Lea was hard to resist, so Brie relented against her better judgment. “Fine, but I’m only letting you because I love you.”
“I love you too, Brie,” she cooed, giving her a tight squeeze. “So…did you hear about the French cheese factory that exploded?”
“Nope.”
“All that was left was de Brie.”
This time Brie actually laughed.
“De Brie! Isn’t that great?”
“It’s stupid, but I love it,” Brie admitted. “Thanks, Lea.”
“Anytime, girlfriend. So what are your plans while you’re here?”
“Well, I’m hoping to film a few scenes at the Academy. But mostly I just want to spend every minute I can hanging out with you.”
“Me too! But…not tonight.”
Brie was crushed. “Why not?”
“I already made plans with another friend.”
“Can’t I join you?”
Lea hesitated. “She’s extremely shy, Brie. It’s taken me weeks just to get her to agree to go out with me tonight.”
Brie thought she understood and asked in a hushed tone, “Is she a new girlfriend, by any chance?”
Lea rolled her eyes. “No, silly. She’s a really cool person I want to know better but if I ask you to join us, she’ll bail on me.”
“But Lea,” Brie whimpered, “I haven’t seen you in like…forever. I’m only here for a week. Please don’t leave me hanging tonight.”
In answer, Lea gave Brie another squeeze. “I know this stinks, but if things go well tonight I’ll ask if she’d like to meet you. I make no promises and you can’t be offended if she says no.”
Now it was Brie’s turn to roll her eyes. “What, is this girl a mountain hermit or something?”
Lea hemmed and hawed before answering, “You could say that, I guess.”
Her best friend was being so weird and secretive that it turned Brie off. Even if this mystery person agreed to meet, Brie wasn’t sure she would like the girl. “I only have a week here,” she reminded Lea.
“I know, I know! But remember, I had no idea you were coming until you threw off your hood today.”
Brie giggled. “Oh, my goodness, wasn’t that nuts?”
“Master Anderson is so bad!” Lea agreed. “It’s another reason I love it here.”
“Do you think Ms. Clark will forgive me? I was really surprised she handled it so well.”
Lea suddenly became serious. “Although Mistress Clark still maintains her strict demeanor, around the staff she’s been much more open and fun.” Lea mused out loud, “It seems she’s less tortured than before. I’m unsure if it’s moving to Denver, Master Anderson’s crazy antics or what, but whatever the reason, it’s nice that others are getting to see the person I fell in love with.”
Brie wondered if letting go of Rytsar Durov had been the biggest contributing factor for the change in the Domme’s attitude. “Are the two of you finally an item now?”
Lea shrugged. “She’s still trying to find her way. I don’t think even she knows what she wants, but I’m willing to wait. In the meantime I’m having tons of fun getting to know the other Dominants and submissives in Denver. They’re a friendly bunch, let me tell you.”
Brie clasped her hand. “I’m happy to hear it. It sounds as if I’ll have to be content with seeing you tomorrow, then.” She stuck out her bottom lip and whimpered, “But I don’t know how I’ll survive.”
Lea held out her little finger and grinned. “I promise to make it up to you—pinky swear.” Brie wrapped her pinky around Lea’s and they shook to seal the deal.
Baron peeked his head into the room. “Ms. Taylor, Master Anderson has requested that you return to the staff room.”
Lea got up reluctantly. “I’m sorry I have to leave you, Brie.”
“Don’t concern yourself,” Baron replied smoothly. “I’m taking Miss Bennett to the Rocky Mountain Brewery while you attend the meeting.”
Brie loved the idea of getting to spend time alone with Baron, and waved goodbye to her best friend. “I’ll be fine, woman. Go have fun with all that behind-the-scenes stuff you do.”
“Later, ’gator,” Lea called, throwing a kiss before traipsing out of the room.
“So, kitten, which do you prefer—dark or light beer?”
“I like it dark,” she answered with a cheeky grin.
“Indeed.”
He took her to the local brewery within walking distance of the training facility. It was lovely to stroll beside the handsome Dom under the blue skies of Denver. “Do you like it here, Baron?”
“It’s different from LA. I’d say it’s more laid back and more outdoorsy, but the people seem genuine. Yeah, I like it well enough.”
“But your heart’s still in Los Angeles?” Brie asked, detecting a hint of sadness in his voice.
“I miss the places and things that remind me of Adrianna.”
It hurt Brie’s heart to know that Baron was missing his submissive. She could only imagine how she would feel if she ever lost Sir. “Do you mind me asking how she died?”
“No, kitten, but let’s get a beer and sit down first.”
When they entered the Rocky Mountain Brewery he ordered two of their darkest brew at the bar, then settled beside Brie at a booth near the window, sliding a glass over to her.
Baron took a long drink and licked off the foam that rested on his upper lip. It was casually sexy, an unintended effect that made it all that much more charming.
“You were saying?” Brie prompted.
“Adrianna…” He said her name in a wistful, anguished tone. “She was my dream made flesh. Sir Davis invited me to her graduation party and introduced us personally. I knew then that she was the one. Our courtship was quick, her submission unconditional.” He looked up from his beer. “I knew the love of a good woman, and it is because of that I survived the aftermath of her death.”
Brie was gutted to see the love and pain expressed in his hazel eyes. “What happened to her?”
“Wrong place, wrong time… Adrianna and I had gone to a late-night movie at our neighborhood theater. It was raining, so I went to get the car. Three hoodlums walked past Adrianna while she was waiting. They attempted to mug her, but when she wouldn’t give up her purse they beat my baby unconscious. I pulled up to find her on the pavement, bloody and unresponsive. Although I rushed her to the hospital…” He paused, looking away when he added gruffly, “My baby never woke up.”
Brie grasped his hand. “I’m so sorry, Baron.”
He smiled sadly at her. “As penance for not being there when she needed me, I’ve dedicated my life to protecting other women from the scum of the Earth.”
“So that’s why you were at the Kinky Goat…”
“Yes, but the last thing I wanted to see was you there.”
Brie hung her head in shame. “It was a terrible mistake.”
“You did nothing wrong, other than meet with your friends at a place you weren’t familiar with. In some ways it was similar to what happened to my Adrianna—wrong place, wrong time.”
“She must be so proud of you now. Proud of your strength to carry on, proud of the many women you’ve helped.”
He furrowed his brow, his eyes dull with unresolved pain. “I hope she has forgiven me for not being there.” He shook his head. “Every time I think of that night, I hear her crying out my name, trusting I would save her—but I never came.”
Brie swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Adrianna wouldn’t have blamed you. I only have to put myself in that situation to know how she felt. Although she would have been praying you’d come in time, she died knowing she’d see you again, and that would have brought her peace.”
He blinked away the tears that welled up in his eyes, and took another draught of beer. “Thank you, kitten,” he said hoarsely.
Brie nodded, picking up her glass. “Do you think you’ll end up going back to LA?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m uncerta
in at this point. Mentally I understand the benefits of moving on, but my heart does not. It’s not an easy thing to do.”
“Do you like being a trainer at the Denver Academy?”
He chuckled. “I do enjoy being in the trainer role. It’s much less formal than the Submissive Training Center, but I appreciate Master Anderson’s vision.”
Brie grinned, nodding in agreement. “He’s no Master Coen.”
“No, he’s not. However, they both have their place.”
“Agreed.”
“Whether it’s fair or not, I will always compare the Headmasters I work under to Sir Davis.”
“He was amazing in that role, wasn’t he?” Brie agreed, squelching the guilt that threatened to rise.
“I was saddened to hear about his troubles.”
Brie felt a chill run through her and she slowly put down her glass after taking a drink. “What do you mean?”
He stared at her for several moments before replying, “I’m talking about his mother, kitten.”
She breathed an inward sigh of relief. “I’m telling you, that woman is insane! However, I admire how Sir handled the situation with her.”
Baron’s hazel eyes penetrated her with their intensity and she squirmed under his gaze. Had she said too much? Brie picked up her beer and sipped it nervously.
Thankfully, Master Anderson walked through the doors and straight over to their table. “Are you ready? It appears I’m to be your entertainment for the evening, young Brie.”
Blast from the Past
“Don’t feel you need to take me out, Master Anderson,” Brie told him, as she jumped into his massive truck.
“It’s the least I can do. After all, I was the one who wanted to keep your arrival under wraps. I’m responsible for the fact you have no friend to hang with tonight.” He started up the vehicle then turned to her. “I’ll show you some of my old haunts so you can get a native’s feel for Denver.”
Brie forced a smile. Although she was appreciative of his offer to entertain her, she would much rather have hung with Lea. However, she realized it was a rare chance to get to know the Dom on a more personal level, and readjusted her attitude. Even though Sir was good friends with Master Anderson, she knew practically nothing about the man other than the fact that he was a jokester, a skilled expert with the bullwhip and an excellent cook.
He drove her into Denver so she could admire, in passing, the tall buildings of the downtown area as well as the charm of horse-drawn carriages on the 16th Street mall, before taking her to an older neighborhood lined with tall trees.
He eventually parked in front of a magnificent Victorian home. Brie loved the inviting porch, the detailed trim, the lancet windows and the castle feel of its charming turret.
Master Anderson stared at it with a small grin playing across his lips. “I miss that house.”
“So that’s where you used to live?” she asked in surprise.
“Yes. I purchased it when it was in severe disrepair. I was young and had the energy and time to give it the care it deserved. After I’d finished restoring the extensive scrollwork and trim, I played with the inside. Still keeping to the Gothic style, I added a special room at the back for my…unique brand of entertainment.” His eyes twinkled when he pointed to the left side of the residence. “Inside there is a secret door. How I enjoyed the surprised gasps from my submissives the first time I introduced them to what my friends affectionately called ‘The Room’.”
“Oh, I wish I could see it, Master Anderson. I can’t help but wonder what the new owners think of your play room.”
“They were told it was a private room I used as an office.” He chuckled to himself. “I wonder if they can still hear the squeals of delight that regularly echoed in that room.” Master Anderson’s eyes drifted affectionately to the yard. “After the interior was complete, I started on the neglected garden.”
Brie looked beyond the dark iron gate. He’d filled the front yard with bushes, each with its own unique pigment which made the garden colorful but definitely kept a masculine feel to it.
“Wow, your garden is actually as impressive as the house,” she complimented.
“Thank you. I’m quite proud of my work.”
“Do you regret giving this place up?”
He looked at Brie thoughtfully. “My new home has the space this one lacked. Although they appear to be polar opposites, both homes have a style that speaks to me.”
“You are a complicated man, Master Anderson. A cowboy as a child, a carpenter as a young man and now Headmaster of a BDSM training school.”
“You are missing an important part of the journey.” He started up the truck and drove her back to visit the downtown area. He helped her out of his vehicle, then walked Brie through a thriving college campus. “Once the house was complete, I had time on my hands and an ambition to be my own boss, so I took classes at night to get my business degree.”
She looked at him in amazement. “How did you find the time?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I was not tied down to a partner and only played with subs on an occasional basis. It left me with an abundance of time, and I am not a man to waste it.” He pointed towards a large glass-and-brick building with the impressive Rockies as its backdrop.
“I took classes at night here. While it took longer to get my business degree, it has all led me to where I am now. I was able to redesign the warehouse into the Academy, and I have the business background necessary to ensure its success. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that Thane let me see the inner workings of the Training Center.”
Brie felt a pang of remorse. Why did the mention of Sir’s prior status as Headmaster always hurt her heart?
Master Anderson walked her between the campus buildings, down a pleasant path of new trees and budding flowers. He shared memories of the professors he’d learned under and classes he’d taken. Although much of what he shared made no sense to her, Brie enjoyed hearing the tone of his voice change when he talked about business and how what he learned played into his endeavors now. “I want our school to adapt to the market, reacting to the needs of the local community as they change. I invite change, as long we never lose sight of our fundamental purpose.”
He led her to a small Italian restaurant, opening the bright red door with a gentlemanly flourish. “A favorite place of mine back in the da—”
She looked up at him and was surprised to see his face lose all color as a cute redhead with a large baby bump made her way out the door.
“Pardon me,” the young woman murmured with a smile. Then she stopped short and said in astonishment, “Brad?”
Master Anderson stiffened upon hearing his name. He froze temporarily, taking time before he replied, “Amy, I never expected to run into you here.”
The redhead blushed. “Well, I love the food and seem to crave it more these days.” She rubbed her belly lovingly. “Thank you for introducing me to this place. I visit a least once a week now.”
He looked at her warily, as if she were a poison to him. Brie’s heart went out to Master Anderson as the awkward silence stretched, so she stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Brie.”
The girl glanced briefly at Brie’s collar before taking her hand. “Hi, Brie. I’m Amy. I was good friends with Brad when we were taking night classes together.”
Master Anderson seemed to snap out of his stupor and spoke, “Yes, Amy and I spent many stimulating nights at my house. How have you been?” He looked at her stomach. “I notice you have a bun in the oven.”
Amy laughed sweetly. “Yes, we do. A little girl, if the ultrasound proves to be right. I sure hope so, because the nursery is all pink and my mother already bought a ton of lacy outfits for her.”
Brie saw a flash of pain flit across Master Anderson’s face before he hid it with a casual smile. “I take it you’re still with Troy.”
Amy looked at him sadly, letting Brie know there was so much between them that wasn’t being said.
“Yes.” The
re was another uncomfortably long pause as Amy played with the ring on her finger. “Troy and I got married last year.”
“I see.”
Brie slipped her hand into Master Anderson’s and squeezed it, offering him moral support.
“Looks as if you two didn’t waste any time,” she teased Amy.
The redhead shrugged, caressing her stomach affectionately. “Who’d have guessed we’d be so compatible?”
Master Anderson tightened his hold on Brie’s hand, almost hurting her with his grip. “Congratulations, Amy. Be sure to give your husband my best. I hope you’ll excuse us, as Brie and I have a schedule to keep.”
Amy’s gaze drifted back to Brie’s collar. “I’m sure the two of you have a wonderful evening planned.” She gave Master Anderson a clumsy hug, her large stomach getting in the way. “It was wonderful to see you again, Brad. You look great, and it’s such a joy to meet your girlfriend.”
Master Anderson didn’t correct Amy’s mistake, so Brie made a bold move, saying as she kissed him on the cheek, “Mr. Anderson is in high demand these days. I’m a very lucky girl.”
“Yes…I’m sure,” Amy replied, turning a bright shade of red. She added as she hurried off, “Have a great evening, you two.” She looked back briefly before disappearing around the corner.
Master Anderson watched her go with a look of regret on his face. “I don’t feel hungry. Do you mind if we head back to my place?”
“Not at all, Master Anderson.”
The drive back was unbearably silent. Brie had never seen the Dom unraveled before. Her heart ached for him, but it was not her place to ask about the girl, so she stared out of the window admiring the snowy peaks in the distance.
Sir texted her as they waited in traffic. How’s my sexy submissive?
Brie smiled when she saw his message and told Master Anderson, “It’s Sir. Do you mind if I text him back?”
“Please. I’m sure he misses you.”
The sadness in his voice was not lost on her. “Thank you, Master Anderson.”
She quickly typed, I’m good, Sir. How are you?
Doing well. In a couple of days I’ll be better.