Page 4 of Enchanting Eris
“Didn’t he say he went to the Ranch fairly often?” Vivian asked with a frown. “And why can’t you request his presence? For all you know, he’s looking for you, too.”
Thoughts of Gabriel lingered in her head with everything she typed, and Vivian kept inserting little comments that didn’t help her stay grounded in reality.
She wanted to see him again. That was a part of the draw to the Ranch, but more than that, she wanted to live out a week at Rawhide once more, this time where she didn’t hold herself back. And Gabriel was part of that fantasy. Shooting her sister a coy smile, Eris finished her email, and, with only a little apprehension, sent it off.
Shutting her laptop, she shoved it against the side of the couch. “He said he was there every few weeks. I don’t know if that still stands true or if it was just a line. It’s been ages, Vi. I don’t know why he would hold out for someone like me.”
“Because you’re everything, darling,” Vivian replied with a smirk. “And if he was worth the time, he knows your worth, too. You sent the email. That’s a start! I bet you’ll be back at Rawhide with Boy Wonder in no time.”
Eris chuckled, thinking of her sister’s nickname for the handsome man. Boy Wonder didn’t really fit in her head but unless, and if, she managed to ever introduce Gabriel to her family, they would never know the real him.
Considering Eris had held back a big part of herself the last time she was at Rawhide, she wasn’t sure that there would ever be more than physical attraction between them. For all she knew that email would get her nowhere, and her time at Rawhide was officially over.
Chapter Four
Gabriel
He was back to his normal routine of visiting the stables, stopping in the expansive library, and altogether making excuses to spend time at Rawhide. He wasn’t supposed to have become either a fixture or a regular, but he enjoyed the Ranch and its people too much not to.
The only place he rarely visited was the Dungeon, and simply because he didn’t have the partner he really desired. There were willing submissives who visited the Ranch frequently enough, but no one who held his attention. He needed to decide what he wanted before he wasted anyone’s time, especially the sweet individuals he met through the Ranch. Even those resident Ranch submissives who wanted someone casual didn’t quite grab his interest, and it wasn’t fair to string someone along when his heart wasn’t in it and he couldn’t focus.
Try as he may, he couldn’t deny that Eris had him wrapped around her finger, and she wasn’t even at the Ranch anymore. But she consumed all of his thoughts, his fantasies, and he was hers whether or not she knew it.
“Gabriel, I was wondering when I would run into you.”
He stopped walking through the halls, turning in surprise as Derek stopped beside him. He was used to seeing him around the Ranch, but rarely did Derek seek him out for conversation. They chatted here and there but he was a busy man, and since Gabriel didn’t have an attached submissive or an attachedanythingat the Ranch, other than his own personal vendetta to torture himself over Eris, he didn’t usually have much of a reason to speak with the Ranch owner.
“Hello, Derek,” he replied conversationally, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Something I can do for you?”
Derek chuckled, gesturing towards his office door. Gabriel was intending to head out for the day, considering he was doing little more than stewing after his horseback ride, and he hadn’t even acknowledged how close he was to the front entranceway and Derek’s office. “Step into my office for a moment if you aren’t in a hurry. There’s something I’m needing to discuss with you.”
Trepidation danced down Gabriel’s spine as he nodded and followed the tall man into his office. He couldn’t think of any particular reason why Derek would seek him out. As far as he knew, he hadn’t gone against any rules of the Ranch by hanging around, chatting with the members, and being kind to all the submissives and Littles that he happened across when he visited. He went out of his way to be respectful whenever he was at Rawhide to avoid causing any sort of issue.
“Have a seat,” Derek instructed, and Gabriel followed without question. The door was firmly shut behind them, and Gabriel eyed the other man as he casually took a seat and folded his hands on the desk.
A heavy moment passed, and Gabriel seriously considered whether or not he really had done something to get himself removed from the Ranch. By the time Derek spoke, Gabriel could admit he was a little unnerved.
“I received an interesting email from a prior visitor.”
Somehow, that was worse. It gave Gabriel nothing to work with, and if for any reason someone had filed a complaint against him, it would be a serious strike against him with the Ranch. He tried to be respectful and listen to the submissives he partnered with, but he hadn’t been with anyone there since Eris. He would sometimes watch, or hold a conversation with the residents, but for the most part, he stewed over missed opportunities and went horseback riding. His rides were almost exclusively reserved for Magic when he was available. “Was there a complaint about me?”
Derek grew quiet for a beat, doing nothing to alleviate Gabriel’s nerves until he chuckled. “No, nothing like that. This is from one of your prior partners. She is asking about a return visit to the Ranch. The request however is a little different from what we would generally offer for a visitor.” Something in his eyes sparkled. “You didn’t spend a good deal of time with her, however, I think, given what I know about your time together, that you would be the ideal person for her return visit. Not to mention, she asked about you by name.”
Swallowing, Gabriel tried to not get overly excited. Just because Derek was hinting at something in no way meant this had to do with Eris. “Can I ask who it is?”
“Eris Montgomery.”
Despite himself, he felt the sudden rush of blood in his ears at the mention of Eris’ name. He’d hoped she would return, but he hadn’t let himself actually believe it could be a reality. Hope is the thief of truth, after all, when hoping for something hopeless. “Eris wants to come back?”
Derek grinned, sitting up in his chair. “I thought that would draw your attention. You were specifically mentioned in her email, so I’m certain she would be agreeable if you happened to be here at the same time she is. It’s part of her request for herreturn, though it will be another short visit from what I can tell. Another five days here at Rawhide Ranch.”
Five days was basically a business week. It amounted to less than one full week and sent both longing and despair through him. He would take all the time he could get with Eris, but would five days be enough?
“It’s more than just a request to revisit with the hopes of seeing you,” Derek continued, and Gabriel met his gaze again. What more could there be when he was going to see Eris again?
“She’s mentioned a particular kink that I know isn’t everyone’s tastes, but it might align with yours.”
Swallowing, Gabriel decided he didn’t care what the kink was. He would give anything a try if it allowed him to see Eris again. “What is it? I thought we were open with each other last time.”
