Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) Nicole Edwards (classic english novels TXT) 📖

What if I didn’t fit in here? Not just from a relationship standpoint. What if I couldn’t work for Talon? It would require I be immersed in this world that confused me still. I’d always heard the extremes of BDSM weren’t for the faint of heart, but I’d never understood what that truly meant. With every new thing I was introduced to, I was being schooled on the fact that I was still naive.

If I couldn’t find something to do with my time, a way to stay busy and earn my keep, I couldn’t stay here. It wouldn’t feel right. And going back to Chicago was no longer an option.

I exhaled my frustration.

With a sigh, I got out of bed. I padded to the door leading out to the veranda.

Stepping outside, I scanned the swimming pools, the surrounding areas. I didn’t see anyone.

Did that mean the party was over? Or maybe it was simply contained to the resort.

My gaze swung down to the kidney-shaped swimming pool. The water glittered a dark, inviting blue. I could slip down there for a little while. That pool was more secluded, discreetly masked by the surrounding flora, tucked beneath the large waterfall that spilled over the rock forming a grotto on the backside.

At the very least, perhaps some laps around the pool would tire me out, make it possible to go to sleep.

Because I didn’t have a swimsuit—the one I’d used yesterday had disappeared, probably to be washed—I would have to go without, but it was dark outside, and I seriously doubted anyone was going to be strolling about, looking to see if there was a naked woman in the pool. Not to mention, around here, it was par for the course for people to traipse around naked.

Wearing only the short silk robe, I slipped out onto the slate-tiled patio. Although I doubted anyone would hear me, I was still silent as I trekked down the steps to the pools, glancing in all directions to ensure no one was out. There were a few lights on inside the house as well as the resort, but for the most part, it was dark.

Talon’s estate was secluded on a private island, and out here in the middle of the night, it felt as isolated as it was. As though I was in a different world, nothing else to intrude. Nothing around except for open sky and twinkling stars, the endless ocean surrounding this exquisite oasis. If this had been a vacation, I could see myself getting used to it.

After one more glance around to ensure no one was outside, I slid the robe off my shoulders, letting it drop to the decorative concrete before padding to the pool and stepping in. The water was silky and warm as it embraced me, moving up my calves, my thighs, my hips. Every step down submerged me into heaven.

I wasn’t one who was familiar with being naked. The only time I was usually involved a shower, but I would dress quickly after. So this was an interesting concept, one I found made me feel free. I liked the way the water moved over my naked skin.

Without hesitation, I dipped beneath the water, wetting my hair and slicking it back from my face. No doubt the long strands would be a tangled mess when I was done, but I didn’t care. Maybe I could spend the rest of my life in here, floating in the warm, silky water. I would never have to worry about clothes or showers or hair dryers. Or combs for that matter.

Because of the shape of the pool, it wasn’t meant for swimming laps, but I did so anyway, working my way around using the outer edge as a guide, into the grotto hidden behind the waterfall, back out again. Around and around, I moved with purpose, but not too fast. I was hoping to tire myself out, but I wanted to take advantage of the solitude, the peace that I found out here.

On one of my returns by the stairs, I heard a sound. I stopped, glancing out into the darkness.

It was then I saw him.

Talon.

He was sitting in one of the poolside chairs, his full attention on me. In the dim light cast by the pool, I could make out his bare chest, the strong column of his throat, broad shoulders. He had one ankle resting on the opposite knee, a glass resting on the other knee.

“I hope I didn’t wake you,” I said softly, moving to the side of the pool, as much to get close enough to hear him as it was to shield my nakedness.

“Haven’t been to sleep yet.”

I glanced around, half expecting to see one of his possessions lingering nearby.

“We’re alone,” he said, as though reading my mind.

“Would you like to join me?” I hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, the request more daring than I usually was, but I found Talon brought out the bolder side of me.

Without a verbal response, Talon set his glass on the ground, then unfolded his long, lean body from the chair. It was then I got a good look at him without the fancy outer coverings he usually wore. Beneath those finely tailored shirts I’d seen him in, the man was concealing a well-muscled chest. My gaze snagged briefly on the key adorning his neck, which he simply shifted so that it hung down his back.

Once again ogling… He was thick but not bulky, his broad shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist, his abdomen contoured, his six-pack and that sexy V quite prominent. His arms were long and corded, his muscles bunching when he reached for the button on his jeans.

I found myself holding my breath, realizing I was leering but unable to look away. He didn’t seem to mind, his eyes briefly meeting mine in the soft light bouncing off the water before he unbuttoned and unzipped, sliding