Page 29 of Daddy Marc's Gem

“Sir, wonderful to see you again. Master Zane mentioned you’d be joining us tonight with a guest." His eyes flicked to Foster with polite curiosity.

“Thank you, Reg. This is Foster.”

Foster offered a small smile, suddenly aware of how much this moment meant. It wasn’t only Master Zane who would know he was Marc’s boy. Eventually, everyone who ran in Marc’s circlewould. An unexpected thread of possessiveness weaved through him. Foster narrowed his eyes as he took in the curious gazes of others in the immediate vicinity.

That’s right. He’s mine.

Reg led them through the restaurant to a secluded corner booth where Master Zane already waited. Even seated, his presence commanded attention—broad-shouldered and imposing, with salt-and-pepper hair cropped close to his scalp. When he spotted Marc, a smile transformed his stern features.

“Ah, there you are.” Zane stood, embracing Marc with a firm clap on the back. His gaze shifted to Foster, who fought the urge to shrink behind Marc. “And this must be the young man who’s captured your attention.”

“Zane, this is Foster Olsen.” Marc’s hand settled on Foster’s lower back. “Foster, this is Master Zane.”

Foster extended his hand, surprised by the gentleness of Zane’s grip. “It's nice to meet you officially, Sir.”

“The pleasure is mine, Foster.” Zane’s voice was less scary than Foster remembered from their brief encounter. “Marc hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

“Oh. Really?”

He’d almost blurted that such a thing was ridiculous, yet a miracle occurred, and he managed to keep his big mouth shut.

Marc guided Foster into the booth before sliding in beside him. A momentary flash of anxiety hit him as he found himself sandwiched between two Doms, but Marc’s hand settling on his thigh under the table instantly grounded him.

“We've signed a three-month contract this morning,” Marc announced with a grin. “I wanted you to be the first to know.”

Zane’s eyebrows rose, and a slow smile spread across his face. “That’s wonderful news! Congratulations.” His gaze shifted to Foster. “Congratulations to you, too.”

Foster wiggled in the seat. He’d been given basic protocols at breakfast, but the wiring in his brain was shorting out. Marc squeezed his thigh, and he whispered in Foster’s ear.

“This is a casual setting. Other than using Zane’s honorific, feel free to interact how you would with anyone.”

Foster cleared his throat. “Uh, thank you, Master Zane. I’m looking forward to Marc’s guidance and learning about his lifestyle.”

Zane nodded. “Hopefully, your lifestyle as well.”

“That reminds me,” Marc interjected. “I brought a copy of our contract for you as a reference. I’ve also given Foster your card so he can contact you if he feels it’s necessary.”

“I’m sure I won’t.” Foster clamped his lips together. He hadn’t even lasted ten minutes after meeting Zane. “Sorry.”Oof.He was batting a thousand.

“Hey. Master. I know I’m late. Ty was called in early for his shift.”

A young man about his age with model good looks plopped onto the booth and cozied up to Zane.

Zane draped an arm around the man’s shoulders. “Ryan, say hello to Marc, and this is his new boy, Foster.”

Ryan slapped a hand to his mouth. “My apologies, Sir. I’m all flustered from being late.” He regarded Foster with a smile. “And nice to meet you. We should definitely hang out.”

A friend? That would be a new one. “Sure. Sounds good.”

Marc rubbed his leg, which seemed like silent approval.

Zane regarded Foster, folding his hands on the table. Ryan is one of my boys, Ty is the other.” Zane turned to Ryan. “Is the hotel still having issues with the new sous chef?”

Ryan shrugged. “Sounds like it. He was flipping out about something. I was more anxious about making it here on time, so it’s possible I wasn’t paying attention.”

When Marc told him about Zane having two boys that morning, for some reason, he’d assumed it must be a casual thing, like dating but not in a relationship. This didn’t sound casual. He was dying to get Marc alone so he could get all the details.

“Hmm, I see,” Zane said. “And you locked up the house before leaving?”

---