A tall man was approaching them along the dock, his dark hair shining in the sun. He was dressed all in black, his knit shirt stretching over broad shoulders and massive biceps. She recognized Master Caelan from their video chat, and her heart instantly began to race. He was taller than she expected, at least six foot four and, even from this distance, he exuded a kind of raw masculine power.
She ran her fingers through her wind-mussed hair in a quick but no doubt futile effort to tame it. She had worn her favorite sundress, a sleeveless, dark blue silky rayon printed with bright yellow sunflowers, her pushup bra giving her breasts an extra lift and creating a pretty cleavage. Her legs were bare, white sandals on her feet. Did he like what he saw?
As he reached her, he smiled, laugh lines radiating from his kind eyes. Because they’d talked several times both on video chat and via texting, there was none of the initial awkwardness of meeting someone new. But seeing him in person still took her a little by surprise. When he took her hand in his, the intimate experience of skin on skin sent an electric jolt of both desire and recognition through her being. It was as if she already knew this man—as if she’d always known him.
They held hands for several pulsing beats as he stared into her eyes. When he finally let go, her skin tingled with the loss of his touch. “It’s great to meet you in person, Skylar. I hope your trip wasn’t too exhausting?”
Skylar gripped her hands together to keep from reaching for him again. “Everything went smoothly, thanks. You have to really want to get to this island,” she added with a laugh.
“It’s that way with all these little out-of-the-way Outer Banks islands. That’s actually a good thing. Nobody wanders here by mistake.”
The captain brought Skylar’s suitcase onto the dock. “If y’all will excuse me,” he said, tipping his fisherman’s cap, “I’m going to head back to the mainland. I’ll be back tomorrow with those supplies you ordered.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Master Caelan said. “See you around.” He bent down to take the handle of her rolling suitcase and gestured toward a golf cart parked on the path by the dock. “I’ll take you on back to the resort to get you checked in. Once we get you settled, your training regime will begin.”
Skylar glanced longingly at crystal-blue waves. “I was thinking I might like to unwind on the beach a bit.”
He regarded her for a long, silent moment. “You might like that,” he said in a slow, sexy voice. He placed his hand on her shoulder, his thumb grazing her neck. An electric pulse of desire shot through her loins at his touch. “But it’s not what you need.”
“No, Sir,” she whispered, her eyes fixed on his face.
Stepping back, he slung her bag into the back of the cart and climbed into the driver’s side. “Coming?” he asked, giving her a quizzical smile.
Embarrassed, Skylar realized she’d been staring, her mouth actually hanging open. She snapped it closed and slid onto the padded bench. She looked around as he drove the cart along a boardwalk that led from the beach. They moved through a cluster of trees with hanging vines fragrant with white blossoms.
“It’s so pretty here,” she said. “The air’s so fresh.”
“It’s paradise all right,” Master Caelan agreed.
They pulled up into a circular driveway in front of a large, modern stone building. Master Caelan stepped out of the cart and retrieved Skylar’s bag. “We’ll get you checked in and then you’ll be shown to your room.”
They entered what looked like a typical hotel lobby, complete with a coffee counter, arrangements of chairs and sofas and a reservation counter. Large windows and skylights gave the space a bright, airy feel. Unlike a typical hotel lobby, however, various whips, floggers and coils of rope and chain had been hung decoratively on some of the walls. A large, wooden St. Andrew’s cross was set up in one corner, cuffs dangling at the ready.
An attractive, petite woman in her early thirties stood behind the counter typing something into a computer. She was dressed in a low-cut, figure-hugging black dress, her breasts obviously bare beneath it. Very short, white-blond hair framed a sweet, pixie-like face. She wore a thick, black slave collar around her neck, a pink ceramic heart hanging from an O-ring at its center.
She looked up as they entered and smiled. “Hello, Master Caelan.”
“Hello, Maya. This is Skylar Moran, our newest slave-in-training. She should be all set up in the system, her waiver already signed. If you can just check her in, then you’ll need to get her situated.” He glanced at the watch on his wrist. “You can bring her for presentation in thirty minutes.”
Presentation? That sounded daunting. A sudden anxiety seized Skylar. Was she really ready for this?
Maya clicked a few keys on the keyboard and then stepped from behind the counter. “It’s lovely to meet you, Skylar. We have your room all ready for you.” She took the handle of Skylar’s rolling suitcase. “If you’ll just follow me, please?”
With a last glance at Master Caelan, Skylar followed Maya past a bank of elevators and down a hallway. “The slave trainees stay on this floor, along with some of the staff slaves,” Maya explained as they walked past several closed doors.
She stopped at one of the rooms and tapped in four numbers, causing the lock to release. “The code to this room is 3733. When you leave the room, the door locks automatically.” She opened the door and they entered the room.
The first thing Skylar noticed were the sliding glass doors that led directly out onto the beach. The view was spectacular. The room held a queen-sized bed flanked by nightstands, a bureau and small refrigerator across from it.
“Whoa,” she said, taking in the manacles bolted into the wall above the bed, and the St. Andrew’s cross set up in a corner. “I bet you don’t see that in too many Outer Banks resorts.”
“It’s pretty great, right? We live in a BDSM paradise. I hope you’ll have a wonderful experience.” Maya opened the top drawer of the bureau and removed a large plastic packet. She unzipped it and dumped onto the bed what looked like strips of leather sewn together to form an extremely revealing bodysuit. “This is your presentation attire.”
“I’m supposed to wear that?” Skylar queried dubiously. “It doesn’t look like much.”
“Think of it as a leather bikini, a really risqué one,” Maya said, still smiling. “I’ll help you put it on, after we get you groomed.”
“Groomed?” Skylar wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that, especially the we part.
“Yes,” Maya replied matter-of-factly. “Get naked and meet me in the bathroom. We need to move fast so we’re ready for presentation.”
As Maya disappeared into the bathroom, Skylar gave herself a mental shaking. Stop being a wuss. You signed up for this. It’s the chance of a lifetime. Thus fortified, she stepped out of her sandals, slipped her dress over her head and removed her bra and panties.
When she entered the bathroom, Maya already had the tub filling. There was a pleasant scent of lavender oil in the air. As the tub filled, Maya pulled various items out of the drawers beneath the sink counter. She turned to Skylar. “I can groom you, if you like, or you can do it yourself.”
“I just shaved this morning,” Skylar said. “My underarms and legs are smooth as a baby’s.”
“That’s fine,” Maya replied, setting a razor, shaving cream and baby oil on the counter, along with a pair of barber’s scissors. “But no pubic hair is allowed.” Her eyes swept over Skylar’s body. “Not even blond pubes,” she added with a grin. “Not for the full-immersion program. Here on Desire Island, all slaves are expected to keep our bodies perfectly smooth for the pleasure of our owners. That extends to the trainees as well, even if you’re just here for a week. It’s a symbolic thing, really. The first surrender of self will.”
Skylar glanced down at her sparse pubic curls, which she kept neatly trimmed. She’d shaved before. Her last boyfriend, a porn-oholic, had insisted, since all the girls on the porn sites were invariably bare. She hadn’t especiall
y minded, but hadn’t seen a reason to keep up the practice once they’d broken up.
What the hell. It would grow back. When in Rome…
“I’ll do it myself, then,” she said, stepping over to the counter.
“Okay. I find the baby oil works best for giving you a close, smooth shave, but it’s up to you. Once you’re shaved, climb into the tub for rinsing. Your complexion is perfect, so we won’t need to do much in that department. Just a little enhancing here and there. I’m a trained cosmetologist. I’ll get you fixed up nice.”
Skylar picked up the scissors and reached down to clip her pubic hair, which she dropped into the lined wastepaper basket under the counter. Maya, meanwhile, filled the sink with hot, soapy water. She dropped a washcloth into the water, wrung it out and handed it to Skylar.
Skylar washed herself with the wet cloth and then squirted a palmful of baby oil into her hand. She slicked the oil over her pubic area and then ran the razor carefully over her mons and delicate folds until she was smooth.
As she stepped into the warm, fragrant water, Maya directed, “Just soap up and rinse off, no dawdling. We don’t have time to wash your hair, but a quick spritz and blow-dry should do the trick.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Skylar said with a laugh.
Maya smiled. “Not me. Not ever. I adore serving.” She got that same dreamy expression Rhianna had when she talked about or looked at Master James. Would Skylar ever find that for herself?
While Skylar soaped and rinsed her body, Maya slipped out of the bathroom, returning a moment later with the leather presentation outfit.
As Skylar climbed out of the tub, Maya handed her a towel. To her surprise, Maya dropped to her knees in front of Skylar, a second towel in her hands. She dried Skylar’s legs as Skylar focused on her body. It felt weird, but not unpleasant, to have someone doing that for her.
Maya hung both towels on the rack and picked up the leather strap contraption from the counter. “You just step into it. I’ll help you get it adjusted properly.”
As Skylar stepped gingerly into it, Maya rose gracefully to her feet. She pulled at the various straps, adjusting them here and there.
Facing the mirror, Skylar sucked in a breath as she stared at herself. Her breasts, fully exposed, were lifted and pressed together in their leather harness. The leather strips crisscrossed her body, hugging her waist and winding between her thighs, leaving her shaven mons uncovered. She felt almost more naked than if she were actually naked, if that even made any sense.
“You look fantastic,” Maya said, her eyes moving over Skylar’s reflection. “And we can’t forget this.” She buckled a slim black collar studded with O-rings around Skylar’s neck.
Skylar stared at herself, transfixed. The snug feel of the leather calmed her somehow, while the image before her excited her. This was really happening. In a few minutes, she would be formally presented. Channeling her inner Rhianna, Skylar imagined herself falling gracefully to her knees before Master Caelan, her expression calm and serene as she gazed submissively up at him…
Maya was already busy, applying rouge over Skylar’s cheekbones and then brushing the soft powder over Skylar’s nipples. She applied some mascara to Skylar’s lashes and added a dab of lip gloss to Skylar’s lips. She spritzed Skylar’s hair with a water bottle and then added some kind of product that smelled like fresh oranges. Plugging in a blow dryer and using a large curling brush, she expertly styled it to a smooth cascade of shiny hair that brushed Skylar’s bare shoulders.
“Wow,” Skylar said, impressed. “I wish I could do that.”
“It’s not hard. You have fabulous hair, so thick and shiny,” Maya praised. “I’ll show you how during free time.” She hurriedly put away the items, adding, “But right now we need to get moving. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“Them?” Skylar queried. “There’ll be more than just Master Caelan?”
“Yes. Mistress Ella and Master Ryan will be there, too.”
A shiver of nervous anticipation moved along Skylar’s spine as they left the bathroom.
“Oh, I almost forgot your shoes,” Maya said, moving toward the closet. She slid back the pocket door and pulled out a pair of shiny black heels.
Skylar stepped into them. They were just her size and surprisingly comfortable.
“Perfect,” Maya pronounced, looking her over from head to toe. She held out what looked like a chain dog leash. “This is just a formality,” she offered as she clipped the end of it to the O-ring at the center of Skylar’s collar. “It helps to put you into a proper slave mindset.”
Formality or no, it felt odd in the extreme as Maya led her from the room and back down the hall toward the lobby by the leash, as if she were a dog. Or…a slave.
They stopped at the first door just before the lobby. The door was slightly ajar. Maya knocked softly. Skylar’s heart began to thud.
“Come in,” Mistress Ella said.
“Good luck,” Maya whispered. She draped the leash over Skylar’s shoulder and took a step back.
“Wait,” Skylar murmured anxiously. “You’re not coming with me?”
“Nope. You’re on your own now.” Maya stood on tiptoe to give Skylar a peck on the cheek and then gave her a gentle push. “You’ll do great. Go on. You mustn’t keep them waiting.”
With a last look at Maya, Skylar pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room looked like someone’s den, with chairs and sofas arranged in a conversational grouping, a desk set against one wall. Mistress Ella sat on a loveseat, legs crossed, her silver hair swept up in a chignon, long red earrings dangling from her lobes. She wore a dark red gown, a long slit up one thigh, her feet shod in red slingback sandals with pointy toes. She looked a little older than her picture, maybe in her late forties, though still extremely attractive, with high cheekbones and dark, almond-shaped eyes.
Skylar recognized Master Ryan from the website. He was as gorgeous in real life as in the pictures, blond streaked and blue-eyed with a movie star smile. He wore a white, open-neck shirt over black jeans, blond hairs gleaming on his tan forearms. The phrase, “too handsome for his own good” popped into her mind. She’d never really gone in for the pretty boys. He’d probably broken quite a few hearts.
She fixed her gaze on Master Caelan, her heart jumping with nervous anticipation as he got to his feet.
He flashed her a warm smile and then turned to Master Ryan and Mistress Ella. “May I present slave Skylar, my trainee for the next seven days. Skylar, this is Mistress Ella and Master Ryan.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in the flesh, Skylar,” Mistress Ella said with a smile.
“Welcome to Desire Island,” Master Ryan added, his brilliant blue eyes twinkling. “We hope you enjoy your stay.”
“I’m really excited to be here,” Skylar replied, managing a smile despite her nerves. She moved toward one of the empty chairs but Master Caelan stopped her with an upraised hand.
“No, Skylar. Slaves and trainees do not sit on the furniture unless directly invited to do so. You will stand in front of us for presentation. Place your hands behind your head and stand at attention. That means straight posture, chin up, eyes down, feet shoulder-width apart.”
Heat flooded Skylar’s cheeks. This was really happening. This wasn’t a sexy game at a club. It was real. Swallowing hard over the sudden lump of anxiety, she assumed the position, her heart thudding in her chest.
Chapter 4
Skylar was lovely, her skin flawless, her eyes clear and intelligent, her mouth sensual. Her round, full breasts were artfully framed by the leather straps crisscrossing her body, the nipples pleasingly rouged and fully erect. Her torso was long and slender, her hips a gentle, feminine curve.
It was sheer luck that he’d pulled the assignment, as both Ella and Ryan were working with trainees of their own at present. Word was really getting out about the place and folks were clamoring to come to the exclusive island. They were already talking about hirin
g additional staff, both Doms and subs, to meet the rising demand for their special services.
“Skylar,” he said, crossing his legs to hide his erection, “you will now present yourself for our inspection. Please turn around slowly and with as much grace as you can manage.”
A “Yes, Sir,” would have been nice, but he hadn’t asked her a direct question, so he let it pass.
Once her back was to them, he directed, “Now, bend forward and grab your ankles. Keep your legs wide apart and as straight as you can. We want a good view of your cunt and ass.”
She stiffened, hesitating. If she were trained, he would have reprimanded her for that hesitation, but for now he let it slide.
She bent forward, lowering her torso as she reached for her ankles, her long, honey hair brushing the floor. The exercise was more about her willingness to obey than their actual need to inspect her body. There would be plenty of time for that. Nevertheless, he leaned forward, admiring the firm globes of her pretty little bottom. Her cunt was beautiful, the delicate folds in shades of pink between strong, slender thighs.
He reached for the tube of lubricant on the end table next to his chair and got to his feet. The bulge was clearly visible in his jeans, but that couldn’t be helped. And anyway, Ella and Ryan weren’t looking at him. Their gazes were fixed on the lovely sight before them all.
“I’m going to touch you now,” he informed the girl. “I’m going to examine your cunt and ass. You will not move out of position. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” Skylar replied breathlessly. She was trembling ever so slightly.
Resisting the absurd impulse to pull her into his arms, Caelan popped open the cap of the lube and squirted some onto his fingers. Setting down the tube, he approached her from behind. He reached his hand between her legs. When he glided his fingers over the folds of her sex, she startled a little, but otherwise remained reasonably still. He dipped his middle finger inside her. She was soaking wet, her body ready for whatever was happening, even if her mind was lagging behind. Using his other hand, he lightly teased her clit while continuing to move his finger gently inside her.
One True Master: Desire Island Series - Book 1 Page 3