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

The floor was an artistic element that I found interesting. Gone was the hardwood, revealing the newly etched concrete, which sported a gray stain topped with a shiny gloss. Thick, plush black rugs were spaced throughout, all big enough to hold two or more people. Atop them were a plethora of silver and white satin pillows, I assumed for comfort.

Along two of the walls were four futons with black-leather-encased cushions, which provided seating as well as play space. Or so I’d been told. Another wall held three enormous mirrors with antique silver frames, which basically offered a view of the entire room in the event you weren’t looking at it straight on.

“The question I have is, will there be a librarian?” Memphis teased.

“Actually…” Gideon walked to the door, crooked his finger.

A female possession wearing knee-high black boots, a short, pleated plaid skirt, a thin red tie that hung between her bare breasts, as well as signature reading glasses and her hair pinned up in a bun walked in.

“What happens if you do not have enough female possessions to use?” Memphis asked.

A good question, considering the lack of females had always been one of our issues.

Ransom was the one to answer. “She’s actually an employed possession.” He glanced at Braelyn. “My sister’s idea.”

“Employed?” Tiegan looked intrigued.

“The objective is to offer options to potential possessions,” Ransom continued, “including belonging to the resort, rather than being available for acquisition by an Owner.”

“Employment opportunities?” Memphis asked, peering over at me.

“Correct.” I’d been on the fence about this, but Braelyn had convinced me with a rather compelling argument. Based on our initial testing at one facility, we were finding that it allowed for laxer requirements for potential possessions since we did not have to enforce the “no limits” rule. By employing the possession, we could outline responsibilities and acquire based on interests and desires.

“Does she speak?” Tiegan asked.

“Yes, Mistress, I do,” she answered easily.

“Do you have a name?” Memphis addressed her.

“No, Master. You may call me whatever you’d like.”

His eyebrow rose and I could see he wasn’t sure what to make of it. I would admit, it would take some time to work out the kinks, but I had a feeling the additional amenities would prove positive for our image.

“I’m curious to know how you managed to redesign and still make this feel like a library,” Tiegan noted, smiling over at Ransom. “Because, yes, it certainly has a BDSM feel to it now, but the library is still the main factor. I don’t feel like I’m in a dungeon. Just a comfortable space to relax and read, maybe indulge a little.”

“This was all my sister’s doing,” Ransom admitted, giving credit where credit was due.

“I’m very impressed,” Tiegan told her. “You’ve given the room a unique theme. I can see this being a major attraction.”

At my side, Braelyn smiled.

Tiegan wasn’t wrong. We’d already sent out some feelers to those who’d visited, providing pictures of the updates, and the responses tended to come with requests to come back.

Tiegan turned to Braelyn. “Please, show me more.”

Next up was the theater, which was a new addition, sectioned out of what had been the enormous ballroom.

The main focus, of course, was the projection screen—forty feet wide and twenty-two feet tall—fixed to one wall. The seating consisted of one row of fully equipped recliners, eight in total, sectioned in fours. Behind them were two rows of sofas, three on each row. Each sofa, with deep cushions and matching ottomans, sat six comfortably, but I suspected they’d be used by fewer people in more positions.

All the furniture in here was red leather. The floors were concrete, which had been stained matte black, to resist reflection. The walls had thick, black-velvet curtains from floor to ceiling. Simple, functional.

And yes, a nice entertaining option for guests.

From there, Ransom led the way to the newly added bar on the main floor.

“This is nice,” Tiegan noted. “I think it’s good to have a place for everyone to congregate. Unique yet elegant.”

It was that. While I conceded to the addition, I’d handled the design, wanting to keep it simple and in line with the theme of the island. It took up less space than the library or the theater, but it opened to the outdoors, something Braelyn was hoping to promote more of, as well.

“We’ll let you see one of the newly designed guest rooms,” Ransom told them as he led the way to the elevator. “We’re also turning the community dining space into a more restaurant-style dining room. Adding some ambiance, and we’ll be utilizing resort-owned possessions as waiters and waitresses. The ballroom is no longer, as it’s been divided into separate smaller spaces, including a billiards room and a simulated golf course.”

“Catering to men, I see,” Tiegan stated.

“For the women,” Ransom continued, “the spa is almost finished, and we’ll have five resort-owned possessions working it.”

“Happy endings all around,” Memphis announced.

“Another thing we’ve modified is our availability,” Braelyn said when she stopped at the first room we came to. “We’re in the process of building a few more structures to house the possessions in residence, so we can utilize the current rooms for guests. We’ve decided to offer room stays for Owners who have their own possession already.”

“Repeat business,” I explained.

“It’s kind of brilliant,” Memphis said.

Yes. Yes, it was.

Again, all Braelyn’s idea, supported fully by her brother.

Tiegan’s gaze shot to mine. “Interesting.”

Interesting didn’t begin to describe it.

*

Braelyn

“This room has been designed for those guests in mind,” I said as I opened the door. “The ones who’ve already acquired a possession and are looking to vacation with like-minded people.”

Tiegan led the way, Memphis behind her.

I remained back with Talon, watching his expression as much as the others. I’d been preparing for this day, looking forward to showing off the improvements we’d made. I’d even dressed for the occasion, wearing a beautiful sundress, one of many Talon had gifted me with lately. This one was a vibrant orange-red with an elastic band at the waist and