Brie Faces her Master's Fears (After Graduation, #4) (21 page)

When they arrived home, he handed her the dark wooden box to carry up to the apartment. He was not letting her forget that it existed. She stood in the mirrored elevator, staring ahead, her body tingling with fear. She noticed that Sir looked completely relaxed and unconcerned, as if this was an everyday happening. Would he try to brand her tonight?

Will I let him?

Brie looked down at the box with tears pricking her eyes. The fear evoked by Master Coen’s ‘mock branding’ still resonated in her mind. Sir was asking too much…

As devoted as she was to Sir, Brie did not want to endure the pain of the brand—even if it would please him.

When they entered the apartment, Sir sat down on the couch and asked her to kneel at his feet. “Give me the box, téa.”

Brie held it up with shaking hands.

He opened the wooden box reverently and smiled. He picked up the simple iron rod with a handle on one end and a ‘T’ on the other, and twirled it between his fingers. “There are two things I am quite aware of, téa. You are not a masochist, and you are afraid of this brand.”

He looked down at her. Brie nodded in agreement, not trusting herself to speak.

“You will not wear my brand until you beg for it. Until that time, it will remain in this box, unused.” He gave her a benevolent look, adding, “I promise—even if it means you never ask.” He placed it back in the box and closed the lid, latching it. “Put it on the top shelf of our closet.”

She rocked back to her feet and walked down the hallway without speaking, grateful he was not forcing it on her. She pushed the wooden box far into the back of the closet, with no desire to feel its skin-melting touch. However, knowing that Sir wanted her to wear his brand was powerful. Even more potent was the knowledge that he was leaving it up to her.

She walked back to him and settled at Sir’s feet once more, purring silently as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“I know this will not come as welcome news, téa, but my clients are returning to Russia and have requested I join them. The purpose of my visit is to observe their factory practices, so that their managers can be properly trained for the relocation.”

Brie looked up at him, unable to hide her disappointment.

“This will be at least a three-week trip.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but thought better of it.

“But I am not leaving you alone again. Completing your film is paramount and you need support for that. Normally, I would suggest you stay with a friend, but given recent events, I am not comfortable with that option. After much thought and soul-searching, I have come up with a solution I think will serve both our needs.”

“I don’t understand, Master.” Brie shook her head, an icy chill running down her spine. “I have a feeling I don’t want to understand.”

He lifted her chin, forcing Brie to focus on him and not on her growing concern. “Your safety and well-being are the only things that matter to me. Since you cannot come with me, I will leave you here in the hands of another.”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Master?”

“I will give him full rights as your Master, bar one.”

“Rights?” she cried out in alarm.

“In every way you will serve as his submissive. However, he will not have the right of penetration. I expect you to obey every command without question or suffer his punishment when you fail. I have instructed him not to be lenient with you.”

“No…” The weight of Sir’s abandonment crushed Brie’s heart like a heavy stone.

“Téa, this is my command. I cannot stay and I will not leave you alone. You must obey me in this.”

“Please, Master, don’t ask this of me.”

“I am not asking,” he replied.

She bowed her head, struggling between shock and grief.

“Look at me, téa.” Brie forced herself to look into her Master’s eyes, unable to hide her feelings of resentment. He said with gruff emotion, “I have promised to protect you. I can do no less.”

“But…giving me to another? Don’t you love me?” she whimpered.

“It is the force that drives me. You need to be supported, not only as a submissive, but in your film endeavors.” He caressed her cheek tenderly, his gaze certain and kind. “My love for you is without question, Brie.”

She jumped when the doorbell rang.

He nodded. “Answer it.”

Brie fought with her conflicting emotions. She did not have to answer the door. Sir could not force her to give herself to another Master. If push came to shove, she had the option to leave…

“Obey me,” he commanded with gentle firmness.

Looking into his eyes again, she saw only love for her. Sir was not asking her to do this for himself. This was a sacrifice of love on his part.

She got up and walked to the door, her heart pounding as she reached for the doorknob. Which trainer would it be? Marquis? He was a disciplinarian and had an interest in helping her with the film. Or would it be Master Anderson, the bullwhip master who was also Sir’s good friend? Either would be a challenge she wasn’t sure she was ready for.

Brie took a deep breath and opened the door.

His soothing gaze washed over her like a wave in the ocean.

“Toriko…”

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