“We can check out the dungeon party later this evening, if you want,” Abbie added as she led Kendra to the main kitchen to meet her new boss. “It’s a hoot, watching all the guests going nuts in the BDSM lover’s equivalent of a kid given carte blanche in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.”
Kendra laughed. “Do you get a golden ticket?”
“Even better, a golden flogger.”
Chef Henry was as affable and jovial in person as he had been during her interview, and Kendra knew she’d made the right decision to join his team. “Welcome aboard, Kendra. Take the rest of the day off to learn your way around,” he added with a grin. “I’ll see you here at five thirty tomorrow morning. We’ll get things going and figure out your schedule.”
Abbie had to teach a positions class that afternoon, so Kendra decided to relax on the beach for a while. It was the first time she’d be in public with her scars showing. She toyed with the idea of wearing a coverup over her bikini, but decided against it. People would probably just assume she’d been in a car accident or something. Anyway, it was no one’s business but her own.
The beach was perfect, the warm day tempered by a steady, refreshing sea breeze. She actually fell asleep for a while under one of the huge beach umbrellas, and no one disturbed her.
Abbie fetched her to get ready for dinner a little before seven. Instead of going into the large, bustling main dining room that accommodated the island’s guests, Abbie brought her to a smaller dining room located near the kitchen. The door was ajar and Kendra could see a handful of people seated around a circular table.
“This is the resident Masters’ private dining room,” Abbie explained. “I’m guessing that normally you’ll probably eat with the kitchen staff or with us staff slaves and trainees once you settle in. But for tonight, Mistress Ella and Master Ryan wanted you to join them. They’re expecting you, so you can go right in.” Giving Kendra’s shoulder a supportive pat, she added, “See you afterward.”
Nervous butterflies flitted in Kendra’s belly but she batted them away. She took a deep breath and walked into the small dining room. As she approached the Masters’ table, she saw Ryan, one of the guys who’d conducted her remote interview, and a co-owner of the resort.
He was truly a stunning specimen of male perfection. Kendra could see why Abbie had such a huge crush on the guy. “Not that I’d ever do anything about it,” Abbie had said with a rueful smile. “He’s way out of my league.”
An attractive woman with silver hair who must be Ella, the other co-owner, waved toward Kendra with a gracious smile. Maya was kneeling on a cushion by her Mistress’s feet, clad in a black bustier, her breasts bare save for gold hoops through her nipples.
Kendra was unsure if she was expected to kneel on a cushion or sit in a chair. There were two empty chairs, but there was also a stack of flat floor cushions under the table.
To her relief, the decision was made for her as Ryan rose to his feet and pulled out an empty chair. “Welcome to Desire Island, Kendra. Did Abbie give you the grand tour this afternoon?”
“She sure did,” Kendra said, taking the man’s offered hand. “I feel like I’ve died and ended up in BDSM heaven,” she added with a grin. “I’m really happy to be here.”
“And we’re happy to have you,” Ryan said with a movie-star grin. “This is Ella Bertrand, my business partner and dear friend.”
Ella smiled warmly at Kendra. “As Ryan says, we’re delighted to have you on board.”
“Thanks,” Kendra replied, taking the woman’s smooth, elegant hand.
“And this”—Ryan gestured to the big, imposing man next to him—“is Caelan Macaulay. He’s a trainer and he’s also our island physician, so if you ever feel under the weather, just let him know.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Kendra,” Caelan said, laugh lines radiating from kind gray eyes. He turned his smile to the woman kneeling beside him. “And this is Skylar Moran, my darling slave girl.”
Skylar, also in a revealing bustier, had long, silky blond hair and lovely green eyes that matched her beautiful emerald-green leather slave collar. She offered Kendra a wide smile. “Welcome to paradise.”
“Ah, here comes Dylan,” Mistress Ella said. “He’s a recent addition as well, just came on board last month. He runs our new couples and Dom training program.”
Kendra stared at the guy sauntering into the dining room with a sexy, panther-like walk. He moved like an athlete, comfortable in his own skin. He exuded power and a raw sensuality that instantly bypassed Kendra’s brain and lodged directly in her cunt.
Dressed in black, he was maybe five foot ten with a lean, muscular frame. He had longish light brown hair shot through with streaks of sun-kissed blond, his skin the coppery tan of someone who spent a lot of time outdoors. His eyes, she noticed, were an unusually dark shade of indigo blue.