Empowered [Sexual Magic 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (7 page)

“Good afternoon. Mind if I join you?”

The sultry, slightly Southern-tinged voice flowed over him like honey, and Gabriel tipped his head back to look at the owner.

She was tall, just a few inches under his own six three and sleek as an alley cat. She wore dark leggings and a low-cut, green silk shirt which made it obvious she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her breasts, though a bit on the small side, pushed through the thin cotton, proudly displaying tight, taut nipples.

Her green-eyed gaze was steady and self-assured.

He hesitated. Inviting strangers to sit and drink with him once landed him in a precarious, gut-turning scenario which he had yet to shake.

The woman shifted, revealing just a hint of impatience. She shook her head, sending a cascade of auburn hair around her oval face. “Sorry I bothered you,” she murmured and turned to leave.

Feeling like a complete ass, Gabriel caught her wrist. “Wait, I’m sorry.” Her skin was cool and almost moist beneath his hand, and he released her, waving toward the empty chair. “Please, sit down. May I buy you a drink?”

She studied him coolly before gracefully sinking into the seat opposite him. “Yes, you may.”

Gabriel signaled to the waiter, who appeared instantly, took her order, and disappeared quietly. Good help, he thought. Get in, get the job done, get out.

“I’m Gabriel,” he said and held out his hand.

She leaned forward, and he caught a glimpse of one round breast. She was not as lush or large as Madelyn.

Gabriel struggled to force that thought from his mind. Comparing women was not only asinine, it was dangerous.

The stranger’s fingers dipped into his briefly before she withdrew. “You may call me Kay.”

Her imperious tone lifted both his brows and ire, but he tamped the emotion. He came here for new opportunities and to check out new ideas and thoughts. Or, as his assistant had said, to break out of his damn comfort zone and actually meet people.

“Kay,” he murmured. “What brings you to Pleasure Isles?”

Her low laugh was both erotic and condescending. “The same as you, Gabriel, I’m sure. The same as all of us. The pursuit of absolute, unfettered lust.”

She was direct, that was for sure.

The waiter set her glass in front of her, sloshing a bit of liquid over the rim.

Her lips tightened, and she carefully shook her wet fingertips as he apologized profusely.

“Yes, yes, that is enough. I’m certain you’ll be more careful in the future.”

Gabriel took a swig of his beer. “I take it you’re a Domme?”

She nodded and smiled, though her eyes remained dark and impassive. “I am, at that. You?”

He shrugged, not ready to discuss what the hell he was since he was still trying to figure that out. “Let’s stick with curious.”

Kay leaned forward and cupped his fist, stroking the ultrasensitive webbing between his thumb and forefinger.

“There is no shame in being a submissive, Gabriel. A lot of men are. A lot of men crave the release of control, long to give away all responsibility.”

Her skin was no longer moist but still retained the slight chill, even in this tropical climate. Damn good air-conditioning.

“I assume it’s the same for women?”

“Indeed,” she concurred. “With society’s expectations of women these days—the demand for us to multitask with work, home, and hobbies—quite a few find great comfort in being confined, tied, whipped, disciplined.”

The southern huskiness in her voice turned each word into an erotic vision in his mind and his mouth went dry. He could clearly see Madelyn being confined and tied and whipped. He wanted to see her that way.

“You approve, I see.” She winked and lifted her glass. “I love a man after my own heart, though I do prefer them on their knees in front of me.” She laughed again and sipped.

Though difficult to do, Gabriel shooed Madelyn’s lingering image aside. He focused his attention on Kay. “Do you get many men in that position?” he asked. For whatever idiotic reason, he’d always pictured women as the submissive partner. That a man would gladly enjoy and encourage such domination from another person never entered his mind.

“Oh yes. More than you would ever expect. I like men because of their abilities to handle more discipline, too. They make my role much more interesting.”

He frowned. “How?”

Her long red nail tapped the glass tabletop. “Well, say you have a man and woman. She’s a bit on the small side and hardly bigger than a teenager. The man, however, is built along sturdier lines. He is taller, heavier—not fat, though, I despise out-of-shape people—and a bit surlier. If I had to choose between the two, I would take him. He’s like a blank canvas with which I can work and create.”

“Huh.” Gabriel considered that for a moment. “So you’re saying less of a chance the guy would be hurt?”

Her lips twitched and she shrugged. “Or that he could take more punishment than his female counterpart.”

An image of Madelyn, bent over the sofa, her lean, pristine white back slashed by the deep bleeding wound of the bullwhip, flashed into his mind. He clenched his teeth and breathed out through his nose, trying to quell the sudden urge to puke.

But he could not help wonder if Noah’s body would have been able to take the whip better and with less damage.

“Would you like a demonstration?”

He roused himself. “Sorry, what?”

Annoyance flicked in her eyes. “Good thing you’re not my sub,” she said, voice tight. “I’d punish you for your inattention.”

The arrogant words pissed him off, and he nodded. “Good thing, then. Interesting meeting you, Kay,” he said, shoving back his chair and standing.

She rose as well, her hand clutching at his bare forearm. “Occupational hazard,” she said with a self-deprecating smile. “I asked if you would like to witness a demonstration of what I’m talking about. The difference between disciplining a man and a woman?”

“I don’t think so, but thank you.”

Her fingers tightened, the rounded tips of her nails gouging into his skin. He met her eyes.

“Good thing you’re not
my
submissive,” he said evenly. “Think of the punishment
that
little infraction would bring.”

Her smile widened. “Come on, Gabriel. Live a little. Indulge your curiosity. I see it in your eyes.”

He wanted to deny the comment, but couldn’t. He really was curious to see how a female dominatrix operated. So far, he’d only watched a handful of men with their female partners.

“There’s a small gathering just down the beach going on right now.” Kay’s slow drawl worked up his spine and tingled in his ears.

He brushed away his hesitation. “All right, lead the way.” He stepped aside and allowed her to pass. Her long red hair rippled as she stalked past with purpose, the click of her high heels strong against the natural stone floor.

“Follow me.”

The woman sure did like to toss orders around. Gabriel popped his shoulder, thought about new experiences, and fell into step behind her.

As they approached the glass door leading toward the beach, he reached around her and pushed down the steel handle.

“Thank you,” she said. She pushed her way through the door and headed for a patch of lush tropical bushes. She turned left and disappeared into the greenery.

Gabriel was tempted to fall back and forget the whole thing.

“Don’t run, darling,” her amused voice taunted from the darkened shadows. “I promise you’ll love watching this.”

He gritted his teeth, cursed his overblown sense of curiosity, and followed her path. She was waiting with a wide smile.

Looping her arm with his, she urged him onward. “Where are you from?”

“East coast,” he murmured.

“Ah, still seeking anonymity.”

“Just not interested in publicizing, that’s all.”

She fell silent and he was glad. Though her voice was sensual and inviting, her words and attitude left him cold. His mother raised him to be polite though, and he would feel like a heel for accepting Kay’s invitation then abruptly cutting out on her.

He decided he’d watch whatever this demonstration was for a few minutes then get back to his room.

After today’s run-in with Madelyn and Noah, he was on the verge of leaving the island altogether. He was pretty sure he’d incurred some bad karma today with his carelessness. He owed them both an apology.

Not only had he lashed and hurt Madelyn, but he’d bolted like a damn coward. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but for a few moments when his hand had been on that whip, and Madelyn had arched in pain from his blow, his cock had grown hard and insistent. Power swept through his veins, leaving him excited and feeling ten feet tall.

But the aftermath left him sick to his stomach and at heart. Madelyn was so small yet so resilient. He wanted to cuddle her and spank her all at the same time.

Both Noah and Madelyn had him in a tailspin of confusion. Gabriel was known for his ruthlessness in the board room. It was a reputation he cultivated with great care. He’d orchestrated many a downfall and takeover using that image.

Being a protector was not something he was very familiar with, and yet Madelyn’s mere presence seemed to pull those emotions out from him with ease.

He looked at Kay then quickly away. She was his female counterpart. She gave off an air of cold determination that he was often accused of imparting.

But surely I’m not as harsh as she is?

The tree-lined pathway opened onto a somewhat secluded cove of rocks, sand, and tropical vegetation. A grotto stood across the sand and to the left of the rocks. It boasted the look of man-made symmetry.

Island music laden with steel drums and poignant guitars drifted on the humid air. There were about fifteen people mingling and dancing on the sand. A few were making out, engaged in acts bordering on public obscenity but heedless of their audience.

Or perhaps the audience was a part of the allure. His own fascination with watching what amounted to live-and-in-person porn had skyrocketed since his arrival.

Kay tugged at his arm. “Over here. See him?” She pointed to a tall, burly man wearing only small blue trunks. He was big but fit, no fat anywhere on his clean-shaven body.

“Yeah.”

“His name is Oscar, and I’m about to whip him.”

“For what?”

Her chuckle sounded more ominous and less exotic. “Because I want to.”

Gabriel eased a step away and crossed his arms. “But doesn’t that go against all the rules?”

“I make my own rules, darling, something you’ll learn if you stick around long enough.”

She moved through the crowd, weaving in and out of the throng like a sinuous serpent.

Gabriel frowned after her. Everything she’d just said went against the safety guidelines laid down by Noah. He flinched. Noah apparently had damn good reason for all the precautions he insisted on. Did Kay feel she could ignore them because she was a woman and not as strong?

Though Madelyn was small, she had strength in her. He’d felt it when he’d flogged her. He was able to see how she bucked and fought against Noah even as she invited his lashing. She was an intriguing contradiction, and he found himself yearning to figure her out.

But first he had to find her and apologize. He needed to apologize to both of them.

Gabriel didn’t follow Kay into the sand circle. He leaned against a palm tree and eyed her as she approached Oscar.

As soon as he caught sight of her, the man smiled, then dropped to his knees, head bowed. Kay reached out and stroked his hair, running her scarlet-tipped nails over his scalp and neck.

Suddenly, she jerked his head back and slapped him hard across the face.

Gabriel winced.

Tendons in Oscar’s neck stood out as she continued to hold his head bent backward. His skin flushed a deep rosy red.

Finally she let him go and turned toward the small rock cave. Gabriel realized the music likely emanated from there. It clicked off and the crowd fell silent.

She bent and pulled open a hidden door. “Hard or soft?” she asked loudly.

“Hard, mistress, please. This worm deserves no sympathy from you.”

“Damn right,” she said.

Gabriel’s nerves scraped at her hissed tone. She was enjoying humiliating the man, luxuriating in her power over him.

Which, of course, was the entire point. He had to shake his own sense of chauvinism away and accept the fact that men existed who longed to submit to women.

He didn’t really have a problem with that. It just seemed Kay was a little too gleeful. She was nearly jubilant with the arrogance of having Oscar at her feet. Gabriel remembered Madelyn’s gentle submission to Noah. She’d been defiant but encouraging. She had asked to be disciplined but not broken.

Kay’s sneering visage spoke of no compassion or tenderness toward the man beneath her. If anything she looked as though she’d gladly flay him alive. Her desire to punish him was nearly palpable.

The idea turned Gabriel’s stomach.

But everyone was different.

Kay stood up from the cabinet she’d been rummaging in and held up a long, black single-tail whip. A shudder of revulsion rippled over him. That whip was meant only for those used to wielding its power because of the potential damage it could do. Like the damage he’d caused Madelyn.

He shoved the memory as far out of his brain as he could.

Kay strode behind the kneeling man and kicked his legs apart. She cupped his chin and forced him to look up at her.

“I’m going to whip you until I am satisfied. Safe word?”

The man hesitated, and Gabriel caught the soft inhalation of a woman nearby. He cast her a curious sideways glance, and she smiled timidly back, then brushed blonde bangs from her eyes.

She didn’t say anything though, and once more he refrained from asking.

“Bottle,” Oscar said.

“Good.” Kay stepped back, cracked the whip a few times, and began. The first strikes were crisp and loud and elicited an immediate reaction in Oscar.

He gasped and howled and begged for more. His cock jutted obscenely against his blue swim trunks and a dark wet spot appeared.