The man was intimidating because of his uncanny ability to see straight into her soul. So, it was with some trepidation that she opened the door to welcome him in.
Feeling uncomfortably vulnerable in his presence, she immediately lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze and stammered, “I didn’t realize you were coming to visit.”
“I was actually headed to a meeting but felt a calling to come here instead.” When she failed to reply, Marquis Gray stated warmly, “There is no reason to fear me, pearl.”
Brie glanced up, surprised he had called her by the pet name he’d used when she was training at the Center. It instantly brought back memories of her first session with him and his flogger.
She had never forgotten that the talented Dom had been able to open her eyes to the depth of her inner power during that scene.
“May I come in?”
“Of course,” she replied, embarrassed by her lack of decorum. Opening the door wider, she gestured for him to enter.
“I am surprised to see you here, Gray,” Sir stated, walking out of his office.
The ghostly pale Dom nodded. “I felt a sudden urge to stop by.”
Glancing at Brie, Sir asked her, “Are you comfortable having visitors, babygirl?”
Although it was unsettling to be near Marquis Gray, she deeply respected the man. He had always been kind and encouraging to her.
“Honestly, no,” she answered. Raising her gaze, she looked directly into the trainer’s eyes. “However, I will make an exception for Marquis Gray.”
He surprised her by flashing a rare smile. “I am glad to hear it.”
“Would you two like some privacy?” Sir asked them.
Marquis turned to Brie. “Actually, I was wondering if Mrs. Davis would like to take a walk on the beach.”
She smiled shyly, happy for the suggestion. “That would be a welcomed distraction, Marquis Gray.”
“Fine,” Sir replied. “I’ll return to my office then.”
Hope peeked her head out and stared at Marquis with wide eyes.
The trainer chuckled. “I see you have an assistant working with you.”
Sir glanced back at his daughter and smiled tenderly. “Both children have proved an invaluable addition to my staff.”
Brie explained to Marquis, “Sir has been watching over the children while I…recover.”
Marquis nodded. “I would expect no less from Sir Davis.”
Wasting no time, Marquis Gray held out his arm to Brie. “Shall we?”
She nodded, glancing back at Sir nervously as they left.
Her handsome Master picked up Hope and held her hand, waving it at Brie. “Enjoy your walk, Mommy.”
It was so adorable that Brie giggled.
She could never have imagined that the serious Dom who first collared her would make such a devoted family man. Brie instantly thought of Alonzo and realized she was catching a glimpse of the father Sir once knew and loved. It was a beautiful testament to the man that his fathering skills lived on in his son.
Marquis opened the door and guided Brie through it. “Why don’t we take our shoes off so we can properly enjoy the sand?”
Brie smiled shyly, surprised by his suggestion. Quickly slipping off her sandals, she offered to help him with his dress shoes.
“Certainly, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie knelt to untie the laces of his shoes. Setting them to the side, she removed his socks, stuffing them in the shoes.
“Thank you.”
She smiled at him as she stood back up. “My pleasure, Marquis Gray.”
“You may call me Asher.”
Brie stared at him, trying to hide her shock. The trainer seldom allowed people to call him by his given name. “Thank you…Asher.”
He nodded, holding out his arm to her again.
Together, they headed toward the waterline before starting down the beach. Marquis was silent for a long time, leaving Brie to wonder why he had come.
The other beachgoers couldn’t help staring at Marquis as they passed. “It’s not often you see a man dressed in a suit walking down the beach,” Brie joked, finally breaking the silence.
Marquis nodded curtly to the female jogger gawking at him as she ran by. To Brie, he said, “Had I known where the day was headed, I would have chosen more casual clothing, I assure you.”
Brie giggled. “Well, you certainly look distinguished, Marquis—” Instantly correcting herself, she amended, “I mean, Asher.”
He looked down at his pale feet and said in a serious tone, “I ought to lay out more.”
Brie strained to hold back the laughter as she envisioned the ghostly pale trainer tanning on the beach in a Speedo.
“It’s okay to laugh, Mrs. Davis. I meant it as a joke.”
She burst out in giggles. “I love your sense of humor. It’s so understated that it hits you when you least expect it.”
He patted her hand as they continued to walk down the beach. What started as uncomfortable silence soon became a tranquil communion as they followed the water line together.
Finally, he asked, “How are you doing—really?”
Brie shivered as the horrors she experienced instantly came flooding back. She took a moment to answer him. “I’m struggling, Asher.”
“It’s only natural after the trauma you’ve suffered, but I sense…”
She looked at him, suddenly feeling as if she couldn’t breathe.
“…there’s something more.”
Tears pricked her eyes when she confessed, “I think I’m going crazy.”
Marquis furrowed his brow. “How so?”
Brie’s throat closed up, leaving her to struggle to force out the words. “I can’t make it stop.” The melody suddenly started up again, louder than before. She put her hands to her ears, trying to drown out the lyrics.
“I just want the song to stop!” she screamed.
“Look at me,” Marquis commanded.
When she failed to obey him, he took her hands and lowered them to her sides. “Look at me, pearl.”
Brie opened her eyes, unable to hide her agony.
Marquis didn’t flinch when Brie met his powerful gaze.
She started trembling uncontrollably, the intensity of his gaze almost too painful to bear.
With time, however, she noticed the lyrics becoming more distant. Marquis did not release her from his gaze until the hateful song had completely faded away.
Brie blinked several times and then cried in relief, “It’s gone!”
Marquis nodded, urging her to continue walking with him. They headed down the beach as if nothing had happened. Soon, the tranquility she’d felt before returned.
“How did you do that, Asher?”
“I did nothing. I simply helped you focus until you were able to drown it out yourself.”
She shook her head. “But I’ve been trying to do that ever since I came back. I even told my therapist about it and he wasn’t able to help.”
“You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Marquis insisted.
She felt the prickling sensation she associated with important moments in her life and repeated his words to herself.
You are much stronger than you give yourself credit for.
“I knew it the moment we met,” Marquis Gray continued.