Five Stars (Desire Island Series Book 5) Read online

  “Well, I have enough siblings to share. More than enough. Like I said, I used to dream of being an only child. We grew up very modestly, and I never had my own room. I didn’t even get my own bed until I was fourteen.”

  “That sounds tough. And I remember you saying your dad died when you were little.”

  “Yeah. My baby sister was only a few months old. She never knew him. He flew a crop duster plane, and it apparently had a defective engine. He was killed on impact. He was only thirty-four. My mom never remarried.”

  “Wow. That’s two years younger than I am,” Adam said with a shake of his head. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been for you all, especially your mom with five little girls to raise.”

  Shani shrugged. “We managed okay. My mom is a nurse, and she made a decent enough living. We all had jobs from the time we were fourteen, so we could help out. We never felt poor. Our situation was no different from most of the families on the res and a lot better than some.”

  Adam fished in his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Want to give your mom a call? Let her know you’re here?”

  “Thanks. Yes.” Shani took the phone and punched in a number. After a moment, she said, “Hi, Mama. It’s me, Shani. I have a surprise for you. I’m in Portland for a couple of days at a conference.”

  Adam could hear an excited female voice emanating from the phone.

  “Yes, Mama,” Shani began, before the voice twittered again through the receiver, interrupting her with excited chatter. “No, Mama.” Shani laughed. “I’ll tell you all about it, I promise.”

  Adam glanced from the road to Shani. She was animated, her face flushed with pleasure, her eyes bright with tears. “I know. I know. I miss you, too, Mama. Yes, it’s been too long. See if you can get all the girls to come, too.” Shani paused, listening to another torrent of words. “Yes, I love you, too, Mama. So, so much. Oh! And Mama, there’s a guy—a—a friend of mine.” Adam could feel Shani’s eyes on him now, but he kept his focus on the road. “I want to bring him, too. Is that okay? What? Oh, yes, yes, Mama. He’s wonderful. No, nothing at all like—yes, Mama. I’m sure he’ll love your cooking. Okay. Yes, okay. See you tomorrow. Bye, Mama.”

  She handed back the phone, her eyes shining. “I can’t wait to see them all again.” Shani looked so happy and animated as she chattered on. “Kaiah and Yareli are married with kids of their own. The boys—Jacy and George, my brothers-in-law, will take the kids to McDonald’s, their absolute favorite because they have a ball room, and they’ll join us after the meal.” She gave a small laugh, adding, “Thank you, Adam. Thank you for bringing me home again.”

  Adam smiled, reaching for her hand. “Thank you for including me.”

  They checked in at the hotel and headed over to the event center on foot, taking Shani’s small collection of jewelry along for the booth. There was no indication on the outside that the building was anything other than a typical modern warehouse made from steel and fiberglass. Adam led Shani around to the back parking lot, which contained a single car. He punched in the code to unlock the heavy steel door and pushed it open. As they stepped inside, Shani’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open as she took in the large space.

  The ten thousand square foot warehouse was imposing, with high ceilings, the ductwork and beams exposed. Banks of windows on either side of the space let in the light, but were high enough no one passing by could see in. Vendor booths were already set up on either side of the front entrance. The rest of the space was devoted to well-stocked scene stations, as well as a large, raised stage with seating for easily fifty people.

  “Wow,” Shani breathed. “I’d heard about this place, but I had no idea it was so huge. It’s gorgeous.”

  A man stuck his head out of the back office, his face breaking into a large smile when he saw them. “Adam,” Bob Benson, the developer and owner of the event center boomed as he approached them. Bob was in his fifties, with thinning blond hair fading to gray, deep-set blue eyes and a weak chin hidden by a graying goatee. “Great to see you. Glad you could make it.”

  “I wouldn’t miss the event of the year,” Adam said as they shook hands.

  “And who is this lovely young woman?”

  “This is Shani Youngblood, from Desire Island. She’s the one I mentioned to you with the jewelry. Shani, meet Bob Benson, the owner and inspiration of BDSM Connections.”

  Bob took Shani’s hand in his as he beamed at her. “Desire Island, huh? I’ve heard amazing things about that place. If I ever get a chance to breathe, I’d love to spend a couple of weeks there.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Shani replied with a smile. “And it’s great to be back in Portland.”

  “Oh, you’re from here?” Bob asked. “I’m a transplant myself, from Boston. Been here a couple of years. This event center has been a dream of mine for a long time, along with my online BDSM dating website. We’re getting a lot of attention in the BDSM scene, not just locally, but nationally.” He waved his hand around the huge space. “The Fetish Fair event is entirely sold out both nights.”

  “That’s great, Bob,” Adam said. “Did my shipment arrive, do you know? And can you direct me to my booth?”

  “Yep, it’s here. You’ll find your shipping boxes under your table, ready to be unpacked.” He turned to Shani. “You’re welcome to sell your wares here. Sorry I don’t have an extra booth for you. As it is, we have a waiting list now for vendors.”

  “Oh, that’s no problem,” Shani said quickly, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. ”I don’t really have—”

  “She’s going to share my booth,” Adam interjected. “Wait’ll you see her stuff. It’s stunning.”

  “Excellent. I’ll bring over a locked glass display case for the jewelry, if you’d like.”

  Shani glanced at Adam, who nodded. “Thanks,” she agreed. “That’d be perfect.”

  Bob pulled out his phone, tapped the screen a few times and said, “You’re at booth number two. Why don’t you head on over there to check your stuff while I find a display case for Shani?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Many of the booths were already set up. There was a variety of fetish and leather goods to satisfy every possible kink. Adam’s booth was enclosed by a three-sided fabric and aluminum panel, a large table set up in front. There were small, moveable display hooks set up at intervals along the fabric, suitable for hanging whips, rope and chain. A dozen or so shipping boxes waited under the table, not yet opened.

  With Shani’s help, he got the boxes open and the gear and impact toys arranged on the table and walls. “It’s all so beautiful,” Shani said, stroking the tresses of a flogger, a reverential expression on her face. “I want one of each, please.”

  Adam laughed. “Your wish is my command, Princess. If I have my way, you’ll get to experience every impact toy and restraint device in my ever-growing line of kinky wares.”

  She’d removed her staff slave collar for the trip. He ran a finger very lightly over her bare throat, watching her carefully to make sure he wasn’t setting off any triggers. “I’ve been thinking of adding slave collars to my repertoire. Maybe one day I’ll make one just for you.”

  He drew in a breath, suddenly afraid he’d overstepped. But, to his relieved delight, Shani’s face suffused with what looked to him like submissive rapture, her features softening, her lips parting, her dark eyes shining. “Oh,” she breathed softly. “Yes, please.”

  Adam’s cock pulsed in response. They could finish the setup tomorrow. Right now, all he wanted to do was get her back to the hotel room, order room service and make love to her until they collapsed.

  ~*~

  At first, she knew she was dreaming. She could feel the dark turn of the dream and panic bloomed in her gut. She tried desperately to steer the direction away from the nightmare she knew it would become.

  But it was too late…

  She was falling… falling…

  Shani could barely breathe in the
tight, close space. It was pitch black. She was lying in the coffin-like box, her arms caught uncomfortably beneath her. Her heart pounded as she struggled to take in air.

  Help me, help me, help me, she silently begged, though she knew there was no one who could save her.

  She squealed in terror against her gag as the box shifted, pulling her from under the bed.

  His bed.

  The lid of the box was lifted. She squinted against the sudden, bright light.

  Sir hauled her roughly upright, one hand under her back, the other tight around her throat. “Did you learn your lesson, bad girl? You promise to be good now?” His hold around her throat tightened. “Huh? Did you? Did you?”

  Unable to speak through the gag wadded into her mouth, Shani could only nod, though she no longer remembered what her crime had been this time. Did she come too fast? Not fast enough? Did she miss a spot with her toothbrush on the bathroom tiles? Did she look at the male cashier at the checkout counter for a beat too long? Whatever she had done, she was sorry, sorry, so, so sorry…

  To her relief, Sir untied the sash from around her head and pulled the spit-soaked gag from between her lips, though he didn’t uncuff her wrists from behind her back. Her mouth was dry as a bone, but she didn’t dare ask for a drink of water.

  “You’re okay,” he cooed, his raspy voice suddenly kind as he stroked the hair from her face. “You know I only do this for your own good, right?” His soothing tone and gentle touch brought sudden, unwelcome tears to her eyes. She was grateful for the smallest kindness from her Master.

  Who was she now?

  She no longer remembered her name.

  Her spirit had fled.

  Had she once had a different life?

  No. She had always been here. She had always belonged to this man. She was his slave, his property to do with as he pleased. She existed only by his grace. He held all the power. It had always been like this.

  Always…

  He entwined his fingers in her long, heavy hair, twisting it into a makeshift ponytail. Gripping it hard, he jerked her forward. He hauled her toward the restraint hook by the hair. She stumbled along behind him, her muscles like jelly from the long confinement in the punishment box.

  He reached for the rope that dangled from the hook in the ceiling and braided it through her hair. He adjusted the rope, pulling it taut so that her bound hair tugged painfully against her scalp, forcing her on tiptoe in her effort to ease the pain.

  He was naked, his big cock fisted in his hand, his eyes bright with sadistic lust. He grabbed a tube of lube and squirted a large dollop over the head of his shaft. “Been a while since I fucked that tight little ass. You want it, right? You want me to ram my dick hard up your tight little hole.”

  “No,” she croaked. “Please, no, Sir. I need water. I need to pee. My arms are asleep. The rope is hurting me.”

  The words had tumbled unbidden from her lips before she could stop them. Shocked, she clamped her mouth closed, tears of fear and remorse springing to her eyes.

  Sir’s face darkened to a dull, brick red, his eyes flashing with rage. “How dare you say no to me?” he hissed in a soft, dangerous voice. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

  He slapped her suddenly, a vicious, backhanded stroke that whipped her head to the side, making her ears ring. Moving behind her, he grabbed her roughly by the hips and pushed the head of his cock into her ass without giving her a chance to adjust.

  He used her roughly, his hand tight around her throat as he rutted hard against her. Her lungs burned, her eyes bulging as she struggled to breathe. Her scalp felt like it was being peeled away from her skull as he split her in two with his cock.

  She opened her mouth in a howl of pain and fury, her silent scream filling the night…

  Suddenly the scene shifted. She was swimming upward, kicking as hard as she could, her lungs about to burst as she headed toward the light.

  “Shani, Shani, Shani…”

  She could hear the warm, kind voice calling her upward, calling her home. If only she could find the strength to reach him. She thrashed furiously, desperate to break through.

  All at once, she burst into consciousness, though it took her a moment to understand what was happening.

  “Shani, baby, sweetheart, please, please, you’re having a nightmare.”

  Adam!

  Kind, darling Adam was holding her tight in his arms. His face was a mask of concern and pain. She realized she was struggling against him, her face wet with tears, her body slippery with sweat, her heart smashing painfully in her chest.

  “Oh, thank god,” he breathed as she tried to focus on his face. Coming more fully awake, relief gushed over her like a cold stream of water.

  He stroked her cheek, his voice soothing but still concerned. “You scared me, Princess. You were crying and thrashing and I couldn’t get you to wake up. What happened? That must have been one hell of a nightmare.”

  He cradled her in his arms. She buried her wet face against his warm chest. “I—I don’t remember,” she lied. “Please. Just hold me. Don’t ever let me go.”

  “Never,” he said, his strong arms cradling her close. “You’re safe now, Princess. I got you.”

  Shani sighed with both relief and exhaustion. She hadn’t had a nightmare like that in months. How embarrassing that Adam had to witness it.

  He stroked her head, his touch gentle and reassuring as he held her close. “Sleep, sweetest girl,” he soothed softly. “Dream sweet dreams. I’ll keep you safe. Sleep…”

  Shani sighed softly. How she had missed being held like this. She could feel her spirit stirring once more. Was it ready at last to reclaim its place among the noble warrior princesses from the childhood tales?

  Closing her eyes, cocooned in Adam’s warm embrace, she drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep…

  Chapter 7

  The next morning when Adam awoke, he reached reflexively for Shani, but the bed was empty. He could hear the sound of the shower, and instantly visualized the water sluicing over Shani’s lovely naked form.

  Throwing back the covers, he climbed from the bed and went into the bathroom. The room was fogged with steam, as if she’d been in there for quite a while. His morning erection made it a little difficult to pee right away, but once he’d managed that, he flushed the toilet and opened the opaque shower stall door. Shani was standing under the spray, her face turned upward, her eyes closed.

  “Hey there,” he said, his cock hardening again at the sight of the naked girl.

  Shani whipped her head in his direction, her eyes flying open as she drew in a sharp breath, a look of alarm on her face. “Oh,” she said with an embarrassed laugh. “Adam. You startled me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “I didn’t mean to. I thought you would have heard me moving around in here.”

  “I must have been daydreaming,” she said, smiling now, back in control. “Care to join me?”

  “Sure.”

  They took turns washing each other’s bodies. Shani’s smooth, calm mask of serenity had returned, along with some playfulness as she stroked his rock-hard erection with her soapy fingers. But Adam could sense a lingering unease beneath the surface. He knew how the residual effects of a bad dream could hover over you the next day, clinging like a moist, unpleasant fog.

  Partially in an effort to distract her, and partly because he couldn’t keep his hands off her, Adam pulled Shani into his arms from behind, so her back was pressed up against his midriff. Leaning down, he kissed her neck while running his hands over her body.

  He rubbed his soapy fingers between her legs, teasing lightly over the hard button of her clit. She groaned with pleasure, pressing back against him as the hot water rained down over them. He held her in place with his other arm, his hand cupping one round, lovely breast while he rubbed and stroked her sweet cunt.

  It wasn’t long before she was breathing fast, her sexy sighs and moans making his hard cock throb against her ba
ck. “Adam,” she cried breathlessly. “Please, can I come?”

  “Yes, Princess. Come for me,” he replied, thrilled with the trembling girl in his arms.

  He held her as she came, and afterward, nuzzling her neck as he lightly stroked the last bit of pleasure from her.

  After a minute or so, she wriggled from his arms and sank to her knees. Adam sighed with pleasure as she took his cock deep into her throat, one hand around the base of his shaft, the other cradling his balls. She looked up at him, her liquid dark eyes smoldering. In that moment, she was the one in total control, and they both knew it. Adam surrendered himself to her in a powerful climax. He slumped against the stall wall, pinned there by her mouth still covering his cock, milking away every last drop.

  He opened his eyes and looked down at the lovely girl smiling up at him, her eyes sparkling. He was no longer sure who had set out to comfort or distract whom. He laughed, delighted with this wonderful woman.

  After their shower, Shani dressed in a white peasant blouse and blue jeans for the trip. Her only adornment was a simple but beautiful necklace made from jet, coral and turquoise beads threaded into a geometric pattern, another of her own unique creations. She finished the outfit with a pair of faded but clearly much-loved red leather cowboy boots.

  “Those boots are great,” Adam enthused. “I never imagined you as a country girl back on the island, but the look suits you.”

  Shani grinned. “I used my entire summer job earnings in tenth grade to buy these boots. I practically lived in them all the way through high school. I haven’t worn them in ages, but I never could bear to part with them.” She held out one leg, admiring the boot. “They still fit like a second skin. I wonder how that look would go over on Desire Island—naked except for cowboy boots.”