Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) by Nicole Edwards (bill gates book recommendations txt) 📕

No sooner had I sent an invite to one of the current Owners for a brief conference call to get an update on the status of their possession than Talon passed by my office door, barking a quick, “Join us. We’re in the conference room.”

Immediately I was on my feet, grabbing my laptop so I could take notes during the morning update. I found it far easier to type the details of these meetings than it was to handwrite them, something I’d recently learned I wasn’t all that fond of.

I strolled into the large conference room just a few feet behind Talon in time to hear Zion say, “Well, boss, you look well rested.”

Instantly I looked away, feeling several eyes shift toward me, including Talon’s.

Talon didn’t look any different than he did every other day. At least in my opinion. However, there was something different about him. He claimed it was my fault. And he’d told me this with a twinkle in his eye. Since the night in the pool, we’d spent every single night together. I was no longer residing in the guest room but had been moved into Talon’s bedroom without even realizing I had been. He’d simply had my clothes moved there. I wasn’t sure what that meant for us as far as a future went, but for right now, I was content to live in the moment.

I’d honestly thought nothing of it, because what was going on between us seemed somehow effortless, despite the rocky start we’d had. It appeared he was accepting I had a learning curve where his lifestyle was concerned. I wouldn’t quite say I was used to seeing him with one of his possessions, but it was no longer as surprising as it had been. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I looked forward to those moments. Especially since I was almost positive Talon was setting them up for my benefit now. Like yesterday, when I’d accidentally walked by the main living room to find Talon reclining in a chair while Sim had been giving him a blow job. I might’ve lingered a little longer than was normal, but hey. It’d been hot.

“Where’s Ransom?” Talon questioned, taking a seat at the head of the conference table and accepting a cup of coffee from Corvin, the possession assigned to him today.

“He’s dealing with an issue,” Zion informed him. “Nothing he can’t handle.”

I watched Talon, wondering if he would question it. After my discussion with my brother, Ransom had confirmed with Talon he would accept the position. Under one condition, of course. My brother was nothing if not a negotiator. He’d insisted his office be relocated to the resort since he would be responsible for overseeing operations. After that, my brother had jumped right in with both feet, and I’d heard him and Talon conversing more than once since then about some major improvements Ransom was looking to make. It appeared Ransom had some interesting suggestions as to how to manage the possessions and the resort better. For a man who was used to being in complete control, I’d say Talon was taking it in stride.

“Who has an update?” Talon prompted as Corvin detoured over to me, offering a cup of coffee.

I knew Talon frowned on it, but I offered a polite, “Thank you,” anyway. Corvin did not say anything, but I thought for a second I saw a hint of pride in his emerald-green eyes. It reminded me of the morning when Bram had been in Talon’s room, the way he had—

“Braelyn? Something on your mind?”

My gaze darted over to Talon and I felt warmth infuse my cheeks. “Huh?”

His eyebrows rose and I saw humor dancing in his eyes.

He’d busted me.

“No, I’m…” I cleared my throat, opened my laptop. “I’m good, thanks.”

Gideon kicked things off. “Laura Dunbar turned in one possession sometime close to dawn. She opted to keep the other for a little while longer, but I don’t think it’ll make much of a difference. If I had to guess, she’s no closer to making a decision than she was the last time she came here.”

Talon did not appear surprised.

“And Brad and Leah?” he asked.

“We could send them home today with their possession,” Zed answered with his easy, laid-back charm. “They’re locked and loaded.”

Talon jotted something on the notepad in front of him. “That’s good news. What about Mr. A?”

I took a sip of coffee, listened to the back-and-forth. Zed Lynch was an interesting man, I’d come to learn. As seemed to be his preference, his long, rangy frame was clad in a comfortable T-shirt, legs covered with denim. He wasn’t wearing his signature cowboy hat, but his dark brown hair was mussed as though he had been.

I liked Zed. Far more than I expected to when I first met the man. He was older than the others, I’d been told. In his late forties, and apparently had a wealth of life experience to go along with his age. Two ex-wives, four grown children, seven grandchildren, two former male partners—how Talon had referred to them—and a number of Professional Bull Rider buckles to signify a life hard-lived.

According to what I’d learned, the Texas-born country boy had come to stay on Sapphire island two months ago after he’d made his first visit and left empty-handed. After another week on the app, interacting with a few possessions who’d captured his attention while he was here, Zed had approached Talon with a request for a longer-term stay. At that point, Talon had listened to his reasons and conceded to his request. According to Talon, Zed had not found what he was looking for yet, and he’d admitted he wasn’t sure he would. When I attempted to get more details, he hadn’t elaborated.

“And the others?” Talon asked.

While Gideon went into his lengthy update regarding the status of the Owners currently visiting, my attention shifted to Talon. I enjoyed watching