Pleasure Bay Read Online Free Page B

be able to find a man like Richard; she didn’t really expect them to. But they could provide her with a long-awaited fantasy and put some spice back into her sex life.
    The low chimes of her grandfather clock alerted her that it was time to get to work. It was going to be hard to keep her mind on her job this week while thoughts of how she might be grabbed, lured, or captured kept popping into her head.

Chapter One
     
     
    He walked into the conference room, pleased to see his team had assembled. As he moved to his seat at the end of the long table, he eyed the chair to his right—one member was conspicuously absent.
    “Has anyone seen Mariah?” His deep voice rang out with quiet authority. The hint of an Italian accent was almost imperceptible, the rolling ‘r’ and emphasis on the second syllable giving him away to only a trained ear. Dimitri De Luca was a stickler for timeliness. When he called a meeting, it was meaningful enough for everyone to attend, or he wouldn’t waste their time in the first place. The weekly staff meeting was of critical importance, taking place before the guests arrived. Everything had to be precisely and meticulously planned in advance in order to prevent errors, dissatisfaction, and melodrama, all of which Dimitri hated and none of which were tolerated on Pleasure Bay. As the owner of the island and exclusive pleasure resort, he had the power and responsibility to make sure that nothing unexpected or untoward happened.
    Vance Lebrock, his security chief answered. “She was having words with Chef Byron about twenty minutes ago, D.”
    “Trouble?” Dimitri asked, concerned, and rightfully so. Byron was a world-renowned chef, but as stereotypical and as temperamental as they come. He ran his kitchen like a five-star general with military precision and the expectation of perfection. He was arrogant, bold, and brash, making Chef Ramsay look like an altar boy by comparison. His temper was foul and he’d been known to bite the head off more than one sous-chef, often sending them running to Dimitri or for the plane home, whichever was closer.
    “Nothing Mariah can’t handle. I noticed she was nodding and flashing those baby blues at him. I didn’t stick around because I hate to see a strong man turn to putty beneath the power of her persuasion.”
    “Damn straight. She’s so subtle when she does it, a man doesn’t know she’s worked her magic until he’s agreed to put shelves together for her apartment or promised to fly to Kingston to pick up paper lanterns that are just perfect for the welcome party.” This came from Jaxon St. Clair, Vance’s assistant; second in command of island security, he was also their resident computer expert. A topnotch surveillance expert with military training, he could finesse a background check detailed enough to know what a potential guest had for breakfast a week ago last Friday—well… almost.
    “She got you too?” Doc asked.
    Vance laughed. “What did she con you into, Doc?”
    “Not telling,” their resident physician said with a shake of his head.
    Dimitri looked with sympathy at his old friend Grayson Jensen. Gray enjoyed being the on-site medical provider for the resort. He was paid well for his time and discretion, such that he’d given up his private practice in Boston. As he watched him now, a flush crept up his neck and tinged his ears; he looked entirely uncomfortable. Dimitri hid his amusement while he wondered what Mariah had been up to now. She’d obviously rooked Gray into helping her out with something embarrassing. It had to be humiliating for the seasoned dom to be so manipulated by such an innocent-seeming sub.
    Jaxon provided the missing information as he elbowed Vance and said in a stage whisper, “I know. I’ll tell you later, but it had something to do with baby powder and leather.”
    “The hell you say!” Dimitri exclaimed. Everyone knew that Mariah was off limits. If anyone were going to claim Mariah, it would