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

After I got over the idea someone had come in while I was in the shower, I skimmed my options. I decided against the flowy white sundress because it was a little too virginal for my mood today. Probably thank Talon for that one.

I also passed over the jeans, although they probably would’ve been more appropriate if I wanted a professional tone. Instead, I decided on the denim shorts. They were a bit short, sitting low on my hips and cutting off at mid-thigh, but they were comfortably loose, cuffed, and soft, and when I primped in front of the mirror, I was pleasantly surprised that they made my butt look good.

I know, vain, right?

The top was the tricky part. Since I still didn’t have any undergarments, it meant the girls would be free. Needed something to conceal them enough to give the illusion I was covered appropriately.

Three choices: light blue V-neck T-shirt. Kinda thin, would probably show my nipples. A red silk blouse that was a bit too dressy for the shorts, plus, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea to have that silk brushing up against me. Hard nipples, you know? Which left the black tank top. It was demure for the most part with a decorative beaded band around the neck and coverage beneath the arms.

After pulling it over my head and adjusting it, I realized it sat a little above the waistband of the shorts, giving a peek of my belly button. Not usually my thing, but considering my other options, it would have to do.

Now for shoes.

I scanned my options: flip-flops, white tennis shoes, wedge sandals.

Peering down at my feet, I was happy to say that they were healing nicely, not giving me any trouble at this point. Which meant I could go for the wedges. I smiled as I put them on. For the first time, I didn’t have to worry about being the tallest person in the room. Even with heels on, Talon would still tower over me.

After getting dressed, I ventured out into the wide hallway that would lead back to the living area of the house. From what I’d gathered upon my arrival, there were actually four floors on this side of the pools. According to Talon, the two uppermost floors, which sat level with the swimming pools, were occupied by him. But there were two lower floors that cascaded downward, away from the other structures, that I wasn’t sure about.

As I ventured down the long, wide hallway with its polished marble floors, inset niches holding an eclectic mix of naked sculptures, and twenty-foot-tall ceilings, I assumed Talon had a separate wing for his private quarters, because it appeared the section I was in was reserved for guests. Or maybe he had other employees who lived here. If he did, I didn’t see anyone coming or going.

The rich aroma of coffee was what lured me in the direction of the kitchen, and that was when I found Talon, sitting in a stately dining room with Tiegan, Zion, and Ransom. Kneeling on the floor beside Zion was Micah, the submissive—or was he a possession, too?—belonging to Zion.

Ransom was quick to his feet, and I caught the grimace on his face. Knowing my brother, he was still in tremendous pain but pretending otherwise to save face. Regardless, I headed for him, gently wrapping my arms around his neck and hugging him. I held on for a moment, grateful he was here with me, in one piece and on the mend.

When I pulled back, Ransom offered a smile, which I returned before glancing over at the others, my gaze coming to a stop on Talon.

“Good morning,” Talon greeted, standing tall and motioning to the chair at his right.

“Good morning,” I replied in kind, going for casual yet businesslike, and doing my level best not to think about the orgasm he’d given me last night.

“Sleep well?” Tiegan asked, her green eyes glittering with what I could only think to be mischief.

Another blush infused my face when I remembered the vibrator she’d gifted me.

I fought the urge to look at Talon when I replied with, “I did, thank you.”

“Something to drink?” Talon offered.

“Coffee would be amazing.”

He seemed pleased, and a moment later, another man appeared, this one dressed the same as all the other possessions I’d seen, wearing only jeans and the collar around his neck. I hadn’t been introduced to him yet, but I was almost certain he was one of the men who’d been with Talon that first night on the balcony. He appeared to be roughly my age, with an attractive, angular face, light brown hair, mussed artfully on top. And yes, a very chiseled, muscular torso.

Not that I was looking or anything.

When he leaned in to pour coffee into a white mug, I peeked at the collar to read the inscription: Owned. Just like I’d seen on Auberon’s. To the left of the word was a keyhole, evidently how it was unlocked. The silver appeared to be polished and rather expensive. Probably not steel or sterling silver. Titanium, maybe?

“Braelyn, this is Taurus,” Talon explained.

Before I could greet the man who had poured my coffee, he slipped away, back toward the kitchen. Not a word, not a glance. I felt slightly shunned but managed to shrug it off.

“Not much of a talker, huh?” I mumbled.

“They are not permitted to speak,” Talon stated.

Oh. Right. He had mentioned that.

In an effort to break Talon’s gaze, I turned my attention to the coffee, doctoring it to my liking—one sugar and more than a little cream—then taking a sip. It was heaven. Probably flown in from Columbia, not picked up at the local grocery store. Then again, there wasn’t a local store of any kind. We were on an island.

“I thought I would give Braelyn a tour,” Tiegan offered, sitting up straight and tapping her fingernails on the table, her full attention on Talon.

“I’ll handle that,” Talon stated, turning toward Zion. “But