Brie Masters Love in Submission: Submissive in Love (23 page)

Lea had casually mentioned the fundamental requirement of open communication between D/s partners, and the fact was that Brie had been hiding something from Sir for the last few days. Tonight she was not going to dishonor him or their relationship any longer by being a coward.

We’re condors
, she reminded herself when her phone finally rang.

“Good evening, Brie. I apologize for the lateness of the call.”

“I don’t mind, Sir. I’m just happy to hear your voice.”

“How did filming go today?”

“Mistress Clark was amazing, Sir. Truly amazing! I’m still blown away by the scene and I’ve watched it five times.”

“Mistress Clark? Why ‘Mistress’?”

Brie giggled self-consciously. “She asked me to call her that while I was filming today. It slipped out just now.” She immediately changed the subject, not willing to wait any longer and possibly lose her courage to confront him. “Any idea when you will be coming, Sir?”

“Actually, yes. I’ll be boarding the plane tomorrow. Should be landing in Denver early Friday morning.”

“Oh, I can’t wait! I feel like it’s been months, not days, since I’ve seen you.”

“I agree, it does seem an unnaturally long time apart.”

Before she lost her nerve, she asked, “Sir, this may seem silly, but I’ve been getting a weird vibe here and want to ask you something.”

He chuckled. “A weird vibe, you say?”

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to say the thing she had been afraid to voice out loud to anyone. “Sir, are you keeping something important from me?”

The line was silent on the other end.

As the moments dragged on, Brie’s fear increased.

“Sir?”

His next question did nothing to relieve her concerns. “Is there a reason you’re asking, Brie?”

“There are several reasons, actually. First, Baron told me he was sorry to hear about your troubles with your mother, and this afternoon Ms. Clark seemed to imply that you’re not being completely open with me. Then there was the dream I had the other night.”

“A dream?” He laughed, but it sounded forced.

“I can’t remember what happened, but I know your mother was part of it.”

The dead silence on the other end was frightening to her.

“Sir, you
are
keeping something from me, aren’t you?” When he didn’t answer, she demanded, “I have a right to know! I remember when I had to kneel on rice because I kept something from you. What consequence is there if you do the same to me?”

“You don’t know what’s happened.”

“Exactly! We’re condors, Sir. Does that mean
nothing
to you? Why does everyone else seem to know, but the person closest to you is left in the dark?”

“Brie, I think it would be best if we both returned to LA, where we can discuss this in person, alone.”

Her heart sank. The tone of his voice let her know it was far more serious than she’d imagined. When she hung up the phone, she felt completely numb. It wasn’t until she had made it to the bed and was curled up in the blankets that she finally broke down and cried.

Unfamiliar Territory

B
rie woke up from a dream that involved Tono and a trail of orchids. She stretched out her arms above her head with a huge smile on her lips, the gentle presence of the Asian Dom still lingering. That smile died as soon as she remembered her phone call with Sir.

Rather than revisit those unwelcome feelings, she got up from her bed and walked to the desk in the corner. She opened the drawer, thrilled that Master Anderson had stocked it with stationary.

She pulled out several sheets of paper and a well-sharpened pencil. Brie stared at the writing instrument for a moment. How long had it been since she’d written with a pencil?

Inventory at the tobacco shop…

With that thought, a flood of memories came to mind: Mr. Reynolds’ fatherly smile, that lazy ass Jeff, all those damn cigarettes—and Sir.

Brie shook off the feeling of sadness that threatened to smother her and began her letter.

Dear Tono,

I woke up this morning thinking of you and decided I should write you a letter.

I can’t tell you how much I disliked leaving Japan, but I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with you, and for the chance to know your father before his passing. I will never forget honoring his memory with your family at his wake. It is something I’ll always hold dear.

I’m beginning to understand why you chose to stay behind. There are times we must do what is right, even though it’s hard and might tear us up inside. I respect you for remaining true to your values, especially when it comes at great cost.

I hope, with all my heart, you are able to find a balance where you can fulfill your duty to your mother and still honor your own needs. I think back on that night of glowing rope, the erotic beat of the music and the talent of your hands, and I know you have hit on something revolutionary. I hope you pursue it further, maybe even find your escape in it when you have need.

My time in Denver has been crazy. Lea is as full of bad jokes as ever, and wants me to share one with you. If you would like me to subject you to the torture, just say the word and I will include it in my next correspondence. Lea also introduced me to a new friend she met because of my documentary.

Autumn is truly amazing, Tono. Despite losing her leg as a child, she glides on the ice like an angel. I admire her strong spirit, and hope to hang out with her again soon. How cool that my film brought those two together. I just love that!

Although the training center in Denver is very different from the one in LA (practical jokes are the norm here), it seems to have a positive effect on the staff. Even Ms. Clark seems happy.

I think you should know I wear the beautiful comb you gave me whenever I film now. I can’t tell you the number of times I hear your reassuring voice reminding me to breathe… Thank you for the positive influence you are in my life.

Love, Brie

Writing to Tono Nosaka had a calming effect on her, as if she’d actually spent time in his presence. She sealed up the letter, saying aloud, “
Domo arigato
, Tono.”

Brie spent her afternoon with Lea at a nearby park, under the colorful foliage of a stunning Colorado fall. They lay out on a large blanket, side by side, relaxing in the warmth of the autumn sun. The sky was a spectacular shade of blue, something Brie had never seen before.

“Is it extra blue because we’re a mile above sea level?” she asked.

Lea shrugged, turning her head lazily towards Brie and smiled. “I don’t know and don’t care. I just love being here.” She looked back up at the sky and took in a deep breath.

Brie did the same, breathing in the unique scent of fall. It reminded her of pumpkins, trick-or-treating and dressing in silly costumes as a child in the midwest. She’d missed that smell in California, but hadn’t realized it until now.

“I wish I could stop time and just lie here in the sun forever.”

“And look like a mummified piece of burnt bacon after a few weeks? No, thank you!” Lea replied, elbowing her.

“You know what I mean,” Brie scolded gently.

“Yes. You don’t want to face Sir.”

Brie sighed in misery, vexed her friend knew her so well. “No, I don’t. It makes it that much worse that everyone knows what’s happened except me.”

A tear fell down her cheek.

“I feel like a big joke, Lea.”

Her friend rolled onto her side to face Brie, propping her head up with her hand. “No, girlfriend. No one feels that way about you. None of us would have known anything if the press hadn’t gotten wind of it, and what we know is only what we’ve heard on TV.”

“Why didn’t you say anything to me?”

“Because Master Anderson asked me not to when he realized you didn’t know. Seeing as we’re besties, he figured it would come up in conversation, and he felt strongly that Sir should be the one to tell you.”

“Well, I’m asking you now.”

Lea groaned and lay back down, looking up at the sky. “I can’t.”

“Why?” Brie cried. “You’re my best friend.”

Lea turned towards her again, fidgeting with a stray thread on the blanket. “I know, and it’s killing me not to say anything, but it wouldn’t be fair to Sir.”

“It’s not fair to
me
,” Brie complained.

Lea looked around apprehensively, then leaned close and whispered, “Okay, I’ll only tell you that it was all over the news a few days before you showed up. It has to do with his mother and it’s not good.”

“Is Ruth coming after Sir again?”

Lea shook her head sadly. “No, nothing like that.”

“What, then?” Brie pleaded.

“Look, sweetie, there has to be a reason he didn’t tell you when you were in Japan. You’ll have to give him the benefit of the doubt until you talk to him in person.”

Brie put her hands to her face, covering her eyes to keep from crying. “I remember when Baron spoke about her; I sat there like a complete idiot complaining about how crazy she was. I should have known something was up when he acted so strangely. Then there was Ms. Clark. She mentioned that Sir was keeping things from me just before we started to film.” Brie rolled away from Lea, staring at the mountains in the far distance. “All of which makes me feel like a fool.”

Lea scooted over and hugged her, pressing her large boobs against Brie’s back. “No one thinks you’re a fool. We’re just worried about you two.”

Brie curled up into a ball. “I don’t want to go home, Lea. I’m so angry with Sir for putting me in this situation, but I’m terrified that whatever he’s hiding will tear us apart.”

Lea squeezed her tighter. “Nothing can tear you two apart.”

“I thought that once, but I’m not so sure now…”

Lea rolled Brie back over and said forcibly, “Don’t think like that, not even for a second.”

The tears started, and Brie was defenseless to stop them.

Lea wiped them away, stating in a serious tone, “A condor pair were nibbling on a dead clown. The male condor asked the female, ‘Does this taste funny to you?’”

“Oh, Lea,” Brie groaned, but as she mulled it over in her head it struck her as perfect. The joke not only referred to their condor love but hinted at her cooking skills. She smiled, but complained as she did so. “I hate that I love your bad jokes.”

“I know, honey.”

Master Anderson saw Brie off at the airport early the next morning, wearing his cowboy hat and tight-fitting blue jeans. He tipped the brim of his black hat as he said goodbye at the entrance of the security line. “Tell Thane I expect you two to return. He owes me.”

Brie tried to sound more positive than she felt. “Sure.”

Master Anderson lifted her chin, his intense green eyes boring into hers. “Young Brie, Thane is dedicated to you. Do not doubt that, even if current circumstances suggest otherwise.”

She looked down at the floor, unable to look at him when she admitted, “It’s humiliating to be the last to know.”

“Look at me.”

Brie gazed up, facing his penetrating gaze.

“Are the opinions of others more important than his?”