Page 208 of Haunted
Butch’s breathing hitched. “That sounds like one serious outcome.”
“And one I’m not going to talk about.” Sol straightened, and it was as if he’d cast off the layer of sadness that had settled on him. He lay on his back, his arm outstretched. “How about you cover us with one of those blankets, and we lie here and gaze at the sky for a while, listening to the water?”
Butch couldn’t think of anything he wanted to do more.
They lay together beneath the blanket, watching birds fly overhead, drinking in the sights and sounds surrounding them. Sol’s body was warm against his, and Butch would’ve happily stayed like that for hours.
His mind drifted back to Sol’s words.
What did he mean, he might not be sitting here?
In spite of all their conversations, there was so much he didn’t know about Sol, and damn it, hewantedto know. Granted, he knew Sol was a good man, caring, supportive, generous, and skilled in areas Butch was only just beginning to learn about. But there was a yawning gap between high school and the present. Sure, he knew Sol had moved from Casper to Gillette, from Gillette to Cheyenne, and then San Francisco, but that was just geography.
What about his history?
Time was running out. The days between then and Saturday were being eaten up by a ravenous beast that cared little for Butch’s hopes and dreams.
He wanted more moments like this. And maybe if he got them, then Sol would realize what he was holding in his arms, and would want tokeephold of Butch for longer.
Telling Sol how he felt was not an option.
Not yet, at any rate.
Not until he’d seen some indication that Sol felt something for him, until he was certain to avoid rejection.
Because that would break him.
Wednesday, September 28
Robert approached the barn door with caution. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t about to walk into the middle of a scene. He couldn’t hear anything, so he guessed he was safe.
One of the Doms—Darren, maybe?—sat on a chair, staring at his phone. He glanced up as Robert came closer. “Hey.”
“I thought I’d stop by to check everything was okay,” Robert said with a smile. “And also to see if there was any feedback you could give us to improve things in the future.”
Darren returned his smile. “This is an awesome place you have here. And this week so far… I haven’t been this relaxed in a long while.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” Robert gestured to the main room. “Did we miss anything?”
“God, no. You guys thought of everything. The accommodation’s fantastic, the food is amazing, and your people are really helpful. Plus, I’ve learned a lot.”
“Really?”
Darren nodded. “I haven’t been a Dom all that long, and Luke and Wyatt are my first subs.” His expression grew solemn. “Sol gave me a reminder of what’s important.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. He has so much more experience than I do, and he’s a damn good teacher. You know where he is right now?” Darren pointed along the hallway to the private rooms. “He’s with my boys, talking. He’s so good with them, like he really knows how to get through to people.”
“He’s a counselor, among other things,” Robert told him.
Darren’s face brightened. “Yeah? That explains a lot. I think that’s awesome, you having someone here to teach, guide, demonstrate… I had no idea you offered that too.”
Up until that moment, Robert had had no idea either, but he was certainly thinking about it now.
“It’s such a great balance,” Darren continued. “A peaceful new environment to explore kink, and have time to chill as well. I tell you, it was exactly the breathing space we all needed.”
“I’m glad.”
