The Ranger's Rules

by Lily Harlem

  Chapter Thirteen

  The collar was tight, but not uncomfortable. She could feel it there, cool against her skin; it shifted a little if she tensed her neck.

  “It suits you,” he said, stepping back to examine her.

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “I do.” He came close again and hooked his fingers beneath the base of her t-shirt. “Though I’m wondering why you forgot to put a bra on while Dan was here?”

  “I had a scarf covering anything you wouldn’t want him to see.”

  “Too right I wouldn’t.” He pulled the t-shirt up, exposing her breasts, then tugged it over her head.

  She sat on the counter, naked from the waist up, wearing his collar and her heart beating faster than any jungle drum.

  “Your breasts are perfect,” he said, cupping the underside of each. “Just the right handful.” He stroked his thumbs over her nipples.

  She didn’t answer. Instead she snapped in a breath.

  “And so sensitive,” he said. “Wonderfully sensitive and responsive.” He stooped and kissed the rise of her left breast.

  She stared at the top of his head as his lips traveled lower then clasped her nipple.

  “Mmm, Rhett.” She placed her hands on his head and closed her eyes. “That’s nice.”

  He continued, working his tongue and teeth with just the right tension. It hurt a little, but just as she was about to squirm, pull back, he released her and returned to gentle, loving strokes.

  Her desire was growing—desire for more, to take it further. She clung to his shoulders and tipped her head to the ceiling. A long, unhindered moan left her as once again he clamped his mouth on her nipple.

  But this time the hold was tighter, solid, more permanent.

  She looked down, and to her surprise his mouth was nowhere near her breast. What was causing the sharpness was a small metal clamp decorated with a long black feather, like the ones the funeral bird displayed behind itself. “Rhett…”

  “Shh…” he said. “Let it settle.”

  “It hurts,” she said, reaching for it. Her poor nipple was squashed in its teeth. Instinct told her to get rid of it.

  “No.” He grasped her wrists. “I want you to leave it on.”

  “But—”

  “You are wearing my collar, you will do as I say.”

  She opened her mouth to argue but he pressed his finger over her lips. “Objecting will result in a punishment,” he whispered. “And, Casey, remember I am in charge of your pleasure and satisfaction. This is a means to an end. When I release this, and the next clamp I am about to apply, later, when I’m buried deep inside you, it will feel incredible. I promise you’ll orgasm like you never have before.”

  She steadied her breathing and let the aching pain settle. He was right, she’d agreed to this. Not only that, she was looking forward to him being ‘buried deep’ again. The sooner the better. So if wearing these clamps meant that happened sooner, she’d have to tolerate it.

  “Good girl,” he said, obviously sensing her agreement to the plan. He held a second clamp up, the feather fluttered from it. “It’s pretty, don’t you think?”

  She nodded.

  He smiled and compressed her right nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He tugged and twisted it, pulling it to a hard point. Kissing her neck, her collarbone, and onto her chest, he then took it into his mouth.

  Casey stared straight ahead, enjoying the combination of heat and wetness with the scraping of his teeth and the suction he was creating. Her pussy was damp and she’d tensed her internal muscles.

  Like before, a sharp nip of pain attacked her nipple. He lifted up and caught her chin in his hand. “They’re both on.”

  She blew out a breath and resisted tugging it off. The urge to relieve the pain was hard to withstand.

  “It will get easier to bear in a few seconds.” He narrowed his eyes. “Accept it. Accept what I have done to you.”

  “Yes.” She nodded and clenched her fists on the counter.

  “Yes, Sir.” He brushed his thumb over her lips. “Call me Sir, Casey.”

  She swallowed and stared into his eyes. When had submitting become part of who she was? It certainly wasn’t something she hated, and she couldn’t imagine it with anyone else, but it was new to call a man Sir. “Yes, Sir.”

  He smiled, a wonderful loving smile that went to his eyes.

  A sense of power went over her. She was capable of bringing joy to Rhett by submitting. She could see that now. Her very agreement to do as he asked put the ball in her court.

  She leaned forward and kissed him.

  He responded hungrily, wrapping her in his arms and tugging her close.

  Her nipple clamps caught on his bare chest and she moaned into his mouth. This seemed to spur him on and he slotted his fingers into her hair and deepened the kiss.

  “Dawson, come in.” The radio crackled to life. “Dawson, where are you, dammit, come in.”

  Rhett pulled back and frowned. “And he wonders why I don’t have it on.”

  “It might be important.” Casey stroked his jawline, down his neck, and over his shoulder. She gripped his biceps.

  “What it is,” he said, “is bad timing.”

  “True.”

  “Dawson!” Dan’s voice was louder this time, and she could hear the irritation in his voice.

  Rhett stepped away and picked up the receiver. “Yeah, I’m here. What’s up?”

  “What’s up? I will tell you.” He sounded fractious. “I have just heard from Malo; the rhino are heading into your patch.”

  “Okay.”

  “And there has been a breach in the perimeter.”

  “What?” Rhett straightened. The sexy relaxed way he’d been holding his body was instantly replaced with tension. “Where?”

  “To the west, beyond the transmission tower.”

  “Give me the coordinates, I’ll go fix it.”

  “No, it’s too late for that. We’ve got poachers on our land. Those bastards are after our rhino.”

  Casey clasped her hand over her mouth.

  “Jesus Christ,” Rhett muttered. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I just spoke to one of the game drivers, he confirmed an unidentified vehicle in the distance.”

  “And how long ago was that?”

  “Only minutes ago. He was over near the falls. He radioed it in.”

  “Okay, I’m on it.”

  “Malo and I will meet you there. I’m sending two of the game drivers out to watch the rhino so you don’t need to worry about that. They will be armed with permission to shoot to kill if our animals are threatened.”

  “Good.”

  “We have to get these lowlife scum, Rhett.”

  “I know. And we will.” He looked at Casey. “I’ll stay on radio contact until I meet up with you.”

  “Okay, but hurry.”

  “On my way.” He set down the receiver. “I have to go, baby.”

  “Of course.” She slipped from the counter and gripped the clamp on her right nipple. “I’ll get dressed and come with you.”

  “No.” He captured her wrist.

  “I can’t wear these under my clothes.”

  “I mean, no, you can’t come with me, it’s too dangerous.”

  “Rhett, I have to. I don’t want to stay here, alone.”

  “You’re safer here. These men are savages. They’re desperate. A white woman, blonde and pretty, they’ll prize you as much as one of our endangered species.”

  “Surely not.” She frowned.

  “Parts of you would be highly treasured by a voodoo doctor.”

  “What do you mean?” She hardly dared ask.

  “Your blue eyes, liver… heart.” He rested the palm of his hand over her chest. “I can’t risk it. I want you here. Locked in.”

  She shuddered. “But wouldn’t I be safer with you?”

  “No, shots will be discharged. The last thing I want is you in the firing line.” He
dropped a kiss to her lips.

  “Okay.” Her belly tightened. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll stay here with Buddy.”

  He stepped away. “We’ll pick up where we’ve left off when I return.”

  “But how long will you be?”

  “As long as it takes.” He dragged his shirt on and hurriedly did up several buttons. “But don’t leave them on too long if I’m not back soon, that won’t be good for you.” He gestured to the nipple clamps.

  “Okay.”

  After grabbing the radio he went to the drawer and pulled out a slim white box of bullets, which he shoved into his pocket. “Don’t let anyone in.”

  “Of course I won’t.” She touched the collar and watched Buddy stroll into the kitchen area.

  “Can you give him his milk?”

  “Sure.”

  “It’s in the refrigerator.”

  “Yes, I saw it.”

  “Thanks.” He turned and strode to the door. When he reached it he scooped up his rifle, then paused and looked back at her. “You’re very special to me, you know that?”

  “I do now.”

  After pausing for a second, he disappeared from view.

  Casey stood still and listened to the Jeep’s engine and the gate rattling open then closed.

  “It’s just you and me now,” she said to Buddy. She stooped and stroked his head.

  He lifted a paw and batted one of the feathers hanging from her nipples. “Oh, no,” she said, quickly backing away from him. “I don’t think so.” She smiled and went to get his milk. As she walked the clamps dragged on her flesh, just a little, enough to make her movements fluid and gentle. “Damn it, you’re a kinky bugger, Rhett Dawson.”

  She fed Buddy, being careful not to let him get near the feathers, then went into the bedroom and studied her reflection. With the collar and the clamps on she looked ready for a dark, seedy club in a dungeon rather than an African game reserve.

  BDSM club.

  That’s where Rhett had said he went from time to time. In the city. She tried to imagine what it would be like. She’d never frequented a place like that. Never even considered it.

  But now… now she was curious. He’d said he had no-strings sex with female submissives at the club. What did that entail? Going into a room, doing the deed then coming home? Or was it all handcuffs and whips. Yes, Sir. No, Sir.

  Her curiosity was well and truly piqued. Perhaps she’d ask Rhett to take her there. If it wouldn’t spoil his chances of having no-strings sex in the future that was. She frowned. The idea of him having sex with someone else irked her. It shouldn’t, she had no claim on him. They were having a bit of fun, that was all—wasn’t it?

  Buddy charged into the room, circled her then leaped onto the bed.

  “Hey, you shouldn’t be on there.” She clicked her fingers, hoping he’d get down. But instead he curled up into a ball and stared at her with his pretty eyes. “Oh, okay then, just for a while.”

  She smiled at him then went to the wardrobe. She retrieved a light shawl and draped it over her shoulders. Buddy jumped down to investigate the innards of the cupboard.

  Wandering into the kitchen, she was struck by how strange the lodge was without Rhett. He was the essence of his home, the very heartbeat of it. The sooner he returned the better.

  Several leaves and a pile of dust had blown in from the veranda so she retrieved a broom from the pantry. Buddy was at her feet again, desperate to get into the cupboard and investigate.

  “Nothing in there you’d like, just tins and dried food.” She encouraged him out. “Though I guess you’ll soon be enjoying tins of tuna, eh?”

  He followed her, and continued to be in her way as she swept. She didn’t mind. How many people had a serval for company as they did the housework? Then again, how many women did the sweeping wearing a collar and nipple clamps?

  Maybe more than she thought.

  She paused and looked outside. The sun had crept toward the horizon and soon would slip behind it.

  Spending the night alone didn’t appeal. Without Rhett and with poachers about she didn’t think she’d get much sleep. The hours would drag.

  He’ll be back soon.

  Along with Dan and the other rangers, they’d sort out the poacher situation.

  Wanting to keep busy, Casey put the broom away then set about chopping cucumber for Porsche. The clamps were uncomfortable but the sensation reminded her of Rhett and his promises for taking them off. She’d resist the urge to remove them; she wanted to wait for him to do it, preferably while they were fucking.

  “Fucking.” It was nice to be able to say the word again and have it relevant in her life. She wasn’t one for hooking up for casual sex, it had to be more, which was why she’d been celibate for so long.

  So this is more. What I have with Rhett.

  She paused. It was. It was special. Okay, it had all happened fast and there was a lot of lust and kink involved but she knew her heart well enough to know Rhett was the kind of man who would hold her interest.

  Smiling, she walked onto the veranda with the cucumber. Porsche was in the shade of a bush. “Here you go.” She set his treat down before him. Buddy rushed to sniff it, but quickly lost interest.

  As she stood, the rumble of an engine caught her attention. She turned and saw a brown vehicle with black bull bars heading her way and leaving a snaking trail of dust in its wake.

  “Damn it.” She rushed inside, afraid of being seen half naked and with the clamps in place. Racing to the bedroom, she unclipped them.

  “Ah, bloody hell.” The rush of heat to her nipples almost stopped her in her tracks. The release had come with a potent smarting sensation that seemed to tug right down to her pussy.

  But she didn’t have time to examine it. She tossed the clamps onto the dresser and grabbed a bra and t-shirt. Quickly she pulled them on, then looked out of the bedroom window.

  Buddy rubbed up against her legs, clearly curious as to her rushing about.

  What she saw turned Casey’s stomach.

  It wasn’t Dan or Rhett. In fact this was no ranger’s van. Two slim black men and a rounder white man climbed from it. The white guy had a pistol in a holster and a patch over his right eye.

  Everything about them set off alarm bells in Casey, and when the white man pointed at the padlock on the gate she knew she was in trouble—they weren’t dropping round for tea, this was much more sinister.

  Poachers.

  One of the black guys reached into the vehicle for a pair of bolt cutters and hooked them around the padlock holding the gates secure.

  Casey thought she might be sick. She glanced at Buddy. “Quick, you, this way.”

  She rushed from the room, hoping he’d follow.

  Luckily he did.

  “In here.” She opened the pantry door and to her relief he pounded in. “Now stay quiet.”

  After shutting him in, she glanced around. Damn it. Her phone had no signal or charge. She didn’t even have the radio. There must be another one. Or a different phone. She had to call for help. How the hell had she ended up in this situation?

  The gate rattled as it was opened.

  She held in a whimper. Images of witch doctors filled her head as did thoughts of her organs being sliced and diced and sold as medicine. She pulled open the drawers on the dressers and rattled her hand over the contents.

  An old-fashioned, small black cell phone!

  “Thank God.” She pulled it out and turned it on. The screen filled with light.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Heavy footsteps clattered onto the veranda.

  Panic gripped her and she ran into the bedroom. If she could just raise the alarm. Scrolling through the contacts, she quickly found a number next to Dan’s name. She hit call and hid behind the open door.

  “Nice place, this,” a gruff male voice said. He had a strong accent, she couldn’t place it.

  Please pick up.

  The ringing went on and on.


  Pick up.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna take that bottle of whiskey for starters,” another deep voice, with a lisp.

  “Take what you want. Some moron has left it here for the picking.” Loud banging indicated drawers being opened and closed.

  “Wonder if he’s got any skins we can take?” lisp man said.

  “Nah, I’m guessing he’s a ranger.”

  Casey pressed the phone harder to her ear.

  “Hello.”

  Thank goodness. “Dan, Dan, it’s me, Casey,” she whispered.

  “What? Who is it? I can’t hear you.” His voice was distant.

  She turned and faced the wall. “It’s me, Casey. There’s men, bad men, they’re at Rhett’s place.”

  “Fucking hell.”

  “Please come, quickly. I… argh!” She was forcibly turned around by her shoulders.

  “Well, well, well, what have we here?” The white man stood before her, grinning manically and holding a bottle of Rhett’s whiskey.

  “Casey, Casey, you still there?”

  “Yes. But—”

  The man grabbed the phone. He held it up, raised his eyebrows then dropped it.

  It clattered onto the floor. Several bits of the casing flew off and skittered under the bed.

  He then stamped on it hard, grinding it beneath his boot. “Sorry about that.”

  “Who are you? Get out. You shouldn’t be here.” She clenched her fists and tried to step around him.

  “Oh, no, you don’t.” He grabbed her upper arm.

  “Get off me.” She tried to shake free from his grip but he had a tight hold. “The rangers will be here at any moment. They’ll arrest you for this. It’s breaking and entering.”

  “We only called by for a drink.” He took a swig of whiskey, straight from the bottle.

  “Well, you’re not welcome here. I demand you go.”

  “Not very hospitable of you, is it?” He tugged her through to the kitchen, his grip tight and painful. “Hey guys, we got a live one.”

  The two men stopped what they were doing—one was filling his pockets with bullets, the other eating something from the refrigerator—and turned to look at her.