good boy. Let me grab some ice, then we can head back to my room. I have some fresh juice there to get your blood sugar up while we wait for room service.”
“They’re already closed.”
Zen glanced over his shoulder as he placed the bucket on his hip and winked.
“Not for me they aren’t.”
Oh.
Chapter Six
As the adorable Braylin walked silently at Zen’s side, Zen reminded himself of what his role that evening toward Braylin should be. Caretaker and friend. A smidgen of Dom was acceptable—since all along Braylin’s need to be taken in hand had been apparent—but nothing sexual. If he were a betting man, he’d guess that Braylin was somewhat, if not completely, sexually innocent. Even if Braylin found the kink part of Zen’s persona appealing as a fan, he doubted Braylin was haunting the BDSM clubs back in LA being flogged and fisted.
“Here we are,” Zen said, juggling the ice bucket so he was cradling it with one arm then digging in his pocket for his keycard with his other hand.
“I’m sorry.” Braylin reached for the container of ice. “I can hold that for you.”
He didn’t need the help, but he sensed Braylin needed to feel helpful.
“Thank you.”
Zen smiled at Braylin and relinquished the bucket, hoping that the tense young man would calm down enough that they could make some progress in their shaky détente. The small gesture seemed to do the trick and Braylin smiled back.
Once they’d made their way inside, Zen motioned to the small kitchenette on the other end of his suite. Braylin obeyed the unspoken order and Zen observed Braylin as he made his way across the room, soaking in the surroundings in what seemed to be a measure of awe.
Zen ached to know what thoughts were tumbling through Braylin’s head and how much of his reticence in being around him was due to Sal’s poisonous words.
After Braylin set down the ice, he turned then leaned against the counter—making no move to step back into the main part of the suite. The bedroom was in a separate room, so Zen wasn’t sure what to make of Braylin’s hesitation. He could see he’d have to tread even more carefully than he’d already assumed with the skittish man.
“Why don’t you take a seat wherever you’d like, and I’ll grab the room service menu.”
Zen arched his eyebrows at Braylin, daring him to defy his command. When Braylin complied, Zen padded over to the desk and grabbed the folder containing the dining options.
“Here you go. If you’re having trouble finding something you can eat, they can adjust.”
Braylin accepted the menu. “I hate being a bother.”
“You’ll do as I say.”
Zen made sure to keep his tone gentle, yet firm. Trying to pretend he wasn’t interested in exploring something real with Braylin—even if it had to be put on hold until the tour’s conclusion—was becoming ridiculous. The talk they were about to have would be the deciding factor.
If Braylin wasn’t interested in a D/s relationship, then fine. Quandary over. Zen could quietly pine over the sweet boy, while knowing nothing would ever happen. They could both move on with their lives and either Braylin would find another gig after the tour was completed, or they’d both settle into a comfortable acquaintance in the future, the next time Glitter Kink hit the road.
Zen knew it wouldn’t be so easy for him to tune out Braylin’s charms. Like a first class fool, he’d been allowing himself to fantasize what it would be like being Braylin’s Dom, to not only explore the world of kink with him, teach him to embrace his sensual nature—but to guide and protect the young man. Care for him.
Keep him.
Braylin studied the menu carefully, his brow knitted while he chewed on his lip. Zen crossed his arms. Watching Braylin from afar the past couple weeks had been torture. Every time Zen spotted him, he was either hunched in on himself, chomping on a fingernail or shifting from foot to foot in clear nervousness.
But not when Braylin was at work. No, he transformed once it was time for him to set up the gear, to ready the instruments.
To play the guitar.
That was when Braylin shined. Zen recognized that hunger, that need. Braylin belonged on the stage, not behind the scenes.
Which presented another problem. Zen would never hold Braylin back. Hell, he’d help him if the kid would accept the offer. He sensed Braylin’s pride might intervene, but if he was his Dom…
Zen grunted and shook his head. Man, he was