Brie's Russian Fantasy (After Graduation, #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

of protocol’, another might see as a fated encounter,” Sir responded.
    Marquis shook his head as he opened the door. “Regardless of whether I agree with you or not, I wish you both safe travels. Miss Bennett, I hope you will visit again soon. I am sure my sub will enjoy your tales of Russia.”
    “Thank you, Marquis Gray. Please tell Celestia how happy I am to see her looking so well.”
    “I shall. The same can be said for us. It is good to see you thriving, Miss Bennett.”
    The drive home was agreeably quiet. Sir seemed as satisfied by the night’s events as she was. It pleased Brie that he had openly acknowledged his feelings for her in front of Marquis. Although Sir hadn’t used the L word, the meaning was the same. She assumed it was a big step for him.
    The night still had one pleasant surprise left. After they returned to the apartment, Sir told her to work on editing her film while he polished a presentation he was to give the next day.
    They sat on the couch beside each other with their computers. It was so pleasant and sweet that Brie decided to google something she’d been curious about. Sir had once told her that he was a condor, and said it with such tenderness that she knew it held significance to him. She typed in the word ‘condor’.
    Brie glanced over the stats of the bird, noting that she had been right. They were a type of vulture—not sexy in the least. However, the California condor was the largest bird in North America. It wasn’t until she got to the behavior of the creature that she finally grasped Sir’s meaning. She was surprised to learn the birds lived to be incredibly old—like fifty to sixty years—and the males waited until they were sexually mature before picking a female. Her heart skipped a beat when she read the words, ‘condors mate for life’. That was what he’d meant!
    ‘I’m a condor’ had to be the most romantic thing she’d ever heard.
    She glanced at Sir, hardly able to contain her joy.
    He looked up from his screen and smiled. “What?”
    “You’re a condor, Sir.”
    He raised his eyebrow. “Yes, I am.”
    She smiled shyly. “I’m a condor, too.”

I’m a Condor

    S ir rang the doorbell and told Brie to stop fidgeting. “You will do fine,” he promised, just as the door opened.
    Brie tensed when she saw Marquis Gray. It had only been a couple of weeks, but she had forgotten what a commanding presence he had until those dark eyes greeted her. She quickly looked down, not wanting to be reprimanded.
    “Well, isn’t this a nice surprise?”
    “I doubt you could call it a surprise when you demanded we come,” Sir replied with a smirk.
    “No need to speak of it to Celestia. I wouldn’t want her to feel she was a burden to anyone.”
    “I suspect she is not the problem,” Sir murmured as he held up the dish he’d prepared. “This is for later. My sub is going to make you an appetizer first.”
    Through hooded eyes, she watched Marquis for his reaction. She did not miss the look of revulsion that flitted across his face. “How kind of you.”
    She wasn’t sure if he was speaking to Sir or to her, so she kept her head down. She was determined not to fail him—or Sir.
    “But first, you two really must see Celestia. She has been cooped up here since I brought her home from the hospital after the surgery, and she is in dire need of company.”
    Brie followed Sir as Marquis led them through the house. It looked like a model home one saw in magazines. Tall, vaulted ceilings, an expansive fireplace, tons of perfectly placed knick-knacks. Not what she had imagined for Marquis at all. It made her wonder if Celestia had been the decorator. If so, she was quite talented. The place maintained a homey and inviting feel, despite its perfection.
    Marquis took them to the great room. It was equally impressive, with its wall of books, large screen TV, and huge bay window. The room had it all, including a smiling Celestia, who was lying on the couch.
    “May