Brie Learns Restraint (After Graduation, #5) (10 page)

She hadn’t expected such treatment from the gentle Dom. Brie responded solemnly, “Yes, my sage-like Tono.”

“Better,” he replied. He pulled the kimono down and helped her off his lap.

She picked up her bowl of rice and began to eat, attempting to hide the smile on her lips. He certainly was not what she’d expected.

Brie arrived at the Training Center early to make sure she was ready for Marquis’ interview. It would not do to keep the trainer waiting, especially when he’d already done so much to help her with this documentary.

She went to the receptionist at the front desk. “Hi. Can you tell me if Marquis Gray has arrived?”

The young woman smiled. “Actually, he has not, Miss Bennett.”

“Would it be all right if I—”

“Fancy meeting you here.”

Brie’s heart nearly stopped at the sound of Faelan’s voice. She whispered to the receptionist, “Call Headmaster Coen up immediately.”

Faelan sounded genuinely hurt. “Why, Brie? Are you really so cold to me now?”

She turned around slowly, but did not speak.

His blue eyes locked onto hers, so she instantly looked to the floor.

“You have haunted me, blossom. Every waking moment since that damn collaring ceremony.”

Brie edged towards the elevator. Unfortunately, Faelan did not take the hint and followed her.

“You haunt my dreams as well.”

She gasped, made a beeline for the elevator and mashed the down button several times. The mention of dreams had Brie envisioning the lustful dream encounters she’d had with the Dom.

“I know you still think about me, Brie. I can feel it…especially at night.”

She shook her head violently, staring at the elevator doors, willing Master Coen to show.

“What are you doing, Mr. Wallace?”

Brie breathed a sigh of relief at the welcomed sound of Marquis Gray’s voice.

“I came to reschedule our next session and came across Miss Bennett at the front desk.”

“Why would you attempt to engage her?”

“I needed to speak with Brie.”

“You have been instructed not to, and everything about her posture shouts her discomfort. Take heed.”

At that moment, the elevator doors opened to Master Coen’s impressive presence. Marquis guided Brie inside. “Take her down, Headmaster. I will join Miss Bennett in a few minutes.”

Brie glanced up as the doors closed. Faelan was staring her down, his eyes dark with lust.

“Unfortunate timing,” Headmaster Coen stated.

Brie nodded and the two stood in silence until the doors opened to the lower floor.

“I was in a meeting. Go ahead and set up your camera in the room I designated for this interview while you wait for Marquis Gray.”

“Thank you, Headmaster,” Brie said as she bowed respectfully.

He huffed and headed back down the hallway, mumbling to himself, “This is getting absolutely preposterous.”

Brie went directly to the small classroom she’d been given to interview Marquis. She set the camera on the tripod first and then erected her light reflectors, adjusting them several times until she was satisfied. Next, she got out her list of questions and read over them a multitude of times, gradually getting more nervous as time passed.

She waited a full half-hour before Marquis joined her. His stern countenance let her know not to question him about Faelan. “Would you please sit here, Marquis Gray?” she asked, pointing to the seat.

He did so, stating stiffly, “I apologize for the lateness.”

Brie smiled, trying to lighten his dark mood. “I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today.”

“Let’s begin,” he instructed, not allowing time for any small talk.

Brie turned on her camera and made a few last-minute adjustments before sitting down next to it, so that it would appear as if Marquis was speaking to the camera when he answered her questions.

“First, I want to thank you for meeting with me today, Marquis Gray.”

“My pleasure, Miss Bennett,” he replied, without a smile.

She jumped into interviewer mode, not wanting to waste a second of his time. “I am sure many are curious about how one becomes a trainer for the Center.”

“It is not something you strive for. The Submissive Training Center looks for individuals who show extensive skill in a particular area. However, they must also have the patience needed to work with students.”

“May I ask how you came to work at the Center, then?”

“Headmaster Coen, who was simply a trainer at the time, noted my flogging skills and felt I would be a good match to be on the panel of trainers. I was not interested, until there was an incident with an inexperienced submissive at a club I frequented. I did not witness the abuse myself, but I saw the aftereffects. I regret I was not able to help the young woman, but I determined then that I would make it my mission to empower submissives so that such maltreatment would cease.”

“Can you elaborate on the incident, Marquis Gray?”

He raised his eyebrow. “Suffice to say the girl was permanently hurt. That is all I will say about it.”

Brie knew better than to push the trainer, and went to her next question. “May I ask how you became a Dominant in the first place?”

“I come from a large family with eleven siblings. I noticed early on that the religious beliefs my parents subscribed to valued appearances more than reality. I could not accept such duality.” A slight smile haunted his lips. “Instead, I sought inner enlightenment through pain, similar to the monks of old. Once I’d achieved a sense of self, I desired to help others attain it.”

“How old were you?”

His eyes pierced her when he answered. “I was ten.”

Brie’s jaw dropped, but she quickly recovered. “When did you have your first scene with another person?”

“I was thirteen. The girl was seventeen. She was lost. I aided her in regaining her inner purpose.”

Brie had not expected such an answer, and had to think fast on her feet. “How do you feel pain helped her to achieve that?”

“A person’s tolerance for pain varies with the individual, but there is a point common to all where pain forces you to focus on the present. Too much pain and that focus is lost. However, if you can maintain the correct level, you can keep a person at a point of awareness that is enlightening. Initially, that was my goal when I started flogging. However, I quickly realized the sexual allure of pain for many. I enjoy delivering both.”

Brie’s loins trembled—she knew very well the pleasure he was capable of delivering. She cleared her throat self-consciously. “Going back to what you said earlier, you mentioned that your family is religious. Does that mean you believe in God, Marquis Gray?”

He stared straight into her soul. “Yes, I believe in a higher being.”

Again, she was stunned by his answer. She’d never considered that practitioners of BDSM would also believe in God. “What religion are you…if I may ask?”

“I do not follow any conventional religion, Miss Bennett. Religions are far too concerned with judgment for me to have any interest.”

“I see.” Brie was floundering. This was not the direction she’d thought the interview would go. She looked at her sheet and asked the next question on it, realizing how horribly unqualified she was to give such an interview. All she could think was,
Poor Marquis…

With feigned confidence, she asked, “Marquis Gray, having worked with you personally, I was struck by your ability to…for lack of a better word, read my mind. Is that a skill you have learned due to your exposure with so many subs, or does it come naturally?”

“I do not read minds, Miss Bennett. I discern intent and motivation.”

“Have you always been able to do that?”

“Yes.”

Brie felt a nervous flutter in her stomach at the thought of Marquis reading people even as a young boy. “That is fascinating. You must have been an interesting child growing up.”

Although his expression did not change, she could tell by the way he shifted in his chair that it was not something he wanted to discuss. Mr. Holloway had asked for more intimate details from the subs, but he hadn’t said anything about the trainers. It didn’t feel appropriate to force the issue.

Moving to something light and generic, she asked, “What is your favorite aspect of being a trainer at the Center?”

“That moment a submissive embraces the totality of what and who they are. Once they reach that level of understanding, they are empowered to live out their lives without compromise.”

She was struck by the empathy Marquis had for the students. It was more than simple training; he was truly passionate about improving the lives of the submissives he worked with. She couldn’t help wondering if that was the case for all of the trainers. If so, what would she learn about Ms. Clark when she interviewed her the next day?

“So the training that the school provides goes beyond training submissives to master particular tasks?”

“The sole purpose of the Center is to train and educate dedicated submissives so they can realize their full potential. That cannot be achieved by merely learning ‘tricks’, Miss Bennett. It is a lifetime objective that requires a complete understanding of one’s strengths, weaknesses, and personal needs.”

She was grateful he had so clearly and eloquently expressed her own experience at the Training Center. “Marquis Gray, I am sure many people are interested to learn what fulfillment you get from flogging a female submissive.”

His smile was disarming. She knew women were going to eat it up. “I enjoy the exchange of power, Miss Bennett. Knowing that she trusts me enough to lay down her needs and desires for mine is exhilarating. I also derive pleasure from helping her transform the stimulus I give into something sensuous and beautiful. The connection with her during the scene is unique and cannot be duplicated in any other setting.”

The sensations she’d experienced during their many sessions together flooded her mind, and she found herself blushing. Brie fiddled with the equipment to distract herself, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

“Turn off the camera, Miss Bennett.”

Brie did so immediately, groaning inside. Why was he able to read her thoughts—
no, correct that
—her intent and motivations so easily?

Marquis was not smiling. “This conversation is not meant for public consumption.” He moved his chair closer to her before he spoke. “Mr. Wallace is woefully misguided in his conduct, but I understand his motivation. I believe today’s encounter necessitates a formal meeting between you two in order to end the unnecessary drama his infatuation is causing. I will speak to both Sir Davis and Tono Nosaka after we finish here.”

The idea of meeting with Faelan had Brie spiraling out of control. Marquis gazed into her tortured eyes. “There is no need for concern, Miss Bennett. I am personally mentoring Wallace and have suggested counseling to help him move beyond his past. It is the root of his unhealthy obsession with you. I thought he was further along—however, his behavior today refutes that. It must be confronted.”

“Will Sir be at the meeting, Marquis?”

“My opinion is that it should happen sooner rather than later. I believe the connection he has with you can be severed cleanly if done in a timely manner.”

“I will only meet with Mr. Wallace if Sir agrees, Marquis Gray. Even if you and Tono punish me for it, I will not without my Master’s approval.”

Marquis chuckled. “You are feisty but devoted. It pleases me to see it, Miss Bennett. Unfortunately, time is short. This interview is over. However, I was told by Headmaster Coen that you are looking to film a scene with a trainer. I am willing. Did you have a particular submissive in mind?”

Brie’s mouth curved into a smile. “If I had my choice, I would choose Lea Taylor.”

“I will inform Ms. Taylor after class tonight then. I assume you want to film a session with the flogger?” He gave her an amused look. “Unless you’d prefer her to receive a good caning.”

Lucky Lea…
Brie wasn’t sure she could handle watching a sexy scene with Marquis and Lea without imploding, but she knew that it would serve her documentary well. “A flogging session would be perfect, Marquis Gray. Thank you.”

Marquis stood up and shook her hand formally. As he was leaving, he threw out an offhand comment without bothering to look back. “Be sure to bring a towel, Miss Bennett.”