Pleasure Bay (8 page)

“I think I’d like that.”

“Just a few rules. First, obedience. I’m the dominant, so what I say goes, but you can trust me to stay within your limits.”

Her mouth fell open at the word ‘obedience.’

His smile flashed again. “Don’t think that I won’t push for a bit more if I feel like you’re ready,” he added.

“But—” She didn’t know why she was protesting. Hadn’t she come all this way to experience something beyond her reality? To explore and see if what had consumed her fantasies for years was as good as she dreamed. Closing her mouth, she nodded.

“You have your safeword, Sydney. Do you remember it?”

She’d had to come up with one for her application. One that she wouldn’t ordinarily use during sex or a scene, were the instructions. She’d picked a word that she couldn’t imagine herself ever saying, let alone yelling out during sex.

“Fashionista.”

“Very unique.” His twinkling eyes caressed her face. “I like original safewords much better than our boring stoplight, but red and yellow are a safety net and will get me to stop or pause, and bring you help in any public area. Got it?”

She nodded, a flush burning her cheeks like a sunburn.

Pulling her hand toward him, he pressed his lips to the backs of her fingers. “Now, I’d like to dance with the prettiest girl on the island.”

* * *

When Shane stepped into the lounge, he immediately felt as though the walls were closing in on him, even though the closest thing to walls were the wooden railings skirting the edge of the covered deck. Why had he done this? He was beer, football, and fast motorcycles. Pleasure Bay was champagne, elegance, and high-class fashion.

He hung back for a moment, watching the other guests. He’d let them all settle at a table or into a corner before finding one of his own, preferably with a beer, or a whiskey and Coke. He observed Mariah, the hot blonde in the royal blue dress, talking to a couple near the bar. They were smiling and nodding and soon she handed them a white envelope. That’s right… their weekend itineraries. Shane could feel a cold sweat breaking out on his palms. How was he ever going to go through with this?

The redhead in the low-cut filmy black dress was walking away from the bar with a wine cooler. If they had those, surely they would have a beer. As he approached the bar, the stunning woman who had introduced herself as Katie on the way in, appeared to have the same thing on her mind. He purposely slowed his pace, letting her reach the bar before him. Damn, if she wasn’t the closest thing to his fantasy woman. She even wore her rich black hair pulled up neatly into the same sweeping French twist. Her eyes were a dazzling bright blue and had nearly made his heart stop earlier when she put her hand on his shoulder and spoke to him. He’d been so captivated he couldn’t even tell her his name in return. What an idiot.

She sat down on a stool as she waited for her drink. The gown opened into a deep V in the back and the sight of all that smooth white skin made Shane’s mouth water. He could see himself giving every inch of her luscious body a slow, sensual bath with just the tip of his tongue. His cock stirred to life at the thought.

The closer he got to the bar, the closer he got to her, and suddenly the jacket of his tux felt like it weighed a thousand pounds, the temperature in the room increasing by at least twenty degrees.
Pull it together, Moore… don’t make an ass of yourself.

“Budweiser, please,” Shane said to the bartender as he approached, standing only a couple of seats away from Katie.

“Coming right up, sir.”

Giving her a sidelong look, Shane wanted to apologize for acting like a tongue-tied fool before. Then, as now, his nerves were on edge as unease surged through him and his palms began to get clammy. Feeling like it was now or never, he told himself,
take a chance, Moore, make a move.

Angling his body toward her, he did just that. “I’m sorry I was so rude before. I’m Shane Moore.”

Her head tilted casually, her smile electrifying, and the glint in her bright blue eyes danced as her face lit up.

“You weren’t rude at all, Shane. Just a bit edgy from what I could tell.”

‘A bit edgy’ was an understatement. Her silky voice just about made him melt into a puddle right there at her feet. The bartender uncapped his beer and set it in front of him while Katie got up from her seat. Drink in hand, she moved closer.

“Why don’t we get a table,” she suggested, pointing to a table for two in a quiet corner away from the live music. It was clear she had no intentions of taking no for an answer as she slipped her small hand into his much larger one and started walking. “I was just as nervous as you the first time I came to Pleasure Bay.”

He could feel the heat on his face spreading, fanning out along his neck as he followed her, watching her lush hips sway beneath the stunning red gown. He should say something, but that was always his biggest problem around women. He had no clue how to talk to them, let alone express his desires. The soft click of her heels drew his eyes to her feet. As she walked, her painted toes became visible—crimson red—nearly the same color as her dress, and her matching fingertips, and his fantasy. Holy shit!
So hot
… He suppressed a groan, his cock twitching in approval.

As they reached the table, he remembered his manners, and smoothly moved to pull out her chair.

“Thank you,” she said softly, taking a seat.

“My pleasure, beautiful Katie.” He forced a small smile as he sat down across from her. “How often do you visit the island?” he asked.
Moore, you dumb ass, that sounded like a bad pick-up line.

“At least twice a month and a bit more often during the holidays. I really love the dungeon they have here and the doms are real, unlike the wannabes I’m used to running into at the local clubs back in Montana.” She took a sip of her drink, keeping those vivid eyes on him the whole time.

Shane was as inexperienced as they came. He’d never been to a dungeon or a BDSM club for that matter. Bondage and domination intrigued him highly, but he never pictured himself in a club like the one she was talking about, with others watching. In fact, he never really thought much about the lifestyle other than his recurring fantasy. He didn’t want clubs and dungeons. He wanted private and alone with only one focus—pleasing his mistress.

“I have to confess. I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to BDSM and the lifestyle.” The intensity of her gaze, focused solely on him, made him feel… he wasn’t sure what exactly, special maybe? Sheesh, what a putz! Next he’d be moon-eyed and kissing her feet. That last thought didn’t help at all and had him squirming in his seat, as the space in his pants started to shrink.

He glanced around the room for a moment, an attempt to break her powerful connection, as he took a drink of his beer. The couple he’d seen talking to the hostess earlier, now on the dance floor, appeared to be hitting it off quite nicely. The petite strawberry blonde had an infectious smile; the man, looking every bit the gentleman, had his hand placed perfectly at the small of her back. He leaned over, whispering something in her ear, and the smile on the woman’s face lit up further as she nodded.

“Well, I assure you. You couldn’t have picked a better place than Pleasure Bay to get your feet wet.”

Her voice was divine, soft, and feminine, yet at the same time clear and confident. It broke into his observation of the couple on the dance floor and he turned back to her. When he did, the sexy wink she gave him as she finished her words, created a stir in his belly. He didn’t know which woman he would be paired with, but if it wasn’t going to be Katie, he needed to get away from her now. Except he didn’t know how to do that without being rude. His eyes swept the room again, looking for the blond hostess who seemed in charge of the matches.

“Wondering who you’re going to be paired with?” The way she said her words made him think she was reading his mind. God, was he really
that
transparent?

The warmth returned to his face as he met her eyes. “Yes, actually.” He made his words low and quiet as he leaned across the small table. “Forgive me for saying, but I am rather attracted to you. And if you’re not my date for the weekend…” He let his words hang, unsure of how to finish his thought without making himself look like even more of an ass.

A slow and deliberate smile played at the corners of her plump, glossy lips. He swore it looked like she was trying to hide a smirk. Did she know something?

“I’m flattered,” she said, her smile evening out. “Why don’t we get a fresh drink and head down a level? The lounge chairs are far more comfortable and I can never get enough of the warm tropical breeze. I’m sure Mariah will be along soon with the name of your fantasy woman. Until then, let’s just relax and talk.”

Shane nodded as they got up from the table. “Sounds good, then I can get rid of this jacket. I’m normally a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy.”

As they walked from the bar with fresh drinks, Shane saw Mariah engaged with a couple near the fire pit. Only two white envelopes were left in her hand. He noticed Dimitri not far from her, in animated conversation with Vance, the security chief.

When they reached the steps, he offered Katie his hand, which she took, thanking him as they made their descent to the second level. She was right; the seating was much more comfortable and accommodating of a man of his size. He followed as she went to one of the bench-style lounge chairs, setting her drink on one of the smaller, cozier glass-top tables. He admired the way the light coming through the trees made the material that hugged her hips glimmer and shine as she moved.

Before he even got a chance to sit next to her, the click of high heels approaching sounded behind him. “Mr. Moore,” said a soft, sensual voice. He turned to see that Mariah, her smile warm and welcoming, had at last found him. Finally, the question of his fantasy woman would be answered.

“Are you enjoying what you’ve seen of Pleasure Bay, so far?”

“Yes, ma’am, very much. It’s a refreshing change from the crowded city of Rockford.”

“That’s what we like to provide,” she said, holding out an envelope. “Inside is your room assignment, the weekend schedule of events, and of course, your partner’s name, but I can see fate has already brought the two of you together.” She looked at Katie with a wink and a smile.

“You mean…” His words stopped short as he looked at the knowing smile on Katie’s lips and then back at Mariah.

She nodded, her smile growing. “I would say, judging by your reaction, you approve?”

“You knew?” He looked at Katie, whose beaming expression was all telling, as she nodded.

“Sorry,” was her answer. “I wasn’t allowed to mention it until after Mariah introduced us.”

“I feel you’re in good hands this weekend, Shane. If you need anything or have any questions, don’t hesitate to find me, or Dimitri.”

“Thank you,” he said, unable to pull his eyes away from Katie.

“I think you’ll find your bungalow quite comfortable; the directions are inside with a map of the island. I wish you both a very happy and memorable weekend.”

Shane didn’t even notice that Mariah had quietly slipped away as he sat down next to Katie, removing his cumbersome jacket and laying it over the back of the lounger. This was his girl for the weekend. Now that it was confirmed, he felt both excited and a little afraid.

“So, you’re a domme?” he asked quietly.

“Surprising, isn’t it? No one ever knows until I tell them.” Her words were playful but he could tell she was used to the question.

“I’m sorry. That was a stupid question. I’m just—”

“Nervous… and that’s okay,” she said softly, putting her hand on his.

He felt a tingling sensation crawl up his arm at her touch. As he looked at her slender and red-tipped fingers, he wondered if she had purposely tried to match the description he had given on his application.

“There’s no pressure here this weekend, Shane. Just relax and be yourself. The rest will fall into place naturally.”

“I’d feel a lot more like me in a pair of jeans,” he said with a chuckle.

“I have an idea,” she said. “Why don’t we duck out of here early? We can go to your bungalow where it will be just the two of us.”

Looking into her bright eyes, he put on his best slow, lazy smile. “That would make me feel a lot more relaxed. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

A full, sensual smile spread over her lips as she squeezed his hand. “Believe me, it won’t be a hardship. I’ve been looking forward to getting you alone the moment I laid eyes on you.” The look in her eyes changed, not by much, but enough that Shane could see she definitely wanted to get him alone.

* * *

Mariah felt Dimitri’s presence before he spoke or brushed against her.

“They look good together.”

He was referring to Jaxon and Sydney, who were out on the dance floor and had been for at least an hour. They were well matched, moving in sync as if they’d been dancing together for years. She could tell they were definitely hitting it off by the way Sydney’s hands clung to Jaxon’s shoulders as she hung on his every word, blushing prettily and smiling at his easy grin and admiring looks.

And Jax was as into submissive Sydney as she was to him. His hands were constantly touching her, although not in an overtly sexual manner. Instead, it was evident in the seductive stroke of a bare shoulder or soft cheek, and the long glide of his hand down her hair that fell straight and glossy nearly to her waist. He occasionally spun her out and back, dipping her deeply over his arm, which made the girl laugh softly with delight.

After one such dip, they watched as Jaxon stood her up. His hands captured her face between his gentle hands as he spoke a few words. They earned him a nod, and the next instant he guided her off the dance floor, down the steps, and along one of the lighted trails.

Mariah looked around; almost everyone was paired up. Katie had taken Shane off a while ago, Mr. Harkleroad and Andre had long since left, and a few club members lingered over their cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. In for a weekend of BDSM play, their big event would come tomorrow evening when the main dungeon opened. It was going to be an early night. Looking up at Dimitri, she saw that his eyes were following Jennifer.