Page 14 of A Little Christmas: Rivi
A tall man in a neat black suit helped me unload my stuff. I had managed to get everything into one large suitcase and my Shrek backpack. I wasn’t sure I’d be brave enough to wearhalf the stuff I brought, but I was ready for that kink party the Saturday night after Christmas.
The man led me into the house.
“Dinner is being served. I’ll store your luggage in your room on the second floor.” He pointed to one of two stairwells. “Up these stairs and you’ll find a hall. Yours is the second door on the right.”
“And straight on ‘til morning?” I thought I’d heard him say “second star on the right.”
He raised a dark eyebrow. “It’s the blue door.”
“Oh, okay. I was quoting Peter Pan.”
“Um hmm. This way.”
I held back a grin.
As we walked toward the dining room, I started to remember the house and its rooms. So many rooms. It was so huge, I’d never had a chance to explore all of it. But I did know where the dining room and kitchen were located. In strange surroundings, a growing boy always found the food first.
Uncle Trent rose from a big table and greeted me with a big hug. He smelled of pine and spice. All I could see were a lot of bright lights, and people seated at the table looking up at me. Strangers. I was used to crowds at my job, but not in my personal life.
I smiled and nodded as Uncle Trent introduced me, then seated me next to a big, tall guy all in black with two muscled armloads of tattoos peeking out from three-quarter length sleeves. His hair was shaved on the right side of his head. Locks of straight black hair fell to his left shoulder, making a wave over his forehead. He had given me a quick hard glance before his eyes hardened and he looked away.
I think Uncle Trent had said his name, but I’d already forgotten it. Servers set soup and salad in front of me. Someone asked if I wanted turkey or steak.
“Turkey, please. With gravy?”
A plate was set in front of me, and helping hands passed me mashed potatoes and a gravy boat.
I was starved from my long drive and dug into the food.
The man beside me was large enough to block me from Uncle Trent. I kept trying to get an eye on his little, Ozzy.
It was interesting to eat with so many strangers. These were the men staying here, I guessed. That meant they were all gay and all part of a kink community. I wasn’t sure how to act. Normal, I told myself. Just eat and remember to breathe.
The man next to me ate voraciously, like he hadn’t had a true meal in days. His forearms flexed as he cut up his food and placed big bites into his mouth.
He appeared sternly focused. Serious.
As I ate, I tried to listen to various conversations around the table, but my attention kept going back to the man at my side. I imagined those big arms could wield a lot of power in the kink club. He was definitely a dom, and I could see him clearly, various implements in hand, hurting subs who cried out for more. My own imagination had always been active. I saw his face harden as he loomed over everyone around him, including his willing partner. It made me flinch. This man looked like he could crush people with a thought. I wasn’t prepared to be scared by this vacation. At least, not so soon.
I badly wanted to introduce myself to Ozzy. And maybe I could manage to befriend him and together we could surreptitiously hide behind Uncle Trent’s legs for the duration of the holiday.
I kept leaning forward, pretending to reach for more food and get a glimpse of Ozzy. The food was amazing, so grabbing seconds was not really a pretense.
Uncle Trent was no small man, either, so it was not easy to see Ozzy, who sat on his far side, hunched over his food. I couldsee he had brown curls, and once he looked up at Uncle Trent and I saw how big and dark his eyes were. And soft. Like he was still new here, too, like me. Except for one difference. Ozzy, even from the few seconds I could view him, was in love.
I envied that feeling. Something I could only imagine. I was sure Uncle Trent must take very good care of him.
Finally, I got up the nerve to look around at the others at the table. I was eager to try to identify if other littles were here. Here I was, in the perfect place to look for a daddy, but instead my insecurities had me seeking others like me. I wanted to know I wasn’t alone. Even though Uncle Trent assured my safety, I wanted to feel it. And to make friends.
Just then, dessert was announced. Servers gathered to surround the one who brought out a big tray with the giant Christmas tree shaped cake on it. It was the fanciest cake I'd ever seen other than on baking competitions on TV.
I was too full to eat anymore, but when a piece was placed in front of me it looked so good I had to eat a few bites. It was fantastic.
When we finished, the big man next to me rose at the same time I did. He turned to me and held out his hand.
“I don't think I properly introduced myself. My name is Briar.”
Holding my breath, I held out my hand expecting him to squeeze hard. Instead, he took it gently. His palm was warm against mine. And then he smiled. It changed everything about his stern face, softening it, giving substance to his slightly hollow cheeks. A dimple appeared on the left side. It captivated me.
