by Diane Leyne
“Hear me out before you make up your minds.” Jen was using her trial lawyer voice that made Aly automatically want to agree, and she found herself nodding.
Max, on the other hand, was shaking his head. “I’m not the one who wants to go spy on Rebecca. Don’t drag me into it.”
Aly rounded on him.
“Don’t you care about her? I thought she was like a sister to you? I know you automatically trust these Doms of hers because you share a lifestyle, but Rebecca had never ever shown any interest in it. And then she said that she was going off to have sexual adventures, and now she’s getting beat up by these men we don’t know…” She thrust the brochure at him.
“Okay, yes, I care about Rebecca and I don’t want her to be taken advantage of. But she’s a grown woman who can make her own choices. She can walk away if she wants.”
“She’s on an island!”
“Don’t be so god damned literal. She’s with Doms. Doms respect safe words.”
“The Doms you know may respect safe words, but we don’t know these men. Are you going help and be my Dom or not?”
Chapter Four
Max looked at Aly. If he thought for a second that she really meant what she said, he’d scoop her out of her chair and stuff her in his car before breaking the land speed record to get her home and in his bed.
But he knew that she didn’t really want him as her Dom. She wanted him to pretend for a week. And if that was all he could get, he would grab it with both hands and hope that by the end of the week she’d have changed her feelings about BDSM and be willing to give him and the lifestyle a chance.
In the meantime, she was really freaked out. Up until that moment, he’d thought she was playing some sort of game that he didn’t understand or maybe being a busybody, but now he could see just how worried she was. There was something else going on that he didn’t understand, but he now realized that she’d do anything to get answers, probably including renting a boat and trying to sneak onto the island like a ninja under cover of night, if she had to.
“Wait. No, that’s not what I meant.”
Max sighed. Aly was already backtracking. He was a fool to get his hopes up.
“Okay, Aly. I get it. You need to see for yourself that Rebecca is okay, and you need help so you can get on the island without raising her suspicions. I give in. I’ll help you, but on my terms.”
Aly looked happy and then suspicious. She was nervous. Good. She should be nervous. She thought of him as a gentleman. What she didn’t realize was that he was also desperate. It had been eighteen months and he still wasn’t over her. He didn’t think he would ever be over her. This was the first chance he had to get close to her since she’d gotten home, and he was going to take full advantage of it to try and get back in her heart and her bed. If it didn’t work, then he would walk away knowing that he’d tried everything he could short of stalking and kidnapping her. He’d actually considered both those options, but not seriously. Just idle daydreams. Really.
“What’s the catch?”
“Simple. You will go as my sub as you suggested.”
He watched her face. She really had an expressive face. He could almost see the wheels turning in her head. Finally she looked back up at him and smiled.
“I can do that. I’ll wear skimpy clothes, and you can lead me around on a leash, and I’ll kneel at your feet at meals. It’ll work.”
“No it won’t.”
“But you just said…”
“I said that you’d have to be my sub. This is a BDSM resort. If you come as my sub, you’ll have to let me train you before we get there so you behave appropriately. We may just be pretending, but you have to understand the Dom/sub dynamic. The sub gives herself over to the Dom’s care. She, or sometimes he, has the ultimate control. They can safe word to stop a scene. They can end a relationship. They set the limits. But while they are in the Dom/sub relationship, the Dom sets the rules, which generally means that the Dom takes ownership of the sub’s body. He takes responsibility for her pleasure and her pain. He cares for her, sees that her needs are met, and uses her body as he sees fit. She can safe word, but she cannot say no to her Master. And she certainly can’t come without permission. Even if we just play these roles in public, you must understand and respect these rules.
“Once we are there, you’ll have to call me Master, obey me, and participate in public scenes, including sex. Can you handle that? Because those are my terms. I have a reputation to maintain. Your behavior will reflect on me as your perceived Master. Can you deal with that? Because if you are going to embarrass me, I’m not going to do this. You’ll have to find another way.”
He saw her face blanch and almost backed down. Damn it. He wanted a chance to introduce her to BDSM in an environment that would show her how loving it could be. She would see other couples deep in the lifestyle and see how happy they were. She’d been able to explore her own limits. Maybe at the end of it all, they’d end up going their separate ways. Maybe he’d realize that he’d been mooning over a dream for eighteen months and that reality didn’t live up to his imagination. But he thought it was worth a chance. He wouldn’t push her too hard, but he would push her. He’d do everything he’d dreamed off and let the chips fall where they may.
“Seriously, you expect me to have sex with you in public? Is that why you’re agreeing to this? To get me into bed again?”
“Bed, spanking bench, bondage table. I’m flexible, and I know you are, too. Very flexible indeed.”
He enjoyed watching her turn bright pink. Was it at the memory of past coupling or in anticipation of future activities?
“Why do we have to do any BDSMing in public? Can’t we be a private couple?”
“If that was the case, then why would we go to a BDSM resort? Just so we could watch other couples in scenes?”
“Sure, why not. We can be voyeurs who then go back and play in private.”
“I hate to say it, Aly, but big brother’s got a point. No way you are going to a hideously expensive resort not to play in public.”
“I thought you were my friend.”
“I am.” Maggie laughed. “And even though he’s my brother, I think he’s right this time. Even disregarding every other person there, what about Rebecca? You need a cover that would make sense to her.”
“Besides…” Jen started.
“No, not you, too.”
“Sorry, Aly. Max is right. You two used to have some pretty hot sex before, or so you told us. My recommendation is that Max, as the experienced practitioner, brings his inexperienced sub, Aly, to the resort so she can get a deep immersion experience to determine if she wants to participate in the lifestyle. It will explain if she makes mistakes sometimes, such as forgetting to call you Master, or seems bratty, because you know she’s going to forget sometimes.”
“Yes, and I look forward to it.” He grinned broadly at the thought of having the opportunity to punish her for misbehaving. He could almost feel her lush ass against his hand. He yearned to turn her over his knee and put his mark there before he fucked her brains out.
“It will also explain why you, Max, are still feeling out her boundaries. You’ll still have to play in public, but this will give you some latitude.”
Aly looked over at Max. He thought he saw something in her eyes. He couldn’t believe how much he hoped she’d agree.
“I’m in if you are.”
“Fine. When do you think you can set it up for?”
“I’ll have to check with Jake. I’d say between two and four weeks from now.”
“You can’t arrange something sooner?”
“There’s a lot that has to be done, including physical exams and detailed questionnaires.”
“Excuse me?”
“Everyone who comes to the island has to be medically cleared with no communicable diseases. It’s a sexually charged atmosphere, and some people like playing with others. And if you aren’t on birth control, you need to get on something. Before you say anythi
ng, yes, I’ll use condoms, and no, I won’t share you with another Dom unless that’s something you want to try, but condoms can break.”
He watched how she paled and then went pink at the notion of being shared. He wasn’t sure if her reaction was fear or anticipation. He would look forward to finding out.
“I thought you said that questionnaires about sexual interests were only for if I wanted to do the training week.”
“They like to have everything guests could desire on hand. And they want to make sure that the Doms are properly looking after their subs needs and not going past any hard limits. The staff at the club watch all public activity very closely whether a couple is playing or just relaxing on the beach. They very strictly enforce the safe, sane, consensual BDSM motto. They take care of their guests’ needs and work hard to keep them safe, especially the subs. I’ll e-mail you the details.”
He watched Aly nod, her expression surprisingly unreadable.
“Fine. I’ll go as your sub. We’ll play all you want in public, including sex, but nothing in private. Or is our room monitored, too?”
“No, couples do get some privacy. But we do have to do some practicing before we go. You have to actually act like my sub in public, which means submitting to me in front of others. We might have to work on that.” He grinned at her. “I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll like that part a lot. Anyway, I’ll send you my copy of the questionnaire, and I’ll look forward to seeing yours. And I’ll send you a few web links so you can study up. I know you like to thoroughly research your subjects.”
Max stood up leaned over and kissed Jen’s cheek. “That was a great suggestion. I’ve been wanting to visit the island, but didn’t have a sub to play with.”
He turned and waved to Maggie and Aly.
“See you soon. Oh and, Aly, do you know who sent those notes? I’d be interested to know what their agenda was.” He started walking away and then walked back with one more comment to get her off balance.
“By the way, you won’t need many clothes. I understand that subs don’t wear much in public, and probably less in private. And don’t bother buying any sunscreen. Since visitors spend much of the time naked, there are all sorts of sunscreen dispensers all over the property. As your Dom, for that week, I’ll be extra careful to make sure you are always covered head to toe because I wouldn’t want your fair skin to burn. And I’ll take great pleasure applying it.
“See you soon.” He walked out before she could answer, enjoying the look on her face. Oh, yes. This trip would be interesting, and if he played his cards right, he could use it to get back into her bed, and if he was really careful, he could get back into her life. Time would tell.
Chapter Five
The next few weeks passed in a blur for Aly. Max’s parting shot had jolted her. She’d been so freaked out by the BDSM allegations that all professionalism had gone. Was it a jealous rival trying to break up Rebecca and the brothers? A person genuinely concerned about Rebecca’s well-being? Or was there another motive here?
She couldn’t believe she’d neglected that avenue of concern in her desperation to get to the island. She was an idiot. All her reading about BDSM and fantasizing about Max had obviously rotted her brain.
So she rushed around getting the medical exam, including giving a large blood sample for testing, and buying suitable island attire. Maggie went shopping with her and kept teasing her that the clothes weren’t necessary, as Max would probably keep her naked most of the time. Aly grumbled about the things she did for her friends, but one part of her was secretly excited. Was this a second chance? She realized that she wanted it to be. Oh, she was concerned about Rebecca, but if she was honest with herself, the thought of going there with Max and the possibility of starting over with him was just as big a motivator, but did Max see it that way? Or maybe he was just out for revenge? He could get back at her for the horrible way she’d treated him. He’d get her submission and then be the one to walk away. Was it possible that this was his motivation?
She thought about it. Max was many things, but vindictive was not one of them. Maybe he was using this as an excuse to be with her again and show her just what his lifestyle was really all about. Maybe, maybe, maybe.
A moment later she was kicking herself. As far as Max was concerned, the purpose of the trip was to check and make sure Rebecca was okay, not to get back together. Hell, Max probably didn’t want to get back with her and he was practically forced into this little excursion. It had been eighteen months, and she was an idiot for still obsessing about him when he’d probably moved on.
He did say he wanted to visit but had no one to take with him. Was she just convenient? He had always been almost like a big brother to them in the past. Aly had always had a crush, but he’d never shown interest in her as anything but his sister’s friend until their little fling, and that hadn’t exactly gone well.
But she was older and wiser, and after spending a year in war zones, she knew life could be short and hard and cruel. A person didn’t throw away something so important. Love didn’t come around every day. She’d only felt love once, and she’d thrown it away without giving them a chance to work things out. She didn’t even try to understand what he was talking about. She knew Max. He was warm and kind and funny, and she knew that he would never really hurt her. She’d made a knee-jerk reaction, and it had cost her the love of her life. Now that they were being thrown together, she wanted a do-over, but she was still nervous about this BDSM stuff. She’d been turned on reading about it, but reality could be very different. This trip would be the perfect chance to try it out. If she hated it, Max would never know what her real motives were. If it were half as exciting and arousing as her books, then she’d throw away her pride and ask for another chance with him.
This time, she’d give it a real chance, she thought as she packed, instead of just reacting without thinking. She’d be open-minded and live by the motto to try everything once, just like with food.
She sighed. They hadn’t talked since the day at the restaurant. They’d communicated by e-mail. She’d sent a copy of her test results so he could send them to the resort. She’d also filled out that damned questionnaire. Her face still burned when she thought of the questions she’d had to answer. It had covered sexual preferences and hard and soft limits for the island so the monitors could make sure that her Dom wasn’t pushing too hard.
She’d also received a list of rules and regulations that she’d be expected to follow as a sub and that Max would be expected to follow as a Master. Clearly, he had the easier job. She had to treat all Doms with respect and call them Sir, and if she didn’t, she was subject to punishment. Depending upon the severity of the infraction, her Dom could choose to mete out the punishment himself or he could let the person she’d wronged do it. Punishments varied depending upon the limits set by the sub and Dom, but generally started at spanking and ranged all the way up to expulsion for serious infractions.
She and Max had gone back and forth a few times with the questionnaire because they would be expected to submit a single document. There were questions about pleasure and pain, all manners of sex, sex toys, and paraphernalia.
Her face flamed at some of the questions. Would she be comfortable allowing other Doms to touch her breasts, ass, or between her legs? What about sex? Was her Dom allowed to share her? What about ménage? If so, how many men were allowed to fuck her at the same time, two or three? And there were questions about blindfolds and gags and different types of play. What about water sports and blood play and breath play? She’d had to look some of the questions up on the Internet. She’d originally thought water sports sounded like fun. Not anymore.
Luckily she and Max were on the same page about most things. He had told her he wasn’t into some of the more extreme practices, and she was beginning to realize that he was telling the truth. He had no interest in using electricity on her and had no interest involving anything with non-sexual bodily fluids. And he was not a sadi
st, at least by BDSM terms. She still thought that his pleasure in spanking her meant he had some sadist in him. Of course, her pleasure in receiving it must mean she had some masochist in her.
He did, however, insist that all forms of bondage be included along with light to medium impact play and various clips, clamps, blindfolds, and gags. He was also interested in a ménage, with a second or third male only, not with another woman, but mainly because he thought she would like it. He was fine with taking that off the table, which she had.
He wouldn’t budge, though, on playing in public. He also expected her to be naked on command and was interested in puppy play. He’d mentioned that before, during their big breakup fight. She’d looked it up, and part of her was appalled and another part of her tingled at the thought of that level of submission, but since he’d given up ménage, she accepted puppy play but really hoped he was just putting the clause in to test her commitment.
In the end, they hammered out something they could both live with for the week it would be in force, although the thought of some of the things she’d agreed to gave her the most explicit sex dreams starring Max, and she almost wore out her vibrator from the detailed fantasies that the questionnaire had triggered.
* * * *
“You want me to wear what?”
She held up a teensy weensy miniskirt and a halter top that was clearly see-through.
“No way. This is see-through.”
“The skirt isn’t.”
“What skirt? I just see a wide belt.”
“Very funny. It’ll look great on you.”
“Perhaps, but you’ll never see me in it. And I’m certainly not going out in public wearing this if for no other reason than my panties will show!”
“Panties, what panties? Did I give you panties to wear?”
Aly was mad and when she saw Max’s poor attempt to hold back a grin she got even madder.
“No panties? You want me to walk around with my ass hanging out for all to see?”