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

“You’re baiting me,” I accused.

“Tempting would be how I’d phrase it.”

“Is he a masochist?” I asked.

“I’m afraid he is not.” Talon glanced over at me. “Then again, I think you’ve worn through the Sadist facade. It works for Zeke but not so much for you. Might be time to look for something that suits you better.”

If Talon hadn’t been right on the money, I probably would’ve been offended. But it was a truth I’d been dealing with as of late. As for Zeke, at his core, he was a true Sadist. For the longest time, I’d thought I was, too, but I had been wondering myself for quite some time.

“And I suppose you’ve got more for me to choose from.”

“You mean aside from three dozen possessions who’d give just about anything to serve you in any way you deem necessary?”

“Is Cody a possession?”

“He is not, but he’d like to be.”

“You sound sure.”

“Let’s just say I know more than people give me credit for.”

“And Jasper?”

Talon smirked. “Jasper is an employee and he’s paid handsomely to be at my beck and call at all times. He does not have the same desires as Cody from what I’ve ascertained.”

“Meaning he doesn’t want to be a possession?”

“Correct.” His gray eyes glittered with amusement. “And yes, both Jasper and Cody are available, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Was I?

He chuckled. “And if you’re not interested in what they have to offer, like I said, I have a few more options.”

“Of the male variety.”

“You underestimate my perceptive abilities, Ransom. I do know you don’t swing both ways.”

No. No, I did not.

SEVENTEEN

Braelyn

When I woke on Saturday morning, it was to the sun streaming into my room. I’d slept later than I intended, but I wasn’t sorry. I felt good this morning, relaxed even.

Easy to understand since the room I was sleeping in was so luxurious it felt like a dream. Between the mattress and the pillows, it was like I’d spent the night on a cloud. The bedding was absolute heaven, soft and warm, and smelled like it’d been hung outside to dry. The fan overhead turned slowly, moving the salty air and making no noise as it did.

Stretching my arms over my head, I smiled up at the ceiling, luxuriating in the beautiful decor, the way the sun peeked through the sheer white curtains.

Yes, this felt like an alternate reality. A place where wishes were granted and only pleasant things occurred. Perhaps I’d gotten all that from an exquisite dinner with an interesting man and an amazing orgasm, but still. Whatever the magic was around here, I was pretty sure it had gotten to me, too.

I closed my eyes, and immediately the images I’d seen last night came to the forefront of my mind. It hadn’t been a dream, but it might as well have been. Before I’d gotten into bed, I had taken a peek outside, through the patio doors. And because I’d wanted to smell the salty sea air one more time before I drifted into slumber, I’d gone so far as to step outside.

From the veranda outside my door, I had a perfect view of the swimming pools, the water glittering a brilliant, otherworldly blue, and the two men who’d been down there.

At first I thought I was seeing things, but then Talon’s deep baritone had drifted up on the breeze, his command for Corvin or Bram—I wasn’t sure who was who—to make him come with his mouth.

With Talon’s back to me, I hadn’t been able to see what was taking place, but I’d gotten enough of a visual to know that the possession had been in the pool, standing between Talon’s legs. The way Talon’s muscular back wrenched and twisted told me he was enjoying what was being done to him.

Like every other time, I had known it was wrong to watch them, yet I hadn’t been able to stop myself. In fact, I’d wished I had a better view, despite the fact I was intruding on their private moment. And as I watched and listened to Talon’s soft groans, the way his big hand fisted the silky black hair, I had been a bit disappointed. After all, Talon had bypassed an opportunity with me in favor of spending time with his possession. It added to my confusion as to what was transpiring between Talon and me—if anything—and what I was supposed to do about it.

Plagued with guilt about enjoying the scene, I had taken myself back inside, hopped into bed, and forced myself to sleep. To make it happen, I had closed my eyes and imagined I was the one with Talon in the pool. Unfortunately, the thoughts hadn’t translated into dreams, probably because my subconscious knew there was more going on here than what I could see.

Now, in the bright light of day, the disappointment was still there, but some of the chaos in my head had lessened. There were more important things for me to worry about than whether or not Talon would bestow some of that sex appeal on me today. After all, I had been whisked away to a private island because my life was in danger.

Probably should be worrying about that first.

An hour later, after I had showered using all the ridiculously expensive toiletries supplied for guests, I had dried my hair and applied a minimal amount of makeup, also provided. It wasn’t until I remembered I didn’t have any clothes of my own that I felt a bit disoriented. Aside from the leggings and sweater I’d worn on the plane and the robe I’d found in the bathroom, I had nothing to wear.

I was just about to consider calling Talon from the phone in the room when I stepped out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, only to find a rolling clothing rack that held three different outfits, coincidentally all in my size, had been delivered. Attached was a note informing me breakfast would be served promptly at eight and