“You’re hired to serve me during this dreadful adventure,” she rationalized aloud.
“Absolutely,” he replied. “Did I offend you?”
She shrugged. “You took an awfully long time to bring my food.”
“I apologize, madam,” Louis said before rattling off what he was serving her and how it had been prepared.
There wasn’t a chance in hell she’d let him know that the salmon soufflé and sautéed vegetables looked and smelled absolutely scrumptious. Yoyin wrinkled her nose in distaste and then yawned at the end of his spiel. “Sounds very unappetizing. Take it away.” She waved her hand. “Go back to the kitchen and get me a bowl of cereal—something healthy with bran and several types of grain. And skim milk.”
“Right away.” Louis gave a tired smile, which filled Yoyin with uncharacteristic feelings of compassion.
Mustering inner steel, she added, “Make sure my cereal is topped with fresh strawberries.”
“Of course.” Louis reached for the cart.
“Leave it,” she said sharply.
The moment Louis closed the door; Yoyin pulled the cart closer, grabbed the heated plate, found a fork, and dug in. By the time Louis returned with her requested cereal, she had almost finished the soufflé. “Put it down,” she ordered him, closing her eyes dreamily as she chewed a mouthful of vegetables.
“Are you enjoying the meal?” Louis asked.
She stopped chewing and gave him a pointed look. “Whether or not I enjoy something is not your business.” She dropped the fork onto the ceramic plate, which created a loud clatter in the quiet villa. “Take it away. I’ve lost my appetite.”
“Forgive me, madam.” Louis covered the plate and prepared to leave Yoyin’s bedchamber.
“Louis,” she said softly.
He turned. “Yes?”
“Are you aware that I’m leaving the island in a few hours?”
“I am.”
She touched her chest. “Can you believe the gall of that Merrick guy?”
“It’s my understanding that madam requested to leave.”
“But I changed my mind. I told those servant girls to inform Merrick. They refused, claiming he can’t be disturbed after midnight.” Yoyin sighed. “Can you do something about this…misunderstanding?” A hint of a plea threaded through her question.
“Your travel arrangements have already been made.”
“So! Merrick’s the head honcho here—can’t he undo the damage?”
Fidgeting, Louis shifted from foot to foot. “It’s not likely.”
“What’s the big deal about canceling a bloody flight?”
Louis looked at her with sympathy. “Actually, madam, I’m quite sorry to inform you…” He looked toward the floor, swallowed and then raised his head. “Your presence is no longer welcome here.”
Yoyin choked. “You’re kidding. I’m not welcome here? You can’t be serious.” She patted her chest, eyes blinking rapidly in disbelief. “My presence is valued and highly regarded all over the world. Do you know who I am?” Green eyes aflame, she went on. “I’m the second in line to one of the largest fortunes in the world—the entire world!”
“We’re all aware of your status, madam. And perhaps it’s your sense of entitlement that has led you to disrespect our island, our customs, and our people.”
“Your island!” she scoffed. “You’re Caucasian. You’re not a native.”
“I was born and raised here.”
“Who cares? I’m not interested in your family history. Now, tell me, in what way did I disrespect your primitive customs?”
“We take great pride in our gloriously beautiful island. No other island can compare to Ka-le’a…”
She blew him off with a hand flip. “What’s so special about this…?” Trying to gather an arsenal of insulting words, she sneeringly looked toward the ceiling in thought, but could only come up with a few jumbled phrases. “This remote…this dinky, little swamp of a place?”
“If you find Ka-le’a so abhorrent, why do you want to stay?”
The room swayed slightly. Vertigo. The same dizzziness that occurred on the balcony. Louis rushed to her side. “Are you okay?”
Uncertainty shone in her wide eyes. “I’m not sure. I’m a little dizzy.”
Louis began pouring water from a pitcher on the cart. “Drink this, madam. It’s from our springs,” he informed, suggesting that the water had some sort of medicinal qualities.
Yoyin rolled her eyes at the implication but guzzled the water just the same, hoping to clear her mind and halt the onslaught of feelings, textures, sounds, smells, and flashes of light that had occurred while naked with the stranger. She relived the powerful climax that was synchronous to the mysterious volcanic eruption. That orgasm was the best and the most powerful she’d ever experienced. It was quite unbelievable, but she’d actually lost consciousness. Now, that was a bloody intense orgasm. Oh God, she could use another tryst with the stranger—one for the road. Given a chance, she was certain she could persuade the tall mystery man to dispense with the soft touches and gentle penile thrusts. She was certain she could convince him to give her the violent plundering she so desperately needed to feel fulfilled—to keep the emptiness at bay.
“I don’t want to leave,” Yoyin said with earnest. “Can you please speak to Merrick? Would you plead my case?”
“May I sit?” Yoyin gestured toward a nearby chair, which he pulled close to the bed. “What is the case you wish me to plead?”
Yoyin shrugged. “I don’t know. Make up something.”
Louis blushed. “I’m afraid I’m not a very good liar.”
“I noticed you weren’t so pious when you were slathering my cunt with cream and sauces.”
“I was doing my job—fulfilling your fantasy.”
“Why stop, now?” she asked petulantly. “I want another fantasy night with that tall, chiseled chap, but I refuse to wear a blindfold. I want to see his face.”
“Madam, you’ve shown nothing but disdain for everything and everyone from the moment you arrived on the island,” Louis said, his tone gentle. “How can you expect Mr. Merrick to grant your wish?”
Yoyin flung her hair over her shoulder and gave a smug smile. “How do you expect me to behave? I’m an heiress.”
“An ill-mannered, haughty heiress,” he said with a slight smile. “You must be respectful of our people and our customs.”
“Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, hurry. Get him on the phone and cancel that plane.”
“Consider it done.” Louis bowed his head and rolled the cart out the door.
Smiling as she snuggled under the duvet, Yoyin fell fast asleep.
CHAPTER 10
Yoyin had to admit that Ka-le’a was really a lovely island. Perhaps the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. She was glad Merrick had agreed to let her stay. Basking in the sun, she lay in a hammock while Palila and Kina walked along the white sand, carrying wicker baskets and stopping along the way to stoop and collect seashells and other insignificant objects. They held each finding with wonder and admiration as if they’d unearthed chunks of gold. Silly nillies, Yoyin thought with the fondness one would bestow upon dull-witted children.
Yoyin watched the pretty women with interest and amusement. They were absolutely gorgeous; watching them in the sunlight was a delight to her eyes. Still, it was a pity that women with such striking good looks were nothing more than blithering idiots. Yoyin closed her eyes and enjoyed the sway of the hammock and imagined engaging in rough, wanton sex on the beach with her anonymous lover while the bright sun shone on their naked skin. Of course, Palila and Kina would be standing at attention, ready to serve her and the mystery man a cooling exotic drink
She dozed off—for no more than a few moments, she was certain. Yet the setting sun suggested otherwise. Clumsily, she sat upright in the wobbly hammock, her hand shielding her eyes as she searched the stretch of bright white sand for her companions. They were no where in sight, but
a trail of their tiny footprints went on forever.
Curious, Yoyin eased out of the hammock, deciding to follow the footprints. Annoyance creased her brow. How dare the little minions run off without permission? Wearing a breezy cotton dress with a fitted bodice and a pair of white Burberry slide sandals, she plodded across the sand. She’d give those two a thorough tongue lashing for leaving her unattended. For such a grievous offense, perhaps a light paddling was in order. Hmm. Maybe not. She promised to be respectful and treat them with kindness. Damn, what a backward place this Ka-le’a was. She’d been allowed to paddle servants since her adolescence. Her overly indulgent and doting mother had provided her with her own small paddle to use on her nanny whenever the young woman got out of line. “Bend over, Nanny,” she remembered saying. Her red-faced nanny had no choice but to bare her bottom and receive a paddling from her young charge. Yes, I was a privileged child.
“Help!”
Dark memories resurfaced from out of the blue. Fleeing the frightful recollection and trying to escape the demons of her past, she began running along the beach, panting as she ran behind the footprints in the sand.
After what seemed like many miles of running, Yoyin stopped abruptly. Her companions’ tracks stopped at the mouth of a cave. A shudder went over her body. Had they gone inside the cave? Curious, she made faltering steps inside the cave. The waning sun provided a dim light.
“Palila! Kina!” she called. Her voice echoed. She took a few steps forward and heard a loud boom—like a falling rock or a boulder. She was instantly enveloped in pitch blackness. “Palila! Kina!” Yoyin shouted, terrified. She whirled around, tried to retrace her steps but couldn’t find the opening. Instinctively, she realized that the entryway was now blocked. Biting her lower lip, she looked around the darkness.
Having no other choice, she forged ahead, taking a direction inside the cave that led her down a narrow passageway. Frightened, she took timid steps, then steadied her gait by pressing her hip against a dank wall and running her hands along the great expanse of crumbling, rugged stone. She could feel her dress tearing as she squeezed through the narrow space. A sudden frightful noise made her flinch. The flapping of wings. Bats? Oh, God! For a horrible moment, she wanted to scream until her lungs were raw! But she kept her wits. Screaming might bring the winged beasts in her direction, so she yelled in her head and whispered, “Help!” She uttered the dreaded word unashamedly. “Somebody help me!” With her hands protecting her head, she hurried along, squeezing through the dark narrow passage.
After what seemed hours, she saw a flicker of light, and she moved at a faster pace. Finally, the narrow confines widened and Yoyin found herself in a more open space. She gave a whimper of glee.
Torches jutting out of walls lit a path, guiding her to the sounds of drums and music…And her companions’ tinkling laughter.
Yoyin picked up speed to a trot. Laughing and crying with joy, she ran toward the glowing light and the sounds of high-spirited merriment. As she grew closer, she was blinded by brilliant light. Rubbing her eyes, it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the light and for her heart to get acquainted with an overwhelming feeling of utter bliss. Inside the cave, a party was in full swing. Everyone wore masks as they danced, sang, and chatted.
“Greetings, madam,” Palila said and removed her mask.
“Welcome to the celebration. We’re so happy you joined us,” Kina said, revealing her face.
Yoyin beamed, but her smile slipped away when she took notice of her dirty hands and fingernails. To her horror, her dress was ragged and filthy. And her once white sandals were now as black as soot. I must look like a beggar. Embarrassment flushed her face. But no one was concerned about her haggard appearance; no one had judgment in their eyes as they met her humiliated gaze. In fact, only happiness filled the air. Men and women, scantily clad in traditional island clothing, milled about, laughing and talking and drinking from hollowed-out coconut shells. Two rows of musicians, clad in loincloth and wearing tribal masks, were playing a variety of percussion and stringed instruments. The musicians bowed their heads in greeting and continued playing a beautifully melodic tune.
Her companions wore short wrapped skirts and anklets made of whalebone. Their small breasts were bare. She couldn’t take her eyes off their high, perfectly formed breasts. This cavernous place was breathtakingly beautiful. Tiki torches illuminated the wondrous display of ancient rock art and the elegant arrangement of the masterful, handcrafted tropical wood furnishings were fit for a queen. There were abstract carvings and bronze sculptures—all with excessively erotic themes.
Awestruck by the majestic setting inside the cave, Yoyin looked at her companions in wonder. “I don’t understand. What are you celebrating?”
Kina, wearing a red flower on each side of her head, unpinned one of the flowers and attached it to Yoyin’s hair. “We’re celebrating alana,” she informed.
Just before she asked what alana meant, Palila approached with a cup for Yoyin. This was not an ordinary goblet; rather, it was a coconut shell that was carved in the shape of a goblet and high-polished to a magnificent shine. “For you,” Palila said with a warm smile.
Yoyin humbly accepted the fine goblet with her soiled hand. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice cracking with emotion and shame. Surprised by her humility and her uncharacteristic good manners, she took a quick sip to clear her head. “Mmm. Delicious. What is this?” she asked her companions, feeling instantly invigorated and suddenly uncaring of her untidy appearance.
“Coconut milk, mango juice, and other blends of tropical fruit juices—and spirits,” Kina said.
Palila nodded. “It’s the elixir of alana.”
“Hmm.” Yoyin raised the goblet in good-natured jest. “A toast to alana!”
Hands suddenly slapped conga drums at a more enlivened pace. Fingers plucked various stringed instruments into a charming mix of a tuneful melody.
“Please sit down, madam.” Kina gestured toward a high-backed wicker chair. “In honor of alana, Palila and I would like to perform a sacred ritual dance.”
“What is alana?” Yoyin finally asked.
“Alana means awakening,” Kina whispered. “Tonight, we celebrate your awakening.”
My awakening? What had she awakened from—sleep? Yoyin shrugged. She was feeling pleasantly intoxicated and saw no reason to question her so-called “awakening.”
Cymbals crashed. Palila and Kina began moving their hips and their hands. They closed their eyes and softly swayed. With the delicate hand gestures, they communicated a sensual message.
The beat quickened. The masked musicians began chanting in an ancient language. The two women revolved their hips as rapid as the drummers could beat out time. Yoyin sat transfixed and mesmerized, her eyes wide and keen with excitement. A trail of perspiration trickled down her neck and pooled inside her cleavage. Palila and Kina perspired also as they danced. Faster and wilder, their feminine voices joining in on the chant. Covered with sweat, their breasts looked slippery. Wet. Yoyin resisted the urge to rise from her seat and dry off her companions’ lovely breasts.
Something—the sound of the drums—the chanting—or maybe the drink she sipped—had taken a hold of her. It lifted her up, causing her to kick off her dirty sandals. Moving her hips in time with the beat, she joined her companions in their ritual dance. Circling her pelvis, she moved her long arms in graceful gestures and spun around, dancing as if motivated by the very heartbeat of Ka-le’a.
At the end of the song, Palila motioned Yoyin to follow her and Kina. Gripping the handles of the wicker baskets they’d carried on the beach, the two women escorted Yoyin through winding, well-lit corridors. “Where are we going?” Yoyin asked out of curiosity, but she felt so lighthearted and happy that she didn’t care.
A sparkle lit Palila’s eyes. “We’re going to one of the smaller, adjacent caves for you to bathe. It has a glorious hot spring.”
“Sounds lovely.” Yoyin was being polite.
Honestly she couldn’t imagine taking a decent bath inside a cave. Moments later, the three women arrived at the adjacent, horseshoe-shaped cave. She heard the sound of running water, and the air was thick with humidity. Yoyin clapped her hands at the sight of the heated spring, dimly lit by a few torches.
Kina made a grand motion toward the steamy shower of mineralized water that fell from the cave’s roof and formed a waist-deep pool. “For your pleasure, madam. We’ve prepared a rejuvenating natural steam bath.”
Yoyin yelped with glee and rushed ahead. Hurriedly, she pulled the tattered dress over her head and discarded it on the moist, stony pathway that led to nature’s bathtub. She stepped in the warm swirling water and closed her eyes. “Oh, this is heavenly. Absolutely divine.”
Kina and Palila stripped off their skirts. They waded into the warm water, holding the wicker baskets up over their heads. When they reached Yoyin, they placed the baskets on a stony ledge and began playing in the water. Their laughter echoed as they romped and splashed together in the steamy, swirling water.
After a while, the companions drifted over to the baskets and retrieved a small towel, a seashell, a stone, a loofah sponge and a bar of soap. “We collected these items from the beach and made the soap from fresh papaya,” said Palila.
Enormous shame washed over Yoyin. She stiffened as she recalled the haughty manner in which she’d scoffed at her companions’ treasure hunt in the sand.
“Relax while I wash your back, madam,” Palila cajoled and then soaped the back of Yoyin’s lean body, scrubbing her back and round buttocks with the loofah sponge.
Kina used the edge of a seashell to scrape out the dirt beneath Yoyin’s toenails. She used a roughened stone to scour and soften the heels and the soles of her feet.
Palila passed the bar of soap to Kina. Yoyin’s heartbeat quickened as Kina lathered her breasts. Her nipples, imprisoned between Kina’s pinched fingers, swelled in arousal. Yoyin moaned. Kina’s hand snaked downward as she smoothed papaya suds over her tummy and the small hump of her smooth mound. Kina stretched her fingers and delicately separated Yoyin’s feminine folds and began washing Yoyin’s pussy.
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