“I am grateful to see you.” The tone of his voice instantly soothed her soul. Tono casually set his tool bag down and held out his arms to her.
Brie pressed her head against Tono’s chest, closing her eyes as she hugged him. It felt as if her soul had suddenly gotten its breath back. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
He pulled back and looked at her tenderly, brushing a strand of her hair from her cheek. In a voice full of gratitude, he stated, “I welcome in this moment with you.”
She looked at him curiously.
Meeting her questioning gaze, he told her, “I was unsure if it would be given to me.”
The pain of everything she’d suffered suddenly came back in waves. In a shaking voice, Brie confessed, “I wasn’t sure either.”
He gently cradled her face in both of his hands, his deep brown eyes absorbing her pain. “I felt the depth of your suffering as if it were my own, toriko.”
“I felt our connection, Tono.” She hesitated before continuing. “It strengthened me when I had nothing left.”
His gaze intensified. “I refused to stop meditating until I heard your voice on the phone.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I wasn’t rescued for eight days.”
Tono nodded. “Autumn provided me with continuous nourishment so I could remain focused on you.” He grazed her cheek with his hand. “I made a vow not to break the connection until you were safe.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I was so scared…”
“I know.”
She looked at him sorrowfully, knowing he had felt the pain of her suffering.
As if Tono could read her thoughts, he told her, “I was honored to share your pain, toriko.” His gentle smile moved her. “And I would do so again without hesitation because I am unwilling to face a world without you in it.”
Brie laid her head back on his chest and closed her eyes, forcing back all the fear and uncertainty she’d endured, as she concentrated on the steady beat of his heart.
Shadow had been constantly rubbing against Tono’s legs the entire time. Tired of being ignored, he finally let out a loud meow.
Tono looked down at the car, stating solemnly, “Thank you, Shadow. You have done well.”
“He’s been watching over the children at night and over me during the day.”
Tono reached down to pet Shadow. “You are a warrior for this family.”
“Yes,” Brie agreed as she studied Tono more closely. Still recovering from the kidney disease that almost took his life, Tono looked healthier than the last time she’d seen him, but she felt he was still suffering on an emotional level. “Are you okay?”
“I am content,” he said, meeting her gaze. When she gave him a doubtful look, he assured her, “I have everything I need—truly.”
Glancing at his tool bag, Tono told her, “I look forward to our session together.”
Brie instantly smiled, longing for the feel of his rope. “I do, too.”
Before starting the session, she asked him, “Would you like me to make some tea before we begin?”
Tono shook his head, chuckling lightly. “Let’s wait to savor it after we’re done. I anticipate that this will be a long session.”
Brie blushed, remembering when she’d interrupted their first rope scene together because she needed to pee. Although she later found out that it had been part of Tono’s lesson that day, she preferred not to repeat it.
While Tono rolled out his jute mat in the center of the room, Brie asked, “Would you rather do it outside like we did last time?”
He shook his head. “No, toriko. We cannot afford any distractions.”
Although she was curious as to why, Brie did not question his reasoning.