Brie Surrenders her Heart (After Graduation, #8) (34 page)

Master Anderson laughed at the statement. “Yes, that’s exactly what you do, Thane.”

Sir sounded amused. “I’m not sure I care for the analogy, Brie. However, it
is
true that while you are constantly surprised by the aftermath of your decisions, I rarely am.”

“You’re very wise, Sir.”

“Tsk, tsk,” Sir said as a warning before lifting Brie over his knee, raising her skirt. “What did I say about that word?”

Brie struggled not to smile when she apologized. “I’m sorry, Sir. Not wise, definitely not wise. I meant knowledgeable.”

He smacked her hard on the ass. “Try again.”

“Sage-like.”

“No.” He spanked her even harder.

“Intelligent! Intelligent!” she squeaked.

He rubbed his hand over her red ass. “Acceptable.” He put her skirt back down and returned her to her kneeling position.

Sir spoke to Master Anderson as if nothing had happened. “When will you be leaving?”

“By the end of the month. I already have a warehouse in mind. I plan to be there before renovations start.”

Sir chuckled. “I’m certain your neighbors are going to miss you.”

“It has been impossible. I tell you, ever since the documentary, the women won’t leave me alone. What started out as harmless flirtation has quickly turned into cougar wars. Best to leave before someone gets hurt.”

“Or shot.”

Master Anderson grinned smugly, but his smile fell when he saw the herb garden on the counter. “Thane, I gave you this garden to take care of.” He walked over and caressed the yellowing leaves. “They’re screaming for light. You can’t expect them to produce a pleasant flavor if you don’t give them the food they require.” Without asking, he moved an end table near the window and placed the small herb garden on it. “There. Now the plants will be happy, but you’ll have to water them more.”

Sir growled with irritation. “I never asked for a garden.”

“But you
will
care for it. Think of it as a part of me when I’m gone.”

“Great. Then I’ll be sure to flick the leaves and poke the roots every time I water,” Sir said sarcastically.

“As long as you water me, I’m okay with being flicked and poked.”

Brie giggled on Sir’s thigh.

Master Anderson glanced at his watch. “Unfortunately, as much fun as I’m having entertaining young Brie here, I can’t stay longer.”

Sir stroked Brie’s hair one last time before he got up to see his friend out. “I trust you’re still coming tonight.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it.”

Brie was pleased to hear that Master Anderson would be there. She’d been looking forward to the huge party at the Training Center all week. It was going to be the biggest gathering to date. Sir said the film had been great for the Center, but the increased enrollment necessitated an expansion. A whole new wing was being built at the college to accommodate future classes. Everyone associated with the Center would be there to celebrate.

In honor of the event, Sir had purchased a special gown for her. “It only makes sense that the woman responsible for the expansion looks stunning for the party.”

The gown was a black, sequined seduction with a high, modest neckline in the front and a low back that exposed the barest peek of her brand. Sir seemed to find it highly erotic, and kept grazing his hand over her mark.

Before they left, he surprised her by removing the condor necklace. Brie protested, “But I love that, Sir.”

“Tonight you only wear your collar and this around your neck,” he replied, holding up her strand of pearls. He looped it once and let the length drape gracefully down her back.

“My goddess, my slut,” Sir murmured as he lightly bit her shoulder.

Oh, this was going to be a grand celebration indeed!

When they pulled up to the Training Center, Sir parked his Lotus in his old spot— reserved exclusively for the headmaster. Sir chuckled as he got out, stating, “Coen needs a little aggravation.”

They’d come early to help with set-up, but the commons area was already decorated with layers of black and iridescent pearl, giving an air of sophistication to the festivities.

Brie touched the hanging silks and cooed. “Wow, I love how elegant this looks, Sir. Very classy.”

“Class is a given with anything associated with Center,” he responded with a smirk.

It took a second before she got his joke and started laughing, but Headmaster Coen cut her merriment short when he entered.

“Very funny, Davis. Repark your car
now
.”

“You can’t be serious.”

The headmaster responded angrily, “I assure you, I’m quite serious.”

Sir grinned like a mischievous schoolboy as he fished his car keys out of his pocket. He gave Brie free rein to explore the Center while he went to change parking spots.

As she walked down the silent halls, Brie was bombarded with memories—Baron’s initial challenge and those damn six-inch heels. Experiencing her first auction with Rytsar, followed by lessons on deepthroating. She’d learned to overcome her fear of the cane with Marquis, and discovered the joy of flying under Tono’s skilled hands.

As she made her way back to the commons, she ran her fingers against the wall smiling to herself as she pass the bondage room. She remembered her second night at the Center, waiting in the hallway for Sir to unlock the door after class…

Good memories.

She was determined to drag Mary and Lea back here while the party was going on. It would be fun to reminisce together. Now that the film was complete and all the excitement of the release was over, she needed to set aside girl-time on a regular basis.

Brie was startled to see the silhouette of a man standing in the hallway ahead of her. It was definitely not Sir. She stopped in her tracks until she heard a hearty, “
Radost moya!
”

“Rytsar!” she cried, running to his open arms. “I had no idea you would be here tonight.”

The Russian picked her up, laughing, “I am part of the Training Center experience, am I not?”

“Well…you are for me,” she answered, struggling to breathe in his powerful embrace.

Such a sadist.

When he had nearly squeezed the breath out of her, he set her down, chuckling to himself. “Why don’t you run off with me? I will teach you the power of pain and you can teach me the power of
lyubov’
”.

“Hands in the air. Step away from the sub,” Sir ordered from behind him.

Rytsar put his hands up. “We’ve been caught before we could make our grand escape.” He turned around and walked to Sir, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “
Moy droog,
I am still convinced I could make her into a masochist. I just need a few weeks alone with her.”

Sir held out his hand to Brie as he replied, “Not going to happen, my friend.”

Walking down the hallway with a Dominant on either side brought back memories of the cabin and a pleasant warmth between her legs. She looked up at the handsome Russian and thanked him for her extravagant birthday gift, adding, “Rytsar, the cabin is really too much.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “Truth, r
adost moya
? It has to be the most selfish gift I’ve given.”

Sir snorted, slapping him hard on the back. “I suspected as much…”

Brie asked Sir, “Would it be okay if I tell him?”

“Why not?” he answered with a smile.

“Rytsar, you are the very first person to hear,” she said excitedly. “We’re leaving in two weeks for Italy and you’ll never guess—” She saw the glimmer of hope in Rytsar’s eyes and knew what he was thinking. “No, you’re still not an uncle.”

He frowned, shaking his head at Sir in mock disappointment.

“I don’t have time for babies, Rystar. I’m going to begin filming my new documentary.”

Rytsar raised an eyebrow. “Another film?”

“Yes! This one will be about Alonzo Davis, the man behind talent.” Brie grinned at Sir. “Recently, there has been a surge of interest in his music.”

Rytsar slapped his hand on Sir’s shoulder, “I’m glad to hear it,
moy droog
.”

Sir answered somberly, “Yes, it’s time people know the truth about my father and there is no one else I would want to tell it.” He kissed the top of Brie’s head.

As they walked into the commons, Brie was thrilled to see that it was already filling up with people. She spotted Mary and Faelan across the room and asked, “May I, Sir?”

“You may speak to whomever you wish tonight,” he answered.

She bowed and thanked him before bounding off to talk to Mary.

Unfortunately, Mary burst her bubble about girl-time with the first words out of her mouth. “Guess our big news!”

Brie noticed the possessive way Faelan had his arm around Mary and felt certain she knew the answer. She said playfully, “Is there a certain piece of neck jewelry in your future?”

Mary looked mortified. “No, you idiot! You know I’m not ready for that shit. We’re going to join a commune.”

Brie laughed at her reaction. She could tell Mary wanted a collar, and the tight hold Faelan had on her let the world know his feelings. It wouldn’t be long…

“So a hippie commune? That’s cool, Mary, but I can’t see you as a flower child.”

Blonde Nemesis rolled her eyes. “It’s a BDSM commune, bitch. Everyone works for the community, but the beauty is that you can live your D/s life out in the open. It’s kind of like The Haven, but twenty-four seven. Just think, Faelan could come up to me while I’m peeling potatoes with the group, order me to bend over and fuck me, just like that. Nobody would bat an eyelid because it’s totally accepted. The vanilla world left behind.”

Brie was amazed. “I never knew there was such a place.”

“Oh, yeah, it’s up north. There are even a few couples who have been with that commune for years. God knows the things we can learn while we’re there. Imagine living with a bunch of like-minded people—what could be better?”

Brie didn’t like the idea of losing Mary. “What about your job?”

“I’m taking a six-month sabbatical, so it’s no big deal.” Mary groaned. “God, I’m so fucking tired of being hounded by idiots who saw the film. I can’t tell you the number of vanillas hitting on me. Hell, both Faelan and I could use a break from that crap.”

Faelan spoke up. “We’re young and free to leave our jobs temporarily. Seems like the perfect time to explore the lifestyle in more depth, don’t you think?”

Although Brie was not excited about them leaving, she hung onto the fact that it was a temporary loss. “Yes, Mr. Wallace, I can certainly understand the allure.”

Mary’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Brie, you’ll never guess what happens the first night.”

Brie couldn’t hide her smile when she answered, imagining Mary with a ring of pretty flowers in her hair dancing around a maypole, “I have no clue.”

“The day we arrive, they throw a huge party for us.” Mary looked up at Faelan with a lustful grin. “At sunset, Faelan will bind me to the center table and present me to the community. Then they’ll spend the whole evening sampling the newest submissive. Doesn’t that sound wickedly hot?”

The idea of being taken by a group of Doms was both hot and frightening, but Brie was certain Mary could handle it. Ever since the night at The Haven with Faelan, she’d been different. She seemed complete, as if she had found a part of herself that had been lost. Mary could still be a bitch, of course, but she seemed like a much happier bitch.

Unfortunately, Lea hit Brie with even harder news. Brie could sense something was up when Lea hugged Brie so hard and for so long that her friend’s boobs nearly smothered her.

“Isn’t tonight exciting, girlfriend?”

Brie shrugged. “It‘s just a party for the new wing. Nothing to asphyxiate me over.”

“Well, maybe not,” Lea giggled. “But look around you. All this is because of you.
You
made this happen, Brie.”

She waved away Lea’s comment. “Nah, it was all of us. I just happened to have a camera.”

Lea pinched her cheeks and wiggled them painfully. “Aren’t you just so cute? Can’t accept a compliment to save your life.”

God, Brie had missed this—the silliness of being a girl. “Hey, Lea, I was thinking of starting up our girl-time again.”

Lea frowned. “Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m going to be busy packing.”

Brie’s smile froze on her face. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. “What do you mean?”

“I’m headed to Colorado, baby!”

Brie’s stomach sank.
It’s Ms. Clark all over again.

“Don’t do it, Lea. Please don’t go chasing after Ms. Clark. Don’t make the same mistake she did by running after someone who will never love you.”

Lea laughed and gave Brie another hug. “I’m not, silly! Master Anderson asked me yesterday if I wanted to be a part of his new training center. I’m going to be the lead submissive for the trainee Doms. Isn’t that awesome?”

Brie kept the smile plastered on her face, even though her heart was breaking. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Lea as well. “That’s an incredible opportunity.”

“I know! I’m so giddy about it I can’t even think straight. And Colorado is gorgeous with all those huge mountains. Who knows? I just might become a sub-bunny on the ski slopes.”