34. Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Four

Dante and Blaine met them at their SUV and Blaine opened the door for Sel. After the bruising hug, Blaine said, "Look! People are already showing up!"

There were tons of people milling around outside the club, trying to peek through the high privacy fence that surrounded the eastern side of the place, laughing and carrying on.

"Should we open early?"

"Dante asked, but no. It's only fifteen more minutes and we're waiting for Tango. He's stressed about everyone being in one place. I think it's PTSD over Brooks."

Sel could understand that, but when he looked around again, he saw many of the bikers and bulking mob men, as well as just a ton of bulking men in general. "They'd be stupid."

"He's head of security, so he takes everything too far, which is a good thing."

"I suppose, yeah."

Dante came around the SUV with his arm around Indio. "Nice robe, Sel."

"Thanks," he said, embarrassed.

Dante and Blaine were both wearing white suits, Dante with a maroon shirt under his blue tie, and Blaine with a pink shirt and no tie. "You both look beautiful."

"When don't we?"

Sel hugged his uncle and they walked as a group to the entrance where Jace and Roland were waiting. There were hugs all around and the feeling of pure cheerfulness. It was catching, and Sel couldn't stop smiling.

"Are we ready, manager?" Dante asked Jace.

"We're ready. The go-go dancers are all set, the bartenders are at all the juice bars, and the band is set up to play for the first hour before we have the shows beginning.

Sel had seen pictures of the original Cowpokes in Colorado. The one Roland had designed for Montana was similarly barn themed, but much bigger.

There were four levels. The main level held the stage, a long juice bar, an aftercare room for those giving shows on stage, the bathrooms and stairs.

The next floor up was for private rooms where people could reserve a room for an hour or two at the most, while the top floor was for VIPs.

In the basement were the offices, changing rooms for the staff and storage. It was all done well, and Roland was over the moon proud of it.

"People have been calling in all day, so the private rooms are reserved until two in the morning."

"That's wonderful," Dante said. "Where is your Tango?"

Jace nodded behind Dante. "Here he comes now."

Tango jogged over to them, all smiles. None of them were dressed in kink clothes, as they were on the job, but Roland had confessed to him that Jace planned to take them into his office periodically through the night to play. The guests began to line up just as the clock was turning seven. They wouldn't always open that early, but the first night, as the first night of Pride, would have dozens of shows, bands, and much more celebration.

On one side of the door, they made a line, Jace as the first, then his partners, Sel, then Dante and Blaine. Indio begged off the line, as he wasn't much of a people person, and Sel was fine with that. He stood over by the corner of the barn, smoking a cigar and watching.

Dante made a show of opening the doors as Blaine had a microphone, announcing, "Cowpokes two is now open for business! Enjoy!"

The first of the line of guests started moving toward the door. After ten of them, Sel's hand was already aching from the handshakes.

Binx was coming next and he bounced in place before launching himself to hug Sel. "This is so great! I'm so happy!"

"I can tell!" Sel laughed and hugged his friend again, then shook hands and kissed cheeks with Nathan, Pappy and all Binx's friends from Colorado.

When Lonnie came up, he too kissed Sel's cheek and waved to Indio behind him. "The club looks amazing, and this is coming from someone who's owned two of them. You guys have done a great job."

Travis agreed, "We can't wait to get inside and judge you harshly, but so far, you've blown us away."

"Judge all you want, I think we'll pass even your inspection!"

They laughed and the next people in line were Burke, Damon and Joel, who looked like he'd rather be anywhere except in that crowd. He confessed to Sel in a loud whisper, "They make me do it at our damned ol' club."

"Line up to greet guests? Yeah, it's not my favorite thing either. Go in and grab up your guys and have some fun, though, okay?"

"Plan ta," he said with a wink.

Behind them were two gorgeous men that Burke introduced to all of us. "These are our good friends, Eli and Noah."

Eli was model pretty and Noah looked so much like Sam Elliot, Sel almost swallowed his tongue. "Very nice to meet you."

"We almost didn't make it. I never took a private plane before, and it wasn't my cup o' tea," Noah said.

"Don't let him fool you, he hates all planes," Eli said, pulling him into the club.

Jace was overjoyed to see more friends from Colorado, introducing the line to a gargantuan man named Hud and his much smaller partner, Theo. Theo had his nose up and Sel heard him comment, "Ours is much better. Just because something is bigger, does not mean it's better."

"Hey," Hud said as he towered over Theo.

"Sorry. Except for you, of course, gawd."

Hud sighed in exasperation as he pushed Theo toward the door as he told them, "I'm gagging him soon, don't worry."

Sel saw the friendships that had been made in Colorado where the first Cowpokes was located and he finally understood what Dante had seen that was the starting point for building the resort.

They were a family. Roland's eyes lit up seeing his friends, Tango even dropped a few tears as he hugged Burke. Later, when they were inside, he caught Joel hugging Xen, each of them with huge tears falling down their faces.

Indio was by his side by that time, and he said to Sel, "I've never felt so…good. It's like, I don't know…"

"Love is permeating this place already?"

"Yeah. Yeah, exactly."

Sel moved into his arms and was held by Indio in a quiet moment between them among all the noise of voices and chairs moving, music playing in the background.

Those were the best times for Sel. Those quiet moments between them. Indio had such a gentle side, but he was so afraid of showing it to people, afraid that they'd take that as weakness. Since he was a kid, he had to be strong or he'd have never made it to adulthood.

The band was set up on stage, far in the back of it, to give room to those that would be announcing things up front. Dante and Blaine were set to be the first, then Jace, so Indio led Sel to their reserved table in front of the stage.

As they sat, Dante and Blaine took their places at the microphone and the crowd gave a thunderous cheer, everyone standing, whistles, the stomping of boots and it lasted a full minute.

Blaine showed that old shyness of his, blushing wildly, but Dante was his showman self, clapping along, casting a smile that shone out over the crowd.

When he managed to quiet everyone, he said to everyone, "Welcome to Carrillo Ranch and the first opening night of Cowpokes Two!"

Another full minute of applause and men showing their happiness. Sel felt the waves of pure enjoyment flowing through the crowd, the energy and relaxation that was masked in hyper sexuality.

With the times in which they lived, the questions of the future, the fear for the same, it felt good to let go and be in the moment in a place that was accepting, welcoming and joyous.

"Now, everyone, I'd like you to meet the man I've loved for a long time, and the one who has dealt the most with my mood swings as this place was being built. My husband, Blaine!"

Blaine waved and he blushed more, but after another round of roaring applause, he spoke. "Thank you all for coming, for being as excited about this place as we are! Tonight will be fantastic, and we're sure you won't regret the rather long trek most of you have taken to be here!"

When Dante took back the mic, Sel got a huge surprise. "Now, there are other men responsible for this night and will be responsible for all those nights to come. If you'll hold your applause until we get them all up here, you can show them your appreciation. Jace Conroy, Manager of Carrillo Ranch Resort, Roland Brady, who made all these beautiful buildings possible, as they came from his skills with a computer!

"Tango, head of security, making sure you're all safe while you're here!"

Everyone was running up on stage, bowing to the crowd. Then the name that shocked him, as it hadn't been rehearsed. "Now, the man taking over things from me, who will be working with the others closely is one of the people in this world I love the most. Please, welcome my nephew, Selestino Carrillo!"

Indio grinned at him and said, "Head up there!"

Sel got up and started up the three steps, being pulled the rest of the way by Roland. They all stood on the stage, bowing, getting a hell of a welcome. Dante handed him the mic and said, "Introduce Damon, Burke and Joel and the night is yours. We're heading home."

Sel hugged his uncle even as his eyes filled with tears. "Thanks, Uncle Dante."

Sel took the mic from his uncle and said, "Tonight, this place, this club, none of it would have been possible without the vision of the three men who started a club in the middle of the mountains in Colorado. They saw a serene place for men to go and get their kink on and more, to just relax and be themselves in beautiful, rustic surroundings. Their club became more popular than even they could have imagined, and it's my great pleasure to introduce them. Please, help me welcome and thank Burke Monteleone, Damon Street and Joel Barnes!"

Sel watched from the stage as Dante and Blaine headed for the door, Dante giving him a smile, a nod and placing his hand over his heart while Blaine blew him a kiss.

It was then that he knew their trust in him hadn't faltered. He was ready to lead, and not just the family, but the place that had been one of Dante's biggest dreams.

Damon and Burke took turns at the mic, and they were the guest MCs for the evening, so the rest of them left the stage to the professionals, and he got to the table with Indio.

"You looked so good up there. Can we, uh, go get some air?"

"Sure. Are you okay?"

"Just…let's go for now."

When they got outside, they had to walk a while before they were alone. A lot of men were gathering in groups outside, smoking cigarettes, vapes, pot, and Sel held Indio's hand loosely, knowing he wasn't really fond of public shows of affections.

When they were out of anyone's earshot, Indio turned to him, his eyes moving all around, never settling on Sel.

"What's wrong, Indio? Should I have called you up with me? I thought about it?"

"No! No, no, I'm glad you didn't. It's uh…all these guys, man, and they're all, like…I've caught so many looking at you, that I…"

Sel realized how jealous Indio was long ago, but he'd never suspected being in a club would set him off. "I'm sorry, Indio. I'll keep the robe on."

"No, that's not it. Can you shut the fuck up a minute? This is fucking hard for me, man!"

Sel closed his lips and waited, worried, scared that Indio was about to say he wanted to break up, that he couldn't handle being in a relationship, being tied down when there were so many men that wanted him or wanted Sel.

Fear was raging through him, and tears were falling from his eyes as he didn't do such a great job bracing for the worst.

Indio turned his back on Sel, taking a few steps away, getting up his nerve for the bad news, Sel was sure of it, but then, like in a croak, Indio said, "I fucking love you."

He didn't believe his ears, so he moved around Indio, looking at Indio as Indio's eyes were pointing to the sky. "You love me?"

Finally, his eyes met Sel's. "Well, yeah! I mean, you knew that already, I think, anyway."

He was about to deny it, but it was true. He'd known for a long time. "Yes, I knew, but…Indio, you didn't have to say it."

He quickly raised his arm at the club and said, "With all those guys? With you getting to pick any one of them? Fuck, Sel, I ain't gonna lose you because I ain't romantic and shit! Any one of those fancy assholes could bring you flowers and shit, and I just ain't doing all that, so…so it's up to you. I'm tryin' here, but…"

Sel moved to him and placed his hand over Indio's mouth for once. "Are you crazy? I'm so in love with you, I would never even think of being with anyone else. Indio…you're mine, and I gave myself to you. I'm all yours, for as long as you want me, and even after, if you toss me aside, I'll still love you."

Indio plucked Sel's hand away and moved in to kiss him sweetly. "Yeah?" he asked against Sel's lips.

"Yeah. I'm crazy in love with you."

"You're crazy, I knew that when you snuck in that bunker."

Sel held his face and said, "I snuck in there for you ! I switched trackers with Binx, did all that because I was afraid for you !"

"You are fucking insane."

"Who else could be with a crazy Azteca with a huge dick like you?"

He laughed and picked Sel off his feet and kissed him while Sel's legs dangled in the air.

They went back inside the club and Indio told him to go tell his friends, since he knew that would be what he'd want to do. Sel ran over to the table where Binx, Ruben and Mal were sitting, and took the empty chair. "Guess what!"

Binx rolled his eyes. "He finally said it."

"How'd you know?"

Mal said, "It's all over your face."

They hugged him and helped him celebrate, and helped him tell Prince when he got loose of Dex for two minutes. "What is all the squealing over here?"

"Indio told Sel he loves him."

"Oh! Oh, Sel, I'm so happy for you! That's really great!"

After he got back to Indio, he saw he was standing with Eight, who had his arm draped over a blond pretty boy. "Sel, this is Kale, Eight's ol' man."

Sel shook his hand and said, "I heard a lot about you. Did you guys bring your kids?"

"We did. They're back at the cabin. Tomorrow, we're taking them fishing."

"The lakes here are packed with fish. You'll all have so much fun."

Indio excused them and took Sel off to a corner. "We have a private room reserved for an hour from now."

"Oh, we do?"

"Yeah. Get that robe off, so all these assholes can see how pretty my ol' man is."

"You sure you won't get jealous?"

"I can guarantee you that I'll be jealous. I'll just take it out on your asshole."

He melted and nodded a little before he loosened the belt and let the robe slide off his shoulders. "I'm all in then."

Indio had him turn around so he could see how nice his ass looked in the short-shorts. "Fine little bubble butt. And it's all mine." To accentuate that sentiment, he attached the leash and playfully tugged on it. "Nice."

Sel turned around, knowing he was blushing by the way his face was suddenly running sweat. "Indio, stop."

"Not a fucking chance."

They mingled around for the hour, visiting more with Eight and Kale, then over to Rebel, Jack and the other close friends of Binx. It felt like his family had grown, like Binx's brothers had come and they, too, had taken him into their family.

When it was time for their reserved playroom, they passed the cleaner on the stairs. "Man, your room is ready. That last couple did a number on it."

"Thanks, man," Indio said, slipping him a twenty.

Why Sel should be nervous, he didn't know. They'd fucked hundreds of times. Indio was a sex machine. But his stomach was filled with butterflies, and his hands shook a little as Indio opened the door.