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

reasons, obviously—so I figured it was best to get everything I needed now.

When I returned, I found Jasper had gotten comfortable on the chair, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say he was relaxed. His muscles were tense, his cock already hard. It was nice to see his excitement. I hadn’t tied him up since that first night, but I’d thought about it endlessly. Now that we were back on even ground, settling into a rather comfortable routine as though we hadn’t lost nine years of our lives due to stupidity on both our parts, I figured there was no better time than now to add some spice to our lives.

When the grill was at the right temperature, I laid the steaks out on the grates, closed the lid.

Now it was time for the fun part.

I took my time getting him strapped down, utilizing the various hooks located on the bottom edge of the chair. Criss-crossing the rope, I ensured it was tight enough to tantalize but not so tight as to cut off circulation. Because the rope was coarse, I played around with options, changing it up. All the while, Jasper remained perfectly still with the exception of his rapidly expanding chest.

When I was finished, I stepped back, admired my handiwork. “You look good like that.”

I left him momentarily, heading back to the grill. Not so much because I needed to but to let him stew for a few minutes, getting used to the coarse fibers that restrained his arms, legs, hips, ankles. I’d pulled one length across his groin, which coincidentally brushed on his cock with every breath he took.

“I thought I smelled something cooking out here,” Gideon said as he appeared, strolling toward me with two possessions trailing behind him, one of which was Cody.

“Nice night for a cookout,” I told him.

Gideon’s eyes snagged on Jasper and he took a moment to admire.

“Very nice,” he said with a soft whistle. “You’re rather skilled.”

“I’ve been practicing,” I lied, wanting Jasper to hear my teasing tone.

“Mind if we hang out here for a while?” Gideon asked.

“Have at it.”

“You two,” Gideon commanded the possessions, “strip, then in the water.”

I watched Jasper as his eyes followed the three of them. I could sense some of his tension, figured he was wondering if I would invite those possessions to join us. I liked the idea of him thinking about it, although I had no desire to invite anyone to play with us. I’d heard Jasper loud and clear, and I would not violate his trust in me. Plus, I happened to enjoy the one-on-one we had between us.

“I didn’t realize there was a party.”

I turned to see Zion walking toward us. He was wearing a pair of shorts while Micah walked two steps behind, already naked.

“The more the merrier,” I told him. “Although, I didn’t bring enough for everyone.”

“No worries. We ate early. It’s time for dessert.” Zion’s gaze shifted to Micah, who was sporting some serious wood. “Grab a float.”

Micah headed over to a nearby storage room, came back carrying a silver float big enough to hold one person.

Zion didn’t hesitate, dropping his shorts and taking the steps down into the water.

*

Jasper

Nervous.

That was what I was.

I could feel my lungs working harder as my breathing grew more labored. It had started the moment I’d found the rope and grown increasingly more rapid since then.

Now, as the others played in the pool, I kept my attention divided between them and Ransom, who was still manning the grill. Every so often, he would look my way as though admiring me. It only heated my blood more, had my cock thickening until it was damn near painful. No thanks to the coarse fibers brushing against sensitive skin.

He’d told me to relax, but there was no way that was happening. Not when my brain was working double time in an attempt to figure out what his plan for me was. Deep down inside, I knew he had no intention of inviting anyone to join us, but convincing my imagination was another story. It added to the torture, the anxiety.

“Just a few more minutes,” Ransom said when he walked over, smiling down at me. “Are you hungry?”

I wasn’t. Not anymore. But I still answered with a nod of my head, because I would eat if he wanted me to. Hell, I would do anything this man wanted me to.

“They’re watching you,” he said, glancing at those in the pool. “I think they’re jealous of my rope bunny.”

My chest swelled with an unnamed emotion. He used to tease me about that, long ago. I’d always found pleasure in how he said it, so much amusement in his tone. This was the Ransom I had fallen in love with so long ago, the man I’d remembered, the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with now. I trusted him, knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Not physically, not emotionally. Not on purpose, anyway.

“I like you like this,” Ransom said, his eyes heating. “At my mercy.”

He left me with those words ringing in my ears.

The next half hour, Ransom alternated between feeding me and teasing me, while he ate and casually chatted with Zion and Gideon, as though it was perfectly normal. They discussed various things, mostly work. They told stories, about previous possessions, current ones, even about how they’d come to be here. Had it not been for my anxiety levels ratcheting up with every passing second, I probably would’ve learned a lot.

The conversation lulled, and it took a few minutes before I realized the interactions in the swimming pool had turned more … erotic. Zion was still relaxing on the float, but Micah was now between his legs, servicing him with his mouth. On the other end, Gideon was directing Cody and the other possession while they stroked and sucked one another, performing for his pleasure.

It was difficult not to watch because of the eroticism of it, but my attention continued to