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could be, but by all means -- use what intrigues you. If
you see something used in instruction that you'd like to
try, go right ahead. Also, if you'd like to try out the
sensory deprivation equipment, I'll be more than happy
to spot you."
Hayden raised an eyebrow. "That sounds interesting."
"I thought you might like the sound of that." Tobias
grinned and lifted his arm to sweep around the ring.
"Bradford is no stranger here, and I know that if you
have questions or can't find something you need only
say so. He'll have Nikki produce it, since -- as we all
know -- the subs keep the order in here."
"I'm more than happy to help out," Bradford offered.
"I knew I could count on you." Tobias sat in his
imposing, throne-like chair and watched Hayden and the
other two Doms, Kraig and Simon, continue to explore,
talking among themselves. "Bradford, who on earth is
running the dining room? I don't think I've ever been in
there without seeing Brian."
"Excellent question." Bradford laughed. "Unfortunately
for me, Hayden has been requesting Brian more and
more, and so I've had to train some new boys in his
place. At the moment, there are three boys doing what
Brian normally manages by himself."
Safe Words: A Deviations Novel - 345
"Heh." Tobias snickered. "I hope no one has let Brian
know this. He'll be impossible -- or Hayden will really
have to step up his game." Either way, it was going to be
fun. "Have you spent much time with Simon? He's very
quiet, but a quick thinker."
"I haven't yet. I try to invite each of the new Doms to
dinner at least once, and I also try to watch a couple of
their sessions. I haven't had the opportunity to do either
for Simon yet. But he's pleasant enough from what I can
tell."
"His boy is nice -- young, though. I think that's why he's
here, trying to steer them into restraint and bondage and
less flogging. He told me he wants to go deeper, but that
means different things for so many people." Tobias
shrugged. "We'll see how it goes. Are you going to dine
with the guest house with them, or are you going to pull
rank and come down to the house?"
"Oh, no. I'm a student this weekend, Tobias. Nikki has
been asking for some quieter work, and when you told
me about this weekend, I thought it would be perfect. I
think it's good for him to learn alongside other subs, and
a Dom can always benefit from refresher courses."
Bradford smiled. "I'll be dining with the other Doms,
unless you think that would make them uncomfortable?"
"I doubt it -- not after the first few minutes, anyway."
Tobias smiled at his friend. "It might help them to see
you as just another Dom, really. To see that you, too,
need to take time to connect with Nikki. I think it'll be a
good thing." He stood up as the other three came near.
"So, that's the work space. Shall we go back to the guest
Safe Words: A Deviations Novel - 346
house? Phantom and Noah have made sure that your
kitchen is stocked, Bradford's houseboys have been in to
clean and make up all the rooms, and I'm sure that you're
all eager to settle in for your first evening. As I said --
feel free to find whatever you think you'll need for the
night. There are toys in each room as well, and leashes
at the house."
Hayden had found himself a pair of cuffs that, while
made of a heavy, sturdy leather, were nonetheless lined
with soft, forgiving fur. He handed them to Brian, who
was kneeling with the other subs along the edge of the
ring, to carry. Brian's eyes widened. "Still," Hayden
admonished softly.
Tobias waited a moment while the others got themselves
sorted, and then brought Noah and Phan to heel. "Come
with me," he said, walking a line of ordering his own
boys and inviting the guests. He hoped everyone would
accept the words as they were intended, and led the way
out of the barn and to the guest house. "You've all been
assigned rooms, but you're free to use the common
spaces whenever you feel like it. Sexual activity falls
under the same rules as at the club -- get a room." He
grinned and winked at Bradford.
"Really, Tobias. I fail to understand why you are
looking at me," Bradford said with a laugh.
Phan giggled and turned it into a cough. "Sorry, sir."
Tobias sighed. "Two, boy."
"Yes, sir."
Safe Words: A Deviations Novel - 347
Nikki somehow managed not to laugh. "Good boy,"
Bradford said, a touch of indignant embarrassment in his
voice. "Let's take our bags up, shall we?"
"Yes, sir." Nikki hopped up, grabbed the suitcases, and
practically ran up the steps with them.
Bradford snorted. "Boys." He grinned. "I'll send him
back down in a moment to help start supper." And with
that, he excused himself.
Hayden grinned along with the others. "What's next on
our agenda? We see you in the morning? Or is there
something planned for this evening?"
"This evening, you get to talk amongst yourselves, settle
in, eat well." Tobias smiled. "I'll leave the stables
unlocked until eleven. We'll meet in the ring at nine
tomorrow morning, and I expect everyone to have eaten
and to be awake and ready to pay attention. Even
Phantom."
Phan, two strokes up for the day, said nothing at all.
"Brian is an early riser," Hayden said with a grin. "We'll
be there." He pointed to his luggage. "If you'll excuse us,
then. Bring my bag, pet."
Brian was quick to move, and perhaps just a little more
graceful than usual, too. He followed Hayden up the
stairs easily.
Safe Words: A Deviations Novel - 348
Tobias shook hands with Simon, who just as silently
went up with his boy, then paused with Kraig. "If you
need anything, feel free to call the house or send your
submissive down. We hope that everything is where it
should be, but as this is the first weekend with the new
set-up, I'm sure there's going to be a hitch somewhere."
Kraig nodded. "Will do. I'm very impressed so far," he
said. "And thank you to your boys for stocking
everything for us."
"It was their pleasure." Tobias beamed at him and
headed home, his boys in tow. "See you all in the
morning," he called as he left. "Noah, what are we
having for dinner tonight?"
"I had planned on grilling, sir. There are steaks
marinating, asparagus, and rice pilaf... and then perhaps
a nice, hot cup of tea before bed."
"Oh, tea sounds nice." It had been a while since he'd had
tea at bedtime.
"It sure does!" Phan said eagerly. "I'll help Noah with
dinner, sir."
"Why, thank you, Phan." Noah snorted.
Tobias liked to hear that -- they were teasing and helpful
and happy. The last few months had been a little bumpy,
but right then, with the sun low in the sky and his boys
at his side, Tobias was more than content.
Safe Words: A Deviations Novel - 349
He was in love and loved. He was successful, his friends
were well, and his lovers were balanced and thriving.
There really was no better feeling. Except, possibly...
"I think we'll have a late dinner, boys. I feel like having
that tea now; no sense in waiting until tomorrow for the
good parts."
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