Brie was his to love exclusively.
He could just imagine it… Together they would travel the world. While she worked directing her films, he would do Kinbaku demonstrations and commissioned photo shoots. Their careers would combine in harmony, each enhancing the other while allowing them to remain together, exploring the world and each other.
Tono smiled at Brie. “You are the most beautiful sub I’ve had the pleasure to own.”
She giggled. “I bet you say that to all your submissives.”
Tono shook his head. “Not so, toriko, because you are the first to wear my collar.”
Brie stared at him in shock. “Your first?”
He nodded as he kept his eyes on the road. “I have played with many, it’s true, but I never found my soulmate until you.”
Brie shook her head in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Depending on how the night went, I wanted to keep the knowledge to myself. I did not want that to factor into your decision.”
“Oh Tono, I think you’ve made me the happiest sub in the entire world!”
He glanced at her with a lustful smile. “I plan to make you even happier shortly.”
Brie sighed in contentment. “All week I have agonized about who I would give my collar to. I can’t believe how happy I am.”
He reached over and ran his hand through her long brown curls. “I’m grateful you didn’t let my father stop you.”
“Maybe in some ways your father was right. Maybe I won’t be a good fit for you.”
“Not so. I am up for the challenge you bring, toriko. Do not doubt that.”
She leaned into his hand and smiled. “If I am your first collared sub, then that means when we scene together tonight it will be the first time for both of us as official sub and Master.” She trembled. “I can’t think of anything sexier.”
“I have waited a long time for this day. Even now it is hard to believe it’s real.”
She smiled, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Oh, it’s real, Tono. I’m your submissive for as long as you’ll have me.”
“Forever and a day then,” he answered.
Brie giggled and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
Her joy fed into his own, making his heart full. He’d never believed he could feel such unrestrained joy until he’d met Brie. The instant connection he’d felt on the first day they met had only increased over time until he was hopelessly and utterly in love with the girl.
She lightly placed her hand on his thigh as he drove. That simple contact highlighted the connection between them—it was easy and comfortable but so incredibly intense.
“I love you, Brianna Bennett.”
She laughed in delight. “I love you too, Ren Nosaka.”
Tono stared straight ahead at the road with a smile on his lips. His life was about to take a whole new direction.
When he got to his home, he set about lighting the candles for her.
She looked around the room at the numerous orchids he’d gathered. “It looks like you were expecting me to come home with you tonight.”
“Hoping is a better word, toriko. I have learned nothing is certain until it happens.”
“I must say, I picked quite the romantic Dom based on all these flowers and candles.”
“I wanted our first night to be memorable.”
“Being here with you is enough, Tono.”
He stopped for a moment, his hand hovering over a candle, the flame of the match burning bright. “Agreed, toriko. However, I want you to know how very much I cherish you. Now undress and kneel on the mat for me.”
He watched her bare her body before him with graceful movements, before lowering herself to the floor. The woman was his ideal—respectful but confident, beautiful but humble, focused but full of childlike joy. A treasure he now owned because she desired it. Was there anything more alluring than that?
Once he was finished lighting the candles, he undressed in front of her. He was slow and purposeful, wanting her to see the naked body of her Master.
Brie’s eyes grew wider and more luminous as she watched. He heard a small moan escape her lips as he sat down, cross-legged, in front of her, his shaft announcing his state of arousal.
Tono held out his hands to her, and she placed hers in his. “We made a public commitment, but now I would like to make a private one.”
He felt her tremble and tightened his grip. “Brianna Bennett, I will love and protect you all the days of my life. I will guide and care for you, but I know I will also learn from you, my little slave. You have already shown me a whole new world unknown to me before.”
Brie smiled and looked down at their hands. “Ren Nosaka, my Tono, I am honored to wear your collar—to learn and grow under your guidance. You captured my heart the first day we met, you enslaved my desire with your jute, and you have always brought peace to my soul.” She gazed into his eyes. “I not only give you my submission, but all that I am.”
Tono leaned forward and they sealed their commitment with a passionate kiss.
“And now let me love you, toriko.” He picked up the length of jute he’d set out and told her to clasp her hands together. With sure hands, he bound her wrists in beautiful knots. She smiled as she watched his progress.
“Turn.”
When Brie turned away from him, he lifted her bound wrists and told her to keep the position as he set out to bind her chest. He leaned toward her ear and whispered, “I know how much the restriction excites you.”
Brie nodded, her movements slowing as she gave in to the jute. Tono made sure she was bound tightly, making her breath more shallow before he enveloped her in his embrace and told her to lower her arms. “Breathe with me, toriko…”
Tono closed his own eyes as they became one in spirit.
This connection with her was ethereal and every bit as sensual as making physical love. They stayed like that for quite some time before he slid one hand against her mound. Tono smiled to himself, noting how wet she was.
To know someone intimately on a spiritual level and then to connect in the flesh… His body physically yearned for her, and his soul longed to dive in deeper.
Tono woke with a start, his body drenched in sweat and still aroused by the dream. His heart was pounding in his chest. He laid his head back down on the pillow, forcing himself to breathe slowly as the dream replayed in his head.
A vision of another life.
Although beautiful, it was not his life, and his spirit knew it, even in sleep. He had a different destiny, the die having already been cast in this life.
Tono wandered out of the guest room feeling profoundly sad. For some unknown reason the death of his father was ripping at his chest as if it had just happened yesterday. He walked over to the expansive window that overlooked the city and sat down cross-legged as he stared out the window, lost in thought.
He was unsure if his dream had inspired memories of the loss, but instead of running from the pain, Tono embraced it and allowed the grief to flow.
He was drowning in the sea of loss when he felt Shadow brush up against him. Tono made room for the large black cat as it quietly settled between his legs. The cat was an old soul; Tono had sensed it when he’d first encountered the creature.
He stroked Shadow’s soft fur as the tears flowed. The two of them one in their grief.
Otosama was gone.
There would be no more intensive instruction in Kinbaku, no more stolen moments singing karaoke together, and no more chances to sit in silence with his father drinking tea as they contemplated the world.
The finality of it hit Tono and he bowed his head, tears falling onto the black fur of the cat.
Shadow reacted by purring.
The sound was unexpected and somehow consoled him.
“Thank you, Shadow,” he choked out.
The cat looked up and narrowed his green eyes in answer before laying his head down on Tono’s thigh.
There was comfort sharing his
grief with the animal. He looked out over the lighted city for hours until the sun crested the horizon with its light. A new day, a new life…
Whatever the reason fate had seen fit to send him here to care for Brie, it had been kind enough to gift him with this moment of genuine mourning. Tono closed his eyes and sent his thought out to the Universe.
Otosama, I can’t get used to life without you. I’m afraid I will never stop missing you until my very last breath.
Shadow rubbed himself against Tono’s leg.
“I know you miss your Gannon, too. That is our reality,” he told the cat, “but I don’t want it to be Brie’s.”
Tono wiped the wetness from his eyes, feeling refreshed after a night of honest grieving. He lifted Shadow from him before standing up, and went to the kitchen to start on breakfast.
Discharged
When Brie walked into the kitchen, he greeted her with a smile and a plate of food.
“Guess what, Tono? I had another dream last night.”
Tono tilted his head questioningly, asking as he placed her food on the table, “What kind of dream?”
“It was abstract. More like feelings and visuals than an actual dream. I just remember candles and flowers and delicious bondage—but the best part was that at the very end…” She beamed at him. “Sir spoke to me.”
Tono kept his voice even. “What did he say?”
“Hope.” She had tears in her eyes when she answered. “It filled me with such joy that I woke straight up, and I can’t stop smiling.”
“It sounds like a profound experience.”
“It was! I never knew Sir’s scavenger hunt for coins would end up having so much meaning to me.” Brie held out her hand and showed Tono four gold coins with individual letters stamped on them. “This morning I feel so wonderful I could burst with happiness.” She broke out into giggles. “I know it’s silly, but I just can’t help it.”
Tono took the coins from her to study them. “Such a deceptively simple word, but possibly the most powerful one in existence.”
Brie nodded. “Yes, you can endure anything as long as you have hope.”
He placed the coins back in her hand. “I always knew Sir Davis was a wise man.”
She giggled. “Just don’t ever let him hear you say that.”
“I’ll take that under advisement.”
“I feel so giddy, Tono. Like something big is going to happen today.”
“Giddy is good. I’ll take that.”
She started stuffing the food into her mouth, grinning at him. It appeared she was anxious to start the day.
Tono chuckled, taking the plate from her. “Why don’t you get dressed while I wrap up our breakfast so we can eat it on the way?”
“Deal!” Brie cried, running down the hall.
Whether Sir Davis opened his eyes or not, at least for this moment in time Brie was full of hope and the world seemed a brighter place.
They arrived at the hospital far earlier than normal, but the nursing staff did not seem fazed and greeted them with smiles.
Brie ran into Sir Davis’s room, while Tono held back, watching her through the glass as she paused a moment, taking in Sir Davis’s still frame, before she started chatting away excitedly.
Tono walked in then, uncertain if she would crumble once she acknowledged that nothing had changed.
She wasn’t letting that fact curb her enthusiasm. “Oh, Sir, I heard you loud and clear last night. I have no doubt something miraculous is going to happen today.” She took his closed hand and opened it up, placing the coins in his palm and letting his stiff fingers clinch around them. “Hope is what you told me, and it is what I hold on to.”
She stared at the monitor and then into his sightless eyes. After several minutes, reality set in and she turned to Tono, looking completely devastated.
Tono held out his arms and embraced her when she buried her head into his chest in sadness. He stroked her hair and spoke words of comfort. “Do not lose your hope, toriko.”
There was a scuffle at the nurse’s station, and Tono turned in time to see Rytsar Durov come rushing into the room. “Get your hands off her!” he bellowed. “I am the brother. I should be caring for radost moya—not you!”
Rystar grabbed Tono by the shirt and smashed his jaw with a wicked uppercut. He felt the explosion in his jaw before his legs gave way and he dropped to the floor.
“Don’t hurt him, Rytsar!” Brie screamed from behind him.
She fell to her knees beside him, using her body as a shield. Tono rubbed his jaw, stunned by the turn of events, and looked up at the burly Russian who hovered over him, looking like he wanted a second shot.
Rytsar Durov pointed to his chest and growled like an angry lion. “No one touches radost moya—least of all you.”
Tono slowly stood up, holding his arm out in self-defense. “You’ve got this all wrong.”
The Russian turned on Brie. “Why didn’t you contact me personally the minute the plane went down?”
Brie shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Rytsar. Mrs. Reynolds offered to contact everyone so I didn’t know you weren’t reached until a few days ago.”
“I have been leaving messages on Thane’s phone, thinking he was playing some kind of joke on me.” His voice caught and he turned to look at Sir Davis. “Moy droog.” He stared at Sir Davis, tears coming to his eyes.
Brie squeezed Tono’s hand before moving over to the bed. “He still remains in a coma.”
“But his eyes.”
“They’re open but the doctor says he’s still unconscious.”
Tears ran down his face as he put his hand on Sir Davis’s shoulder. “How long you’ve been suffering, comrade…”
“Rytsar, I’ve done everything I can think of to keep Sir stimulated and comfortable,” Brie assured him.
He turned to her, his voice broken when he asked again, “Why didn’t you call?”
“I had no idea you didn’t know.”
“I would have come as soon as I heard. Surely, you knew that.”
Brie looked down, her voice trembling as she confessed, “I’ve tried so hard to be strong on my own.”
“And yet you let this man stand in for me?” Rytsar demanded angrily.
She met his harsh gaze. “I didn’t ask him to come. Master Anderson did.”
The Russian’s eyes narrowed. “Where is that traitor?”
Brie put her hand on Rytsar Durov’s beefy shoulder. “You can’t be mad at him. He kept me safe before he was involved in the car accident.”
Rytsar shook his head. “What are you talking about? What car accident?”
Brie explained, “Master Anderson’s truck was totaled, but thankfully he only suffered a broken leg.”
Rytsar Durov slammed his fist into his palm. “I will add a few more broken bones.”
“No!” she cried. “Master Anderson’s been nothing but kind to me.” Brie turned to Tono. “Both men have.”
The Russian glared harshly at Tono. “You have no business caring for my radost moya.”
Tono was unsure how to react. It was obvious that the Russian was in shock and harbored deep anger that had nothing to do with him. “I came to protect Brie, nothing more.”
“Get out!”
“Rytsar, you don’t understand,” Brie pleaded.
The Russian snarled again. “Get out of here, Tono Nosaka.”
Tono nodded, seeing security rushing toward them to stop the chaos. “It’s fine. I will leave.”
He quickly turned to Brie, adding, “You stay and explain to Durov what’s happened.”
“No, Tono. You—”
Tono shook his head. “It’s okay, Brie.” He left the room to assure the staff that everything was under control. He headed straight to the bathroom to assess the damage to his throbbing jaw.
As he stared in the mirror at his swollen face, a smile slowly curved on his lips. The Russian had done him a favor.
He was now free to leave Brie under Rytsa
r Durov’s care and begin a life with Autumn.
Tono drove to the apartment to begin packing his things, trusting that Rytsar would get Brie safely home.
Shadow sat on his bed, watching Tono’s every move as he packed.
“It’s time for me to go, but I will miss your presence, Shadow. Even though the Russian coming will seem unruly at first, give him time—he actually has a good heart. The man deserves your sympathy because he just found out his best friend is in critical condition. He’ll also have been hit with the news about Lilly by the time you see him. It’s going to shake him up and he will not be himself. You may want to keep your distance for a while.”
The cat gave a low growl as he stood up and walked over, rubbing against the hand Tono held out.
“I’ll be counting on you to comfort Brie in my stead.”
The cat moved to his other hand.
“Unfortunately, Sir Davis is not out of the woods yet.” Tono frowned in concern as he looked down at the black cat. Shadow sat on his haunches and stared at Tono with unblinking eyes. “I do not want Brie to share our pain.”
Tono went back to packing, but stopped to scratch the top of the cat’s head. “Durov’s ways are not conventional, but I have faith he will subdue the threat Brie faces.” He paused his hand for a moment, muttering to himself, “He may be the only man who can at this point.” Tono resumed petting the black cat. “If he can take care of Lilly, it will greatly lower Brie’s stress. I worry about the baby.”
Shadow walked over to Tono’s suitcase and stepped into it, settling himself on the folded clothes.
Tono chuckled. “I would take you if I could, but Brie needs you, and your Master desired you to stay here.”
They both heard the door open and turned their heads at the same time.
Rytsar Durov bellowed, “Nosaka!”
Tono shook his head, petting the cat one last time. “Remember, Shadow, he has a good heart.”
Tono faced the Russian, ready to defend himself if needed.
Instead of another uppercut, Rytsar Durov wrapped him in a tight bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of him.