She smiled, still surprised that he could read her so well. “Maybe…”
Sir chuckled lightly. “I remembered when Wallace used the blindfold during your first scene together.” Turning to her, he said, “I feel confident the familiarity you have with him will aid you significantly in this challenge. However, I also believe he may benefit from this encounter as well.”
“That would make me happy, Sir.”
Sir smiled, kissing her on the head. “I knew it would.”
Concerned for Sir, she asked, “You’re not uncomfortable with this arrangement?”
“Not at all. Are you afraid I might suffer feelings of jealousy?”
“Possibly,” she answered, knowing his mother’s actions had impacted Sir’s ability to trust others.
Sir caressed her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. “The only way another man could steal your heart is if I have failed you in some way—and I will not fail you, babygirl.
“My condor,” Brie murmured, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.
“As with the last encounter, I will remain in my office unless you call for me.” He started to walk away but then turned to address her. “One thing I want you to remember—Wallace is here to encourage your healing. I know you care about him, but his well-being is not your responsibility.”
Brie nodded. “I appreciate the reminder, Sir.”
She knelt in the foyer to prepare herself mentally before Faelan’s arrival, but she was taken by surprise when he knocked on the backdoor before scooting inside.
“Davis advised me to avoid the front entrance because of the reporters,” he explained, placing his tool bag on the floor.
Brie was surprised to see he was dressed in a dark blue business suit. It was stylish and formal, not casual like she was expecting.
She gazed into his blue eyes, struck by how authentic his false one was. If she hadn’t known he’d lost it as gruesome payment for Rytsar’s life, she would never have suspected the pain he’d endured at the hands of the Koslov brothers. She had come to admire his courage even more after all she had been through recently.
Brie bowed to him in respect. “Thank you for coming, Faelan.”
“Before we begin, I think it’s important you and I talk,” he stated.
Her heart skipped a beat, concerned that Faelan might ask questions she was unwilling to answer.
“Sit beside me,” he insisted, heading to the couch. He unbuttoned his jacket before sitting down. Smiling at her, he told her, “I am not going to pry, but I want to ask a few questions—as a friend.”
Brie nodded, grateful he wanted them to speak as equals. She studied Faelan as she approached, noting that his cheeks were no longer hollow and the circles under his eyes not nearly as pronounced. She took it as a positive sign.
“How is your daughter?” she asked him.
Faelan actually grinned. “Kaylee is the sweetest baby. So even-tempered and easy-going. She’s all smiles.” He shook his head. “I remember when all she did was scream. God, I couldn’t handle all that crying. But I think…”
He paused for a moment, pain flitting across his face. “I believe she somehow sensed that her mother was dead, and her father had abandoned her.”
Brie reached out to him. “You were simply grieving for your wife.”
He frowned. “Kaylee couldn’t know that, could she?” He sighed, “Anyway, today is about you, not me.”
Switching gears, he asked, “How have you been adjusting?”
Brie met his ocean blue gaze, knowing he would understand on a level most could not. “I will never be the same.”
He nodded in agreement.
“But, with Sir’s guidance, I am learning to navigate the trauma I’ve experienced.”
He snarled, “Thank God that place burned to the ground. Talk about hell on Earth.”
Her stomach twisted into knots. “It was…”
Faelan put his arms around her. “You will be whole again, blossom. We both will.”
She nodded, wanting to believe him. Neither Faelan nor she deserved the hands they’d been dealt in life. However, they were survivors, and they had a community that would stand beside them.
“Are you ready for today’s session?” he asked quietly.
Brie was about to say yes, but she suddenly felt nervous.
“What has you spooked?”
“I asked to try the blindfold again, and Sir and I discussed it at great length. However, I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t worried it might trigger me again.”
“You are safe with me, blossom.” He put his finger under her chin and looked into her eyes. “I want you to feel empowered by our session.”
Brie nodded. “I want that, too.”
Faelan took off his jacket and laughed when he saw the stain on his shirt. “Baby spit up,” he explained.
“I think it makes you more attractive.”
“I doubt most women would agree but thank you,” he chuckled as he unbuttoned his shirt and cast it aside.
Faelan produced a long white feather and asked with a wolfish grin, “Are you ready to play, blossom?”
“I am, Faelan,” she answered with growing confidence.
“First, you will undress, but I want you to leave your panties on.”
Why she felt shy undressing in front of him when he had seen her naked many times before was a mystery to her. But his gentle gaze calmed her nerves.
Brie set her clothes in a neat pile and waited for his next command.
“Bow at my feet.”
Brie felt butterflies, remembering their first encounter when he had surprised her with a blindfold, cuffs, and a large feather. She had secretly laughed at him, thinking they were such vanilla choices, but he had completely won her over by the end of their session.
For this scene, however, Brie had opted not to include the cuffs. She only felt comfortable testing her limits with the blindfold.
Faelan slipped off his shoes and socks, so he was left wearing only his dress pants. He still looked thin, his body reflecting the ravages of his grief, but he remained handsome with his blond hair and that easy grin.
Soon, however, his grin faltered, and Brie immediately picked up on his uneasiness. He chuckled uncomfortably, explaining. “This is the first time since…”
Brie looked at him with compassion. “We’ll help each other through our scene.”
He nodded, taking control again. “Lie with me, blossom.”
Brie lay down on the floor beside Faelan. The smell of him was familiar and comforting.
Picking up the large feather, he asked, “Do you consent?”
She purred, drawn to its fluffy whiteness. “I do.”
“Let’s begin with your eyes open. Stay still.”
Brie nodded and didn’t move as Faelan guided the feather over her skin. The light touch of the feather caused her nipples to harden. It was exquisitely ticklish, making it difficult to remain still.
Faelan’s grin returned. He knew the playful torment he was causing. When he felt she was ready, he commanded, “Now, I want you to close your eyes.”
Brie readily obeyed, remembering how different the feather felt when she couldn’t see it. It was as if the simple feather became an entirely new instrument.