Chapter 3
3
W esley was right. It took him all of one good night’s sleep to get over the stress of travel and his flight the day before. He woke up late but still with time to make it to breakfast. The shower in his room was incredible, even if he’d made it a quick one.
He pulled on a T-shirt and a fleece pullover, tugged on jeans and stomped into his boots, then took the wide, carpeted staircase from the second floor down to the dining room.
He'd been tired and taken his dinner in his room, so this was his first visit to the communal dining room. There were quite a few people there, some sitting at large round tables, others at long ones that sat six or eight.
He was alone, so he scanned the room, unsure where he should sit.
“Mr. Dugan.” The man who approached Wes looked and sounded official. He had dark hair with fascinating sliver streaks at his temples. “Carson Gonzales. I wanted to greet you last night, but I was told you’d asked for dinner in your room and decided to leave you alone. Welcome to the Barn.”
Ah, Gonzales was a familiar name. One of the owners, he thought. “Thank you. Yes, I was pretty tired yesterday.”
“It’s a trek up here, for sure, but it’s worth it, if I do say so myself.”
“So far, I have to agree. It’s beautiful country.” He glanced around and gestured to the tables. “Do I just sit anywhere?”
“Please. I’ll have someone bring you coffee and water and get your order. The menus are on the tables.”
“Great. Thank you very much.” So now he had a choice to make. Sit at a table with a couple of free seats or sit on his own and see if he attracted anyone to join him. Antisocial didn’t seem to make much sense given why he was here, but a table full of Doms wasn’t why he’d come here either.
You couldn’t always judge a book by its cover, but it was a safe bet that the table full of bearded men in leather were Doms. Not his style, anyway. Instead, he chose a table off to his left that was only half-full and seemed to have a mix of guys who looked like they’d only just rolled out of bed like he had.
“Good morning. Is this seat taken?”
“Nope,” a couple of them replied at once.
“No, Sir.” One of them hopped right up and pulled a chair out for him. “Welcome.”
“Thank you.” He smiled at the man, who seemed younger and had an eager smile. “I’m Wesley.”
“ Master Wesley?”
He chuckled. “Yes. Sorry, I’m new here. I am Master Wesley. I got in yesterday from Sacramento. Where are you all from?”
A hot cup of coffee arrived and a glass of water, prompting him to pick up his menu.
“Alan and I are from Denver,” the young man said. “Grayson is from… Atlanta?” He got a nod. “And Ezra’s a local.”
“Nice. And are you mostly here on vacation? Or for an event?” He was just here for some R people bring me food and coffee, and I don’t have to make my bed.”
Patrick nodded happily. “Right? Vacation is amazing. It’s like being relaxed and sexy all the time.”
“Um. Isn’t that what subs are for, Sir?” Alan asked, looking genuinely confused.
He understood why. “You’re right, boy. That’s exactly what subs are for.” He grinned, feeling daring. “Unless they’re having breakfast in bed with you.”
Alan’s eyes lit up, and he grinned, the expression a touch shy. “That sounds decadent.”
“Doesn’t it? It’s been a little while since I’ve had that kind of time. I don't completely recall.” He winked at Alan.
Alan blushed, sweet and pink. “Well, that’s a shame. I’m glad you have it now.”
Ezra was a little too shy and Patrick was a little too forward, but Alan was a nice middle-of-the-road. Look at him. Dom-ilocks and the three cubs. “Alan, will you be at the cookout later?”
“Yes, Sir. I will be. Would you like me to save you a seat in the sunshine?”
He still had one eye on Zeke, but the boy had ignored him completely and then disappeared. He didn’t think he stood much of a chance. “That would be nice. I’ll find you later.” He stood, pushing back his chair. “Good to meet all of you.”
Alan and Patrick both stood, and Alan smiled. “Pleased to meet you, Sir. I look forward to seeing you.”
He nodded to them, and to little Erza who gave him a shy smile, then turned and left the dining room, thinking maybe he’d take a walk and learn his way around.
See what—or who—there was to see.