Cassandra's Revenge [Golden Dolphin 4] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Page 3
“His major was business and finance, so I guess that makes sense.”
“He is one damn good-looking guy, the bastard. I think he was a little puzzled that you blew him off.”
“I bet he was. I think he has ‘entitlement’ issues. He’s even better looking now than when we were dating. He was still a kid. Now he’s a man and all filled out. But I bet his heart is still as black as pitch. That was a rotten thing to do. Even if he didn’t want to continue seeing me, standing me up for my senior prom was really low. He could have broken up with me sometime afterward—let me down easy.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Maybe he’ll get his on this trip. One can only hope.”
“I’m thinking about a couple of things—maybe that Sadie Hawkins Night. To be discussed later. I’m starved. Let’s get dressed, get some breakfast, and maybe hang out at the pool for a while. I wouldn’t mind getting some sun.”
* * * *
Devon was concerned. She knew how deeply Cassie had been hurt by Beau all those years ago. It seemed that some heartaches didn’t fade with time and distance. She hoped Cassie wasn’t planning some big, elaborate revenge campaign. That could really backfire, and she didn’t want to see her friend get hurt again. It would be much better for Cassie to lay low, or better yet, to hook up with some nice guy for the duration.
Devon and Cassie sat down for breakfast at a table for four in the main lounge on the top deck. Cassie poured coffee from the silver carafe with the Golden Dolphin logo engraved on the side into the beautiful white porcelain cups trimmed in gold. Over Cassie’s shoulder Devon noticed Beau and another man come into the room and head for their table. Oh, no. Here comes trouble.
Before she could formulate a plan to keep them from sitting down, Beau pulled out a chair and sat down beside her, looking directly at Cassie across the table. “Good morning, ladies. Gorgeous day, isn’t it? I’d like to introduce my friend, Symon Blackthorn,” he said with his sexy Southern drawl. “Sy, these beautiful ladies are Devon James and Sandy Sinclair from Savannah, I believe. At least I know Devon is from Savannah. What about you, Sandy?”
“Pleased to meet you.” Symon was of medium height and build but had a strong, well-sculpted body, sun-streaked auburn hair, and green eyes. He wasn’t as handsome as Beau, but he was not a dog by any means. Devon noticed he was wearing a black rubber bracelet as well. He had noted her green bracelet, and he was certainly looking her over with a gleam of interest in his eyes. If he wasn’t Beau’s friend, she might be returning the interest, but as it stood, she didn’t think that would be a good idea. She didn’t want to do anything that would bring Beau into Cassie’s proximity any more than absolutely necessary, and encouraging his friend might just do that.
Beau continued to look at Cassie across the table. He was apparently waiting for an answer to his query about where Cassie was from. When she didn’t answer him, he continued, “Have you ladies ordered breakfast yet?”
Devon answered for both of them. “No, we were just about to.” Cassie had still not said a word and seemed to be completely engrossed in the breakfast menu. Devon could see that Beau was still perplexed by her lack of interest in him. She knew she had to distract him. “So what are you guys planning to do today?”
Sy smiled at her and said, “Some skeet shooting off the aft deck, maybe lounging by the pool, and there’s a mixer and cocktail party on the top deck tonight. I hope we’ll see you there. How about you?”
“We were going to get some sun, and …” Shit! She had almost said Cassie. “Sandy is taking the training class for new subs with Alex Dragados in the dungeon this afternoon.”
“Now that sounds like fun. I love to train new subs,” Beau said. He smiled at Cassie, but she didn’t appear to notice.
“Oh, here’s our steward. We can order.” Those had been the first words Cassie had uttered since the two men sat down at their table. “I’ll have the spinach omelet and fruit, Dan. Thanks.”
When they had all ordered, Devon felt the silence was getting a little strained. If nothing else, maybe Bainbridge and Blackthorn wouldn’t seek them out again if they seemed conversationally challenged.
“So, Sandy, maybe we can scene together after you’ve taken the sub training.” Devon was surprised that Beau was still trying to engage Cassie in conversation. He apparently wasn’t ready to give up yet—he really didn’t take a hint.
“I don’t know if C…Sandy has decided whether or not she wants to participate yet.” Wow. Another close call. This is stressful.
“Oh, I think I can convince her. I’m a very experienced Dom.” He gave Cassie that megawatt smile that Devon knew she had always loved.
Cassie looked up from the menu she had continued to read even though she had already ordered. “I don’t think so. Thank you for asking.” Cassie’s voice was flat and disinterested. Beau looked thunderstruck. She might as well have slapped him. Clearly he wasn’t used to getting shut down so abruptly by a woman. Whoa. Devon could see that he was starting to look seriously pissed.
“Are you always so abrupt, Ms. Sinclair?” His drawl seemed to deepen when he was annoyed.
“No.”
“I’d be interested to see if your sub training teaches you some manners.”
Thank goodness their breakfast was delivered to the table quickly, and they all dove into the food. At least she, Cassie, and Sy dove in. Beau seemed to be pushing his food around on the plate more than eating it. Devon and Sy tried to carry on a semblance of conversation to bridge the gap. He had looked at her with one eyebrow raised at the exchange between Cassie and Beau. Sy was certainly not unaware of the tension between the other two. Beau continued to watch Cassie from under his long, black eyelashes and furrowed brow. He still looked angry—furious actually. She would have to talk to Cassie. If she continued to be so dismissive, she was only going to pique Beau’s curiosity, and that was not exactly conducive to keeping a low profile.
After they had finished eating, the guys excused themselves to go and shoot skeet. Devon and Cassie returned to their cabins to change into bathing suits. They went up to the pool deck with magazines, Kindles, and suntan lotion.
After they had gotten situated on the comfortable wicker lounges Devon said, “I think you might be pouring it on a little thick, girlfriend.”
“I know. You’re right, but I just see red every time he opens his mouth or looks at me. I’m trying to control myself and not attack him. I’d like to snatch him bald if you really want to know.”
“I think blatantly ignoring him or rejecting him so publicly will only assure his continued attention, and he seems like the persistent type. If you are planning something, you had better let me know what it is.”
“Nothing definite. Just some random thoughts bouncing around in my head.” Damn. That sounds dangerous.
Devon and Cassie lazed in the sun, swam in the endless pool, read, and had lunch on deck. After lunch Cassie returned to her cabin to shower and change for the sub training.
Chapter Four
Cassie and three other women, apparently all new subs, were gathered in the dungeon awaiting Master Alex. The four were wearing lacy push up bras and thongs in a variety of beautiful colors. They looked like a Victoria Secret’s ad. The class instructions had said that they did not have to be nude for this first day, and Cassie was going to take full advantage of that slight reprieve. She was more than a little nervous about starting sub training. She and Devon had joked about it, but it was an intimidating undertaking.
When Alex Dragados walked through the carved double doors from the passageway, they all gasped. He was an imposing sight in his tight leather pants, high leather boots, and bare chest. He had a black riding crop tucked into his boot. The overhead spots shot blue highlights as his wavy black hair caught the light, and his abs and well-muscled, tan arms gleamed.
“Good afternoon, subs. Please kneel down in a semi-circle around me. If you know the slave position, assume it.” He watched them as they all sank to the fl
oor, and then he continued. “You will call me Master Alex during sub training. Many of you may know that I am the executive officer aboard the Golden Dolphin, and I am a fully qualified Master Dom. For those of you who do not know it, the slave position is merely a position that you will assume while waiting to serve your Master or upon his direction. It indicates your submission to your Master. You will sit on your heels with your knees spread wide. Your hands will be relaxed on your thighs, palms up. You will keep your eyes down. You will not speak unless asked a direct question, and if asked will respond with ‘Yes, Master’ or ‘No, Master.’” Alex proceeded to inspect the subs and gently correct their positions. “You were all instructed to read the Pleasure Club Rules and Regulations. Have you all done that?”
“Yes, Master,” they chorused.
“Good. I will go over hard limits with you today, and you will all be expected to be nude during class tomorrow and to wear your colored bracelets. I will also demonstrate the usage of the various pieces of equipment in the dungeon. You should know that the universal ‘safe word’ aboard the Golden Dolphin is ‘kingfish.’ You will use that word in the event you need your Master to stop what he is doing—if you become frightened or the pain is too much for you. Do not use it indiscriminately as all activity will stop as soon as you say it. If you need a moment to process or a short reprieve, say ‘yellow.’” He made eye contact with each of them, apparently to be sure they all understood. “Say the safe words.”
While he was speaking with his back to the door, it cracked open, and one more sub slipped into the dungeon. Cassie was surprised to see this one remove her short, white terry cloth robe and carefully hang it in the armoire near the door. She was stark naked under the robe. Apparently the tall and pretty blonde, with the short hair and bright blue eyes, was ready to jump right into sub training. She moved very quietly and dropped to her knees behind Alex.
When he turned to see who had entered the dungeon late for training, all color drained from his face and his pleasant, if somewhat stern, expression turned cold and forbidding. Cassie thought it was because the woman was late, but as she watched his muscles tighten and the fury in his eyes, she thought it must be more than that. “Ms. Baxter, whichever one you are, what are you doing aboard the Dolphin, never mind in my private sub class?”
“Barbee bought us this cruise for our birthday, Master…”
“I thought I told you never to call me that again, Ms. Baxter. I do not believe you are authorized to be aboard this ship.” Cassie was shocked by the anger in his voice. When she had seen him on deck, he had appeared to be a pleasant and easygoing guy or she wouldn’t have signed up for sub training with him.
“Master…” The woman hesitated as his dark-brown eyes turned black and a thundercloud came over his features. “Alex…we got special permission from Jamie Devereau and Con to book this cruise. Apparently some people are more forgiving than others.”
He turned away from the woman and said, “Pardon me, ladies. Someone else will be down shortly to take over this class. I will resume with you tomorrow. Come with me, Ms. Baxter.” He picked up his cell phone from the antique credenza near the door, started to punch in a number, and strode out into the passageway. He was clearly furious. All the subs looked at each other and the newcomer as she gracefully got to her feet, retrieved her robe, and followed Alex from the room.
* * * *
Fifteen minutes later, Cassie was in for another shock as the door opened again and Beau Bainbridge entered the dungeon. He was attired in Dom leathers, and his wide, smooth chest was bare. “Subs, Master Alex has asked me to step in and take over this class just for today. Something has come up, but he will be back with y’all tomorrow. I am also a Master Dom from Le Club Peachtree-Atlanta.”
Shit. Shit. Shit. This couldn’t be happening. Cassie couldn’t believe her eyes. This was her worst nightmare come true.
* * * *
Beau was smiling to himself. The beautiful blonde with the head of wild, curly hair looked like she was about to have a heart attack. He really did not understand Miss Sandy Sinclair’s aversion to him, but he was going to figure it out or he wasn’t a Master Dom with years of experience handling subs, eager or recalcitrant.
He had been surprised when the captain had called him on his cell while he and Sy were shooting skeet off the aft deck and asked if he could do them a favor and step in to take over sub training for today. Alex had an emergency to deal with. He really hadn’t minded at all since he remembered that Devon had said Sandy was signed up for the class.
“Okay, ladies. We’ll start by discussing ‘hard limits.’”
* * * *
Alex stormed onto the bridge with Baylee Baxter in his wake. He was beyond furious. He and Con had been friends for more years than he could remember at this particular moment, and he did not appreciate being blindsided by Baylee Baxter in his sub class. “Con, what the hell is going on?”
“Alex, calm down a minute, please. Jamie Devereau asked that we allow the Baxters to take this singles cruise. Apparently, they appealed to his softer side. I really didn’t have a choice. He is the ship’s owner after all, and he can make an exception for anyone he likes.”
“You had a choice about whether to warn me they were aboard or not.”
“I’m sorry, Captain…Con. I had hoped…” Baylee broke into tears and ran out the door.
Con looked after the sobbing Baylee. “That I did have a choice about. I’m sorry if I miscalculated, my friend. I thought you needed to deal with this. You’ve been like a bear with a sore paw for two months.”
“That’s my business. Has it interfered with my doing my job?”
“No…”
“Well, then I choose not to have anything to do with that woman. You and Jamie Devereau allowed the Baxters back aboard. You can deal with them.”
“Alex, take a breath and think for a moment.”
“So, we are just going to allow a pair of jewel thieves to run rampant aboard the Golden Dolphin again? That makes good sense. You and Devereau have certainly quickly forgotten how much havoc they caused the last time.” He turned and stalked off the bridge.
“Shit. Apparently this is going to be a clusterfuck of major proportions. I really should have known better. That is one stubborn bastard when he finally gets pissed,” Con said to no one in particular.
Chapter Five
Devon joined Sy on the aft deck after he had come to tell her Beau had left to change and take over the sub training class for Alex. She knew Cassie was not going to be happy about this. Apparently Sy had figured that out as well, but he had the good manners not to ask her any questions.
“So do you know how to shoot?”
“No, but I am sure someone will help me out with that.”
“I’d be happy to help you. Let me get you a gun.” Sy stepped over to the rack of shotguns and chose one of the smaller ones. He walked back over to her and said, “The clay disc, or pigeon, is going to be flung up into the air by that apparatus over there. You’re going to track it with your eyes and the barrel of the gun and try to shoot it.”
He put the shotgun into her hands. He stood close behind her and adjusted her stance until she was stabilized and her entire body was facing forward. “Remember to breathe. Never hold your breath. Also, focus on the target and not on the gun barrel.” He put the earmuffs over her ears. When she had settled back comfortably into his arms he said, “Pull” and guided the gun in an arc across the sky. When the target was at the apex of its trajectory, he gently and firmly pulled the trigger under her finger. She heard a pop and watched as the pigeon exploded in the air.
“That was good. Let’s shoot a couple more, and then you can try it by yourself.” After five more hits and only one miss, Sy stepped back and Devon gave it a try. She missed the first three, and then her natural abilities and coordination kicked in, and she hit the next three.
She took the earmuffs off. “That was fun! And no actual pigeons had to die!”
“I really don’t know. It must be chemistry or something.” Devon hated to lie, but she wasn’t about to break Cassie’s confidence. If Beau Bainbridge got a little payback after all these years, she felt that he richly deserved it.
Devon and Sy settled down on one of the double chaises, and he ordered a mojito for her and a beer for himself. She had to say she was enjoying his company, even though she had thought it would be better to avoid him for Cassie’s sake. Being in his arms while they were shooting skeet had really felt good. He definitely gave her a thrill. She had felt the sizzle creep up her back as he had held her against his chest. He was just the right height for her—more than tall enough but not too tall. Since she was on the short side, she was never comfortable with a man that towered over her. They always made her feel like she was standing in a hole or something. She’d give a lot to be tall like Cassie. Ah, but that is not to be. She had to settle for being cute and petite. She laughed to herself. With purple-streaked hair!
“I guess. It’s puzzling. Women flock to him in droves. He’s a ‘chick magnet’ as they say. The guy oozes pheromones or whatever those sex hormones are called. Speaking of which, I’d like to get to know you a little better, Devon. Maybe we can spend some time tonight dancing at the mixer, get to know each other a little, and maybe do a scene in one of the theme rooms soon. What do you think? I don’t want to rush the moment and come on too strong and pushy, but the cruise is only a little over two weeks long, and I don’t want to waste any time. I think we might really hit it off—it’s those pheromone things I think.”