around her gently. “I find myself in new territory, téa.”
She smiled, her cheek pressed against his chest. “How so, Master?”
He paused. “Love is a challenge for me.”
She lay there listening to his heartbeat. Finally, she braved the question she was dying to ask. “Am I your first, Sir?”
He said nothing, but squeezed her against his chest in response.
She didn’t know why, but she suddenly blurted, “I promise to be gentle, Sir.”
He pinched her ass playfully. “ Be gentle… who do you think you are? You deserve to be punished for that.”
She propped herself on his chest, grinning at him. “I wish everyone could be this happy.”
She saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes when he answered, “Yes. Wouldn’t that be ideal?” She wondered if the pained look had something to do with his father. The last thing she wanted was to lose this feeling of closeness. She kissed his shoulder lovingly before laying her head against it. They stayed in that position for a long time, staring at the lights of the city under the warmth of his blanket.
“I’m so happy, Sir. I never want this moment to end.”
His voice rumbled in his chest. “Never wish for stagnancy, Brie. It is important to grow—in our case, to grow together. You may be interested to know that I have just arranged an overseas trip for the two of us.”
She lifted her head. “Overseas, Sir?”
“Yes. It will give Wallace time to regain his senses with you nowhere in reach.”
She couldn’t hide her excitement. “Wow, I’ve never traveled out of the country before, Sir!”
He looked at her questioningly. “Do you have a passport?”
Brie shook her head.
“No matter, we leave in a week which will allow you time to finish up at the shop and get your passport in order.”
“I can’t believe it! Where are we going? I hope it is someplace exotic…”
His laughter was low and tantalizing. “I’m unsure if destination matters. We won’t be getting out much, my dear.”
She bit her lip to stop from giggling. It sounded a lot like a honeymoon. The idea of traveling with Sir as his partner made her weak inside.
“Brie, there is something that concerns me.”
Her bliss instantly disappeared. “What is that, Sir?”
“You have never spoken of your parents.”
Brie let out a sigh of relief. “Well, there’s really not much to say. They’re in Nebraska and live quite ordinary lives, Sir.”
“Tell me about them.”
She smiled, glad his request was something so simple. “Well, my dad’s name is Bill and he’s forty-three. My mom’s name is Marcy and she’s a year younger.” He looked at her expectantly, so she continued. “Dad works as an accountant these days and Mom has been a preschool teacher for years. Really, that’s about it, Sir.”
“Do they know about us?”
She hesitated. “No, Sir.”
“Is there a reason?”
Brie looked at him earnestly. “They wouldn’t understand, Sir.”
“We don’t have to detail our sex lives, Brie. However, they should know that you are in a committed relationship.”
She gave him an uneasy smile. “Sir, I don’t know how my parents will take the news that you are only ten years younger than my dad.”
“Whether they like it or not, they should be told. It is irresponsible to keep them in the dark.”
Brie lowered her eyes, knowing he was right but dreading the confrontation. She nodded her acquiescence.
“I will set up a layover so that I can meet with them in person before we leave the country. Hopefully it will help ease their minds about us.”
She kissed him tenderly on the lips. “I love that you are so thoughtful, Sir.”
“I expect you to call your parents tomorrow and explain that we have been seeing each other for the last six weeks. Do not lie, but keep the details simple.” He looked down at her with a half-smile that made her heart flip-flop. “I am interested in meeting your parents, téa.”
“They’re good people, Sir, but old-fashioned
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