Page 8 of Soothing Little Sylmen

“I’m here because I have seen someone I’m interested in, and I know that there are methods for how it works here. I don’t want to do anything out of turn.”

Master Derek raised his brows. “Very good,” he said. “I knew I was right about you.”

“Right about me?” I asked, curious to know what this man thought, having only seen my application and spoken to me during the interview process. Despite the whole car fiasco, we hadn’t spent a whole lot of time together, so how could he know anything beyond surface level?

Master Derek hummed, then drummed his fingers on the desk while his other arm tightened around the young woman still pretending to sleep. I turned to look at Amelia to see how she was gauging the situation, and found that she was fighting back a laugh, her eyes locked on the woman. I was learning so much already even though I hadn’t been here long.

“Who is it you are interested in?” Derek asked.

I froze, unsure what to say. “I actually don’t know his⁠—”

“It’s Sylmen,” Amelia cut in.

I whipped my head her way, frowning, because how did she know his name? Then it hit me—all that gossip she’d mentioned before had included a name. She’d just chosen not to give it to me. Fair enough.

Derek lifted his hand from the large wooden desk, wrapping both arms around his Little. “That is rather interesting,” he said. “When I approved both of your applications, I had a feeling you two might hit it off. I didn’t expect it to be the day of your arrival, of course, but things tend to move quickly here at the Ranch.”

I nodded, shoving my hands in my pockets because I didn’t know what to do with them. I was a confident man, a Daddy to my core, yet Derek was immovable. He was strong and looked like a king reigning over his people. There was nothing for me to do but wait on his decision.

After a few moments of quiet, he gave me a smile. It was very soft and subtle, but it gave me hope, and when he spoke it was solidified.

“You will need to go through a few things first, but I think this is a very good situation. Shall we get started?” he asked.

Chapter Five

Sylmen

Eating with my new friend was an experience. Not only was he kind—more so than I expected from a stranger—but he was also generous with his knowledge.

I struggled to focus after the man, whose name I didn’t get, was in my line of sight. I wanted to ask if my friend knew who he was, had he seen him, could he give me advice. But then I thought better of it. I was here to meet the people who would understand me, people who would accept the Little version of me, whatever that might be.

The food that came out was delicious. I went with something I knew I would enjoy, which was spaghetti and meatballs. It was enough to make me feel Little but also filling. I’d had a long day of driving and honestly was wiped. I knew the minute I got to my room I was going to pass out.

After we got everything settled and the table was cleared, my friend gave me a teasing grin. “You look like you’re about to fall over, Sylmen.”

I nodded slowly, even as my eyes tried to flicker shut.

I typed the words out on my phone and showed it to him. It’s been good to eat with you.

His smile grew. “You as well. I hope you’ll come see me more while you’re here. I would give you my number, but I tend to leave my phone in places.”

I chuckled at that because it was relatable. My own phone, which was new, had replaced the one I’d left behind back at Anders Ranch.

We went our separate ways from the restaurant, Zack heading back out to spend time with the animals and me taking the slow journey back to my room. I took in the various sights as I went, trying to memorize it all. I would have time later, of course. I had days ahead of me. It wasn’t like I had to fit it all in right now.

I smiled at others, waved to a few people. It almost felt like they knew me, like my arrival was a big deal. Maybe it was just that they made guests feel welcome. I didn’t have the energy to inquire.

Back in my room, I went about taking a quick shower. I should have made myself stay awake—anything to prevent throwing off my sleep schedule. I just didn’t have it in me. As soon as I was in some comfy pajamas, I crawled into bed and burrowed beneath the heavy blanket. It was soft and smelled like fresh laundry. The pillows were clouds beneath my head. I knew that I would have to ask where they got them from, because I was going to need one when I went back home. I’d order my own if it meant getting to remember this place.

Sleep came quickly, just as I thought it would. One minute I was awake, contemplating the thread count of the sheets, and the next I was blinking my eyes open to a dark room. Well, somewhat dark. I had left the light on for Bowzer who was tucked into my side, so I could see some. But outside the window it was pitch black. I glanced at the clock only to startle when I saw that it was 4 a.m.

Holy smokes. I had slept for nearly twelve hours. That wasn’t something I did. We kept strict work hours at the ranch and I adhered to them, mostly because I didn’t want to be singled out, and also because a full day of work always made me tired. At the end, I could sleep easy knowing I had given my all. But I guess all of the emotions from the day before and the travel had really done me in.

I stretched big, then planted a kiss on Bowzer’s head before tucking him back in. I went to take another shower because it felt like I needed something fresh for the day. That, and I didn’t get to appreciate the shower the night before. It was big enough for more than one person, and the pressure was phenomenal. I closed my eyes as I soaked up the warm water, taking time to shampoo my hair thoroughly and scrub my body till I was clean as a whistle.

I climbed out with a smile on my face and a pep in my step. After putting on some cozier clothes—namely a pair of loose leggings and an oversized baggy tee—I slipped on my socks and shoes to go exploring. Surely someone was up at this hour.

My stomach grumbled as I clicked my door shut. First, I needed to find food. That was a must. Dinner had been great, but my body was telling me to give it more. As I made my way through the halls, I regretted not grabbing my map again. If I got turned around, hopefully I would run into someone who could help me. As luck would have it, I didn’t need to. It was as if my body could remember the path I’d taken.