Chapter One

He could just see the shore in the distance. Kendrick Finleigh leaned forward eagerly in anticipation. After months of discussions, he and his friends were finally on their way to Elan Isle, home of Ye Olde Kinke Faire, a renaissance faire for the kink minded. The Faire was in its pre-opening stage and was seeking investors. Kendrick, Craig, Neil, and Joseph were looking for a place to put down roots where they could be who they were and live their lifestyle out and proud. They knew it could be a piece of junk and worthless. On the other hand, maybe it was a jewel worth investing in.

“What are you looking at?” Craig yelled over the sound of the boat.

Kendrick looked over his shoulder and grinned. “I can see the shore.”

Craig rolled his eyes and huddled in his seat. Like most of them, he was a land lubber. Being out on open water had turned his pale face the color of a green gummy candy. His wife Jilly looked worse, though she had a different excuse. Morning sickness added to motion sickness and she’d sat with her head practically over the side of the boat since they left Sequim.

Kendrick might have grown up in the city, but he’d always loved water. When he was a kid, his father used to take him out on lakes all the time. Even though the water was choppier than any he’d ever rode on, he reveled in the spray as it hit his face and of the scents of salt and fish in the air.

He had a good head for success and had done well over the last nine years since college. Some would say he was an idiot to spend his time riding broncs and bulls in the rodeo circuit, but he’d loved it. Plus it made him a good chunk of money—some from the prizes, most from sponsors. And he’d packed every spare penny into stocks and bonds that had brought back ten times what he put into it. He’d helped his friends invest as well and all of them were multi-millionaires. Though nobody would guess at it to look at them.

A smirk spread across his lips as he continued to stare ahead. They looked like cowboys. Rough, used blue jeans, Stetsons, boots, and button-down shirts were their normal everyday attire. None of them went for fancy attire. Well, that wasn’t completely true. Neil’s deceased wife had enjoyed having money. And spending it. And boy could that woman spend.

All in their company looked like everyday, simple people. Which was perfect for their trip to visit the Faire. They hadn’t told the owners they were coming and planned to keep it secret while they checked the place out. If it looked promising then Kendrick would call R.C. Cowen, the owner of Elan Isle, and ask to see everything. If not, they would leave and continue looking for a venture that would be good for them all.

The breeze off the Strait of Juan de Fuca was cold and he huddled a little deeper into his coat. If things worked out, he would have to purchase warmer clothing for the winter.

Elan Isle sat halfway between Oak Harbor, Washington, and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, just east of the dividing line which set them within the United States. The island stretched thirty square miles, and as most of it was covered with trees, there was little in the way of beaches. Most of the shoreline consisted of rocks and grass. But the ten-acre plot the Faire was on was wide open and at sea level. From what he’d read, there was enough space to stretch the Faire to six hundred and forty acres if they chose to.

The thought of all those kinky businesses made him fidget a little. He hadn’t been to a kink club in a few months and he needed the outlet. But all the land beyond the Faire was of interest as well. Elan Township was made up of over two hundred and fifty cabins of different sizes. Currently the town had a year round population of five people. Most of the cabins were rented out during the summer months to tourists.

That was what truly held Kendrick’s interest. He would prefer to stop renting the cabins. If they could bring in year-round kink residents, they could match the town’s purpose to the Faire. At that point, the tourists would be kept to the Faire area and Elan Township would become the home of his dreams. Getting the licenses to be able to turn Elan Isle into a co-op would take some time, but Kendrick usually ended up getting what he wanted. He was personable, trustworthy, and bull-headed—three traits that had formed him into the man he was.

“Is Rhys coming?” The question from Alice, Joseph’s wife, had Kendrick turning to his left. She’d left the group and stood at his side.

“He’ll be here for the weekend. It’ll be good to see him again.” His elder brother was a US Congressman and rarely had the chance to get his kink on, but when Kendrick told him about the Faire and why they were going to check it out, he hadn’t been able to resist a trip to check it out.

“Oh good,” she said and leaned against him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed lightly. “I know I shouldn’t get my hopes up. The other places we looked at didn’t pan out, but this place just sounds right. A kinky town and a kinky business. Right up our alley.”

“No kidding,” he agreed. They had to hide most of their extracurricular activities from others on the rodeo circuit because they didn’t want the flack that would have come back at them for it. Kendrick was tired of not being who he was 100 percent of the time. He needed that. And hoped Elan Isle proved to be fruitful in that regard. The thought of letting his Dom side out all summer long at the Faire was a heady one and kept him going even when other ventures had not worked out. And if they could tie the township into a co-op and pull kink-minded people into it, he would never have to draw that line in the sand between who he was and what he did.

The island grew closer and beyond the buildings he could see, there was a forest and he tightened his hold on Alice as he watched. Through those trees were all manner of homes that might be theirs one day. With the hand that was in his pocket, he crossed his fingers for good luck.

They docked and he waited for everyone in his party to leave before hopping off the boat and following, his suitcase hanging from the strap on his shoulder. Glittering sand and rock ran under them for about ten feet and they hit grass. A trail led them toward a large arch where a man in pantaloons and knee-high boots greeted them.

“Good day, Doms and subs. Welcome to Ye Olde Kinke Faire. Are ye staying overnight or just for the day?”

“We’ve got reservations,” Kendrick explained. “We plan to stay for a week.”

“Perfect.” He bowed. “I am Lord Veres. What is the name of your reservation? I will call for a guide.”

“The reservation is under Alice Kelsey,” Alice said, standing at her full height of five feet five inches with her chin jutted out. People who didn’t understand the BDSM dynamics would have thought she was play acting being in control. Instead, it was the natural Domme side of her coming to the fore. “For four cabins.”

Veres nodded. “Of course, Lady Alice.” He turned his head slightly and beckoned someone they couldn’t see forward. “Cavent will show you to your cabins and answer any questions you might have. Welcome to Ye Olde Kinke Faire.”

A tall man with long flowing dark brown hair approached them. He wore a kilt and with his sun-kissed skin, thin stature, and flabby abs, he rather looked the part of a Highlander who had been at the home brew a bit too often.

“Welcome,” Cavent said in a deep voice and a very bad accent. Kendrick wasn’t sure if he was trying to be Scottish or if he had a cold. “My name is Cavent. What reservation do you have?”

Alice repeated her words and he nodded. “Of course, Lady Alice. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your cabins.” He held his arm out and as Alice stepped forward, he fell into step beside her. “Have you been to the Faire before?” he asked in a polite tone as if the place had been running for years rather than a few days.

“This is our first time,” Alice said as the rest of them followed. It was all part of the plan, putting Alice as the focal point so that Kendrick, Neil, Craig, and Joseph could observe. “I’ve read the rules we received with our reservation, but can you go over the basics again for the rest of my group?”

“Of course, Lady Alice.” Cavent turned his head slightly and he spoke a little louder. “Ye Olde Kinke Faire is on ten acres. Inside the Faire grounds, it is akin to being in a BDSM club. Certain expectations are expected and adhered to. At every stage or dungeon, there is at least one dungeon monitor on hand. You’re asked to not interfere with a scene unless it is posted that audience involvement is desired. If you have a sub, it would be smart to place a collar around their throat as any sub without one is considered fair game to all dominants. There are currently two shops open for accessories that you are welcome to check out. More will be opening later this summer.

“The cabins you’ll be staying at are soundproofed. You may play to your heart’s content inside. But we ask that you don’t play outside of your cabin unless you are on the Faire’s grounds as we have renters who are not involved in the Faire and they do not consent to see or hear BDSM activities.”

Just one thing Kendrick would end if they were able to become part of the whole thing. He wanted the entire island to be kinky.

“Any play off limits?” Craig asked, his sea sickness almost gone. The green had left his face and he walked with a surer step.

“A list of acceptable play is on the door of your cabin,” Cavent explained. “Very little is off limits except that which our insurers were most dogged about.”

Insurance companies. Kendrick wrinkled his nose. Bastards.

“What about outfits?” Alice asked, quickly drawing Cavent’s attention back to her. “Some of ours are quite revealing. Since we’ll be walking to and from our cabins, others may see us.”

“For people who are staying in the township, there are robes hanging in your wardrobes. If your clothing is not something you would wear down the street in any town in the US, then wear the robe over it. There is a check-in station at the Faire where they will take the robe you give them and hand you a clean one when you leave. Also, if you purchase any items at the shops you would like to take back to your cabin but you don’t want to leave the Faire, they will be delivered at no extra charge.”

They walked around the outer edge of the Faire and into the trees. The temperature dropped about ten degrees the moment they were out of the sun. “From here on out is Elan Township,” Cavent explained as they stepped off the grass onto an unpaved road. “The cabins were built in pods of ten. The four cabins that were reserved for you are over here.” He turned to his right and they followed him through a small trail. They passed between several trees before the trees opened up to ten cabins in a circle. Between them was a large grassy mound.

A man in tight black jeans and no shirt seemed to be waiting for them. He was leaning against the side of one of the cabins but the moment they walked into view, he stood up straight, lowered his eyes, and walked toward one of the doors. “This is your service sub,” Cavent explained. “He’s in charge of this group of cabins. If you need anything, call out for him. If you have any specific things you need in your cabin, tell him. He’s also in charge of cleaning your cabins to your specifications. If he fails, please tell me.”

The service sub paled slightly at those words.

“Take care of them,” Cavent said to him. “They are Faire guests.”

“Of course, Sir,” he said in a respectful tone. “I shall do my best.”

Cavent once again turned to Alice. “If there is anything you require, Lady Alice, you’re your service sub cannot bring you, my number is next to your phone. Call me at any time.”

Alice nodded and as Cavent turned to leave, the sub opened the door of the cabin he was in front of and bowed. “Lady Alice?” he said calmly. “Shall I take your bag?” He glanced at her feet, where no bags were in evidence, and an expression of confusion crossed his face.

“Thank you. My boy’s got it,” she said in a kind tone and walked past it, Joseph jogging to keep up with her, their bags bouncing at his sides.

The way the service sub’s eyes bugged out intensified a feeling Kendrick felt since they met the first guy at the gate. Actors. They were all actors without any knowledge of BDSM. What a fucking disappointment.