Page 58 of Slave

That was where I’d run into Daren.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I felt Brianna enter the room. When my eyes located her, the memory of her naked and in my arms came flooding back to me even though she was now fully dressed in yoga pants and a fitted T-shirt.

Her eyes were focused on the floor as she walked tentatively toward me in the kitchen. Swallowing, I tried to get a hold of myself.

When she reached the island, I placed the sandwich in front of her. “Eat your lunch, Brianna.”

Originally I’d planned on sitting beside her at the counter as we’d done many times over the last few weeks, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself if I attempted that at the moment. So instead I ate my sandwich standing up at the counter, keeping several feet between us.

She ate in silence, as did I. We needed to talk about today, about everything, but I just couldn’t. I needed my wits about me, and she needed me to be calm. Right now I was anything but.

When she finished, I took her plate along with mine and put them in the dishwasher. Turning back to face her, I saw silent tears flowing down her cheeks. Without a second thought I was moving toward her and wrapping her in my arms. “Why are you crying, love?”

She shook her head. “Please don’t be angry with me, Master. I’ll do better, I promise.”

Instinctively my arms held her tighter. “I’m not angry with you.”

“But . . . ,” she said in a strangled voice.

“Shh,” I whispered, taking in the lovely scent of coconut now covering her skin. “Are you tired?” She nodded. Pulling back enough to see her face, I placed a kiss on her forehead and said, “Go take a nap. When you wake up we’ll talk about what happened today.”

I felt her stiffen, but she dutifully answered, “Yes, Master.”

She began to get down from her stool, but I caught her by the chin. “You are not in trouble, Brianna.” After nodding she walked toward her bedroom and disappeared.

I stood looking at the door to her room for several minutes before heading upstairs. Looking at the clock, I debated whether or not to call Logan. It was the weekend and I hated to disturb them, but I needed to talk to someone. Before I could stop myself, I picked up the phone and dialed.

Logan picked up on the second ring. “Hello?”

“Logan, it’s Stephan.”

“Hey, Stephan.” Then concern laced his voice. “Everything okay?

“No.”

“Are you at your place? We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

He laughed. “You didn’t ask. I offered. Besides we’re just finishing up here anyway, and I know Lily would love to see Brianna.”

“All right.”

I hung up the phone and took a deep cleansing breath. Maybe Logan and Lily would have some idea how to handle this situation. I knew Brianna and I needed to talk about so many things, but maybe having Lily here would help put her mind at ease for a while.

After straightening my desk, I went downstairs to wait for Logan and Lily. Exactly thirty minutes later, I heard a knock on the door.

Before I’d even opened it all the way, Lily was bouncing through the door. She took a quick look around and then turned on me. “Where is she?”

By this time Logan had made his way inside as well.

I shut the door as I answered her. “She’s taking a nap. We had a long morning.”

“What did you do, Stephan?”

I felt slightly offended, even though I knew she was right. It was my fault. “Why does it have to be something I’ve done?”

“Because I know you.”

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