Brie's Christmas Pearls (Submissive in Love, #3) (5 page)

B
rie closed her eyes and steeled herself before walking over to Marquis Gray. The man read her far too easily.

“You seemed in a hurry just now, Miss Bennett. Did you forget you were meeting with me?”

She avoided his eyes as she sat down, not wanting him to know she
had
forgotten his request. “I was told by the Headmaster to meet with Master Nosh. Since he isn’t in his office, I had hoped the receptionist might know his whereabouts.”

“Master Nosh is out for the day, so I’m afraid you will need to schedule a meeting with him later.”

“Good to know.” She met Marquis’ gaze and smiled. “Then I guess we can talk if you’re free now.”

“Actually, I’ve been waiting for you. I’m growing concerned, Miss Bennett. I’ve invited Sir Davis to join me for dinner on several occasions, but he has yet to respond. It’s not like him. Can you shed some light on the matter?”

Brie was careful with her answer, not wanting Marquis to know of their recent struggles. “Sir has been preoccupied with work lately. I’m sure it is simply an oversight.”

“I thought so too, until I saw you today.”

Brie groaned inwardly.

“Are things going well?” he asked.

“As I said, Sir has been working long hours. His overseas business is beginning to take off, but it requires an inordinate amount of time.”

Not a man to mince words, Marquis Gray demanded, “What’s wrong? I only ask because I was your trainer and am invested in your success.”

“I appreciate your concern, but it’s unnecessary.” Brie cursed herself when her lip trembled slightly, but was grateful that it seemed to go unnoticed by the Dom.

“Why don’t you invite Sir Davis for me personally, Miss Bennett? Saturday night. Tell him I will not accept no for an answer. You will join us as well. I know Celestia has missed your youthful presence.”

Brie silently congratulated herself for successfully thwarting Marquis’ intuitive powers. “I’ll be happy to relay the message, Marquis Gray.”

“Good. I expect to see you both at six. It appears we have much to discuss.”

It was obvious that Sir was not anxious to meet with Marquis for dinner, although he agreed to go. As retribution, Sir made her cook an egg custard to take for dessert. She groaned as she fished out a shell from the bowl of cracked eggs. The smell of vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon was tantalizing, but she knew Marquis would never eat the dessert. She held out hope that Celestia would give her first attempt at custard a try.

Brie sprayed air deodorizer in the kitchen and down the hallway to the bedroom as the custard was baking, just in case the smell of eggs had settled there. Having her make an egg dish was as much a punishment for Sir as it was for Marquis.

She was surprised when Sir was uncharacteristically late picking her up that night. He did not provide her with any excuse, nor did he attempt to make up for lost time on the road. They did not arrive at Marquis Gray’s home until well after six.

The door opened before they even set foot on the porch. “I wasn’t sure you were coming,” Marquis told Sir, ushering Brie in with a slight smile.

“Yet here I am,” Sir answered curtly, following Brie inside.

The conversation between the two Doms remained terse and formal the entire evening. A far cry from the last time they’d visited together. Luckily, Celestia was her gentle and calming self, bringing a needed sense of ease to the gathering. She gladly took Brie’s offering of dessert and directed them to seat themselves at the table.

Humorously, the first course was a Caprese salad. Brie had to stifle a giggle. Evidently both Doms thought alike. Sir was forced to set aside the tomatoes, only eating the mozzarella and basil left on his salad plate.

Marquis kept the conversation going throughout the dinner with questions about Sir’s business, his trip to Japan and his future plans for his consulting business. Sir responded by peppering Marquis with a number of questions. Brie found out that after her documentary came out, the trainer had begun crafting custom floggers. It seemed that a flogger handmade by the now-famous Marquis Gray was quite the “it” item.

When the time for dessert finally came, Brie started wringing her hands under the table. Celestia brought out the covered dish and lifted the lid with a flourish.

Marquis Gray stared at the custard without any expression on his face. “Did you make this, Miss Bennett?”

“I did, Marquis Gray.”

“I find myself too full to eat dessert,” he announced.

“I understand.”

“But I can’t wait to try it,” Celestia exclaimed.

Brie cut the custard pie, noting the light texture. She handed a piece to Celestia, confident it was going to be good. She then cut a small piece for herself and watched in eager anticipation as Celestia brought the custard to her lips.

Ruby lips encased her creation, but the expression on Celestia’s face was not one of pleasure but of shock as she quickly swallowed and put her fork down.

Brie didn’t understand and took her own bite, spitting it out immediately.

Marquis Gray picked up Celestia’s plate and sniffed it, then looked it over carefully, appearing amused. “Perfectly cooked, correct consistency…let me guess, someone mistook salt for sugar.”

Brie let out a little whimper.

“Is that true?” Sir asked her.

Brie’s bottom lip quivered when she answered. “I’m afraid so, Sir. It’s inedible.”

“No, it’s not that bad,” Celestia insisted, picking up her fork and cutting another piece. Marquis grabbed her wrist before she could put it in her mouth, forcibly taking the fork from her.

“I will not let you poison yourself.” He addressed Brie sternly. “Did I not stress numerous times during the cooking session that you must always taste your food? No one, I repeat,
no one
should ever have to eat your mistakes.”

Brie looked down in shame, then turned to Sir when he said her name. She barely had enough courage to look him in the eyes.

Sir’s hard stare was chilling, but then she saw a glimmer of a smile creep across his face before he began chuckling loudly. “As if eggs weren’t bad enough.”

As soon as Marquis and Celestia joined in his laughter, Brie let out a sigh of relief, knowing she’d been forgiven. “I apologize for the custard. I will not make that mistake again.”

“No, Miss Bennett, you will
not,
” Marquis admonished.

Sir held out his arms and Brie gratefully settled into them, resting her head on his chest. “Take it easy on her, Gray. She was doing me a favor.”

Sir took her chin and shook it gently back and forth. “I knew I was getting a non-cook when I collared you, but I failed to realize how deep your ineptitude goes—incredible, simply incredible.”

Brie was grateful when he kissed her on the lips. At least Sir wasn’t holding her honest mistake against her.

“Now that you’ve had your bit of fun, Sir Davis,” Marquis said, “why don’t we retire to the other room and let our subs clean up? There are certain things we need to discuss.”

“If you feel it is necessary,” Sir replied with disdain.

“Critical.”

Sir kissed Brie one more time before getting up. “Thank you for the custard, my dear. It was
exactly
what the doctor ordered.”

Brie watched with concern as Sir followed Marquis into the living room.

“They’ll be fine,” Celestia assured her.

I’m not so sure
, Brie thought as she gathered the plates.

Her worries were confirmed when she returned from the kitchen to hear Sir growl angrily, “What the hell did Brie tell you?”

She cringed at the venomous tone behind the accusation. Celestia came up beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist in support as they listened to the heated exchange.

“She said nothing, Sir Davis,” Marquis Gray answered. “I only had to look at her face to know that things are not well between you.”

“And how is this any of your business?”

“I was her trainer, your colleague and, I thought, your friend. I consider you a rational man, but your current actions dispute that. I understand that you are weighed down by your mother’s situation, but that should not dictate how you relate to the rest of the world.”

“You know nothing.”

“Let me be frank here. You are not the person I used to know.”

Sir roared defiantly, “And you’re not my father, Gray!”

“Damn it, man. You promised to care for and nurture that girl in there. Have you forgotten the vows you made in front of the entire community?”

Sir’s voice had become low and ominous. “I
repeat
, this is none of your business.”

“You’re mistaken to think so. We are a community, Sir Davis. We look out for one another, and I see you starting to spiral out of control. I
must
do something for both your sakes.”

“You’re overstepping the line, here.”

Marquis’ answer was confident and sure. “No, I am not. You must deal head-on with the situation concerning your mother, and include Miss Bennett in the process, or you will lose her.”

“You’re being over-dramatic, Gray.”

“And you’re a blind fool if you believe that.”

“Don’t throw those words around so casually with me,” Sir warned. “I’m not your sub.”

Marquis Gray went for the jugular. “I only suspected you were a fool when you took Miss Bennett during training, but now you’re proving I was correct.”

Sir spat angrily, “And you’ve held that single indiscretion over my head ever since.”

“Your impulsive nature showed a lack of control and common sense.” Marquis added in a tone of disbelief, “To think that as Headmaster you risked the Center’s reputation and your position to
play
with a trainee? It was inconceivable to me.”

Sir’s voice dripped with acid. “Stop with the lecture, old man. You’re not my father.”

“Well someone needs to be, since you’re acting like a child.”

“You’re sorely mistaken if you think a past indiscretion gives you the right to pry into my personal life. I won’t stand for this.”

“Running away, Sir Davis?” Marquis taunted. “I know that has been your
modus operandi
since you were a boy, but it doesn’t work for adults. Demons don’t ‘disappear’ on their own. They must be faced and dealt with.”

The timbre of Sir’s voice was frightening when he replied, “Stop pushing me, Gray, or I will be forced to push back—and I know you better than you think.”

Marquis was unmoved by the threat. “Your response highlights the depths of your spiral. As I stated before, you are not the man I once knew. No wonder Miss Bennett is floundering under your care. The answer is simple. Confront the issue with your mother, or you will destroy everything you have built, including your relationship with Miss Bennett.”

“I will never forget this, Gray,” Sir growled, heading back to the dining room.

Marquis’ sarcastic laugh followed him. “No, I’m sure you won’t, but let’s hope you’re man enough to take heed.”

“Brie!” Sir barked.

She let out the breath she’d been holding and looked apologetically at Celestia before moving to Sir’s side.

“We’re leaving. Gather our things and meet me in the car.” Without looking back, he marched to the front door, slamming it behind him. Brie scurried to pick up her purse and coat, while Celestia covered the custard dish and handed it to her.

Brie took it with shaking hands, a tangled mess of emotions. She froze when she felt Marquis Gray’s firm grip on her shoulder.

“This was unfortunate but necessary, Miss Bennett.”

She nodded, unable to speak.

“Don’t run outside wildly, reflecting your Master’s irrational outburst. Walk to the car with confidence. It is important that you support him through this, but do not become his emotional punching bag. You do not deserve it, and it is not what he needs from you.”

She glanced up at Marquis, the lump in her throat making it difficult to speak. “Thank you, Marquis Gray.”

His encouraging smile calmed her frayed emotions. “We’re all forced to face our demons at some point, Miss Bennett. I believe it is part of God’s plan. Whether we meet them with courage or fearful avoidance is up to the individual, but the consequences of those decisions determine the rest of our lives.”

She clutched the custard dish to her chest, admitting quietly, “I’m afraid for Sir.”

“I trust he will come through this. He is not a weak man.”

“No, he is not,” she agreed vehemently.

The car horn blared from outside.

She jumped, but took a deep breath and nodded to Marquis Gray before walking to the door and opening it. Sir needed her strength. She would give it to him on her terms, because that was what he needed from her.

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