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

I joined Braelyn in Ransom’s small kitchen, where she had a death grip on a mug of coffee she clearly wasn’t drinking. Her eyes were pinned on me, unnamed emotions swirling in the beautiful amber color.

Neither of us said anything as I approached. I couldn’t seem to gather my thoughts, although I had a purpose for being here. I’d scoured the entire house looking for her, only to learn she’d slipped out early. According to Sim’s notes and his mysterious disappearance, I had learned that she’d come to see her brother. I shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d likely needed someone to talk to, and admittedly, it pained me that she didn’t feel safe enough to come to me to hash this out.

Braelyn’s eyes widened as I neared, her head tilting back.

As was my true nature, I didn’t ask permission when I curled my hand around her wrist, drew her to her feet, never looking away from her. She stood, the pulse in her neck beating faster.

Cupping her face, I leaned in. “I’m sorry.”

Yes. Perhaps the first time in my existence when I had apologized to anyone with such genuineness. More importantly, the first time in my life when I felt it was warranted.

I willed her to see my sincerity, to hear it in my voice when I continued. “You didn’t deserve that last night. I was … defensive.”

She swallowed hard, nodded.

“Forgive me, Braelyn.” I leaned in so my lips hovered over hers, lowered my voice. “I need you to forgive me.”

Her hands curled around my biceps, gripping tightly as she nodded, a sheen of tears in her eyes.

I found her lack of response ratcheted up something that felt a hell of a lot like fear.

“What I said, what I did… You deserve better,” I rambled.

“I don’t know what I did,” she said softly.

“Nothing.” I pulled back, stared into her eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It was all me. I was upset … and I took it out on you.”

Her eyes caressed my face and I wondered what she was looking for.

I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks. “Please say you’ll forgive me.”

It took several heart-thumping beats before she finally nodded. “I do, Talon.”

I released a breath, and I instantly felt lighter, as though an anvil had been removed from my chest.

“I’d like to tell you it’ll never happen again…” I shook my head. “I can’t, because what I feel for you … I’ve never experienced it before. I was defensive because I need you to see me for who I am.” My hands tightened infinitesimally on her face, my voice lowering to barely a whisper when I admitted the one thing that terrified me most. “And I need you to accept me.”

She breathed in as though surprised by my admission, then did the one thing I didn’t expect. Braelyn shifted up on her toes, her lips finding mine. The kiss was soft and sweet, and it sent warmth straight to my chest, replacing the coldness I’d felt since I’d gone to bed last night.

Tilting my head, I aligned my mouth with hers, kissed her softly. I fought the heat that churned when she was near, not wanting to ruin whatever progress I might’ve made.

When she kissed me back, I settled into the kiss, sliding my arm around her, pulling her near so that I could feel the warmth of her body against mine. I wanted to stay just like this for the rest of the day, my lips fused to hers, all those soft curves in my hands. I wanted to ignore the rest of the world so I could spend the rest of the day holding her, keeping her near.

This woman was going to be my undoing, I knew it deep in my soul. She was completely unexpected, and in a matter of just a few days, she had unhinged me. I was a man accustomed to being in control. Always. With her, I felt anything but.

“We’ve got guests arriving shortly. Owners,” I informed her when I eased back, sliding my hand up and down her back. “Would you care to greet them with me?”

Braelyn touched her hand to her hair, stepped back, then peered down at the virginal white sundress I’d picked out for her. “I’m not sure I’m dressed appropriately.”

Taking her hand, I pulled her back to me. “You look sensational.” I grinned. “Good enough to eat.”

She blushed sweetly.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, intruding on the moment. Because I knew what it was about, I stepped back, pulled it out. It was a text message from Zion informing me the Owners would be arriving momentarily.

“Looks like they’re a few minutes early,” I told her, tucking my phone away.

Because I couldn’t resist the urge, I cupped her cheek, pressed my lips to hers, and repeated my apology. Then I took her hand and led her out of Ransom’s villa, heading for the Owners’ Retreat. The plane had landed twenty minutes ago, which meant the Owners would be arriving in about five.

“It’ll be busy around here for the next seven days,” I informed her, holding open the door to the resort. “And you’ll likely see a variety of interactions that might offend you.”

Braelyn smiled up at me, looking more at ease than she had. “I don’t have delicate sensibilities.”

We’d see about that. I knew Braelyn considered herself well-versed in the fetish world, but the truth was, she had no idea. Nothing was off-limits here.

“What happens when the Owners arrive?” Braelyn asked.

“They’ll be driven here, then escorted to their rooms. Their things will be delivered, and they’ll have about two hours to acclimate themselves. Should they choose, brunch is being served in the dining room.”

“When will they meet the possessions?”

“Each one is hand delivered to them.” I peered down at her. “By me.”

When we stepped into the lobby, I motioned for Taurus to bring me and Braelyn something to drink but realized quickly that he had