Page 12

Ethan

It was important that when Lena entered the playroom, the mood set the stage. I was very aware of how Daniel had made everything a cold aesthetic. My goal was to create a warm inviting space.

A few large feather boas, super soft mittens, and array of more goods were set out throughout the room, not systematically as if laying out a line of toys but scattered to blend in with the decor to create a movie setting to fulfill her fantasy.

I wanted this scene to be nothing like Daniel would have done.

This would incite an opening of space for her, or at least I hoped so.

The room was dimly illuminated with a soft amber glow.

I had music with no lyrics playing and nothing jazz, more nature sounds mixed with classical melodies.

A large leather bench decorated with ultra-soft blankets and fur was in the center of the room A makeup table with Edison bulbs surrounding the mirror, and vases of flowers and others of tall-stemmed feathers were interspersed with these throughout the room.

Billowy fabrics hung and gently stirred with the air in the room.

On one wall was a starry sky through a picture window, provided by a projector I’d rented just for tonight.

Both huge and small pillows were dispersed around the room and a large chaise lounge with more blankets, cushions and fake furs strewn artfully on top and around the base waited to be enjoyed.

I stood back and admired the finished product.

There was no way she wouldn’t love this.

I had just enough time to go back to the cabin and prepare myself before meeting the lovely Lena for dinner.

I was way out of my element, but with the help of Carrie and a few other Ranch regulars, we’d made my vision come to life.

As I exited, one of the DMs wished me good luck.

I smiled and waved my thanks. An energy ignited inside of me, and positivity wrapped me in a blanket.

It was how I felt when a deal was about to go my way, but this was so much better because it wasn’t a deal.

It was my life, her life, and maybe the beginning of a life together.

I prepared like I would for any large event in my life, carefully and with precision. Nothing would trigger Lena, not if I could help it. She deserved pleasure without pain and humiliation. She wasn’t only an incredible submissive, but an amazing woman and it was time someone reminded her of that.

I carefully groomed before donning my leathers.

Here I could just be me and there was no need to hide what I was outside of the Dungeon.

Hopefully, Lena felt the same as she had yet to see me dressed as a Dom.

The few times I’d been in the Dungeon before our agreement I’d worn black but that was as far as my outfit went.

Tonight, she’d be seeing a different Ethan, and I truly hoped she liked what she saw.

I stepped out of my lodgings and saw Derek sitting in a golf cart right outside my door. He wore a knowing smirk and waved me over. “This is unexpected. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“A little birdy told me what you set up for Lena. I wanted to say thank you.”

I couldn't have been more surprised and remained silent.

“Well, that and offer you a ride. It’s still pretty warm and that outfit can’t be too comfortable.”

That was more like what I expected to come out of his mouth. “That little birdy must have a loud tweet to have reached such esteemed ears.”

Derek chuckled. “You could say that. Climb in.” He backed out and rumbled along the path to the Ranch’s main lodge. “So, why the serious Dungeon play outfit, when the setting is so soft and serene?”

“You saw it?”

He nodded. “I did.”

“Lena is attracted to strength, but she fears being overpowered. I’m channeling the strength that attracts her and showing that it doesn’t have to overpower but be a dance of two.”

“I like that, Ethan.”

“Good now maybe you’d like to tell me why you're thanking me.”

“Because I’ve read her file. Because her brokenness and strength leapt off her application and hit me hard, and because she deserves the best and I believe your intentions toward her are pure. The only question remains, will it be enough?”

“For her? I hope so.”

Derek pulled in front of the lodge. “Not just for her, Ethan, but for you as well.”

I stepped out of the cart. Derek missed his calling. He would have made a great negotiator; one I would have loved being pitted against. “I guess we’ll see.”

Derek nodded and pulled away.

His words didn’t unsettle me, they had the opposite effect and I felt more ready than ever to show Lena what honor, love and respect meant in a scene.

Overpowering a woman, taking her gift for granted, these were not the acts of an honorable Dom and after tonight she’d know the real deal.

Everything up to this evening had been to help her open up and set herself free from fear and the past. Tonight was all about her.

My hand slid to my pocket where I kept the softest strip of leather.

I’d had it for a long time, since joining the lifestyle, just waiting for the perfect person to wear it.

Taking a deep breath, and stepping across the threshold into the lodge’s lobby, I left my expectations behind and became fully present in the moment.

I took the steps to her suite. Carrie answered when I knocked.

“You look dashing tonight. Your fair maiden awaits,” she said with a giggle and pushed the door open. Standing a few feet behind her was Lena, dressed all in white and looking like a sexy angel.

I gulped, my eyes roaming over her body. A flared pleated white mini skirt fell mid-thigh. And what a pair of thighs. I followed her naked skin down to frilly tops of a pair of white stockings that showed off her shapely legs. Encasing her feet were a pair of thick wedge-heeled Mary Janes.

My eyes roamed back up and I almost salivated at the few tempting inches of skin exposed between the stockings and the skirt.

Her top was a button up with the top four buttons open, plunging down between her ripe breasts.

Her curly hair was in a mop on top of her head with a few tendrils spiraling down and framing her high cheekbones.

She was bare of jewelry and was the epitome of every man's fantasy. I couldn’t stop gaping.

“Wow.” I’d finally found my tongue. “Lena, you are stunning. I’m honored.” A beautiful blush added color to her pale cheeks.

“Thank you, Sir. You look nice too.”

Oh, she was far beyond looking nice .

“Our reservation awaits, sweet girl, are you ready?”

She nodded. Stepping forward, Lena gave Carrie a hug, who winked at me over Lena’s shoulder.

“I hope you two have a magical evening,” she said, closing the door behind us.

We took the elevator down and walked slowly to the Italian restaurant. Lots of looks and smiles followed us on our way, and I wondered how Lena was doing. She was a woman who didn’t like to draw attention to herself. She’d made her submissive career one of blending into her surroundings.

I held her hand, the one touch she’d allowed since the beginning, and gave it a little squeeze of encouragement.

We were seated at a private table in the corner by the window, the same one as our first time here.

There was a huge bouquet of flowers in an even larger crystal vase in the center and petals strewn over the table.

“Oh, Ethan, this is lovely. Thank you.”

I waved off Paulo, our server, and pulled back Lena’s chair, helping her to settle and then tucking her into the table. I took my seat and nodded at Paulo. He already knew what to bring which is why there were no menus on the table.

He returned with a glass of wine for each of us. That was all I allowed before a scene. “To a memorable evening.” I held my glass aloft.

Lena clicked hers against mine. “To a memorable evening,” she repeated.

We took a sip of the rich, buttery flavor. Lena’s eyes almost rolled back in her head. “This is very good.”

I’d purchased the bottle and whatever we didn’t consume with dinner, along with another bottle, would to be delivered to my cabin while we were in the Dungeon. I was investing in an evening that I hoped would continue long into the night.

“You are truly a vision. I was surprised to see you so… so?—”

“White?” Lena added with a giggle.

“Exposed. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

” Her pink flush spread down her chest. Paulo arrived with dinner, a mix of everything Lena had eaten to date and loved: mac and cheese, linguine with salmon and prawns in a white wine sauce, a tiny portion of spaghetti with two meatballs, a skewer of Bocconcini with tomatoes and basil with a drizzle of marinade.

I kept the portion size in check as no one wished to play on a full stomach, so it was a sampler size that we split between us, just with her favorites.

Paulo put a helping of each dish on our plates and left us. “Ethan, how did you manage all this? The flowers, the wine, the food? It’s all so beautiful and completely unexpected. I feel spoiled.”

“Good. I want you to feel spoiled. You deserve it. As for the other, nothing a little planning can’t do.”

“You are a planner, but you’re other things too.”

Her statement caught me by surprise. Where was she going with this? “Does that bother you?”

“No. I understand that control is a large part of who you are, and planning is part of controlling.”

She couldn’t have been more accurate. Was I trying to control the scene? I thought I’d been strategically planning a perfect night for her, but maybe I’d made a mistake and overplayed my hand because it felt like what she’d just said.

“Just to be clear. I have no expectations for tonight, only that the space will be created for you to simply be . Sure, I’d be lying if I didn’t have an ending in mind, but that is me putting in control where it is not needed or wanted.

You’re right, Lena, it is a part of me that I enjoy, but you know what I like more? ”

She shook her head.

“You calling me on it. Thank you for reminding me what tonight is really about.”

Her eyes softened and became dreamy.

Neither of us ate much after that. I didn’t know about her, but the anticipation was killing me. I had Paulo pack up the rest and added two slices of tiramisu to be added to the wine order and delivered to the cabin and then I escorted Lena to the Dungeon.