Brie Learns Restraint (After Graduation, #5) (4 page)

Sir guided Brie ahead of him. “Thank you, Nosaka. I plan to keep this short.”

“As you wish,” he replied, closing the door behind them.

Tono escorted them into the open living room. Brie vividly remembered the lack of interior walls and the modest décor that spoke of his Japanese background. His home radiated tranquility, helping to calm her nerves.

Brie was disheartened that Sir hadn’t been exaggerating about not wasting time. “I present to you my sub, téa.” He nodded to her.

Brie instantly knelt at Tono’s feet, in an open kneeling position. She closed her eyes when she felt his light touch on her head and had to struggle to hold back a sob in response to the physical transfer of power.

“I accept your sub, téa, for the duration we have agreed upon,” Tono answered.

“Here is a key to her collar.”

Tono took the small key and closed his hand tightly around it, bowing to Sir respectfully.

“I leave her in your capable hands, Tono Nosaka.” With that, Sir turned around abruptly and left, without addressing Brie again. She couldn’t believe he was really gone until she heard the roar of the engine as the Lotus sped away. The lonely echoes of it could be heard long afterwards.

“Toriko.”

Brie looked up, biting her lip, trying not to cry. He held out his arms to her.

Brie stood up and accepted his embrace. She closed her eyes, fighting the feeling of abandonment enveloping her. To combat it, she concentrated on matching her breath with Tono’s.
This is your life for now…

His calming voice rumbled from deep inside his chest. “He needed to leave for his own peace of mind.”

She pressed her head against him and nodded meekly in agreement.

“Are you ready to serve your Master, toriko?”

She broke away and bowed at his feet again, reconfirming her commitment to him. “It would be my honor, Tono.”

“Remove your shoes and place them at the front door. Then fill the kettle with water and bring it to me after it boils.”

While she followed his instructions, Tono exited out of the back door. Brie stood by the stove, not allowing herself to think. She listened intently to the water warming in the kettle instead. There was something soothing about the sounds of the water as it slowly reached a soft, rolling boil. Waiting gave her time to adjust to this reality.

Tono was a wise Master.

Master…
Brie shook her head in protest, but stopped herself short. Tono had chosen to serve as her Master during Sir’s absence. He deserved a willing sub. Sir expected it, and Tono merited no less.

When the water came to a raging boil, she took the teakettle off the stove and joined Tono outside. The sounds of trickling water and birdsong greeted her.

“Good,” he replied when he saw Brie. “Place it on the table and sit beside me.”

She did as he had asked, kneeling on the small pillow beside him. Brie broke out in a smile when she saw the tea set, the one he had painted with his signature orchid. “I remember this.”

He poured the water over the tea leaves to let them steep. “If I recall correctly, you consumed a lot of tea that day.”

Brie giggled to herself. “I certainly did. I’ve never forgotten that lesson, Tono.” She paused, then added, “Thank you.”

They sat in respectful silence waiting for the tea to steep, the sounds of nature filling in for the lack of conversation. It was…heavenly.

When Tono deemed it ready, he poured the tea and offered her a cup. He said solemnly, “It is an interesting place we find ourselves, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” she agreed, waiting until he took his first sip before taking hers. She purred when she tasted it. “I forgot how good your tea was, Tono Nosaka.”

He smirked. “You and I have similar tastes, little slave.”

It would be so easy to fall into this role with him… She looked deep into his brown eyes and whispered, “To be honest, I’m scared.”

He nodded, not seeming to be surprised by the admission. “This is a precarious role we have been given. To act as partners, but to remain detached.”

Is it possible?
she wondered to herself. Brie took another sip of the warm liquid, grateful for its soothing effect.

He took a piece of jute from his pocket. “Hold out your left wrist.”

She did so, watching with curiosity as he wrapped it several times around her wrist and tied a beautifully intricate knot. “I have the right to remove your collar, but I do not think that would be wise. Instead, I am giving you this.” He lifted her wrist to his lips and kissed the knot. “A visual reminder of my mastery over you, but one that does not replace your original commitment.”

She lightly touched the jute and smiled. “It is an honor to wear this, Tono Nosaka. Thank you.”

He surprised her by grasping her jaw and giving her a kiss. It was a simple, closed-mouth kiss, but immediately focused her attention on his masculinity.

“I have agreed to refrain from intercourse. However, you should be aware that if I were free to do so, I would ravage you right now on this table.” He picked up his cup and sipped his tea slowly. “Understand my feelings. It is with great restraint that I will walk these next three weeks with you.”

“Why have you agreed to do this?”

“I find it a worthy challenge. There is no other man who cares for your well-being as much as I do…other than Sir Davis. I could not allow you to flounder alone, or in the hands of a man not suited for you.”

“But at what cost?” she asked quietly.

“I love you, toriko. That is my reality. What is imperative to me is that you are safe and able to complete your project. On that score, Sir Davis and I are in complete agreement.”

He read the concern on her face and added, “It may be because of my Eastern upbringing, but I accept this role. You and I are connected. Choosing another Master did not alter that fact, although it changed the dynamics between you and me.”

Brie took another sip of tea, overcome by the wisdom and compassion of the man beside her. She put her hand over his. ‘I am glad to be here…Master.”

He grunted and moved his hand away, pouring more tea for them both. “From now on, you will call me simply ‘Tono’, as you did in the past.”

She drained the cup slowly in congenial silence, until a plane flew overhead. She couldn’t help but think of Sir and felt a painful ache in her chest.

Tono interrupted her thoughts with instructions. “I want you to go to my bedroom. There you will find the clothes I have set out for you. Wear nothing underneath. You will remain barefoot at all times while in my home. Return to me after you’re dressed and present yourself.”

Brie rocked off her heels and stood up, bowing to Tono before walking back into his home. She found a red kimono waiting for her on his bed. It was similar in style to the one she had worn for him during the photo shoot, but this one was more modest in length.

She undressed and slipped the silken kimono onto her shoulders. It caressed her skin like a lover’s touch, making her smile. On the bed lay a sash. She did her best to wrap it around her waist in an artful manner.

Tono laughed when he saw her. “That’s all wrong.” He stood up and moved over to Brie, untying the sash. The kimono fell open, exposing her naked flesh. He stared at her appreciatively for several moments before repositioning the kimono and instructing her on how to tie the sash properly. Tono moved behind her and cinched it tight.

She ignored the sexual electricity that sparked from the contact. “Thank you, Tono.”

“You will practice tying the sash ten times before bed tonight.”

“Yes, Tono.”

He went back to the table and sat down, patted the pillow beside him. She joined him as he refreshed their tea and told her to partake. They both put their lips to the cups at the same time. So simple, and yet an intimate act to share with him.

Being here with Tono, caressed in beautiful silk, leisurely drinking tea within the confines of his exquisite garden seemed as natural as breathing.

Transfer of Power

B
rie packed quickly, her hands trembling as she placed the last of her clothing in the suitcase and zipped it closed. Sir grabbed it and nodded to her.

I will miss you…
she cried in her head.

Sir had been unusually quiet and curt with her this morning. Neither of them wanted this parting, but Brie dutifully followed him out of the apartment.

The drive to Tono’s was silent, but full of unspoken conversations. Would their relationship survive such a test this early on? Brie was suddenly scared again. It was not Tono she feared, but her natural attraction to him.
Will I grow to love Tono too much…?
Brie shook her head, hating her doubts.

“What is it, Brie?” he asked, noting her headshake.

She blanched, ashamed of the reason for her misgivings. “It’s nothing, Sir.”

He let it drop and stared forward, concentrating on the road.

When they pulled up to Tono’s home, Sir turned off the engine and stared at the simple rock garden in the front yard. “We will say our goodbyes now. Once we enter Nosaka’s house, I will present you to him, along with the key to your collar.”

Brie grasped her collar, shaking her head.

Sir smiled gently, pulling out the key from under his shirt. “The original key remains with me, téa. You are my sub; this arrangement does not change that.”

She nodded and wiped away the tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. “I don’t want you to go,” she whispered, and then looked at her lap, trying hard to keep her emotions in check.

“No tears. Consider this a lesson. Embrace it and learn from it. It is a characteristic of yours that I greatly admire.”

“Sir… I am unsure if I am allowed to ask, but I have a personal question about your trip.”

“All questions are allowed, even those I may choose not to answer.”

Brie voiced a concern that had been burning in her heart ever since he’d announced he was heading back to Russia. Before she lost her nerve, she blurted, “Will you be entertaining Rytsar’s subs while you’re there?”

His laughter filled the small sports car. “No, téa. This is a business trip. I will have no time for such play.” He added in a more serious tone, “I would not damage the newly forged trust between us. This separation will be hard enough without adding that element to the mix.”

Brie smiled, letting out a sigh of relief. Of course he would be thoughtful of their growing relationship.

“It is time, téa. Look up and tell your Master goodbye.”

She met his confident gaze, but could not stop her bottom lip from trembling. “Goodbye, Master.”

He grazed her lip with his finger. “Be my good girl. Follow Nosaka’s orders dutifully and with a servant’s heart.”

“Yes, Master.” She could not stop an errant tear from escaping.

Sir wiped away the wetness with his thumb without mentioning it. “I look forward to seeing your completed documentary and hearing about the lessons you learned from Nosaka on my return.”

Brie spoke the words that had been pounding in her head, in time with her heartbeat, since she’d woken up that morning. “I will miss you…”

He smiled, but she noticed it did not reach his eyes. “For the first time since my father’s death, I am experiencing that emotion as well. I do not care for it, but I assume it is a positive sign.”

Brie took his hand and kissed it, choking down her emotions.

His countenance changed to that of a trainer, his voice unemotional and firm. “So now you begin your three-week adventure in the hands of another. Do not burden him with tears. Look at it as the unique opportunity it is.”

She accepted that his defensive barrier had reared its ugly head again. “I will, Master.”

“The transfer is a formal, but simple ritual. I will present you to Tono Nosaka. You must bow at his feet. When he places his hand on your head, it signifies his acceptance of you as his temporary submissive.”

Sir exited the car and walked around to open her door. He pulled her small suitcase from behind the seat and then held out his arm for her to clasp. “Head held high, but at a respectful angle. Chest out.”

Those were the same words he’d used the night he’d collared her. She forced herself to smile, even though each step towards the house was killing her inside.