Brie Learns Restraint (After Graduation, #5) (17 page)

He exited the shower first, as she was rinsing off. She stepped out a few seconds later to find Tono drying his wet hair with a towel. It seemed so natural and cute, as if they’d been a couple for years.

“Join me in bed when you are dry, toriko,” he said as he tossed the towel on the counter, then left the bathroom.

Brie wondered what he had in mind. She quickly dried off, then slipped into bed with him. Tono pulled her close, causing nervous butterflies in her stomach. When she felt his warm breath against her neck, Brie was certain she knew where the night was headed, and wondered if she would be forced to use her safe word.

She couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Tono’s voice was grave as he spoke. “I told you once that my father does not share the same connection with my mother that you and I have experienced.”

Brie shivered as if cold water had been splashed on her at the change in his tone, and only nodded in response.

“My mother is overbearing, incapable of submitting her will.”

Brie stared at the wall and admitted her confusion. “I don’t understand, Tono.”

“Although my father is a Master in the community, he is not Master in his own home.”

She closed her eyes, worried about the answer to her next question. “What does it have to do with us?”

“What you did, although enjoyable, still angered me.”

She turned and gazed into his chocolate eyes. “Tono, I didn’t mean to top you.”

“I understand your heart, toriko, but anything that even hints to it rubs me the wrong way.”

“But you didn’t stop me,” she protested quietly.

“I was controlled by desire,” he replied, stroking her cheek lightly. “Which is something else I do not care for.”

It upset her to have displeased her Master. “I am genuinely sorry, Tono. I never—”

He silenced Brie by kissing her on the lips. “We each have our own triggers, toriko. Now you know mine…”

Master’s Voice

B
rie anxiously awaited her first conversation with Sir. Tono suggested that she take the call in the backyard garden, where she would have not only privacy, but peaceful surroundings. On the outdoor table were two items—her cell phone and a small gift box. Her curiosity was piqued.

She stared at the phone, knowing that Sir would call exactly on time but hoping against hope he would break protocol, just once. Precisely at eight, the phone rang.

She answered it without allowing another ring. “Sir?”

“Brie.”

A flood of warmth moved through her at the sound of his voice. “I’ve missed you, I’ve missed you so much, Sir!” She had to hold back the tears that threatened to break her.

“Are you well?” he asked.

“I’m so much better now. I love hearing your voice.” The sound of his laughter tickled her beyond measure, and she pressed the phone against her ear, not wanting to miss a word.

“I am equally pleased to hear your voice, my little sub. Are you serving your new Master well?”

After last night’s misstep, she was unsure how to respond. “I’m doing my best, Sir.”

“It is all I ask. I’m sure Nosaka will fill me in if there are any issues that need my attention. Have you had any more dreams or encounters with Mr. Wallace?”

“No, Sir.”

“Any other issues that are concerning you?”

There was only one she wanted to express. “I miss you.”

Brie longed to hear how much he missed her, that he was coming home because of it. Instead, Sir responded, “But you are well, and you are getting your filming complete?”

“Yes, Sir,” she answered obediently. Brie was desperate to hear his voice rather than her own, so she asked, “Is work going well? Are you making good progress?”

“There is adequate progress being made.” He switched the line of questioning back to her. “Do you feel you will be able to make the deadline for the documentary?”

“Yes, Sir. Tomorrow, I’ll be editing the interviews I did the last couple of days. I am making adequate progress, too.”

“Good. Your success is as important to me as my own.”

“As is yours to me, Sir.”

“Have you been my good girl and exercised every day?”

“Of course, Sir! It’s my favorite way to start the day.”

His warm laughter thrilled her. “I look forward to it as well. However, I desire a deeper connection. I want to bring structure to our daily encounter.”

Brie was intrigued. “I would like that very much as well, Sir.”

“There should be a package near you.”

She smiled. “There is, Sir.”

“Put the phone down and lift the lid. Read the note to me.”

She slowly untied the bow and lifted the lid of the pretty box. Inside was a small envelope on top of a piece of jewelry. She opened the envelope and pulled out the note, then picked up the phone to read his words. “
Wear this each morning while you exercise
.”

“Good girl. Now describe the jewelry to me.”

Brie put down the note and picked up the unusual blue and gold piece with one hand, while she held the phone to her ear with the other. “It’s beautiful, but it’s nothing like I have ever seen. The three-inch glass is cobalt in color and curved like a finger, but it’s thicker on one end. It’s rounded and smooth with a gold decoration attached to one side of the glass. The gold has a pretty filigree design etched in it. Instead of being attached to a chain, the thin elastic material looks suspiciously like a thong, Sir.”

“If that is true, Brie, where would the jewelry go?” he asked.

As she examined the piece, it dawned on her that the glass was meant to be inserted into her vagina so that the gold decoration covered her clit. “Is this pussy jewelry, Sir?”

“You could call it that,” he said with amusement.

Brie’s loins moistened at the thought of inserting the rounded glass into her vagina. What would it feel like? What would it look like? She couldn’t wait to try it on and find out.

“Tomorrow morning, wear the jewelry and think of your Master.”

“Sir, I won’t be able to think of anything else!”

“I will be thinking of you wearing it as we exercise together,” he said lustfully.

Brie shivered at the thought. “I can’t wait for tomorrow, Sir.” With his gift and simple command, he had completely changed the experience of her morning routine.

“There is one more thing in the box, Brie, but I don’t want you to open it until our conversation is over.”

She tingled with excitement, knowing there was another surprise. “May I
please
open it now?”

His answer was emphatic. “No.”

She didn’t waste time begging. “Thank you in advance, Sir. I can’t express how touched I am by your gifts.” She played with the bow on the box. His thoughtfulness was proof he was missing her. He might not have said it in words, but this was more than enough.

Their time on the phone ended far too quickly. Before she knew it, she was listening to Sir say goodbye the buzz of a dead line took over. She struggled to hold the tears at bay as she picked up the box and looked for his final gift, but she didn’t see anything. Brie lifted up the satin lining and found another note, written in Sir’s elegant handwriting.

She took it from the box with trembling fingers, knowing it must be important.

In the cold Russian snow, a flower catches my eye.

Breaking through the icy shards

In the sea of white, its radiance springs hope.

Its tenacity stirs a hardened heart,

Adding to its allure.

It is a strength to be admired

A miracle to behold.

Delicate, with the heart of a warrior

Rare in its beauty

Priceless in its worth.

Everywhere I look, I see this tiny flower blooming in the snow and am reminded of you.

~Love, Thane

Warm tears threatened to fall on his poem. She wiped them away, crushing the note to her chest. The romance of a poem and the love expressed in his words filled her heart with a level of peace she’d never known. She sat there, completely entranced by it.

Everything she’d experienced took on a different meaning. The realization that time and distance had no effect on the strength of their love was powerful, life changing. Nothing could prevent it from growing deeper—nothing.

Brie experienced a significant paradigm shift in that moment. With renewed conviction, she stood up and entered Tono’s home. She walked over to Tono, greeting him with a bow.

“A good conversation?” he asked.

“Very good, Tono.”

Looking at the box in her hand, he explained, “Your gift arrived yesterday, but I was instructed to wait until the phone call to give it to you.”

A deep, overflowing love for Tono filled Brie’s heart. Not the romantic love she had felt for him prior to now, but the deep-seated love of a kindred spirit. “Tono, I want you to know how honored I am to be your submissive.” She bowed low at his feet.

“I accept your gratitude, toriko, but must ask what has brought this sudden need to express it.”

She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I finally understand… I cannot love you as a mate, but the intensity of my love for you has not changed.”

He nodded and indicated they sit down. “Love can be redirected, toriko. Given time, the sexual attraction will dissipate as we move forward with our lives. But to deny the feelings we have would be foolish and unnecessary.”

She smiled and held out her hand to him. He took it and squeezed gently. “I ask again, what brought you to this conclusion?”

“Something Sir did today brought me deep inner peace. Not time, distance, or personal struggles can separate us. I believe that to my very core. With that realization, I can now accept my love for you. Ever since my decision at the ceremony, I have seen that love as a threat to my relationship with Sir, but now I understand it is not.”

“No, it is not, toriko. As a man of principles, I would never allow myself to come between you. But I will admit that being with you in this capacity has been enlightening.”

She looked at him warily, afraid Tono would say that she had failed him.

He laughed. “You believe you have disappointed me?”

Brie looked to the floor. “I
know
I have, Tono. Have you forgotten last night?”

He waved it off. “That was minor, toriko. No, I am speaking of the routine and comfort of a mate that I have experienced with you. I am no longer satisfied with the solitary life I lead.” Brie felt a twinge of guilt. This would have been his life, had she chosen differently. He continued, “I am now consciously listening for the soul call of my partner.”

Brie was thrilled to hear it. “Whoever she is, Tono, she will be worthy of your love. You deserve only the best.”

He looked away from her. Instead of responding, Tono changed the subject. “Tomorrow we have our first class together. How do you feel?”

She answered, accepting the change of topic without question. “If I only have to accept your bindings, I will have no troubles.”

“Even with an audience of amateurs?”

“I won’t even notice,” she said with a small grin. “You have that effect on me.”

“True,” he agreed with amusement.

“How may I serve you today, Tono?”

“Due to tomorrow night’s class, I want you to spend the entire day working on your film. As you can’t cook and I can’t spare the time, I will order in our meals. While you work on the documentary, I’ll prepare my notes for the class and go over them with you tomorrow before the session.”

“It sounds like the perfect plan.”

He banged his fist on the table for dramatic effect. “Make it so, little slave.”

Brie got up from the table but paused, looking back at him shyly. “May I hug you, Tono?”

A warm smile spread across his face. “Yes, toriko.”

She moved into his open arms and closed her eyes as he enfolded her in his manly embrace. “Can I tell you that I love you, Tono?”

“Yes.”

“I love you, Tono Nosaka.”

He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I love you too, toriko. That will never change.”

Master’s Voice