She smiled shyly, happy for the suggestion. “That would be a welcomed distraction, Marquis Gray.”
“Fine,” Sir replied. “I’ll return to my office then.”
Hope peeked her head out and stared at Marquis with wide eyes.
The trainer chuckled. “I see you have an assistant working with you.”
Sir glanced back at his daughter and smiled tenderly. “Both children have proved an invaluable addition to my staff.”
Brie explained to Marquis, “Sir has been watching over the children while I…recover.”
Marquis nodded. “I would expect no less from Sir Davis.”
Wasting no time, Marquis Gray held out his arm to Brie. “Shall we?”
She nodded, glancing back at Sir nervously as they left.
Her handsome Master picked up Hope and held her hand, waving it at Brie. “Enjoy your walk, Mommy.”
It was so adorable that Brie giggled.
She could never have imagined that the serious Dom who first collared her would make such a devoted family man. Brie instantly thought of Alonzo and realized she was catching a glimpse of the father Sir once knew and loved. It was a beautiful testament to the man that his fathering skills lived on in his son.
Marquis opened the door and guided Brie through it. “Why don’t we take our shoes off so we can properly enjoy the sand?”
Brie smiled shyly, surprised by his suggestion. Quickly slipping off her sandals, she offered to help him with his dress shoes.
“Certainly, Mrs. Davis.”
Brie knelt to untie the laces of his shoes. Setting them to the side, she removed his socks, stuffing them in the shoes.
“Thank you.”
She smiled at him as she stood back up. “My pleasure, Marquis Gray.”
“You may call me Asher.”
Brie stared at him, trying to hide her shock. The trainer seldom allowed people to call him by his given name. “Thank you…Asher.”
He nodded, holding out his arm to her again.
Together, they headed toward the waterline before starting down the beach. Marquis was silent for a long time, leaving Brie to wonder why he had come.
The other beachgoers couldn’t help staring at Marquis as they passed. “It’s not often you see a man dressed in a suit walking down the beach,” Brie joked, finally breaking the silence.
Marquis nodded curtly to the female jogger gawking at him as she ran by. To Brie, he said, “Had I known where the day was headed, I would have chosen more casual clothing, I assure you.”
Brie giggled. “Well, you certainly look distinguished, Marquis—” Instantly correcting herself, she amended, “I mean, Asher.”
He looked down at his pale feet and said in a serious tone, “I ought to lay out more.”
Brie strained to hold back the laughter as she envisioned the ghostly pale trainer tanning on the beach in a Speedo.
“It’s okay to laugh, Mrs. Davis. I meant it as a joke.”
She burst out in giggles. “I love your sense of humor. It’s so understated that it hits you when you least expect it.”
He patted her hand as they continued to walk down the beach. What started as uncomfortable silence soon became a tranquil communion as they followed the water line together.