Page 19 of Hunting Little Hope
Well. I suppose I could dream about having all the sexy men in the world, but that didn’t mean I actuallycouldhave them all.
“Um,” I said, my voice slightly wobbly. “I’m actually on my way to meet someone for drinks now.”
Something flickered across his face, but it smoothed out so quickly I almost thought I’d imagined it.
“Ah,” he said gently, releasing my elbows but not stepping away. “A lucky someone, for sure.”
My cheeks warmed. “You’re sweet, thank you.”
His smile softened at that, less teasing now and more thoughtful. “Not sweet, truthful. Either way, I’m sure your drinks will go swimmingly. Rawhide has a way of bringing interesting people together in the most fascinating ways. I’ve seen it time and time again.”
I laughed, relieved he wasn’t making it awkward. “You must have some stories to tell.”
He hesitated then, just for a second, as if he were deciding something. “Would it be terribly forward of me to say I’d still like that coffee? Another time, obviously. Then I can tell you some of those stories.”
My heart did that fluttery, traitorous thing again.
“I enjoyed our class,” he continued, voice warm but steady. “And our conversation. I’d hate to think I missed my chance because I wasn’t willing to put myself out there.”
Oh my gosh, this man was amazing. Almost too amazing.
“I’d like that,” I said before I could change my mind. “Coffee would be nice.”
His shoulders eased and his smile brightened back into something openly pleased. “Then perhaps I can text you? If that’s alright.”
“Yes,” I answered a little too quickly, then laughed at myself. “Yes, that would be perfect.”
We exchanged numbers, fingers brushing as he handed my phone back. It was the smallest touch, but it sent a ripple up my arm all the same.
“Well,” he said, stepping back at last, giving me space I didn’t really want. “I won’t keep you from your mystery drink companion. But I do hope I see you again soon, Hope.”
“I hope so, too,” I admitted.
And as I walked into the room a moment later, heart pounding for entirely new reasons, I couldn’t tell if I was excitedabout Master Troy... or reeling from the fact that somehow, impossibly, I was excited about all of them.
Chapter Nine
Lee
I stood there a moment longer than necessary after Hope disappeared into the multi-purpose room that had been set up for this dating event. It was a large room that served many purposes. For these two weeks, it would serve as a place where people could meet for some demonstration or seminar as well as provided a space where they could gather for dinks and lighter pub-type fare without having to descend to the lower level where the Ranch’s Dungeon was located.
I told myself I was simply adjusting my schedule in my head. Deciding whether I wanted tea or something stronger. It had nothing to do with the way her smile lingered in my thoughts.
It also had nothing to do with the fact that when I’d asked to see her again, she hadn’t hesitated even if she was on her way to a date with another man.
I stepped inside anyway.
The room was already humming with low conversation and clinking glassware even if it was still a bit early to be considered cocktail hour. It still didn’t take me long to find her.
She stood near the far wall, her soft blue dress catching the amber light. I once again noticed how much effort she’d put intoher appearance and felt a slight pang of envy that it wasn’t for me.
She was smiling up at a tall man in a dark button-down.
Troy.
I’d never formally met him, but Rawhide was small enough that reputations traveled. He was a classic Dominant and longtime friend of some of the Doms who worked on staff. He would be the perfect Dom for the kind of submissive Hope claimed to be.
And she seemed to be engaged. A little flushed. Definitely interested in what he had to say.
