Brie Discerns Master's Heart (After Graduation, #6) Read online

  Brie Discerns Master’s Heart:

  After Graduation

  By

  Red Phoenix

  Kindle Edition

  Brie Discerns Master’s Heart

  Copyright 2013 by Red Phoenix

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

  [email protected]

  Edited by Amy Parker

  Book cover design by Erin Dameron-Hill. Phoenix symbol by Nicole Delfs.

  Big thanks to Marla Thalassinou.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  Adult Reading Material

  Disclaimer: The material in this book is for mature audiences only and contains graphic sexual content. It is intended only for those aged 18 and older.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  The Beast

  Girl Chat

  Tender Revelation

  Master Anderson’s Influence

  The Wolf Howls

  Release

  Wicked Game

  Believe

  About the Author Red Phoenix

  The Beast

  In a fluid motion, Sir moved Brie behind him as he stepped forward to face the threat alone. “You have no business being here.”

  Elizabeth smiled easily, as if she had expected such a negative response. “It’s a free country, Thane.”

  “Who is she?” Brie asked, stunned at Sir’s odd behavior towards the woman, suddenly afraid she knew exactly who it was but not able to believe it.

  “No one,” he answered angrily, taking Brie’s hand and turning to leave.

  “Are you really such a coward, Thane? I had expected you to grow into a man by now.”

  The entire gym was now focused on the scene being played out before them.

  “Come, Brie,” Sir said with forced calm, guiding her towards the door.

  Brie was shocked to feel him literally shaking with rage, the air around him rife with hostility. She kept up with his long strides. They were both desperate to get away from the situation as swiftly as possible.

  From behind her, she heard, “Don’t walk away from your mother, boy.”

  Sir didn’t break his stride as he pushed through the door and shouted, “I have no mother!”

  Brie stole a glance back at Elizabeth. The woman lifted her chin and smiled at Brie condescendingly. A cold chill coursed through Brie’s veins as she realized how easily she had played into Elizabeth’s hands. But she could not fathom how the woman could be Thane’s mother. She looked far too young.

  “Keys,” Sir snapped.

  Brie dug the keys out of her pocket and handed them to him. “Sir, I didn’t kn—”

  “Not now, Brie.”

  He slid into the driver’s seat and she automatically slipped into the passenger side, grabbing onto her flowerpot and clutching it to her chest.

  “Seat belt,” he barked.

  Brie belted herself in as Sir revved the engine loudly and took off with a squeal of tires and black smoke.

  He drove like a man possessed, going above the speed limit for the foggy conditions, which were normal that early in the morning. At all times he remained in control, but he drove with a dangerous focus that unnerved her.

  Sir did not proceed to their apartment. Instead, he headed for the California hills that overlooked the city. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was alarming. She had never seen Sir so upset. He stared at the road, his jaw set, his eyes narrow—a seething mass of tension. Brie was afraid that if she dared to touch him, he would explode.

  She buried her face in the flowers and said a silent prayer.

  Sir suddenly pulled off to the side of the road and jumped out of the car. She scrambled out too, unwilling to leave him alone.

  He stormed to the edge of a steep embankment and held his arms out wide in the swirling fog, screaming with his fists clenched towards the sky. The sound of his cry broke Brie’s heart. It was full of pain on a level she had never experienced. His screams of agony were swallowed up by the surrounding mist.

  Sir roared again, but it was full of a rage that frightened her. He looked around wildly and then focused on the hard trunk of a large tree. He began punching the rough surface in blind anger, not caring about the damage he was doing to his fists.

  Brie cried out, wanting to stop him but understanding, on a deeper level, his need to unleash the furious wrath within him. After countless sickening thuds, he fell to his knees and slumped against the base of the tree.

  She ran to him then, wrapping her arms around Sir, trying to impart every ounce of her strength to him.

  Sir wept—a deep, raw release of emotion that had been buried for years. She didn’t say anything as she held onto him, needing him to know he was not alone in his grief. Finally the sobs ceased and he became silent. Time stood still in the white mist, silent and cold, while he struggled with his grief and pain.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  Sir responded by pulling her to him and tucking her into his arms. She lay on the ground, her head buried in his chest. He held her in silence, words unnecessary as he took comfort in her presence. But it wasn’t enough to fill the emotional abyss. Sir pulled at her clothes, removing them hurriedly until his fingers met the resistance of her jewelry. He grunted and looked down for a second, ripping it from her and replacing it with his cock.

  Sir climbed onto Brie, like a drowning man climbing into a boat. She became his means of survival as he filled the cavernous void in his soul with her feminine offering. Brie opened herself to him, willingly accepting her role. Sir’s groans were subdued as he took her deep and hard. Brie looked up at the swirling mist, tears streaming down her face as she cried for Thane the young adolescent and Thane the man.

  All that pain, held inside for years, was now exacting an excruciating toll as it erupted with violent force. The desperate coupling seemed to go on forever, his anguish too great for him to find release. Eventually he stiffened inside her and cried out in painful relief.

  Sir pushed off her and lay beside Brie on the ground, watching the swirling mist as his breath slowly returned to normal.

  When he finally turned to Brie, his anguished gaze penetrated the depths of her soul, causing her to shiver from the chill of it, but she did not flinch.

  “Seeing that woman,” he said hoarsely, “it’s as if it happened yesterday. I see him on the floor, struggling for breath, blood everywhere.” Brie felt him shudder beside her. “She just stood there and did nothing, cold as ice.” Sir growled as he looked back up at the sky. “It should have been her on the ground. To this day, I wish it had been her.”

  Brie put her arms around him, but remained silent.

  “She wants something from me…”

  She pressed against him, wanting to bring comfort and assurance. “Maybe she needs to make amends.”

  He frowned. “She never showed remorse, never asked for forgiveness. There would be no reason for her to seek it now. I can only think of one thing that would motivate her.”

  Brie was afraid to voice the obvious question.

  Sir continued, speaking his thoughts. “She knew I wouldn’t have given her permission to see me…so she went through you.” He snorted in anger. “As devious and selfish as I remember.”

&n
bsp; The mist had slowly given way to the warmth of the sunshine. Sir stared up at the sky as the sun broke through the haze. “It’s time we head over to Ren’s.”

  He gently dressed her, as if she were breakable, like china, and then picked up the jewelry and placed it in his pocket. Sir helped Brie to her feet, holding her close for several minutes.

  She understood that this had been a significant victory. Sir had survived the unexpected encounter with his mother.

  The drive to Tono’s was silent but reverent.

  Brie wondered if her Asian Master had been told of Sir’s early return. Tono’s calm expression when he opened the door hinted that Sir had already forewarned him.

  “Welcome to my home, Sir Davis,” he said.

  Brie was technically still Tono’s sub and was unsure how to behave with both Masters. She looked at Sir, who nodded towards him.

  Brie bowed. “Tono, how may I serve you?”

  “Go change into your normal clothes and pack, toriko, while I speak with Sir Davis.”

  She bowed again before leaving the men. She was excited to be packing to rejoin Sir back at home, but there was a sense of sadness as well. The thought that Tono would face a lonely house after they left hurt her heart.

  Brie returned to find them engaged in lively conversation.

  “I asked Marquis about Wallace when you told me what happened at the gym. The boy claimed he was nowhere near the workout center the morning Brie saw him.”

  “Do you believe him?” Tono asked.

  “I didn’t until this morning.”

  Brie knelt down at the end of the table between both men.

  Sir turned to Brie. “How close were you? Are you certain it was Wallace?”

  Brie thought back to that morning and shook her head. “No, Sir. The man looked like Faelan, but I cannot say with one hundred percent certainty it was him.”

  Sir’s face contorted in anger. “Knowing her, I’d be willing to bet it wasn’t.”

  The idea that it hadn’t been Faelan blew Brie’s mind. “I’m sorry, Sir. I never suspected Elizabeth was anything but a kind acquaintance.”

  “One who now has your business card.”

  She lowered her eyes. “Yes, Sir.”

  He lifted her chin. “I do not blame you, Brie. She is a cobra, beautiful to look at but deadly to handle.”

  Tono sounded appalled. “I was not aware of a business card exchange.”

  Sir growled angrily. “In a normal world, it would mean nothing. Had I known she was on the prowl again, Ren, I would have insisted you keep Brie with you twenty-four seven.”

  To Brie he said, “You will have to change your cell phone number and email account immediately. I can assure you, the woman will not leave you alone after this. I may have thwarted her plans, but she will not deviate from her primary goal. She is a tenacious beast.”

  Brie was disheartened she would not only have to change a phone number she’d had for years, but she would also have to inform everyone of the changes to both accounts. She felt like an idiot.

  “What does she want?” Tono asked Sir.

  “It’s simple—money.”

  Tono was silent. When he spoke next, his voice was full of compassion. “It is unfortunate that you must deal with such a creature.”

  Sir’s nostrils flared. “Yes, but I will not allow her to ruin my life a second time. I would prefer it if you would not mention her to anyone. The fewer people involved, the better.”

  “It shall remain between us.” Tono glanced up at the clock on the wall and informed him, “I do not know if you are aware that toriko has a meeting in four hours, with Ms. Taylor and Miss Wilson.”

  Brie quickly assured him, “I will reschedule it, Sir.”

  “No! I do not want my early return to interfere with your plans. You will do the interview as scheduled.”

  Brie couldn’t stand the thought of Sir being alone, today of all days. “Sir, it is no—”

  “Brie, you will do the interviews as planned,” he stated firmly.

  She bowed her head, realizing she had offended him. “Of course, Sir.”

  Tono addressed Brie. “Toriko, I will need a model for this week’s class, since you will not be available to attend. Is there someone you would recommend as your replacement?”

  Brie was disappointed she would not be joining Tono’s Kinbaku class, but she knew who would make a fine stand-in. “I think Lea would do well.”

  “Naturally you would suggest Lea,” Tono said with amusement. “However, I agree and can see her being a good choice. I’ll see if she has any interest.”

  Dang, that Lea! Brie thought with a grin. She’s so going to owe me…

  Tono stood up and moved to the center of the room, calling Brie to join him.

  She looked into his chocolaty brown eyes with a sense of sorrow. As much as she was anxious to be with Sir, her time with Tono had been emotionally profound.

  “Give me your wrist, toriko.”

  Brie held up her wrist to him and watched as Tono untied the jute that signified his ownership. He turned her palm upward and kissed her wrist tenderly. “I release you.”

  Brie knelt down and bowed her head. “Thank you, Tono. It was an honor to serve you.”

  He put his hand on her head. “I return you to your Master’s service.”

  Brie felt a physical lifting as he took his hand from her. She stood up and bowed one last time as a sign of her utmost respect for the Dom.

  “Brie,” Sir called to her.

  She returned to him and knelt at Sir’s feet. When his hand touched the crown of her head, a jolt of electricity coursed through her. “Stand before your Master.”

  When she stood up, Brie looked into his eyes. She could see the inner struggle he was attempting to hide. “What is your pleasure, Master?”

  “Gather your things. We are leaving.”

  Tono handed her the small suitcase and her wrist tie. She smiled as she closed her fingers around it. She would keep it as a memento, a reminder of the lessons she had learned under his care.

  “Serve your Master well,” he said with finality.

  The dynamic had officially changed. “I will, Tono Nosaka. I will not forget the lessons you have taught me.”

  “Good.” To Sir, he added, “If assistance is needed in any capacity, do not hesitate to call.”

  Sir took his hand and shook it warmly. “I will keep that in mind, Ren. Thank you. Your help and support will not be forgotten.”

  Opening the door to their apartment was the best feeling in the world! Despite having been abandoned for two weeks, his place still held the faint aroma of Sir. Brie took in the smell with relish. Home…

  “Brie, it was a long flight and I am exhausted,” he said gruffly, guiding her towards the bedroom. “Take off your clothes and lie in bed.”

  She did so dutifully, wondering what he would ask of her. Sir pulled Brie into his embrace once he joined her in bed. There was no animalistic coupling, no emotional exchange—nothing. He simply fell asleep with her cradled in his arms.

  It gave her great joy to be his safe haven. “I will always be that for you, Sir. Always…” she whispered passionately.

  Girl Chat

  Lea gave Brie a huge hug later that afternoon, when they met outside Mary’s apartment.

  “Guess who I got a call from!” Lea gushed.

  Brie smiled as she started gathering her camera equipment from the car. “A Kinbaku Master?”

  Lea eagerly grabbed one of the light reflectors to help her. “Yes! Oh-em-gee, Brie! I cannot believe it. Tono Nosaka called me an hour ago and asked if I would work with him. Can I just say that knowing you is the best thing that has ever happened to me?”

  Brie giggled. “I’m glad you’re happy, Lea.”

  “Tell me how I can repay you. I’ll do anything—just name it,” Lea exclaimed, beaming with happiness.

  Since Brie’s arms were full, she asked, “How ‘bout you ring the doorbell?”

 
“You got it!” Lea did a graceful pirouette before ringing the bell.

  Despite only having a small apartment, Mary took her sweet time to answer the door, asking before she opened it, “Who is it?” as if she wasn’t expecting them.

  Lea immediately answered, “It’s the plumber. I’ve come to fix the sink.”

  Mary swung the door open and looked at Lea oddly.

  Brie knew the cartoon skit Lea was quoting was a favorite of hers, so she explained to Mary, “You’re supposed to say ‘who is it?’ again.”

  Mary frowned, but gave in to Lea’s puppy dog look. “Fine. Who is it?”

  Lea said in a louder voice, “It’s the plumber. I’ve come to fix the sink.”

  Mary ignored Lea and turned back to Brie, stating in an uninterested voice, “I don’t get it.”

  “You have to ask again.”

  Mary didn’t even crack a smile as she repeated the question one last time.

  Lea gasped out the words, “It’s the plumber… I’ve come to fix…the sink.” She grabbed her chest, twirled around several times before falling to the ground, ‘dead’.

  Mary stared at her momentarily, and then said to Brie, “Come in.”

  Brie giggled as she stepped over Lea’s prostrate body and entered Mary’s apartment.

  Mary shut the door and locked it, leaving Lea lying outside on her doorstep. “Glad I have one less idiot to entertain.”

  “Hey!” Lea yelled from outside.

  Mary walked over to her sofa and sat down with a self-satisfied smile.

  Lea began pounding on the door. “Let me in, guys!”

  Although Brie thought it was humorous, she took pity on her friend and unlocked the door.

  “Party pooper,” Mary complained.

  “Look, I need both of you for this interview.”

  Lea pouted. “Didn’t you think it was the least bit funny?”

  “No!” Mary answered emphatically.

  Lea looked at Brie for support.

  “Well, it was funny the first time you did it to me. Not so much today.”

  Lea grabbed her chest, twirled several times and collapsed on the floor.

  “Nope, not any funnier,” Brie replied.