“No.Your instructions were excellent.”I glanced at Adam.“You’ve got the perfect, secluded set-up, here.”
“You haven’t even seen the best parts of our ranch, Oliver,” Adam interjected.“Why don’t you get settled in your room?Connor can help you bring your equipment in.”He reached over Connor’s desk and grabbed something, passing me a room key.“Number eight, on the second floor.”
“Thanks.”I adjusted the strap on the ball cap so it fit snugly.
“I’ll be in my office.”He gestured to an open door behind Connor’s area.“Come and get me when you’re ready for your walkabout.I’m excited to show you how the ranch works and why it’s so special.You won’t need your camera.I want you to get a feel for things before you start.”
“Sure.”
Connor came around and we walked outside to my car.I opened the trunk and hauled out my suitcase.“If you don’t mind carrying this, I can bring the camera equipment.”
“Sure,” Connor said.
I brought out the large canvas tote bag containing my cameras, lenses, and tripod and shut the trunk, making sure the car was locked, even though I was confident they didn’t get many people wandering through here without an invitation.There wasn’t much in my car to steal.
“How long have you worked at the BCR, Connor?”I asked.
He followed me up the front steps.
“It’s been a couple of years now.”
“Adam seems like a great guy.”
“He’s amazing.The ranch is amazing.You’ll like it here.The trainers are awesome and the ponyboys are so much fun.”
I grinned.“I can’t wait to see them in action.”
“Yeah, I don’t think you’re prepared for what you’re going to see, honestly.I don’t think anyone would be.”He laughed, and his cheeks flushed.
We carried the bags up to my room, and Connor helped put them inside.
“This looks very comfortable.Thanks, Connor.”
“No problem.You’ll probably run into Kamal and Lorraine and some of the other trainers when they’re not working, since they have rooms on this floor.But everyone should be very welcoming.We know you’re here to take photos, and we're all excited about that.”He smiled.“Some of us may have googled you.”
I laughed.“I would expect no less.”
“You take incredibly sexy pictures of fruit.I can’t wait to see what you do with the ponyboys.”
“Thanks,” I said, shrugging.“It’s a living.”
I hefted my duffel bag onto the bed and unzipped it, taking out my gear and checking to make sure everything was as it should be.There was a spot in the corner by the dresser, where I could stash the tripod, and I put the expensive camera gear out on one end of the dresser so it was easily accessible.I plugged in the cord for my laptop and set it to charge beside where my phone was already set up on the side table.Adam had said that I could keep it, but it had to stay in my room at all times.Nobody was permitted out of the main house with a cell phone.Apparently, the ponyboys had their devices confiscated upon entry and kept in a locked cabinet, only useable for brief periods upon request.
This ranch must be something special, for people to relinquish their technology in such a way.
I had to piss and was impressed by the cleanliness and finishes in the full bathroom.There was a walk-in shower, toilet, vanity and modern sink, as well as a medicine cabinet.Utilitarian but also pretty.Better than the one I had at home that desperately needed updating.
I glanced at myself in the mirror.The ball cap made me look younger than thirty, so I figured I’d keep using it, although I’d have to swing it around while taking photos, or even remove it.It was soft enough I could stuff it in my back pocket if needed and the brim flipped up too.I looked even younger when I turned it around, so, yeah, that was a bonus.I might be halfway through my thirty-first year but I was damn well gonna channel some youthful energy during this assignment.
Not that I wanted to hook up.I needed to keep things professional.But that didn’t mean I didn’t want to present a tempting option for these kinky ponyboys.It would be an ego boost to be the sexy, talented photographer they all wanted but couldn’t have.
LOL.As if.
I shook my head at my reflection.Was there any end to my narcissistic delusions?
Downstairs, I nodded to Connor and knocked on Adam’s open door.
“You ready?”he asked.
