Pleasure Bay (17 page)

“I’ll take the spanking, sir.”

Lightning quick, she snatched up the tube from the towel and hid behind him. The gentle sway of tits and ass as she scrambled for cover was quite entertaining. Still grinning when Joe walked up, he wasn’t able to conjure up sufficient anger over the interruption.

“I’m on dom duty this weekend, bud. This had better be good.”

“Sorry, Jax,” Joe offered as his eyes flicked to the other man’s shoulders, where Sydney’s hands had begun to apply the lotion. Joe quirked a questioning brow at Jax, but only got a grinning response. “Vance needs a word with you sometime today at your convenience, something about an alert from back home.”

Jaxon nodded. He and Vance owned a commercial security firm that served large corporations throughout the U.S. They were on call 24/7, but had excellent regional managers and local directors capable of handling almost any situation, which meant something was up. “Tell him I’ll find him after lunch. I assume he is finished with his assignment?”

“Yeah, evidently any concerns D had are resolved now.” Joe’s knowing grin told Jax the abduction fantasy had gone off without a hitch as expected. Still, it never hurt to be cautious. Joe tipped his head to the side, trying to catch a glimpse of Sydney, who was doing an excellent job of staying hidden. “I’ll leave you to your sub, then. I hear she’s a beauty. Don’t suppose I get to meet her, huh?”

Jaxon twisted enough to look over his shoulder. Sydney latched onto him and gave a squeal of alarm, plastering herself to his back like a second skin. “Want to say hello to Joe, baby?”

“No, thank you. No offense to Joe.”

Jax grinned. For such a beautiful woman, he found her lack of self-confidence surprising, and her genuineness refreshing. “Sorry, Sydney’s feeling a bit shy at the moment.”

Joe chuckled. “I’m sure it has nothing to do with the bikini lying at her feet.”

A groan of mortification resonated from behind his back just before her face planted between his shoulder blades. She was so freakin’ cute. As such, he was having a hard time keeping the goofy grin off his face.

An experienced dom himself, Joe shook his head and laughed unabashedly as he made his way back up the path.

* * *

Twenty hand spanks later and a naked stroll down the beach with her dom had her duly chastised and submissive. All of this was interspersed with kisses and cuddles, and a plethora of intimate touches. It was a perfect morning. Sydney realized how absurd that sounded, but she was learning that she was pretty much bent and kinky, so what could she say.

After spending an idyllic morning together, Sydney would have happily stayed longer if not for Jaxon’s growling belly and his concern over the color of her nose, breasts, and shoulders. During a third application of Coppertone-30, he’d inspected her skin—virgin skin he’d called it—after she’d admitted her breasts and other intimate parts had never seen the light of day before. He’d tsk-tsked over her tender bottom while he slathered on the lotion, commenting that he couldn’t tell what pink was from spank and from sun any more.

They’d dropped off their beach paraphernalia, and then strolled hand in hand toward the main house for a late lunch. Jaxon, who Sydney was beginning to think was an easy touch, had allowed her to dress, including her sarong.

Mariah was in the dining room when they arrived and greeted them warmly. “Hello, you two. I missed you at breakfast.”

“We did continental on Sydney’s porch and spent the morning on the beach.” His arm at her waist squeezed as he looked at her. “You enjoyed it, didn’t you, baby.”

More of a statement than a question, she treated it as such and nodded. “We swam and strolled in the surf. It was wonderful.”

“I’m so glad you’re enjoying yourself, Sydney. You acquired a tinge of pink on the beach, though. You’ll have to be careful with all that milky fair skin. Redheads color up quicker than most, I’ve noticed.”

Beside her, Jaxon stirred, but didn’t say a word. Thank goodness for that. Her flaming cheeks were probably enough to alert Mariah that she had a tinge of pink from more than the sun. Their charming hostess’ blue eyes just glimmered delightedly as she looked between the two of them.

“I don’t see Dimitri anywhere; will you join us, Mariah?” Jaxon offered politely. Syd could tell he didn’t really want her to though. Nice guy that he was, he made the gesture all the same.

“He’s off on an errand, so I’d love to.” Mariah’s smile quickly faded in an instant as her eyes locked on something across the dining room. “Uh, I just remembered something I need to do. You two enjoy your privacy.” She turned and then dashed away.

“Mariah!” A deep, impatient voice called from behind them. Sydney and Jax turned as one and saw the island owner hurrying toward where they stood by the door—irritation clear in his features. As he came abreast of them, he muttered a hushed curse. “
Merda!
”

“Problems?” Jax inquired.

“Nothing that the flat of my hand won’t cure.” His eyes fell on Sydney and he nodded politely. “Sydney, are things going well?”

Intimidated by the tall, powerful man, she inclined her head and answered simply, “Yes, sir.”

“Excellent, I knew Jaxon would take care of you. If you’ll excuse me.” He took a step, before turning back to add, “By the way, Jaxon, Vance needs a word with you this afternoon; something about a problem back home.”

“I’ll find him right after lunch, D.”

He nodded and then took his leave, a petite blonde obviously the center of his attention.

“If you need to take care of that problem now, I’ll understand. I hope it’s nothing serious.”

“It will keep until after lunch, Sydney, but thank you.”

“Master D seemed distracted. What was that he said in Italian?”

“Nothing socially appropriate for you. The equivalent in English would earn you a spanking.”

“Seems like everything could earn me a spanking.”

“And the problem with that is what?”

Darn her blushes, because as her face heated involuntarily, she answered Jax’s question without a word.

“Mm-hmm, I rest my case.”

A change of subject was in order. “I don’t blame Mariah for running. Dimitri is kind of scary.”

“More so than me?”

She studied him closely as he moved around the table after seating her. He’d given her the chair with the best view of the bay—such a gentleman. Looking around the picturesque dining room, surrounded on all sides by large open windows, she acknowledged that all the seats had great views of the bay. Still, it was a gallant thing to do.

“Baby?”

Distracted, she’d forgotten the question and he had to repeat it. Was she scared of him? The paddling with the brush had hurt. The second round with his hand not as much, but it still burned like fire, especially on an already well-spanked booty. As she studied him, she decided that what she felt was a healthy bit of respect for his authority, not fear.

Smiling, she arched a brow at him. “Better the devil you know, as they say.”

“But last night, I was the devil you didn’t know. Were you afraid then?”

“I don’t know if I’d say afraid as much as cautious.”

“And now? Have I won your trust?”

“You have, although it was questionable when you paddled my behind with my own hairbrush.”

Chapter Ten

Lunch for Sydney was an out-of-this-world shrimp salad with some kind of light Asian dressing on a bed of lettuce and other crisp vegetables served with melt-in-your-mouth hot buttered croissants. Jax opted for a man-sized New York strip instead, joking that all the fresh air, swimming, and spanking had worked up an appetite.

Afterward, Sydney headed back to her cabana alone while he went to find Vance about the problem at home. He promised to meet up with her again shortly. She was happy for the brief reprieve, which gave her a chance to think without his distracting presence. She’d been truthful when she told Mariah she was having a good time. A more perfect partner, she couldn’t have hand-picked for herself. In fact, she hadn’t. Her track record as a frustrated, unfulfilled single woman who was rapidly approaching her thirties was proof that she’d been picking the wrong men.

She wanted to thank whoever had matched her with Jaxon. Mariah, she would bet, but couldn’t say for sure. He was the ideal man for her. Charming, witty, with a good sense of humor, he was also confident, delightfully masculine and commanding when necessary, particularly in the bedroom. He was also trustworthy. Jaxon was certainly sticking to the letter of her contract and limit list. In the sex category, other than the manually induced orgasm of the night before—as she politely began to think of it—there had been kisses, cuddles, and intimate touches, but nothing more.

Did she want more? Her body said yes, while she shamelessly responded to his every thrilling touch, but her mind said she was crazy having known the man less than a full day. Her intention of coming here hadn’t been to hook up, or had it? No… her deeply ingrained ‘good girl mentality’ had a problem with having sex with a near stranger. Yes, allowing him to spank and touch her in every way imaginable was pushing the envelope, but she decided third base was far enough… probably. No, definitely… okay, maybe almost certainly. There was another concern. He’d already set the standard by which every man would be measured in the future. If she slept with him, she was afraid it would ruin sex for her with another man, as well.

Making about as much sense as one of her board members during their monthly rant about the earnings report, she laughed, giddy in her happy befuddlement. As she rounded the side of the mansion, looking for the trail back to her cabana, the gentle gurgle of water called to her. Veering off to the left, she eagerly approached the grotto. Recessed behind palms and tropical vegetation, it was discreetly out of the way although not hidden. Anyone passing by could stop and admire the fall of water down the rocky wall, which fed the gleaming blue-green pool beneath. Almost imperceptible behind the shallow misty falls was a cavern with a path leading to it. It was pure temptation to an inquisitive passerby like herself. What was really enticing was the crystal clear water and she was of a mind to take a dip. Why not? No one was around. She’d have it all to herself.

Easily convinced, she dropped her sarong and slipped into the water. It was the perfect temperature for swimming; of course, was anything less than perfect a possibility at Pleasure Bay? Leaning back, she allowed her body to become buoyant as she relaxed into a float, drifting under the gently cascading water.

Closing her eyes, she recalled her grotto fantasy. The handsome man had been replaced by Jaxon, the reality of his ripped body and handsome face surpassing even what her brain had created. Even his voice had been replaced by Jaxon’s and she smiled to herself as his deep, husky voice whispered her name in her daydream. Resting atop the silky cool waters, she lost track of time. Having no idea how long she lingered, she drifted along without a care until a splash disrupted her reverie. Lurching upright, her feet found the bottom as she stood. She looked around and saw nothing. It must have been a bird, or possibly a fish.

A large figure surging out of the water mere inches in front of her prompted a startled shriek of alarm. It took only a second to recognize Jaxon’s grinning face.

She smacked him lightly on the arm, slightly miffed as her heart tried to slow. “Sneaking up on someone like that isn’t nice.”

“Sorry, my lovely water sprite, but I called your name twice. You were so lost in your daydream that you didn’t notice. I couldn’t resist joining you when I walked by and saw you floating here all alone.” His hands pulled her close to him. “Plus, it’s payback. If I’d gotten to the cabana and you weren’t there, I would have worried.”

“So, scaring ten years off my life makes us even? I have to call a big fat B.S. on that one, sir.”

“Hmm… That sounds like sass to me and that snarky tone is far from respectful. You’re testing your bottom’s resilience, I believe.” He began towing her through the water.

“Jax, I mean, sir…” Her tone was more respectful as she realized she’d stuck her foot in it. The voice in her dream had been him calling her name. When she saw the flat rock in front of her, she froze. This was her fantasy come to life, jeez-oh-man!

“Up you go. We’ll see how respectful you become after a few smacks on a wet derriere.”

She found herself belly down on the cool slate-like boulder, which was the ideal height for what Jax had in mind, a good old-fashioned butt busting. It seemed too coincidental that this precise stone just happened to be in just the right spot. She imagined it had been placed purposefully as part of the landscaping. Her mind reeled as she tried to remember if she’d mentioned the grotto and the table-rock in her application? If she hadn’t, they’d read her mind and were doing everything to make her fantasies come true, just like they’d promised.

Offhandedly, she wondered if this place had been given a name, like all the others. The spanking stream came to mind or even better, the paddling pond. She stifled a giggle as he moved her into position. Her silly thoughts incongruent with the treatment she was about to receive.

“Stay exactly where you are, Sydney. If you move a millimeter, I’ll double what you have coming. Understand?”

His warm caress along the backs of her wet thighs belied the sternness behind his words and startled her out of her wandering thoughts. “I understand completely.”

“Hmm… we’ll see. Be right back.”

There was splashing behind her and an odd rustling noise. A squawking bird, disturbed by the goings on, suddenly flew out of a nearby tree and made her jump, but she held her position.

He was back beside her the next moment, giving her praise. “That’s my girl. You can be obedient when you want to be. I had no doubt.” His hand patted her wet bottom gently. “Since you’ve had three spankings in under twenty-four hours, I’m going to give your poor bottom a break.”

Disappointment swept through her. She had really wanted to live out her fantasy in the grotto and had already decided that if he had the urge to take her from behind, she wouldn’t deny him.