by A. C. Melody
“That it has,” Linx smiled. “Though I can’t complain about it being here. This certainly beats my usual scenery.”
“In that it’s really outside and not some virtual rendering,” another familiar voice spoke up, this one with a mild Irish lilt despite spending the majority of his life in America, where Linx also hailed from.
The other well-known Dom finished up at the bar and turned toward them with fresh drink in hand. He was only an inch shorter than Felix, but looked like Linx's exact opposite with light, golden brown hair and blue eyes
“Taber Sullivan, I didn't know you’d made it,” Felix admitted. “We missed you at auction last night.”
“As entertaining as I’m sure that was, jet lag made me her bitch straight away and I’m all the better for it,” Taber grinned. “Or at least my wallet is, which I hear can’t be said for either of you. The two highest bids of the night, if I’m not mistaken, which seems awfully counter-productive.”
Felix just smiled. He didn’t regret a single penny he’d spent on Tessa and he’d gladly spend more. Since Linx had the only natural redhead on the island, he was more than certain the man felt the same.
“Tabe, if you actually bid on a sub, I’ll be forced to run a special community newsletter on the website, as it would make headlines,” Linx retorted.
“Why pay for what has been so plentifully provided for free?” Taber scoffed, gesturing to the selection of unclaimed subs on the other side of the terrace. “Which, again, I want to point out as a poor business decision, but fuck.”
They both laughed at Taber’s predictable nature. “I do believe that exact response is what the resort was aiming for,” Linx pointed out. “Five-star concierge service.”
“I’m already here, Linx, no need for the sales pitch,” Taber chuckled.
“Yes, but where’s your partner in crime?” Felix inquired.
Taber’s club was renowned, for it was not only the home club to one of the co-owners of Vitalz Worldwide, but to one Hayden Tru—a man with a reputation for throwing the best community parties and having the respect of everyone who’d ever met him. Felix had been hoping for that honor, himself, this week.
“Being his usual boring self, working too much while trying to introduce an untainted sub to his anal-retentive ways,” Taber answered.
“Untainted,” Felix and Linx repeated together, sharing impressed looks.
Taber grimaced.
It was their community nickname for a submissive who was new to the lifestyle, completely untainted by a previous dominant’s tutelage. The community was divided on their opinions of them; some avoided them like the plague—as was Taber’s obvious view. Others yearned after them like the elusive unicorn. Felix was ambivalent under most circumstances, but Tessa’s list of experiences was one of her greatest appeals. He was more than ready to dive deeper into all of them, and help her add to the whole. Besides, a week would never be enough time to put a dent in a new submissive’s vanilla armor.
“He’s an overachiever,” Taber continued about Hayden. “Which is why he’s already set the time aside for the grand opening, rest assured. He’s quite anxious to get a look at the community’s latest venture.”
“Many are,” Felix said.
The three of them took a moment to soak in the breathtaking scenery and fine luxury all around. The laughter and positive flow of conversations from nearly a hundred kinksters enjoying the sun, the pool and each other’s company.
“Yes, this is definitely going to be the spot, gentlemen,” Taber summed up. “They’re all going to want in. It’ll be at the top of everyone’s wish list by Christmas.”
“After all the kinks are sorted out,” Felix replied, his gaze landing on the mirrored wall of glass he couldn’t see Tessa through.
“A man after my own dirty mind,” Taber commented, his attention already back on the mingling submissives. “And if this hasn’t already been delegated happy hour, I’m casting my vote now. Gentlemen.”
“Red means stop in every possible way, Sullivan,” Linx called after him.
“Don’t fret, lad, it’s not a special color where I come from. Just close your eyes and point,” Taber smirked, then headed across the terrace.
Felix chuckled at the stricken look on Linx's face. “That wasn’t blasphemy,” he teased.
“It should be,” Linx decided, before taking a slow, thoughtful sip of his drink.
“You’re considering a trip to Ireland now, aren’t you?” Felix laughed.
Linx opened his mouth to respond, but something else captured his attention. Felix followed his gaze and saw the man’s redheaded sub talking with a male sub. A tall, blond surfer type he didn’t recognize, because he’d left the auction early to buy a collar for his little fox.
“Perhaps another time,” Linx replied absently.
“Sirs.”
Felix’s attention diverted to the much shorter, sandy-haired man stalking toward them with only one desire. “Well?” he demanded.
Louis sighed and shook his head. “She’s fine, wearing the bracelet, not that it matters. And if she’s as submissive as her file claims, she’s now eating her lunch with more enthusiasm.”
That only made Felix frown deeper.
“If you’re that worried, then go babysit her,” Louis remarked. “Otherwise, I do believe this social was designed for mingling.”
“Someone’s miffed at us,” Linx mused.
“You two snatched up the biggest gold mines on the auction block with no intention of returning them, the least you can do is pretend to be enjoying yourselves,” Louis grumbled. “Not spend the whole time gawking at what’s already yours.”
“Yes, but who’s the one that’s not ours?” Linx inquired of the male sub with his redhead.
“He’s one of mine,” Louis replied. “And the third to their trio, the three Californians I had to rescue from Labasa yesterday. Which reminds me, Sir Linx, do you mind if we speak to your sub for a moment?”
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
“Possibly,” Louis answered. “Felix’s pet just informed us that their home club manager didn’t give her all of the pertinent information about this week’s event.”
“Or any of it,” Felix corrected.
“I see,” Linx frowned, then led the way across the terrace.
The submissives had claimed the lounges and tables on the other side of a raised flowerbed acting as a partition wall for the Oasis Bar. The three of them stopped about halfway to it, because Linx's redhead had spotted them and the finger he’d crooked at her. Likewise, the male sub was motioned over by Louis.
“Daddy?” the redhead questioned, her gaze averted just like the male sub’s behind her.
“Gema, Sir Louis and Sir Felix need to ask you some questions about your meeting with your club manager, you’re free to answer them.”
“The questions go for you, too, Kip,” Louis added. “Were you told by your manager that this week’s event was a dry run for a resort that’s getting ready to open?”
“I asked, Sir,” Kip answered first. “I wanted to know what kind of reputation the place had before I decided.”
“So, the information was not provided before you asked?” Felix questioned him.
“Not that part, Sir, no.”
“Was that the same for you, Gema?” Linx asked his sub.
“Pretty much, Daddy,” she confirmed. “I mean, he did tell me that it was exclusive and warned me about not having phones or cameras.”
“That’s the only information he gave Tessa, too,” Felix said to Linx.
Linx nodded. “How did you learn about the resort, then?”
“I kept badgering him for the details, because it seemed too good to be true and I didn’t want to get into a bad situation,” she answered.
“Good girl,” Linx praised. “Anything else, gentlemen?”
“No. Thank you both for answering our questions,” Felix said.
“Of course, Sir,” Kip replied.
“You’re welcome, Sirs,” Gema said at the same time. She hesitated to leave, fidgeting with her fingers. “Is... Daddy, is Tessa okay?”
“She’s fine, I assure you,” Felix answered, when Linx looked to him. “I’ll let her know you asked after her.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Go back to your free time now, baby girl, but remember your rules,” Linx told her.
“I will, Daddy, promise,” she said and turned away from them, which caused Kip to turn away, as well.
Once the subs were out of earshot, Felix turned to Louis. “Do we have a location on Lex?” he asked of the Vitalz co-owner responsible for overseeing the American clubs, who happened to traveling at the moment.
“Not pinned down,” he answered. “But I can message Eva.”
“Shouldn’t we find out if there were other managers who failed to give all the details?” Linx suggested.
“I can start asking the unclaimed subs, that should be enough to give us an idea,” Louis offered in agreement.
“Yes, let’s do that and hope it’s only limited to one club,” Felix said, angry that it was even that much.
How could any manager expect a submissive to give their consent without all of the details? It was not only borderline misleading, but a genuine legal issue against the resort if any of the subs decided to press charges. Whoever the Los Angeles manager was had put them all at risk, and Felix took it even more personally because of Tessa. This time, she’d ended up someplace safe. But what if it really had been for a private party where things hadn’t been on the level? Just imagining that kind of scenario had Felix seeing red. Vitalz did everything in its power to uphold its sterling reputation, but that didn’t mean bad shit never happened. Rules, regulations, and guidelines couldn’t always weed out the sickos or the downright irresponsible.
“Where is your sub, Felix? Is she ill?” Linx inquired, once they’d returned to the river bar.
“No, she’s grounded.”
“Already?” He blinked in surprise. “I thought I had the spitfire.”
Felix gave him a partial grin. “They each pose their own unique challenges, don’t they?”
“Thank God for that,” Linx exhaled in agreement. “Speaking of challenges.”
Felix tore his eyes away from that distant, impenetrable window again, to see Alise Moreau heading right for them. She was just as stunning in a pink sundress as she’d been in her swimsuit earlier, which reminded him of an old French proverb his nanny used to say: the vestment does not make the monk.
“That’s my cue to check on the others,” Louis remarked, ditching them without shame.
Felix shook his head at the coward’s back before schooling his features just in time to greet the Domme.
“You know, I heard that man narrowly escaped imprisonment by the prince,” Alise said in hushed tones, as she watched Louis’s retreat. “It seems he has something of a gambling problem. I certainly hope our mysterious host’s trust in him is wisely placed.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t risk it, otherwise, while trying to persuade our business, Alise,” Linx smiled at her, before Felix could even respond.
“Your French is improving, Linx.” Alise beamed.
“Thank you. Now, how’s your English?” he countered.
Alise laughed and waved a hand. “I’m unashamed to be the least traveled person here. While everyone else is so eagerly cultured, I’m stubbornly biased.”
“Nothing wrong with that, either,” Linx conceded.
“Where is your gem of a pet, Felix?” Alise asked, skipping right to her preferred subject.
Though he’d already been anticipating the discussion, Felix couldn’t stop himself from going on guard. He knew how much the woman wanted Tessa for herself, and there was no doubt she’d be delighted by his response.
“Eating alone today.”
“Oh, dear, that was fast,” she all but cheered. “Doesn’t bode well for the week, does it, darling?”
“She’s not going back to auction, Alise,” Felix stated, reluctantly amused by her lack of subtlety. If one thing could be said about the Domme, it was that she didn’t shy away from boldness. “I'm sure you have a few inventive ways to teach your pet commands in our language.”
“Yes, well, you know what they say about looks only getting a person so far,” she muttered on a sigh. “What I really want is that golden beauty following your little redhead around, Sir Linx, but he apparently prefers his dominants to come from your side of the gene pool.”
“Is that so?” Linx stared after Kip.
Felix knew his friend was wondering the same thing he was—if Kip’s preference for dominants extended to his preference for subs, as well, or if he was open to both. In their chosen lifestyle, it was never an easy guess. There were far too many variables to choose from.
“Not that it would help, since I didn’t hear French listed as one of his skills, either. One would think the offerings would be more diverse than just Americans,” Alise complained. “I’m sure I won’t be the only one noting that in the feedback.”
“It won’t really matter after this week. Once it’s open for business, Dark Day Isle is supposed to run just like any other resort,” Felix pointed out.
“It was my understanding there would still be extra subs available, though,” Linx noted. “Just not on this scale.”
“Well, I’ll be voting for a better variety, no matter what that scale is,” Alise stubbornly stated, then gave Felix a pleased smirk. “Perhaps, your little pet will find a nice, permanent place here.”
Felix’s jaw tightened from the clashing reactions that lanced through him, though the strongest was a surprising: not in this lifetime! He forced his muscles to relax and gave Alise a knowing look. She was hoping to garner some personal information about Tessa that he wasn’t about to give.
“You’re fishing, Alise.”
She laughed and waved her hand again. “And you’re like the Dead Sea, Felix, so I’m on to more fertile waters. Oh, and you’re welcome, darling,” she added to Linx over her shoulder.
Linx took a sip of his drink and frowned. “Damn it, now I’m actually glad she was here.”
Felix could only laugh, understanding his friend’s aggravation all too well. Alise had a knack for making her visits both painful and rewarding. Probably, why she was one of France’s most sought after Dommes.
Chapter Five
Clean Slate
Tessa had gone from picking at her food like a bird to eating like a captivated woman binge-watching her favorite TV show. The world outside her isolated window had taken on some pretty interesting scenes, but her eyes returned to her Master time and again. She’d watched as several other dominants stopped to talk with him for a bit before moving on. Only Gema’s Dom seemed content to stay by his side. The Mistress who’d interrupted their beach time earlier had also kept her promise by visiting with him for a moment or two. Even without sound, the woman made her stomach feel heavy with unease. It was probably unfair, but she couldn’t help it.
When Felix and the others had talked to Gema and Kip for a brief moment, Tessa’s curiosity had taken on a fever pitch, dying to know what she was missing. And that had been the moment her punishment had hit home the hardest. Reminding her of why she was there, alone, swamped with guilt and regret. She couldn’t feel any lousier about her bad choices, or any unhappier about their consequences. She’d missed all those moments and was more than ready to never let that happen again. Spankings would’ve been so much nicer, and at least her ass would be warm.
The coldness from the constant air conditioning had led to her sliding her chair flush with the window, so she could kick off her flip-flops and curl into the heat of the glass as much as possible. The longing to be out on the terrace in the middle of all the excitement was heavy, but she was getting closer to the end of her punishment and that came with its own kind of thrill. Tessa couldn’t wait and with a reassuring glance at the table, knew she’d do
ne a good job of her lunch, too. There were no reasons for Felix to still be disappointed. A clean slate was within her grasp.
That seemed even truer when she noticed that some of the dominants were collecting their subs and leaving the terrace. Was it finally over? Anticipation danced through her as she watched for signs of her Master’s approach. To her aggravation, two dominants descended the stairs from her left and decided to stop right in front of her window. Tessa’s uneasiness increased the longer they remained there, separated by nothing more than a pane of glass and a narrow flowerbed. She could almost make out their conversation if she strained hard enough, and she was almost certain they’d be able to see her if they tried.
When the man on the left glanced in her direction, confirming that fear, she decided it was time to move no matter what Felix had ordered. It wasn't like she could watch anything with them there, anyway. Tessa abandoned the chair, rounded the table and went further down the wall of glass, beyond their line of sight. Because of the tall bushes to the left, it wasn’t as warm in her new spot, but that didn’t stop her from trying to merge with the window.
Her eyes sought out the place her Master had been and noticed, from her new vantage point, that the infinity pool wrapped all the way around that side of the terrace with a short Tiki bar that appeared to be floating right on the water. She scooted a little further to the right to get a better look. Without warning, the dominant who’d glanced at her before stepped around the bushes and right into the window with his hands cupped around his eyes, startling the breath right out of her.
Tessa whipped around and slammed her toe right into the leg of a chair.
“Oh! Ow! Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she yelped and hopped, the pain consuming her big toe at once and throbbing.
The chair she tried to grab hold of clattered on to its side, so she dropped to the floor and gripped her toe tight enough to make the pain stop, sucking air in through her teeth and whimpering it right back out again.
The door burst open, and the dominant who’d been trying to catch a glimpse of her came flying into the room. Panic seized Tessa, rattling her nerves. Him being there was uncomfortable at best, a possible threat to her clean slate at worst.
