A Cozy Little Christmas Read online

  A Cozy Little Christmas

  A Holidays at Rawhide Ranch Story

  Laylah Roberts

  ©All rights reserved.

  * * *

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  * * *

  2021 © Published by Laylah Roberts

  Holidays at Rawhide Ranch

  A Cozy Little Christmas

  Edited by Celeste Jones

  Cover by AllyCat’s Creations

  * * *

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as the author’s advocating any non-consensual spanking/sexual activity or the spanking of minors.

  * * *

  For more Rawhide Ranch stories check out this link- https://linktr.ee/Rawhide

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Let’s keep in touch!

  Books by Laylah Roberts

  Chapter 1

  A blast of cold air hit him as soon as the limousine door opened.

  Fucking fantastic.

  Not only did he get to spend Christmas in the middle of nowhere, but it was freezing cold.

  “Isn’t this place amazing!”

  Cullen turned to frown at his cousin, who was smiling widely as he bounced around the back of the limo toward him.

  “Are you sure about staying here, Marcus?” he asked.

  “Yeah! Why wouldn’t I be? Come on, Cullen. You can’t frown the whole time you’re here. It’s Christmas! We’re on holiday. And we’re at a kinky ranch with a school for Littles.”

  Cullen grunted as the limo driver pulled their luggage out.

  “You know, we could head back to the airport and be in Barbados in less than a day. Sun. Sea. Sand. Turtles. You know you like turtles.”

  Marcus paused. “I do like turtles.”

  Great. Now he had him.

  “You can go swimming with the turtles every day. There are even monkeys.”

  Marcus frowned at him. “I didn’t ask you to come here, Cullen.”

  Fuck. Pushed it too hard with the monkeys.

  “You’re my only family. I want to spend Christmas with you,” he replied.

  “We live together. We see each other every day. Don’t lie to me. You’re worried that someone will take advantage of me, or hurt me. That’s why you’re here with me.”

  “I do want to spend Christmas with you,” he countered, looking up at the huge entry doors. Why did he feel like stepping through those doors was going to change everything for him? It wasn’t like him to be so fanciful. He believed in cold, hard facts. “But I also want to protect you. Is that so bad?”

  “No, it’s what makes you a great cousin and friend. But this is what I want. I think I’ve earned it, right? A break where I can just be myself and not be judged.”

  “Who the fuck has been judging you?” Cullen snapped. “Did someone say something to you? I’ll fucking kill them.”

  “Whoa, dude. Going from zero to crazy right now. Poor Jordy here is looking like he wants to run.”

  He wasn’t surprised Marcus knew their driver’s name. He was good with people. Sociable.

  “You know, if you keep making that face, Santa will leave coal in your stocking.”

  “Considering I don’t even own a stocking, I’m not exactly concerned,” Cullen replied dryly, pulling out his wallet to tip the limo driver. Jordy gave him a cool nod but had a smile and handshake for Marcus.

  So even though Cullen was the one who gave him a forty percent tip, Marcus was the one who got the smile and handshake.

  What was he doing wrong?

  Must be his winning personality.

  Good thing he didn’t much care. Cullen wasn’t sociable. He wasn’t interested in small talk. There were only two things in life he truly cared about; his business and the guy who was currently having a conversation about fly fishing. When Jordy climbed into the car, Cullen turned to Marcus with an eyebrow raised. “You know nothing about fly fishing.”

  “I’ve read an article about it.”

  Cullen just shook his head. Marcus was a genius. He amazed Cullen every day with how smart he was. But he could be too trusting, which made him a target for people looking to take advantage.

  That’s where Cullen came in. He made sure his cousin was protected, that he didn’t risk his health and safety, that he remembered to eat and sleep. And Marcus stopped Cullen from becoming a complete asshole. Cold and emotionless.

  Cullen had been shocked when Marcus told him he was going to spend Christmas here at Rawhide Ranch. According to the information he’d gathered about this place, people came here to experience a dream BDSM vacation.

  Another chilly wind whipped through him. Crap. He needed to get Marcus inside before he caught a cold.

  “I thought someone would be here to greet us,” Cullen muttered, picking up their bags while Marcus looked around in excitement.

  “I can’t wait to go horseback riding.”

  “Not happening,” Cullen replied.

  “Maybe we can do some fishing.”

  “It’s too cold for outdoor activities.”

  “I’ve enrolled in Little school,” Marcus said as he ran up the stairs. “I wonder what activities they’ll have.”

  “Be careful,” Cullen warned, following with the bags.

  The door opened just as Cullen reached it, nearly smacking him in the face. It was only his quick reflexes that saved his nose from being smashed.

  “Hey, watch out!”

  “Oh, my jingle bells!” a short, curvy woman looked up at him in horror. Her gloved hand came up to her mouth. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you? Are you okay? I didn’t hit you, did I? Please, let me help you.”

  She reached for the bags he held, but he drew them away from her quickly. Did she seriously expect that he would let her carry his bags? She was half his damn size!

  “I’ve got them. And you didn’t hit me, but it was close.” He frowned as he stared down at her. She might be wearing gloves, but she definitely wasn’t dressed appropriately for the weather. She wore a thin black shirt and a black skirt that reached just below her knees. Along with a pair of black boots.

  He didn’t like it.

  And why he felt such a strong surge of negativity about her clothes, he had no clue. This woman was no one to him.

  “I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have blasted through the door like that. I’m generally much more careful. See, Sadie usually greets the guests, not me. Only, she’s got a sore throat, so Derek has taken her back to the big house to put her to bed. So, you’re left with me. Sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry about that?” Cullen asked.

  Another blast of cold air hit him. Fuck. Christmas was the worst time of year. All he wanted to do was get drunk and sit on a beach. Was that really too much to ask for?

  “Um, because I nea
rly hit you in the face and you’ve probably been standing out here in the cold for a while and because I’m talking way too much.”

  “I like you.”

  She blinked as Marcus spoke, then she smiled. “Thank you. That’s kind. I’m sure I’m going to like you.”

  “Oh, everyone likes me. Well, mostly.” He frowned.

  “Who doesn’t like you?” Cullen demanded.

  “And anyone who doesn’t instantly like me, Cullen browbeats into liking me,” Marcus joked.

  “I just don’t like people being mean to you,” Cullen muttered.

  “That’s so sweet,” the woman said, directing her smile at him. Wow, she really was gorgeous when she smiled. But what did she have on her head? Were those antlers?

  Jesus.

  “That’s Cullen for you,” Marcus said. “Always so sweet.”

  What the fuck was he up to? Cullen glared at his cousin, but Marcus avoided his gaze.

  “Well, okay,” she said, looking flustered. She obviously wasn’t ready to agree that Cullen was always sweet.

  “And don’t worry about the fact you nearly hit him in the nose with the door. I mean, Cullen is so gorgeous that even a broken nose couldn’t detract from his prettiness, right?”

  “I…I…”

  God damn it.

  Was Marcus trying to matchmake?

  No. Not happening. There was no fucking way that Cullen was getting involved with anyone.

  “Marcus, get inside,” he barked, making the petite woman jump. Her breasts jiggled.

  Stop staring at her breasts.

  Cullen had to force his gaze away. He didn’t get why he was interested in her. Cullen preferred his women to be sleek, cold, and sophisticated. Not short, curvy, and sweet.

  Marcus sighed. “Come on, man, you can’t be this uptight the entire time we’re here. You need to relax. Take a few classes, spend some time in the playroom they have here, maybe find yourself a sub to play with.” He winked at the girl, who went bright red. Her dark-green eyes widened.

  “Oh, I’m not…I don’t play. With anyone.”

  Okay, that shouldn’t intrigue him. But he could have sworn that she was a sub. Possibly even a Little.

  None of your business.

  “Oh!” Marcus said. “You’re not a Little?”

  Her shoulders hunched slightly and Cullen reached out to place his hand on Marcus’s shoulder.

  “How about we get inside,” he said in a gentler voice this time. “It’s too cold for you both to be standing out here. You’ll catch a cold.”

  “You catch a cold from germs, not being cold,” Marcus informed him.

  “Hypothermia then,” Cullen said dryly.

  “Yes, of course. Come inside. Please. Welcome to Rawhide Ranch. Um, like I said, Sadie usually does this part, and I’m not sure I remember exactly what to say.”

  She was blushing as she led them into the large, western-themed reception room.

  “Wow, this place is awesome,” Marcus said. “I really feel like I’m on a ranch.”

  “Well, you are on a ranch,” a man said with a smile as he walked toward them. “We’re just a bit different at Rawhide.”

  “A bit different?” Cullen said dryly. “That’s one way to put it.”

  The other man shrugged, eyeing him up. He was a big guy, dressed in jeans, a white shirt, and a bolo tie. He wore a pair of scuffed-up cowboy boots. His gaze was hard, piercing, as though he was trying to read all of Cullen’s secrets.

  Good luck.

  Cullen gave him the same look back. He wasn’t here to make friends. All he cared about was ensuring that Marcus had a good time and was looked after.

  “Hello, I’m Derek Hawkins. The owner of Rawhide Ranch.” He held his hand out to Marcus first, who pumped it enthusiastically. The owner’s gaze softened when he looked at Marcus.

  “I’m Marcus Cutler and this is my cousin, Cullen. He’s my bodyguard.”

  “He is?” the girl asked, eyeing him.

  “No, sweetie,” Marcus said in a surprisingly gentle voice. That made Cullen raise his eyebrows. Marcus was bisexual. Was he interested in her?

  And why did Cullen feel this flash of jealousy?

  Ridiculous.

  “It was a joke,” Marcus explained. “I should have said guard dog, maybe.”

  “Oh.” She went red again, shifting her feet around as though she couldn’t stay still. Or maybe she needed the bathroom. He stifled the urge to ask her. None of his business. He was certain she could make her own way to the bathroom.

  Derek moved up beside her, putting an arm around her shoulders. Wait. Were they in a relationship? But hadn’t she said something about this guy putting Sadie to bed? Then again, maybe he was involved with all the women here.

  Cullen scowled.

  “Are you all right? Sir?” the girl asked.

  “Fine,” he said in a short voice that made her flinch.

  Marcus scowled at him. Yeah, he got it. While he didn’t need to be friends with these people, he could probably try not to be a complete jerk, either.

  “Sorry. Long day,” he explained.

  “If I needed a bodyguard, I’d definitely hire Cullen. His scowl would keep most people away,” Marcus joked, in an obvious ploy to lighten the mood. “But as a theoretical physicist, the only thing I’m really at risk of is getting a papercut.”

  “Ooh, those hurt though,” she sympathized. “A theoretical physicist? Like Stephan Hawking?”

  Marcus’s face lit up. “Yep. When I tell most people what I do, they immediately compare me to Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Not Hawking.”

  “How do you think I knew about Hawking?” she teased with a wink.

  Marcus laughed. “You and I. Definitely besties.”

  Cullen noticed that Derek didn’t remove his arm from around the girl. Would this Sadie like him touching her?

  “You won’t find a better best friend than Ivy,” Derek told him.

  Ivy gave Derek a shy smile, then she yawned. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  A fleeting look of concern filled Derek’s face before disappearing. “Don’t be sorry, honey, you’ve been racing around helping out here. Why don’t you go have a rest and let me take over?”

  “But you’re going to need help with Sadie being ill. I can do all the meet and greets.”

  Derek shook his head. “I’ll be fine. Go have a nap so you’re ready for the evening arrivals.”

  There was a firm note in his voice. And Ivy nodded without argument.

  Interesting.

  “It was nice to meet you both,” she said. “I hope to see you around.”

  “We’re besties, of course you will,” Marcus said.

  “Ivy is running the Christmas program this year,” Derek said.

  “Christmas program?” Marcus asked. “For the Littles?”

  “Yep. Primarily for the Littles,” she said. “But there are things that everyone can attend. We’re having a Christmas party on Saturday with Christmas carols, hot chocolate, eggnog, and some games. Oh, and Santa, of course.”

  “Awesome.” Marcus gave a fist pump that made Derek and Ivy smile.

  “You’re welcome to come, too,” she said to Cullen.

  He just grunted.

  “I love Christmas, so this has been a dream job for me.”

  Wonderful. She loved the time of year he hated most.

  With a wave, she walked off.

  “Would the two of you mind joining me in my office?” Derek asked politely, but again with a hint of steel in his voice.

  “Is that something you ask of all your guests?” Cullen asked. They were paying a lot to be here, after all. And he didn’t like feeling as though he was being pulled into the principal’s office.

  “If you don’t mind me saying, you’re a bit different than the usual guests we get in here.”

  “Because he’s my cousin?” Marcus asked. “Don’t worry, there’s no kinky stuff between us. He’s just overprotective. He also hates Ch
ristmas, which is why he’s so grouchy. I mean, he’s always grumpy, but he’s extra grumpy at the moment. With cherries on top. And lots of whipped cream. At Christmas, he likes to get drunk and then sleep the entire day away. He’s here because of me. He loves me and he worries someone will take advantage of me because I’m a bit naïve. Oh, and I’m also filthy rich.”

  Cullen held in a groan. “Would you like to lead the way?”

  “Yes, please come with me,” Derek replied with an amused grin. “Just leave your bags and Moses will get them.”

  “Moses?” Cullen repeated.

  “Yes, he’s my right-hand man, I’d be lost without him,” Derek replied with a deferential nod to a man with long, dark hair walking toward them..

  “All right then,” Cullen said, glancing down at their luggage before entering Derek’s office. Cullen sat across from Derek and Marcus plopped down next to him.

  “So, like I said, the two of you are slightly different in that you’re not a couple, but I know that Marcus will be staying with you rather than in the dorms with the other Littles. You’re still all right in the same suite? We could put you in separate rooms, but I don’t like my Littles wandering around unescorted.”

  “I’d prefer we were in the same suite,” Cullen said. This guy sounded on the up and up. Protective and caring. However, Cullen still wasn’t convinced that it wasn’t an act.

  “Good. Marcus, once you’re in the Littles’ area, you’re not permitted to leave without a Big. So, we can either have someone come get you each morning and take you back to your suite, or—”

  “I’ll take him each morning and collect him each evening,” Cullen told him. “Just tell me times and where to go.”

  “All right,” Derek said easily. “So, you act as a caregiver?”

  Caregiver? He hadn’t thought about it quite like that, but he guessed that kind of fit.

  “Yes.”