Plan to Read This Weekend!

5/1/2026

Ian pressed the intercom button on his phone, “Yes?”
“There’s a Kevin Shumay here to see you. He says he’s from,” he could hear his assistant, Jocelyn, asking, “What’s the company name?”

“I know him. I’ll be right there,” Ian said. He sighed and stood up, grabbing his suit jacket and slipping it on as he walked to his office door. Stopping at the door, he took a deep breath, straightened his tie, and buttoned the jacket.

Ian put a pleasant, neutral smile on his face and opened the door. “Good afternoon.” He looked around. “I was expecting more people.”

“Yeah,” Kevin ambled into Ian’s office. “I was making a few stops not too far from here. Thought I’d pop in and see if you were free to show me around. I hope that’s okay?”

“S-sure.”

Kevin smiled, and Ian got the distinct impression that he enjoyed throwing Ian off balance. He stood with hands in his pants pockets, watching as Ian went to his desk, grabbing keys and a security card, pocketing those as he turned to face Kevin. Holding out one arm to the door, he said, “Let’s go. We’ll look at the hotel first, then I can show you one of the cabins. Unless your needs have changed?”

“Nope. Still, the same as we discussed last week.”

No matter how Ian tried to make sure they were walking together, Kevin managed to stay half a step behind. His skin crawled knowing Kevin was watching Ian’s every move. Ian silently recited this was his hotel and resort. He was in charge here. Dozens of people answered to him. He was the CEO, not a sub and Kevin was a client, not a Dom.

Yet, Ian felt exposed and controlled.

Another deep, steadying, breath, and Ian pushed the button to the elevator. When the door opened, he put one hand on it, holding it open, and nodded for Kevin to step inside.

Kevin leaned on the opposite door and brushed one hand down Ian’s arm. “After you.”

Ian almost controlled the shiver that worked down his spine. He stepped over the threshold and into the elevator, cursing himself for following Kevin’s order.

By the time the elevator door opened, Ian had regained much of his composure. “That way,” he said and motioned Kevin to the right. “You first, I insist.”

Kevin smirked and shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

It was sexy and alluring and maddening and frightening all at once.

A short hall led to the main part of the room. Ian opened the closets. “Plenty of room for two people to hang their clothes.” He moved beyond the hallway. “Bathroom is over here,” he said as he turned on the light.

Kevin grabbed the door jamb and leaned into the bathroom, filling most of the doorway and blocking Ian from leaving at the same time. “This is very nice.”

“Thank you,” Ian said softly. “We have handicapped-accessible rooms, of course, if you need them.”

In order to leave the bathroom, Ian had to slip by Kevin, brushing against the man’s chest and feeling how his ribcage expanded in a quick breath. He gazed directly at Ian until Ian looked down at the floor.

Ian inwardly swore at himself for dropping into sub mode for someone other than Taren, and at a totally inappropriate time. “The rooms come with a king or two queen-sized beds,” Ian said in a rush. “The sofa in the sitting area opens into a full-sized bed as well. There’re ample outlets for devices, and the nightstands have charging stations.”

He turned in a circle, gestured to the television, dressers, the sitting area, and round table and chairs.

Kevin walked around the room. “This is nice.” The compliment was genuine.

“Thank you.” Ian smiled. “We did an update a few years ago. I’m incredibly pleased with how it all turned out. We have a restaurant and bar, open till ten every evening. Room service is available from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.”

“Is that the same for the cabins?”

Ian shook his head. The urge to put more distance between Kevin and he was almost overwhelming but stood his ground. “No. Cabin service stops at 9 p.m., but guests can order take-out from the restaurant while it’s open.” He walked to the door and held it open. “We can look at one of the cabins if you’d like.”

“I would. I promised to check everything thoroughly.” Kevin’s gaze raked over Ian again as he sauntered into the hall.

Feeling his neck flush, Ian fumbled with the card lock before saying, “We’ll take my car.” He set a brisk pace to his car. If Kevin was going to insist on walking behind, Ian decided he didn’t have to go at Kevin’s speed.

Ian remembered to turn the seat heaters off when he started the car. Kevin glanced at Ian’s hand and raised his eyebrows.

Ian shrugged. “Something Taren and I do. I figured you wouldn’t like it. And it’s our thing.”

“Understood.” Kevin shrugged. “Might be fun to try sometime. You might remember I switch.”

“I do.” Ian smiled.

“Think we can get any of my guests to practice Locktober?”

That made Ian laugh and relax. “Only if I can sit and watch you give that talk then clear it with HR.”

“Deal,” Kevin said and chuckled. “Do you have a cabin I can look at?”
“I do.” Ian parked the SUV in a common lot near the cabins. He motioned to one of the closer cabins. As they walked to the group of cabins, he relaxed and tried to remind himself Kevin had a playful side that was different from his and Taren’s. It was unlikely that Kevin meant any harm. Kevin could be a little pushy, but he’d never overstepped his bounds. “We can walk through this one.” He unlocked the door, letting it swing open.

Kevin used one hand against the door to hold it open for Ian. “I can get a better view that way.”

“Uh-huh.” Ian was careful not to get ahead of Kevin, but right now he seemed more interested in seeing the grounds and accommodations than Ian’s ass.

Kevin checked the place thoroughly and wandered around the grounds surrounding the cabins, which Ian expected. Once they were finished, they returned to Ian’s office. Jocelyn wasn’t there, but she often had to leave the offices. Ian wished she hadn’t picked this instant to do so.

“I’ll be in touch,” Kevin said and held out his hand to Ian. He hung onto Ian’s hand a bit too long with a grip too firm and used his foot to push the door to Ian’s office closed.

Ian tried to jerk his hand free, but Kevin doubled down on his grip. “Not exactly respecting boundaries,” Ian ground out.

Kevin responded by leaning in closer and planting his other palm firmly against the wall inches from Ian’s head. His eyes twinkled. He smiled. “You’re always too worried about proper boundaries.” He leaned closer to Ian and ran his other hand down Ian’s side. “What would you suppose Taren would think of us?”

Ian yanked his hand free and shoved at Kevin, pushing him away. “Get off me! I’m a sub, not a doormat, and not your boy toy.”

Kevin shoved back, forcing Ian against the wall, hand on Ian’s chest applying enough pressure to restrain Ian. He spoke in Ian’s ear, his voice low. “You sure weren’t arguing a few nights ago when I manhandled you, boy.” Kevin gave Ian’s chest a pat before he let go and took a few steps back.

“Taren’s the only person who calls me that,” Ian spat.

Kevin winked. “Hmm, we’ll see.” He sighed and opened the door. “Maybe I’ll look at other locations for my company.”

Ian shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets so Kevin wouldn’t see them shake. “Go ahead. As you can see, we’re not hurting.” He had to concentrate on every word to keep from stammering.

“Maybe that’ll change.” Kevin smirked and walked out of the room, nodding to Jocelyn coming back in, as he passed her in the door to the outer office.