Brie’s Denver Desires (Submissive in Love, #2) (5 page)

“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 Denver Brewery he ordered two of their darkest brew at the bar, then settled beside her at a booth near the window, sliding her 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 started.

“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?”

“We were in the wrong place at the 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, saw an opportunity and attempted to mug her, but when she wouldn’t give up her purse, they beat my baby unconscious. I got there to find her on the pavement, bloody and unresponsive. I rushed her to the hospital but…” He paused, then said 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, kitten.”

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 and looked away. “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 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, then?”

He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m uncertain 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 Academy?”

He chuckled. “I enjoy being in the trainer role. It’s much less formal than the Submissive Training Center, but I appreciate Master Anderson’s vision.”

“He’s no Master Coen.”

“No, he’s not. However, they both have their place.”

Brie smiled at him warmly. “Agreed.”

“Whether it’s fair or not, I will always compare 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 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 nuts! However, I think Sir handled the situation exceptionally well, don’t you?”

His hazel eyes penetrated her 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 over to their table. “Are you ready? It appears I’m to be your entertainment for the evening, young Brie.”

Blast from the Past

B
rie thanked him as she jumped into his massive truck. “Don’t feel you need to take me out, Master Anderson.”

“Oh no, it’s the least I can do. After all, I was the one who wanted to keep your arrival under wraps, so I’m partially to blame that you have no friend 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 him, she knew practically nothing about Master Anderson other than the fact that he was a jokester, as well as 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 downtown and the charm of the horse-drawn carriages on the 16
^th
street mall, before taking her to an older neighborhood lined with tall trees.

He 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 stared at it with a small grin playing on his lips. “I miss that house.”

“So that’s where you used to live, huh?”

“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 loved the surprised looked of subs when I opened the door 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 simply 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 to the yard and he shared, “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, the garden is actually as impressive as the house.”

“Thank you. I’m quite proud of my work.”

“Do you regret giving this place up?”

He looked at her 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 academy.”

“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 his 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 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 it succeeds. 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 as he explained how he wanted his school to adapt to the market. “We’re going to react to the needs of the local community. I invite change, as long we never lose sight of our 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 day…”

She smiled up at him and was surprised to see his face lose all color as a cute little redhead with a large baby bump made her way out the door.

“Pardon me,” the young woman said 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 here and seem to crave it more these days.” She rubbed her belly lovingly. “Thank you for introducing me to this place, Brad. 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 going to night class 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 see 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 lacy outfits for her.”

Brie saw the 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.” There was another long, uncomfortable pause. Amy played nervously 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, offering him moral support. “It looks as if you two didn’t waste any time.”

Amy shrugged. “Who’d have guessed we’d be so compatible?” She caressed her stomach affectionately.

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 eyes went to Brie’s collar again. “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 the redhead’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 said, turning a bright shade of red. She added as she hurried off, “Have a great evening, you two.” Brie saw her look back briefly before she disappeared 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?”