Six Signs of Submission (Desire Island 6)

“Hell, no,” she muttered as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

Ryan, Abbie’s partner and Lainey’s boss, had been more than gracious about letting her use a spare room in the slave quarters, though he’d joked that she might be required to strip and assume a slave position at any time. Cooper had grinned, agreeing that was an excellent idea. Lainey had just rolled her eyes.

“Maybe you’ll be joining us as a staff slave?” Abbie had suggested. “You could still work as fitness director, same as I do.”

Lainey had laughed, shaking her head. “Sorry. I don’t think there’s a submissive bone in my body.”

“Is that right?” Cooper had said in a soft, sexy voice that made her want to moan. He’d put his hand lightly on her throat right in front of them. Lainey had involuntarily shuddered, that same odd softening happening inside before she could muster the wherewithal to pull away.

Abbie had raised her brows then, a knowing expression on her face. “I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the idea,” she said with a gentle smile. “We can talk about it later.”

Now Lainey reached for her cell phone from beside the bed and glanced at the screen. It was only a little after seven, but Lainey never could sleep in, no matter how late she went to bed. She checked for messages, as Cooper and she had exchanged contact information the night before. There was nothing from him.

She hugged herself as she recalled that amazing kiss on the yoga mats, his strong body covering hers, his erection hard between them. She had been so close to breaking her own rule. If he’d pressed at all, she probably would have done it.

But she had to admit, as sexy and dominant as Cooper had been, he had also been the consummate gentleman. In the sane light of day, she appreciated his good-humored acceptance even more. It had been the right decision to wait. Meanwhile, she was eager to see him again, and pick up where they’d left off.

After using the bathroom and washing up, she made the bed and pulled on her workout clothes and running shoes. She walked over the sliding glass door and opened it, letting in the fresh, cool breeze blowing off the water.

“Man,” she sighed, breathing deeply as she lifted her face to the sun. “I could totally get used to living here. What a paradise.”

She decided to take a quick run along the beach before her shower. Then she would seek out Cooper. Slipping her phone into her shorts pocket, she stepped out onto the sand. After a few quick stretches, she jogged easily along the shore. The place was mostly deserted, the resort guests no doubt sleeping in after their all-night revelry.

She saw Abbie with a small group of slave trainees and a few staff slaves doing calisthenics several yards away. Some of them were stark naked, others, including Abbie, in sports bras and shorts. Lainey ran in the other direction for about a mile down the shore.

As she jogged back, Abbie was just finishing with her group. Seeing Lainey approaching, she raised a hand in greeting.

“Hey, there. We’re just finishing up. Want to join us for breakfast?”

Lainey fished her phone from her pocket and swiped the screen. There was a text from Cooper.

“Good morning! Just woke up. Meet at nine for breakfast at the tiki bar?”

“Sure. See you then,” she thumbed rapidly back, adding a smiley face making a kiss.

Slipping her phone back in her pocket, Lainey replied, “I’m meeting Cooper at the tiki bar at nine for breakfast. But I could join you for a cup of coffee after I jump in the shower.”

“Great,” Abbie said. “You know where the sub dining room is? The quickest way is through the kitchen. You can grab coffee there and come on through. They’ll direct you.”

“It’s a plan,” Lainey agreed.

Showered and changed, Lainey entered the small dining room just off the kitchen, a mug of coffee in hand. She had put on the only remaining clean outfit she had in her travel bag—a red cotton sundress over a matching red bikini.

There were seven people seated in the room, which contained no tables or chairs. Instead, they sat on large flat cushions in a loose semicircle, trays of food and drink balanced on their legs, or just beside them on the floor.

Along with Abbie, Lainey recognized other staff members, including the one male staff slave named Tommy, Caelan’s partner, Skylar, and Maya, who was owned by Mistress Ella. There were also three slave trainees, a man and two women. If those three were self-conscious about being butt naked, they gave no indication.

“We’ve just been discussing you,” Abbie said as Lainey took a seat on an empty cushion.

Lainey chuckled. “Oh, yeah? I didn’t know I was that interesting.”