1. Sage Arrives at Planet Key

Chapter One

SAGE ARRIVES AT PLANET KEY

S age Fortenor explored the condo he’d been assigned on Planet Key, checking out each room. The living room, dining room, and kitchen were open concept, with a large kitchen island separating the cooking/dining space. A fireplace was built into the wall at one end, large windows gracing two of the long walls and the short wall opposite the fireplace. Beyond the living room was a hall. The first bedroom was the largest, and it shared the fireplace with the living room. That was a neat trick.

Across the hall from the master bedroom was a well-equipped playroom. He imagined there was little anyone could want that wasn’t there. And if a guest did have a need this room didn’t immediately fulfill, a simple request would have that item quickly delivered. He’d read all the literature Planet Key had sent him, and he knew that any wish would be fulfilled.

Farther down the hall revealed an enormous bathroom with a jet tub and incredible shower. There was a door on either side of the bathroom, the one leading back to the master, the other to the smaller bedroom. It was this bedroom that Sage chose as his own. He imagined his prospective master’s face if Sage chose the larger bedroom as his and he chuckled. No, he knew his place. And it wasn’t like the smaller bedroom was by any means small or in any way not good enough for him.

He unpacked his bags into the small closet, perfectly satisfied with the accommodations. For as much as a stay at Planet Key cost, he couldn’t imagine there would be anything subpar about the place.

His room had a bed in it, and a meditation mat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a large chair with a little side table next to it. The lighting was recessed, so at night it would light the room up without being harsh. It was perfect. The closet was ample enough size to store his clothing and anything else he might want to keep in his room, and it had places to hang stuff, as well as shelves and drawers.

Once he’d unpacked, he took off his traveling clothes and went into the bathroom. A quick, lukewarm shower divested him of the dust and dirt that always accompanied traveling. And then he settled, naked, on the meditation mat, assuming the lotus position and closing his eyes.

He let peace overtake him.

He was here to find the connection he craved, to find a man who would appreciate him, his care, his service.

There was a time when he thought he had exactly that. His former master’s criticism still stung. Soulless.

He forced those thoughts from his mind. He was meditating, making his body, mind, and soul ready to meet a new master.

Someone who was intended to be for him. Just him. See? He wasn’t soulless. He had needs, wants, desires. Just because he wasn’t a drama llama who needed constant care and correction…

Oh goodness. He was supposed to be relaxing! Not reliving his past.

He opened his eyes and admired the cityscape beyond the huge green gardens for a moment, before once again closing his eyes. He took a deep breath, then another, focusing on the way the air filled his lungs. He tried to manifest his Master, someone who would care for him as much as he would care for them. Someone he could live with, could grow with, could find his best self with.

The front door of the apartment opened, the footsteps sure and steady across the floor. He stayed where he was, breathing slowly. Surely the man would come and find him.

But what if this new man wished to be greeted as he came in? Was he ruining his chances by simply staying here, waiting to be discovered? If he did go and introduce himself, should he dress? Stay naked?

Damn it. He was worrying again. He took a few more breaths, calming himself again. He figured his chance to go and greet the man in the front room as he came in was gone, so he remained where he was, calm and relaxed and waiting. Or at least as calm and relaxed as he could manage while he waited for what might be the rest of his life.