“A quiet Italian meal by the ocean,” he replied.

  Brie sat down at the elegantly set table and stared across it as her Master sat down. This was too much—something extraordinary was happening tonight. She could feel it in her bones.

  The chef removed covers from two plates, one with small grilled pieces of bread, and the other with colorful vegetables and a small bowl of oil. Sir pointed to the bread. “Fettunta, spread with olive oil, grilled with garlic rubbed on top. Best garlic bread you’ll ever taste.” He pointed to the other. “Pinizimonio, fresh vegetables to dip in the seasoned olive oil.”

  “It looks delicious, Master.”

  Sir picked up a slice of bread and consumed it with a look of rapture on his face. Brie was captivated by the vibrant vegetables and took a slice of bright yellow bell pepper, dipping it into the olive oil seasoned with black pepper. She brought it to her lips, trying to look alluring. A drip of oil fell before she could get it into her mouth. It landed on her chest, then rolled slowly under her corset and between her breasts. She looked up, hoping Sir hadn’t noticed. The twinkle in his eyes said otherwise.

  “Take off your top, téa.”

  Brie ignored the stranger standing beside her and undid the ties, letting her corset fall to the sandy beach. Sir stood up and with his finger, he caught the trail of oil. He lifted his index finger to his lips and licked it off. “I think you would taste good covered in olive oil.”

  He sat back down and took a mushroom, dipping it into the oil. Then, smiling at Brie, he devoured it. She blushed. Sir could eat her any way he wanted…

  The chef poured them each a glass of wine, before moving back to a grill she hadn’t noticed flaming in the distance until now. Sir was right—her favorite, hands down, was the garlic bread; hard, crunchy, infused with the taste of garlic and the tanginess of olive oil. She had to stop herself from eating the whole plateful. Submissives are not greedy, she reminded herself, even if they secretly want to be.

  After several minutes, the chef returned with a covered plate. He placed it before Sir and lifted the cover with a flourish. A thick, juicy steak sat alone on the platter. It was not the pasta Brie had expected.

  Sir took the knife the chef handed him and cut into it at an angle. Brie was shocked at how red it was, like rare—really rare.

  He speared the piece of meat and held it up to admire. “Bistecca alla Fiorentina. A simple dish that impresses the most discerning palate.”

  Sir held it out for her to eat, but she did not open her lips to take it. With trepidation, she admitted, “I don’t eat rare meat, Master.”

  He shook his head. “You have not tried this. Trust me, téa.”

  She opened her mouth, but only to please him, even though she was certain she would choke on it.

  “It is seasoned simply and grilled only for a few minutes on each side, to let the true flavor of the beef shine through,” he said as he put it in her mouth.

  Brie let the bloody meat touch her lips and held back the urge to gag. Sir was watching her intently as she chewed, so she closed her eyes to concentrate on the flavors, divorcing herself from the fact it was basically raw animal tissue. The simple salt, pepper and garlic seasoning, along with the splash of olive oil, heightened the flavor of the steak. This meat definitely had flavor, but it was delicate and melted in her mouth.

  She opened her eyes after she’d swallowed the enticing morsel. “Delicious.”

  Sir sat back with a satisfied grin. “Of course.”

  The chef took the knife from Sir and cut the rest of the meat into thin slices, then added a small bowl of white beans to the table.

  “Is it to your liking, Sir Davis?” he asked.

  “It is an excellent piece of meat. Thank you for the entire meal, Chef Sabello.”

  “My pleasure. I would do anything for the son of Alonzo.”

  Sir nodded gratefully.

  Chef Sabello poured the last of the wine, made a small bow and walked into the darkness, leaving them alone on the secluded beach.

  Sir scooped up a forkful of beans and said, “Fagioli bianchi are a bit like your mashed potatoes, a required accompaniment of the meal.”

  Brie took her own forkful of white beans to taste. Like everything else she had eaten that night, it was simple. A little bit of salt, oil and garlic, with a savory herb she couldn’t identify. The simplicity of it made the ingredients stand out all the more.

  “I love everything about this meal, Master. I’ve never had anything like it.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure you were expecting pasta, possibly a meatball or two.”

  Brie giggled, instantly thinking of the animated movie Lady and the Tramp, when the two dogs shared the long noodle. She smiled bashfully at Sir as she imagined his lips coming closer to hers as they ate the single noodle from both ends.

  Instead, she shared the same piece of mouthwatering meat and bowl of white beans with her Master. It was all the more wonderful because this meal had been a part of his childhood, something he desired to share with her.

  Before they’d finished, Brie noticed a change come over Sir. He became quiet again. She could barely get her last mouthful down, wondering what was about to happen—not allowing herself to dream.

  “I value sharing this with you, téa. This is a part of my past, the foods I grew up on. It pleases me that you enjoy them.”

  “I am honored you want to share them with me, Master.”

  “There are other things I long to share.”

  Brie’s heartbeat increased. She got up from the table and walked over to him, kneeling down at his feet. “I cherish your trust in me…”—she almost said ‘Thane’, but chickened out—“…Master.” She kissed the back of his hand in reverence.

  He petted her head with his other hand. Sir cleared his throat, but did not speak. She felt an aura of tension radiating from him that was delightfully disconcerting. Her body responded by trembling with expectancy.

  “Master?” she asked, looking up at him.

  He smiled briefly, but shook his head. “No. Not yet… I think it’s time we took a drive.” Sir got up from the table and commanded, “Gather your top, téa. No need to dress.”

  Brie felt wistful leaving the romantic meal behind, already treasuring the memories. She returned to the limo bare-chested. The chauffeur did not bat an eyelid as he opened the door for them.

  Pearls in the Sand

  Once again Sir sat next to Brie, his masculine hand on her thigh. But this time his need filled the small space. His fingers traveled upwards, tantalizingly slow in their progress, centimeter by aching centimeter.

  Brie quivered under his touch, her breaths becoming rapid and shallow. Ever closer to her sweet spot he came, as his warm breath caressed her neck. His hand moved under her skirt, so close… A small cry escaped her lips when his finger finally touched the soft folds of her pussy. He kissed her neck as he made quick work of her excited clit. Soon she was grinding against his hand. His lips moved down to her nipple and he began sucking as his fingers progressed to her opening. With the same drawn-out playfulness, he teased her, rimming the entrance but not providing penetration. She whimpered in need.

  Sir’s lips moved up to her ear. “What do you want, Brie?”

  “I need you, Sir. I need you inside me.”

  With the cruelty of a good Master, he pulled away and sat back in the seat. “Not yet. You need to learn patience, sub.”

  She wanted to groan in frustration, but kept silent. You want me, Sir. Take your willing sub.

  He shook his head, as if he could hear her thoughts. But he soon moved over to the window separating them from the driver and knocked on the glass. It slid down and he told the chauffeur, “This is the place coming up.”

  The driver turned the limo around and parked on the side of the road next to the coastline. Sir opened the car door and helped her out himself. Brie was still topless, but he wrapped his arm around her so that she was not exposed as he helped her down a path
to a small beach surrounded by protruding rocks. She struggled to traverse the rocky path in her heels, so Sir picked her up and carried her. “I’m curious, téa. How will you use the pearls tonight?”

  “It’s a surprise, Master.”

  A lustful grin spread across his face. “I see.”

  When they’d reached the private alcove at the bottom, he set her down and played with the pearls around her neck. “Much like you, I struggle with surprises.”

  She looked up at him, smiling seductively. “Would you like me to show you then, Master?”

  “Yes, your Master would like to see your use of pearls, téa.”

  She dropped to the hard-packed sand and began by taking off his shoes and socks. Then she relieved him of his slacks, pulling his briefs down along with them. She stood back up, undid his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. Sir sloughed off both his jacket and shirt, so that he stood completely naked before her.

  Brie slowly gyrated to the rhythm of the ocean waves as she rid herself of her remaining clothes, so that she too was au naturel. He reached out for her and she moved into his embrace. Brie closed her eyes as she laid her head against his warm chest.

  “My goddess,” he murmured.

  Brie looked up at him and smiled. “Would you please lie down on your back, Master, so that I may show you my pearls?”

  Sir lay down on the ground, his eyes never leaving her. Brie knelt beside him and ran the pearls between her lips, looking at him suggestively before taking them off. With slow, sensuous movements, she lightly caressed his skin with the smooth pearls, causing goosebumps to appear. She concentrated on his chest first, but twirled the pearls lower and lower, towards his pelvic region. Just as they were about to touch his hardening cock, she reached down to his feet and started upward.

  He groaned in lustful frustration as she teased him as cruelly as he had teased her. As she moved up to his thighs, she bent over and allowed her nipple to ‘accidentally’ graze his cock. It twitched in response to the brief contact.

  She wanted his cock coated in her juices before she began, so she curled the pearls into a spiral circle over his bellybutton. “For safekeeping,” she said with a smile, before standing up and turning so she was facing away from him. She straddled his hips and wiggled her ass seductively, before slowly lowering herself. She knew she was giving Sir a fine view of her ass in the moonlight.

  He took hold of his cock so that it was waiting for her. Brie pressed against the tip of his hard shaft and then lowered herself all the way to its base before pulling up again. She looked behind her and asked, “Does Master like?”

  He growled and grabbed both ass cheeks, forcing her back down in answer. Brie rode his shaft, enjoying the angle of the position and the control she had over his cock—when he allowed it. Once he was properly coated, she lifted herself off his shaft and settled down between his legs. She picked up the pearls and began slowly wrapping his cock in them.

  Then she held onto them with both hands and began stroking him with the numerous round beads. Sir tilted his head back and closed his eyes—a good sign.

  Brie rolled the pearls up and down his shaft, kissing and licking the head of his manhood as she did so.

  “Harder,” Sir groaned.

  She pressed her hands together for more friction, adding a twisting motion to her movement. He stiffened underneath her, making Brie purr with excitement.

  “Teeth.”

  She grazed the ridge of his shaft with her teeth, being careful not to bite down too hard. Sir shifted and she knew he was close. She moaned loudly, as excited as he.

  Sir shuddered. He grunted as his hips thrust forward and his come filled her mouth. Brie pumped his cock in rhythm with his thrusts, eagerly swallowing her Master’s essence. He grabbed her head as he guided her mouth for the last couple of surges, and then he held her still as his body shuddered one final time.

  When he let Brie go, he pulled her onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her. She lay in his arms for several minutes. She listened to both his rapid heartbeat and the crashing of the ocean waves in the background. His hands ran down her back, caressing her skin with their electric touch, and then they suddenly stopped.

  “Brie.”

  She lay still, holding her breath.

  “You know that my feelings for you run deep.”

  “As do mine, Sir.”

  “How deep?” he asked. She lifted her head and saw that he was smiling.

  “I love you more than life itself.”

  He instantly stiffened and his eyes clouded over with pain. Somehow, in declaring her love she had said something wrong. The look of torment on his face spoke of old wounds having been ripped wide open.

  “Thane, I love you!” she said in desperation, not wanting to lose their intimacy.

  He just stared at her as if he was seeing someone else.

  She could feel Sir pulling away from her emotionally, almost as if it were a physical separation. “I don’t understand,” she cried. “Help me to understand, Sir.”

  When he spoke, his voice was calm but strained. “Get dressed.”

  She untangled herself from his embrace and put her clothes on, tears streaming down her face. Had her allusion to death hit a raw nerve? Could that simple error have been enough to upset him this profoundly? It didn’t make sense, but he gave no reason for his hurtful behavior.

  She went to pick up her strand of pearls lying in the sand, but he said, “Leave them.”

  They walked back to the limo in deathly silence.

  “Put your corset on,” he told her once inside the limousine, before turning his head and looking out of the window.

  The ride home was every bit as uncomfortable as the end of their first limo ride had been. When they finally pulled up to the high rise, Sir instructed, “Go to bed. I don’t expect to return until much later.”

  When her tears started up again, he closed his eyes and added, “I will explain…later.”

  The chauffeur opened the limousine door and Brie obediently left, although inside her heart was breaking.

  A staff member opened the lobby door for her with a broad smile as the limousine pulled away. As she walked inside, Brie snarled under her breath. I fucking hate limos!

  Sir did not return until dawn. Brie had been up all night waiting for him. It took everything in her not to run to confront him. Instead she lay curled up on the bed, her eyes swollen from crying.

  He entered the bedroom and quietly undressed before joining her in bed. “I assume you got no sleep.”

  “No sleep, Sir.”

  He pulled her to him in a spoon position. “We both need to rest. Close your eyes, téa.”

  Sir offered no explanation, but just having him beside her, wanting her near, was enough to quell her questions for now. She did as he asked and closed her eyes, giving in to a troubled sleep.

  It wasn’t until hours later that Sir stirred. Brie turned towards him and simply said, “Sir?”

  He brushed her cheek lightly. “You said something, Brie…something my mother used to say to my father. You couldn’t have known. I do not blame you.”

  She wanted to speak, but he put his finger to her lips.

  “I told you once that I am undecided about fate. I do not know if your words are meant as a warning or a challenge to me.”

  She shook her head in protest.

  He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “I am taking it as a challenge. I have never dealt with my past. You are forcing me to face it straight on.”

  When Sir took his finger from her lips, she told him, “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Sir.”

  “I know. It was said in love, but what are the chances you would answer with her words?”

  “I would never hurt you in that way, Sir,” she declared passionately.

  “And that is where the quandary lies, for I am certain my mother would have said the same thing in the beginning.”

  Brie was hurt that he was comparing her to his mother??
?hinting that she would end up betraying him. She tried to pull away, but Sir grasped her arm. “Brie, in my head I know you are not the same, but right now…” He let go then, and turned away from her.

  With fear and trepidation, she asked, “Sir, what are you saying?”

  Sir looked back at her, the expression on his face uncharacteristically open and unguarded. “Time. I need time, Brie.”

  She caressed his masculine jaw, rough with stubble. Smiling through her tears, Brie answered, “Sir, we are condors. We have a lifetime to find our way.”

  Animal Sex

  Sir made Brie stay at home when he left for the airport later that day. He claimed he didn’t want her to waste a single minute away from her project. “Look through what you already have that you can use to enhance your film. Decide what questions you want to ask both girls. You will need to be prepared before you approach Miss Wilson. You will also need to get permission from the Training Center for those extra shots the producer wanted. There is far too much for you to do to be wasting time at the airport seeing me off.”

  She nodded her agreement, but deep down inside she felt he was running away from her.

  The second the door shut, life seemed to leave the entire apartment. It felt as if a part of her soul had left with him.

  “Pull yourself together, Brie. You’re not a weak-minded little girl who can’t exist without her man.”

  She spent the night going back over her documentary footage. She concentrated on Mary, wanting to see if there was anything she could pull from it. She came across the moment when Mary had broken down in front of the camera, demanding she turn it off. Brie had been in the middle of giving her a compliment. In an instant, Mary’s countenance had changed and she’d become hostile. Brie replayed it several times, zooming in on the girl’s face. She swore she could see a look of longing in Mary’s eyes, just before the walls came crashing down and the girl flipped out.

  Maybe Sir was right. It was possible Mary was not a back-stabbing bitch. Well…not only a back-stabbing bitch.