you.”
“If they had reacted any different, I would have been concerned. They love you and want to protect you. That is a healthy response in my estimation.”
Brie leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You’re a good man, Sir.”
He chuckled lightly. “And now that we have that over, our trip can begin. I hope you’re ready, little sub.” His smirk made the butterflies start again.
Oh, Master…
Sir’s Past
W hen they boarded the overseas jet, Brie’s mouth fell open. She had never been on a plane so humongous before. Sir escorted her to a first class seat. She giggled as she went to sit down. She had never thought she’d fly first class—ever.
On the seat she found a blanket, an eye mask, slippers and even premium bottled water. She gathered all of them in her arms and smiled at Sir. “I feel so special.”
He chuckled. “You’re easily satisfied.”
Sir stuffed his items in the seat pocket in front of him. Brie followed suit. Then she started playing with the button on her chair. Instead of the seat only going back a fraction of an inch, this one kept going and going until she was practically lying down. She giggled at Sir. “It’s like a bed!”
He had an amused look on his face. “You might want to put that up, Brie. People are still boarding the plane.”
She immediately adjusted the seat back and looked out of the window at the workers below. They were busy loading the last of the luggage. “I can’t believe I’m going to another country, Sir.”
“I am sure this will be the first of many trips. I suspect you’ll be traveling often when you’re filming.”
She turned to him, filled with gratitude. “You think I’ll succeed, don’t you?”
“I never had a doubt after watching your entrance video.”
She blushed. “Well…that one doesn’t really count. It was a stationary camera shot. Not my best work.”
“I disagree. It was an award-worthy short.”
She giggled again, burying her head in his shoulder. Brie lay against him until the plane was ready to take off. She looked out of the window when the engines started. “I love this part. The roar of the engine, the shaking of the plane, and then that sick little feeling you get when you first lose contact with the ground.” Brie sighed happily. “I love flying!”
“We’ll see how much you love it ten hours from now.”
She looked at him and smiled. “Sir, anywhere with you is lovely.”
He shook his head, but she saw the slight upturn to his lips.
Once the plane was in the air, Sir put his seat all the way back. She followed his lead, turning towards him so she could stare at his handsome face.
“Don’t just stare at me, Brie.”
She looked away, embarrassed. “I can’t help it, Sir.”
He chuckled softly. “Make conversation then.”
With permission given, Brie gazed at him again but was silent for a moment. Her heart thumped in her chest as she built up courage to say the one thing that had been bothering her since their visit with her family.
“Sir, my parents seem to know more about your past than I do.”
He looked at her with a somber expression. “Yes, it is unfair to you.”
She didn’t press further, but she waited expectantly.
He took a deep breath but then said nothing. Minutes passed in strained silence. Brie consoled herself that he still wasn’t ready to talk about it. She was surprised when he finally spoke.
“You should know that my parents were envied when they were young. The two complemented each other like the sun complements the moon. He shone with brilliance; she equaled him in her loving reflection.” He smiled, as if he was remembering something treasured.
But his smile faltered as he continued, “Unfortunately, my mother grew jealous of his fame, no longer content to act as his reflection. She found power in cheating on him behind his back. I became aware of her infidelity when I was thirteen, but I kept it hidden, thinking I was protecting him…” Sir paused.
David Farland
MR. PINK-WHISTLE INTERFERES
Leigh Bale
Alastair Reynolds
Georgia Cates
Erich Segal
Lynn Viehl
Kristy Kiernan
L. C. Morgan
Kimberly Elkins