Serving Him Read online

  “Can you tell me what it is that you most enjoy about looking after someone?” This time it was Harry who asked the question, just as Rowan reached the relative safety of his chair.

  “I believe there’s an art to service, sir.” Rowan leaned forward, elbows on his knees, fingers steepled. “My pleasure comes from the knowledge that I’ve done a good job with grace. Sorry, that’s not the right word…service should be seamless, inconspicuous and done with love. Whether it’s polishing an antique piece of furniture, keeping bed linens pristine or running the perfect bubble bath, the task should be performed with the client’s pleasure in mind. Kneeling in silence, assuming a display position or accepting discipline—the aim should always be perfection even if it isn’t always possible to achieve. Trying my best calms me. I’m sorry… I don’t think I’m being very clear.” Rowan examined his fingernails.

  “On the contrary,” Harry said. “That was a revealing response. Look at me, Rowan.”

  Rowan snapped his head up to meet Harry’s eyes.

  “There’s no need to apologize for saying what you feel.”

  “May I, Sir?” Alistair turned to Carey.

  “Of course, love.”

  Rowan immediately felt more at ease. Alistair was a sub so he would understand how Rowan felt.

  “Rowan, The Retreat is quite isolated and very rural. How do you think you’ll cope with that?” Alistair’s tone was gentle and reassuring.

  “I’m a country boy. I live in a small village and work at a country hotel. Cities scare me. There are too many people and the noise never stops. Oh… I guess you guys like that, though.”

  Alastair giggled. “It has its moments.” He frowned. “In this role, you would only get time off between clients because we want continuity of service for each guest. Sometimes that might mean working for a few days or a week but other times for a month or more. How do you feel about that?”

  “I like the idea that I can get to know a client during his stay. The better I know someone, the better the service I can provide. And, to be honest, I tend to get a bit territorial. I know other people are just as capable as me but I have a hard time accepting that they care as much. If I had time off I would feel like I was abandoning my client.”

  Alistair nodded. “Thanks, Rowan.”

  After a few more probing questions from Harry, Carey asked, “Do you have any final questions for us?”

  “Just…well…would I get any information about the clients before their arrival? So I could prepare things to their liking?”

  “We have very strict confidentiality agreements,” Carey said, “which you would have to sign. The client’s identity is only revealed at their discretion and they may choose to use a false name. You would receive a folder containing details of their preferences. When a client books a stay at The Retreat, they get to select any number of things to make their stay more enjoyable. This could also affect your working conditions so we would share that with you.”

  Rowan nodded. “Thank you. It all sounds wonderful.”

  Carey stood, offering a hand. “That’s it for now. I can see Christian waiting for you.”

  “We’re having lunch together.”

  “That’s a great idea—you can ask him anything else you think of. Please accept the meal with our compliments. We’ll be in touch very soon.”

  Rowan shook Carey’s hand before grabbing his bag. “Yes, sir. Thank you for the opportunity.” He nodded to Harry and Alistair before moving away, searching the room for Christian. He was standing to one side near the kitchen door and gave Rowan a small wave. Rowan walked across to him, taking care not to knock into anything.

  “How did it go?” Christian asked.

  “I’ve no idea,” Rowan replied. “I mean, I answered all their questions but I’m not sure I was giving them the answers they were looking for. I was too nervous to make eye contact very much so it was hard to tell how they were reacting.”

  “Well, I’m sure you did really well and you deserve a nice lunch, so let’s find a table then you can choose whatever you like from the menu.” Christian led him across the restaurant to a table set for three. “I hope you don’t mind but I asked another friend to join us. His name’s Olly and I’m sure you’ll like him—everyone does. He’s here with his Dom, Joe, but he has permission to spend some time with us.”

  “Sure,” Rowan replied. “I don’t get to meet many subs and it’s really nice to be with people who understand me.”

  “He should be here in a few minutes.”

  Christian took a seat and Rowan chose the one next to him, facing out into the restaurant so he could indulge in a bit of people-watching.

  “Here, have a look at the menu.” Christian handed it over. “The chefs are brilliant. I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t recommend. Except avocado—I hate those things.”

  Rowan chuckled at Christian’s grimace. He examined the extensive list of dishes. “Wow, there’s so much choice! A lot more than in the restaurant at the hotel where I work.”

  “It’s a bit overwhelming, isn’t it? Carey usually orders for me because I can never make up my mind. If you like, we could get one of the sharing platters. Lots of yummy, deep-fried finger food with a selection of dips. You can choose between meat, fish or vegetarian. Do you have a preference?”

  “Fish! Because the garlic prawns are incredibly scrummy.”

  Rowan glanced up from the menu to see who had spoken because it wasn’t Christian. Someone, who he guessed must be Olly, had joined them and was pulling up a chair. The young man had a head of golden curls, blue eyes and a cheeky grin. He wore tight black leather trousers, glittery lilac Vans and a purple T-shirt with a rainbow-colored unicorn on it.

  “Hi, I’m Olly, and I’m serious—the fish platter is scrumplicious.”

  “Rowan.” Rowan couldn’t help but smile. Olly seemed so full of joy it was bubbling over.

  “Christian told me that you’re going to need lots of sympathy because you’ve just been through a horrible ordeal. I’m really good at sympathy because I’m a nurse so I’ve been trained in how to be nice to people.” Olly cocked his head to one side as if thinking hard. “Though some of the soldiers at the military hospital where I work every now and again say that my bedside manner could be improved, but it’s hardly my fault when they can’t aim vomit into a paper bowl. You’d think being soldiers they’d be good shots but no. I dread to think what they’re like in the gents.” He giggled. “Anyway, I will definitely be nice to you. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be interviewed by Harry and Carey. The idea terrifies me. Though, if Alistair was there it couldn’t have been all bad because he’s really sweet—that’s if the dommy types let him get a word in edgeways. My Dom is Joe. He’s over there at that table.”

  Olly leaned so far back in his chair that Rowan held his breath, thinking that it would tip over any second. Olly pointed at a handsome blond man on the other side of the room, sharing a table with three others.

  “Isn’t he gorgeous?” He rocked his chair back into place. “I’m a very lucky boy. But I have to be good and eat healthy things, so if we’re having one of the sharing platters, and I really, really hope we are, then we have to get salad too. That counts as healthy, doesn’t it? And fish is good for me, it has all that omega three stuff. And if I eat all that good stuff it means I can have a really big dessert.” He rubbed his flat stomach with both hands, eyes bright with excitement. “So tell us all about the interview. What mean questions did they ask you? Was it like an interrogation, you know like the Spanish Inquisition with torture and stuff?” He shivered. “That would be so delicious.”

  Rowan laughed. “There was no torture involved, though I did have to take my clothes off in front of the whole restaurant.”

  Olly gasped. “Holy guacamole! Joe would never let me do that. He says that my special bits are for his eyes only. Of course, his eyes get to see them a lot. When we are at home he has this strange idea that clothing is optional for me
, but not for him, which I don’t think is fair because he has the most amazing body, which I really, really like to look at, and kiss, and lick…” Olly got a dreamy look on his face as if he was off in another world.

  “Too much information, Olly,” Christian said, grinning.

  “But we’re friends,” Olly said, “and friends tell each other everything. I keep saying that to Aidan, he’s my best friend, Rowan, but he’s not here because he’s back in Yorkshire working. He has a brain the size of Jupiter and does really clever computer geeky stuff, which I don’t understand, and he lives in the basement but I think he likes it down there because it reminds him of the dungeon and he spends a lot of time in dungeons with his Dom, Heath.”

  Christian shook his head. He waved to the nearest server who scurried over. “Can we get the fish platter for three please, Barnaby? And a big bowl of mixed salad with some of the chef’s special dressing. Water okay for everyone, or would you prefer juice?”

  “Water for me, please,” said Rowan.

  “I’ll take an apple juice with ice,” Olly said.

  Barnaby smiled then skipped toward the kitchen. His kilt lifted as he moved, revealing his almost bare arse. Several diners at other tables turned to watch him.

  “I don’t think it’ll be long before Barnaby finds himself a Master,” Christian commented. “Several members have shown interest already.”

  “Do many people get paired up after working here?” Rowan asked.

  “Quite a few,” Christian responded. “That’s why they are constantly having to recruit. I used to work reception here before I met my partner and now I just cover when they’re a bit short-staffed. I’m at college most of the time.”

  “But it will be different at The Retreat,” Olly said. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to work somewhere else after they’ve spent time there—it’s an amazing place.”

  “Have you been?” Rowan was intrigued.

  “I have,” Olly said. “Not that long ago either. Me and Joe, Aidan and Heath went to stay there for a long weekend. Carey wanted a few friends to test out some of the facilities before he opened to paying guests. It wasn’t fully staffed, but the chef was there and he can work magic in the kitchen. I can’t tell you how orgasmic his double chocolate brownies are.” Olly smacked his lips together. “The bedrooms are amazing, too. They all have their little secrets and look like normal guest bedrooms if you don’t examine them too closely.”

  “What do you mean?” Rowan asked.

  “Well, in one room there’s a priest’s hole in the floor, which has been converted to a cage. Aidan spent some time in there.” Olly grinned. “And in the room Joe and I shared there was a sling hidden in the canopy of the four-poster and a piece of furniture that converted to a spanking bench. Just perfect. We had an amazing time. Oh, and you must visit the attic. But I won’t give away all the place’s secrets—some of them you need to discover for yourself.”

  “I haven’t got the job yet,” Rowan said. “But I’m keeping everything crossed.”

  “That must be really uncomfortable,” Olly said, crossing his eyes.

  Their food arrived and the three of them tucked in. Rowan found that he had a voracious appetite. As Christian had promised, the food was delicious and there was plenty for all of them. They chatted about all kinds of things during the meal and Rowan felt like he’d made two good friends even in such a short space of time. Christian was serene and calm, he made Rowan feel relaxed and Olly was so much fun, Rowan couldn’t imagine anyone not liking him—though he thought it would probably be quite easy to get into trouble if he spent much time with him. They were perusing the dessert menu when Alistair came over.

  “Mind if I join you?” he asked.

  “Alistair!” Olly jumped to his feet and gave Alistair a hug. “Of course you can, even though you were part of the Inquisition.” His eyes sparkled.

  “Thanks, I think.” Alistair gave a wry grin. “I’ll have the strawberry tart if you’re ordering desserts but I’ve also come with good news. Congratulations, Rowan, the job at The Retreat is yours if you want it.”

  Rowan gaped. “But I wasn’t expecting to hear anything for days.”

  “You were the last person we had to interview, and it was a really easy decision. We all agreed you’d be perfect for the post.”

  Rowan didn’t know what to say. He was shocked, happy and nervous all at once. Christian and Olly both congratulated him, Christian with a hug and Olly with a big kiss on the cheek. “I… Um…”

  “Time for pudding.” Olly waved at Barnaby. “We need three giant chocolate surprises and one boring piece of strawberry tart,” he said. “We’re celebrating.”

  While Barnaby went to the kitchen to sort out their order, Alistair grabbed a chair from a vacant table and they all shuffled around to make room for him.

  “You’re going to get into so much trouble for this, Olly.” Alistair winked. “I hope you haven’t been taking on board any advice that Olly is giving you, Rowan, he’s a bad influence.”

  “I am.” Olly raised his glass of juice in a toast. “And proud of it. But I’m sure Rowan wouldn’t be swayed by little old me.”

  Rowan laughed. “I think, Olly, that you might look angelic but you’re the devil in disguise.”

  Christian and Alistair fell about laughing.

  “He’s got you down to a T,” Christian said.

  Olly tossed his head, making his blond curls bounce. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean. I’m as pure and innocent as the driven snow.”

  Their desserts arrived and Rowan gaped at their size. Conical sundae dishes contained layers of chocolate mousse, cherries, cream and chunks of brownie, and were topped with a smooth dark ganache and more cherries. “There’s no way I’m going to be able to fit this in,” Rowan said.

  “Well, if you run out of room, I’d be happy to help you out,” Olly said.

  “Olly’s never met a dessert yet that could beat him,” Christian commented.

  “Puddings are made to be conquered,” Olly announced. “Whether they are in pretty glass dishes or smeared on Joe’s abs.” His expression was deadly serious.

  Trying not to laugh, Rowan scooped a spoonful of the sweet concoction into his mouth and before he knew it, he was scraping the bottom of the dish.

  “You see? Rowan and I are destined to be soulmates.” Olly gave his spoon a final lick. “We should get coffee now.”

  “You might want to rethink that,” Christian said, “because Joe and Carey are heading this way.”

  “Oh.” Olly’s eyes widened. He sipped some water. “Do I have any chocolate around my mouth?” He licked his lips.

  Rowan resisted the urge to stand up as Carey and Joe approached. Close-up, Rowan could now see that Olly’s Dom was startlingly good-looking, with icy pale blue eyes. He could have come across as haughty and cold but when his gaze rested on Olly the chill in his eyes warmed.

  “I hope you all had a lovely lunch,” Carey said. “Were you impressed by the cooking, Rowan?”

  “Yes, sir. Everything was delicious. I think it was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten.”

  “The chef will be delighted to hear it,” Carey said. “And congratulations on your new role, not that I would assume to pre-empt your decision. However, I’ve taken the liberty of putting together some paperwork for you.” He handed over a folder. “In there you’ll find a contract of employment with a covering letter and a separate contract with the more unusual details of the role. Please take your time and have someone else look over them if you wish. I’d appreciate a quick phone call, once you’ve made your decision, to let me know whether or not you’d like to accept the job.”

  “Of course, sir. If my aunt—she’s a lawyer—is happy with the paperwork, I’ll definitely be accepting. I can’t tell you how delighted I am that you’ve offered the role to me.”

  “We interviewed several candidates but you stood out, Rowan. I’ll be very pleased to have you as part of the staff at The
Retreat. I think you’ll fit in extremely well.” Carey smiled. “Can I introduce you to Joe Dexter? The reprobate sat next to you is his sub.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, sir. Olly is great company. Thank you for allowing him to have lunch with me. He ate lots of salad.”

  Joe shook his head. “That’s another one you’ve corrupted then, Oliver. I know exactly what you’ve been eating. Barnaby is an excellent spy. So it’s fortunate that I’ve managed to secure one of the private rooms for the afternoon because your punishment is going to take a while.”

  Rowan felt a moment’s anxiety that his new friend was in trouble but relaxed when he caught sight of the grin Olly was trying to hide.

  “I think that’s my signal to leave,” Olly said. “It was delightful to meet you, Rowan, and a wonderful coincidence that I happened to be here in London at the same time as you. It must have been fate, don’t you think?” Olly rose gracefully from his chair and turned into Joe’s arms, melting against him and resting his head on Joe’s shoulder. Rowan didn’t think he’d ever seen a couple so obviously in love. He watched them walk away, feeling just a little jealous.

  “Joe and Olly are engaged to be married,” Christian explained. “Their engagement party was spectacular. I can only imagine how fabulous the wedding will be.”

  “I like him,” Rowan said. “I think he must be a very special friend.” He checked his watch. “I really need to go and catch a train if I’m going to get home at a decent hour. I have to work in the morning and I have a really early start.” He stood up. “Thank you for making me feel so at home. I hope I’ll get to see you both again.” He checked his bag, making sure Bilbo was still safely tucked away. He slipped the folder in beside his spare clothes. “I’ll read everything on the train on the way home.” Christian and Alistair both wished him a safe journey and within a few minutes he was back outside in the London streets, surprised to find that it was still daylight. He felt like he was walking on air and couldn’t wait to get home to relay his news to Rory and Ed. He patted his rucksack. “Bilbo the good luck charm strikes again!”