Chapter 6
Briar
Ihadn't worn my traditional leathers in over a year.
They still fit just fine, thanks to a job which required me to keep up scheduled workouts.
I tried them on twice, turning and turning in front of the mirror to make sure everything was in order.
Then I picked out a couple of nice suits and tried them on as well.
I had not gone anywhere for ten days straight in years.
In fact, I couldn't remember the last time I left my little apartment for that long. I just wasn't the traveling type.
By the time I was finished figuring out everything to pack, hours had passed. When did that get to be such hard work? I was sweaty and cranky and second-thinking my decision to attend ten days’ worth of festivities.
Everything I put on, including the leather, made me look big and intrusive.
Not that I wasn't. But it meant certain things to certain people.
Over the years I'd learned that my form attracted a type.
I didn't mind that they were gruffer men, more like me, even the littles who wanted rougher treatment and overlooked the more caring aspects of my personality.
People took one look at me and no doubt thought sweet was out and aggressive welcome.
They weren't wrong. At least on the surface. Or regarding one-night stands.
But sweet was what I had been dreaming of lately.
My fantasies had changed over the past five years.
I was ready for something new and fresh.
And yes, sweet. I had considered that maybe the BDSM community wasn't the best place to find that sort of fantasy.
But where else could a daddy like me find the little he had been looking for his whole life?
That night it snowed. I barely slept thinking of the long drive on icy roads in the countryside. It felt like a red flag, and I seriously considered canceling as I loaded the car with my two suitcases, computer, and the biggest box of specialty chocolates ever seen in North America.
I looked back at the bleak building where my apartment was. I was having second thoughts again. It might be fun to become a cozy couch potato subsisting on take-out for the holidays with no one to bother me.
In the overcast morning light, everything was monotones of brown and gray.
It wasn't an awful place, just so ordinary.
The windows were dark, the edges lightly snow dusted.
I didn't really have friends in the building and the neighbors I did know were all leaving for the holidays.
It all looked painfully cold. I really needed this change, and I forced myself to get in the driver's seat and go.
I made it quickly through a drive through and, with hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich in hand, I made the commitment. The streets were plowed, the highway open. I was on my way to Trent’s.
With only one more stop for gas and a burger, I made good time, pulling into the Winterbourne estate at just past three in the afternoon.
It had snowed much heavier up here in the mountains.
Piles of fresh white powder lined the sides of the road up to the gate which opened for me as soon as I gave my name through the intercom.
Twinkle lights framed the Winterbourne name on top of the archway.
The driveway was completely clear as I headed over wet pavement toward the front of the massive mansion.
As I drove toward the front of the huge house, I passed pines strung with lights.
The house itself was lit up in a simple frame-design of multi-colored lights from the top story all the way down to the front porch.
There, I was met by a valet. Trent didn't miss a thing.
He treated his guests as if they were staying at a five-star hotel.
The valet promised my car would be parked in a guest garage, safe and out of any inclement weather.
When I’d visited years ago, I didn’t remember getting this sort of treatment.
The valet helped me unload my luggage, and through a headset exactly like the one I used at the club, informed staff of my arrival.
Another man wearing a formal black suit appeared and took both my suitcases up a ramp and through the front door.
Holding only the giant box of chocolates, I hurried to follow so I wouldn't be left behind.
This place worked just like the club. A well-oiled machine.
As I stepped into the foyer I was hit with a blast of warmth making my cheeks immediately heat up.
All I could do was drop my jaw and look and stare, head back.
I made a complete turn, amazed at the tall ceilings and wall carvings and my view of a vast front room filled with comfy furniture.
There was a fire roaring in a hearth as tall as I was.
“Your room is this way. Follow me.” The man led me through two living rooms, past one staircase to another staircase overlooking an atrium. The glass walls of the atrium revealed a huge indoor swimming pool with jacuzzi.
“Is Trent here yet?” I asked.
“He is. He has been informed of your arrival.”
Distantly, I heard singing and kitchen sounds. An aroma filled the air. Savory. Inviting. But I didn't see anyone. I wondered if I might be the first guest.
In my room, the butler, if that's what he was, set my suitcases on two stands and opened the curtains to show me a brisk view of snow-covered mountains. He showed me the thermostat and a special house phone which he said went straight to his office and the kitchen.
“If you need anything, use this.”
“I was told there would be a dinner tonight?”
“Six o’clock sharp, sir.”
I felt so spoiled already that I didn't ask what was being served. I was sure it would be delightful, and I would eat plenty of it.
The man left, closing the door behind him.
After exploring the room and the adjoining bathroom, I stared at the bed.
Fluffy pillows garnished the head of the bed.
The comforter looked soft and velvety. After my long drive, I was tired.
I sat on the edge, then leaned back on the pillows, bringing my feet up. Before I knew it, my eyes closed.
Two hours later I woke.
The sky outside the window had turned orange behind a veil of thin gray clouds. It looked like the clouds were burning.
I sat up and retrieved my phone from my pocket to see a text from Trent.
I dropped by your room but you didn't answer my knock. Will you be at dinner?
I quickly answered.
This place is beautiful. The long drive made me tired. Sorry I was asleep. Of course I'll be at dinner. I'm starved.
I checked the time. I had about 45 minutes to explore before dinner.
I changed my shirt, opened the door and went downstairs with the huge chocolate box in the hand.
I found my way to the dining room by following the kitchen sounds. A few people had gathered there. I didn't recognize them except for one. Trent. He turned as I walked up to him.
“Briar. Good to see you. I'm so glad you made it.” He embraced me warmly and kissed me on the mouth. That was how we comfortable we were with each other. We hadn't hung out in a long time, but he was like a brother to me. We’d even shared kink scenes when we were younger. That was a long time ago.
“How was the drive?” Trent asked.
“Long.”
We both chuckled.
“That's the point,” he said. “To have space far away from the city.”
I held out the box of candy.
Trent frowned, then took it into his arms. “You shouldn't have.”
“Hopefully, you can find a good use for it.”
“Oh, I certainly will.”
“Maybe you can share it with your significant other? When do I get introduced?”
“I suppose you couldn’t have known about him, but I thought I’d mentioned him to you before.”
I shook my head no.
“I guess the incident where Ozzy and I met happened on your night off.” He scanned the room, then motioned to someone.
A young man with big eyes and wavy brown hair made his way through the small crowd to Trent’s side.
“Ozzy,” Trent said. “I'd like you to meet my friend Briar. He works at the club.”
Ozzy held out his hand and I took it. “Nice to meet you.” He glanced up at Trent then back at me. “Before I met Trent, I used to go to the club a lot and you look familiar, but I never knew who you were.”
Ozzy looked familiar to me, too, but I didn't want to say anything in front of Trent.
My memory had him as a fairly hard player, a thorough masochist. Rumor was he lived with an abusive sadist who kept him locked away.
I remembered him as an obedient slave, which was common in my line of work.
Slaves weren't always treated well, but it wasn't my job to interfere with personal relationships, only to make sure the club was safe in those moments those men chose to participate in its games.
Maybe if I'd paid better attention, I'd have noticed something was off.
“Maybe you can share the chocolates with Ozzy?” I said to Trent.
“It's possible I'll be keeping these all to myself,” Trent replied. “Godiva is the best.”
Ozzy eyed the box. “Daddy. I like Godiva, too.”
Trent placed a loose arm over Ozzy's shoulders. “Maybe if you're a very good boy I'll let you have one as a treat.”
“Yes, Daddy.” He stared at the box and licked his lips.
I couldn't say I wasn't a bit jealous. Ozzy was delightful. I missed that in my life. Trent was a lucky man.
“All right everybody.” Trent clapped his hands. “Let's all take a seat. Anywhere you like. I was waiting for someone else, but he hasn't arrived yet. I won't hold dinner. I know you're all hungry.”
Murmurs and laughter filled the room. A few people exclaimed, “Hungry? I'm starved.”
Trent motioned me to a chair by him and Ozzy.
Everyone in attendance for dinner was male. Most looked like couples. I thought I might recognize some of them, but I didn’t. Colin and Maddy hadn't arrived yet. I wondered if they were who Trent had been waiting on.
Soon, handsome waiters wearing black and white tuxes brought out the food. A large turkey with all the trimmings. And for those who didn't like fowl, a plate of T-bone steaks with toothpicks in them depicting rare, medium rare, medium, and well done.
We were served individual portions of soup and salad, but the turkey was at the head of the table with a server carving portions to each person's specifications.
My exercise regimen had been tough this week, so I decided to indulge.
I had some turkey and a steak, rare. I was sure I would be able to eat it all. It looked delicious.
And it did not disappoint. Soon I was shoveling food into my mouth and learning the names of the others.
Midway through the meal, the butler who had shown me to my room appeared behind Trent. He leaned down and whispered something into his ear.
Trent stood, tossing his napkin into the seat of his chair. “By all means, show him in. We've got a spare seat for him right next to Briar.”
I turned just as a young man appeared at the dining room’s archway. He was a cute little guy with big glasses and dozens of brown ringlets framing is cherub face.
Trent went straight to him and gave him a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek. I looked at Ozzy to make sure it was okay. Apparently so, since Ozzy was smiling.
“Everyone,” Trent said. “I'd like to introduce Rivi. He's a cousin of mine and he's staying here with us through New Year's.”
A chorus of hellos rolled toward Rivi. He raised one hand in a light wave and gave us all the cutest little smile.
“Hi.”
As Trent led him to the chair next to mine, my muscles tensed.
The skin on my arms and neck grew warm. Uh oh.
This wouldn't do. I was attracted to this one in a way I hadn't felt in too long.
Trent was going to kill me. I was going to have to be ever vigilant now.
Or possibly get kicked out into the snow on my ass.
Besides, a young man small in size did not guarantee he was a little or even the type who was looking for a daddy. It was too early to make those kinds of assumptions.