Lumberjack Weekend(Divine Creek Ranch 21)(25)

Unable to do anything but watch this scene play out, Violet nodded as the little firecracker focused her attention on Joseph once again.

“Did you get lost in the mansion, Miss Carrigan?”

The redhead nodded. “Please, call me Bunny. Everyone does. This place is a freaking castle.”

Ah! So it’s not just me!

She pointed to upstairs. “Even though I’ve been here before, I didn’t realize there were two upper hallways. Somehow I got turned around and took the stairs into the basement. Sorry to barge in like this, but we need to talk about the issue in the master suite when you have a minute.”

Violet was curious how the redhead got away with calling him “Mr. H” and “handsome.” She also wondered at the soft blush growing in the little sprite’s cheeks as she tilted her stance, attempting to look around him at the group assembled in the dining room.

Joseph seemed to grow an inch, but he gave no hint of his inner emotions as he nodded. “Let me get the morning started for my guests, and then I’ll catch you—I mean catch up with you.”

Miss Carrigan chuckled softly and turned toward the stairs. “Okeedokee. You can ‘catch’ me in your attic, unless I get lost again. I left my Leatherman up there somewhere.”

Leatherman? Some poor guy is up in the attic in this heat?

“Miss Carrigan?” Joseph called out. Violet mashed her lips together, trying to stifle a giggle when she caught him ogling the little redhead as she sauntered away.

Stopping on the second step, which put her at eye level with the Dom, she raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Yes?”

“I know it’s easy to get turned around in this big place, but I caution you to stay out of the hallway to the north tower. It’s the one with the long pale blue oriental carpet. If you find yourself there somehow, turn back. Please?”

She tilted her head, and her smile softened at his serious tone. “Sure. Are you having it cleaned or something?”

Joseph shook his head. “Just turn back if you get lost and find yourself there.”

After giving him a cheeky salute, she trotted up the stairs, her hips swaying and making the tools on her belt jangle together. She hummed to herself, and her long, bright red curls bounced with every step.

Violet observed Joseph watching Miss Carrigan sashay away. He looked like a hungry man. And worse for Miss Carrigan, he was a Dom as well. But he also looked like a man most smitten.

He finally shook himself and cleared his throat before looking down at her, seeming once again in complete control. “Sorry for the interruption.”

“It’s all right.” Her stomach trembled as he took her hand and once again turned her toward the dining room where the sounds of silverware on porcelain and the muted din of conversation alerted her that the room was already full. “Um, couldn’t I just grab an apple and go find Josh and Lucas, wherever it is we’re supposed to meet?”

Joseph paused and assessed her, probably noting the way she was perspiring and her hands had gone cold. He was good that way. He somehow also got her moving forward again. “Violet, you’re going to take their breath away when they see you. If you’d open your eyes and look around the room, you’d realize you’re already having an effect on a lot of the men.” He halted their progress and lowered his voice. “Honey, I mean it. Open your eyes.” His voice was firm, and she found even though she was terrified, she wanted to obey him more than she wanted to hide.

Conversation had quieted as many pairs of eyes fastened on her, and she had a moment of terror, wondering if the wispy dress had shifted and her pussy was now blatantly exposed. Joseph made a soft growly, bossy sound a split second before she moved to cover herself and she stilled. She could swear she saw his smirk in her peripheral vision. Licking her bottom lip, she put a brave front on and met a few of those gazes, noting smiles from many of the men—and women—as well as a few frowns.

“Ah,” Joseph whispered for her ears only. “I think your beauty is inspiring a bit of jealousy. That can be a good thing in subs and play partners who have grown complacent.”

“You’re just trying to build me up. They’re disgusted.”

Joseph hmphed and guided her into the room. “Wonder what your play partners will think of that sentiment. I think I’ll mention it to them.”

“You’re mean.”



* * * *



Josh knew his woman had arrived when the room went quiet. The approving smiles of many of the men confirmed it. They were positioned in a corner of the dining room adjacent to the arched entryway so he couldn’t see her yet, and his anticipation grew with each passing second.