Two of a Kind (Desire Island 2)

Once they’d settled down, Kendra continued, “This place is everything I ever dreamed of—terrific BDSM, having you back in my life, girlfriends, Dylan and paradise, all wrapped up together. It’s so awesome. Since everyone here’s in the lifestyle, you don’t have to lie by omission about huge parts of who you are.

“And friends,” Kendra continued excitedly. “I’ve never had time for girlfriends before. Any spare time I had was spent at clubs, one on one with guys in the scene. But here, I’m actually developing solid friendships with women I can relate to. Shani is so cool—so crisp and self-confident. And Skylar is smart and sassy. She makes me laugh.”

“And she’s so gaga in love with Master Caelan,” Abbie added with a sigh. “Mistress Ella and Maya. You and Dylan. Seems like everyone is pairing off.” Except me, she didn’t say, but Kendra could practically hear her thinking it.

The bartender, a cute guy with a mop of dark, curly hair and piercing blue eyes, leaned over the bar. “Care for another mango smoothie, ladies? Maybe with a kick this time?”

“Not for me, thanks, Jordan,” Kendra said. “I still have my evening shift.”

“I’m good,” Abbie said. “That was enough sugar for today.” She patted her flat, toned midriff. “Gotta stay in shape.”

“You look like you’re in perfect shape to me,” Jordan said, his eyes moving hungrily over her bikini-clad body.

Abbie smiled absently. “You’re sweet.”

As he drifted away, Kendra leaned closer. “Whoa. Jordan is totally into you. Did you see how he was undressing you with his eyes?”

Abbie looked genuinely surprised. “Jordan?” She glanced toward the bartender, who was now talking with a cluster of older women who had just arrived at the bar. She shook her head. “Nah. He’s was just being friendly.”

“Or you’re just not tuned in to anyone but Master Ryan,” Kendra suggested with a grin. “Which I totally get. He’s pretty awesome.”

“Yeah,” Abbie sighed. “That he is. Too bad he barely knows I’m alive.”

“I think he absolutely knows you’re alive, Abbie,” Kendra insisted. She placed her hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “He’s always asking you to assist in training. Think about that. He has plenty of eager sub girls happy to work with him, but you’re the one he asks for most often. And I’ve seen him looking at you. I think he’s into you without even knowing it. Some guys are just clueless. You have to be more direct. You have to let him know your feelings.”

Abbie brought a finger to her mouth and worried a nail. “I don’t know,” she said dubiously. “He’s super nice to everyone. That’s the problem. There are always a million girls hanging all over him. It’s really hard for me to be forward the way you are. It’s not in my nature.”

“Hey,” Kendra said excitedly. “I have an idea. There’s that reverse auction coming up this Saturday, right? Where the subs get to bid on the Doms.”

“Right. So?”

“So, you bid on Master Ryan. Get him alone for a sexy scene. Make it abundantly clear that you’re into him.”

Abbie’s eyes widened with excitement. “I’d love a private scene with him. I did hear he plans to go up on the auction block.” She frowned. “But every unattached girl on the island is going to be bidding for him.”

“We’ll just have to make sure you have more play money than all those girls,” Kendra said.

“Yeah? And how do we do that?”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Kendra replied with a grin. “Leave it to me.”

“I don’t know…” Abbie said dubiously. “What if he’s not into it?”

“Come on, Abs,” Kendra urged. “You owe it to yourself to see this through.” She placed a hand tenderly on Abbie’s arm. “I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for you. After what happened with that asshole, I seriously considered putting the whole scene behind me—just washing my hands of men in general. You’re the one who was right there supporting me, urging me not to let him win by shutting down emotionally. Don’t let fear that things might not work out stop you from trying.”

“You’re right,” Abbie said, the spirit returning again to her face. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

“I thought I’d find the two most gorgeous girls on the island here.”

Kendra swiveled on her stool, her heart lifting as she saw Dylan. He looked gorgeous, as always. That day he wore a black tank top over bright yellow bathing trunks, his body tan and buff. The blond streaks in his hair and the diamond stud in his earlobe glinted in the sunlight.

“You look like a total surfer dude,” Kendra remarked.

“Yeah?” Dylan said with a grin. “I already staked out an umbrella for us. You ready for your lesson? The waves are perfect right now.”

Kendra, already in her bikini under her sundress, slid off the stool. “You bet. I have a feeling today’s the day. I’m going to get up on that damn board and ride the wave. I just know it.”