not interested in the mindset.”

Her eyes narrowed, probably for more than one reason. I hoped the pet name brought warmth to her body rather than an irritating feeling. If she loathed the idea, I wouldn’t push. I truly believed Charlee was Little in her heart and that’s where it mattered.

“Since you’d like to disprove what I’m saying then I’m going to assume you explored being a submissive.”

Her smug smirk was going to get her in trouble.

“I did.” Her jaw dropped and I gently closed her mouth with my finger. “It’s not for me,” I continued. “But before wiping it completely off the table I did try it with more than one person whom I trusted. You’ve completely disregarded what I’ve mentioned.” I reveled in the satisfaction of the smile disappearing off her face as if I’d wiped it away with my thumb.

She squirmed on my lap but her pupils were huge. “I think perhaps what you said may be a not truth.”

“Are you calling me a liar, starlet?”

“No, Pierce. I find it hard to believe you gave submission a spin since you’re so dominant all the time. But I could be wrong.”

“Whether I liked it or not is a different story. Tell me about the spankings you received. Were they only for discipline?”

“Yes, I think so. It happened a few times with a paddle and once with a strap but I was never over someone’s knee.” She blew out a long breath. “I’ve thought about what that would feel like.”

“All right, I’ll keep that in mind. Here’s what’s going to happen now. We are going to the Ranch gift shop to pick out some clothes and a few other special objects. No arguing.”

She pursed her lips but didn’t react verbally.

“Other than what you’ve shared do you have any hard limits, starlet?”

“No, Pierce.”

“It’s important to let me know if I find a limit or if something changes. And remember, that condition I mentioned earlier?” I asked.

Charlee twirled a piece of her hair around her pointer finger. “Yes?”

“I want you to call me Daddy. If I’m punishing you, it’s expected. All other times? It’s optional.”

Her eyes grew impossibly larger, her head bobbing several times. “I will work on referring to you as Daddy instead of Pierce. I’ll probably mess up a bunch even if you’re punishing me but I’ll try my best.”

She was adorable. I knew she’d try because her entire demeanor changed while we discussed rules. “I appreciate that.”

“I thought… I thought you could only have a Daddy if you’re a Little.”

“Anyone can have a Daddy. It’s a role, starlet. I’m not seeking perfection. I’d like you to try to do what I tell you. That’s all I’m asking.” I rubbed her shoulder, wanting to comfort her.

“That’s good to know,” she said offhandedly but something else played across her face. “What if the shop doesn't have anything in my size?”

“Let’s focus on finding clothes that make you smile.”

“Okay, before we leave I just thought of something. How are you going to enact these rules and consequences if I’m on the Ranch and you’re at your house?”

It was an excellent question, one I hadn’t thought about yet. “You can stay here as often as you want.”

“Or you can come stay in my apartment sometimes,” she offered. “It’s not as roomy, but we are in crunch time for the production. There are a lot of late-night practices and last-minute set stuff to handle. I’m not directing, but I’m heavily involved.” She slid backward off my lap.

“I’ll pack a bag. We can duke it out after the gift shop,” I said standing up and tapping my finger off her nose.

Charlee smiled sweetly then glanced at her feet. “Do you really think I have the potential to be somebody special in your life? I mean even without all the mindset stuff,” she mumbled toward the floor.

“You’re already somebody special, Charlee.” I tipped her chin up, a gesture I seemed to do a lot with her. “I care about you very much, and I want you to be happy. Whatever that looks like for you, I’d like to be part of it.”

“I think you’re talking about longer than three weeks.”

“Yes, babygirl. I am. No more overthinking today.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I’ll tell my brain to chillax.”

“Good girl.” I swallowed around the lump in my throat that kept making an appearance. It wouldn’t be easy to convince her, I knew that. But damn if I wasn’t going to try. I didn’t half ass anything and from the way her productions ran, I knew she didn’t either.