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

His answer was a simple shrug.

I instilled dominance in my tone when I said, “Answer me.”

“Not since you,” he rasped, his eyes bouncing over my face.

That admission both shocked and pleased me. But I wasn’t sure I believed him.

“You’re telling me you haven’t played with anyone else since we were together?”

“No. That’s not what I’m saying.” He inhaled sharply. “I just don’t let anyone else tie me up.”

I studied him momentarily, ignoring the aches and pains that were beginning to plague me now that I was vertical. I knew I needed to rest, to sit down, maybe even lie down. But something told me I couldn’t let this moment pass me by.

“Will you let me tie you up, Jasper?”

“Now?”

That wasn’t a no, I noticed.

Unable to help myself, I dragged my finger over his bottom lip, holding his gaze. “Not now. Soon, though.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“And why’s that? Do you belong to someone else?”

“No.”

That pleased me more than anything.

“Good. I’m not sure I could handle seeing you with someone else.”

And that much was true. All it took was seeing Jasper again to bring back so many memories, so much emotion. It was as though we’d never parted ways. I felt this undeniable connection with this man, and although he seemed to be fighting it, I got the feeling Jasper felt the same. After all, why would he avoid doing the one thing he craved more than anything unless that was the case? I could hardly remember a day that had gone by when I hadn’t restrained him in some capacity, done wicked, dirty things to him while he was completely at my mercy. It was his proclivity, the one thing he needed to be content.

Yet he’d gone nine years without it.

I swayed on my feet, suddenly feeling woozy.

Right before my eyes, Jasper transformed from helpless submissive to concerned doctor, gripping my good arm and leading me toward the sofa.

“I want you to sit. Let me get you something to drink and I’ll order food.”

“You’ll stay,” I stated, ensuring he heard the command in my tone.

It was not a request.

Jasper glanced down at me when I was situated on the sofa.

I narrowed my eyes, all but begging him to defy me.

“I’ll stay,” he said softly.

“Thank you.”

“Ransom, I—”

I shook my head, cutting him off.

If I knew anything about Jasper Tate, I knew I had to lay the groundwork, otherwise he would retreat. He responded best to commands and directives, something I’d loved about him. I’d never been with another submissive who was so eager to be controlled, dominated, and equally eager to please me above all else. I figured it was the reason I’d never had another since Jasper—not permanent, anyway—had wondered if I ever would.

Being the smart man that I was, I realized this was the second chance I couldn’t let pass me by.

“Order food,” I instructed. “We’ll figure out the rest after.”

His eyes darted over my face once more before he finally nodded. “Okay.”

“Okay what?”

It took him a moment, but he finally said, “Okay, Titan.”

And yes, his eyes glazed once again when he used the honorific he’d assigned to me all those years ago.

Just more proof that Jasper had missed me, too.

FOURTEEN

TALON

After catching a few hours of sleep early in the day, I’d had lunch, then worked through the afternoon and into early evening, all the while keeping an eye out for Braelyn should she emerge from her bedroom. She never did.

I knew this because I had put Sim on duty watching for her, remaining available should she need anything at all. According to the frequent updates he logged into the system, she had never ventured out, never called for food, either.

As night descended, I began to worry, hence the reason I was standing at the door to her room, rapping my knuckles lightly after excusing Sim to take care of his evening chores.

I was seconds away from opening the door and invading Braelyn’s privacy when she finally answered, pulling it open a fraction of an inch and peeking out.

Her hair was wrapped in a fluffy white towel, a thin silk robe the rich color of eggplant belted at her waist and covering all but her mile-long legs.

“May I come in?”

I could see the concern in her eyes as she considered my request, but Braelyn finally stepped back, opening the door wider, which I took as an invitation.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, her hand tugging the towel from her hair. “Is Ransom all right?”

“Yes and yes.”

I took a look around, noticed the bedding was rumpled and the sliding doors on the ocean side of the room were open, but nothing else had been disturbed.

Turning to face her, I maintained a safe distance as I took her in. “Did you manage to get some sleep?”

“Yes, thank you.” Her voice was soft and, yes, wary.

“Did you eat?”

Braelyn shrugged, finger combing her hair. “Wasn’t hungry.”

She was regarding me carefully, as though I was a wild animal and my reactions could not be gauged well enough to let down her guard.

“I’ve ordered you dinner,” I informed her when she said nothing more.

Braelyn nodded, her gaze darting sideways toward the bed as though she had something to hide.

Angling back toward the bed, I skimmed the area she was looking at and noticed what she was obviously searching for. There, peeking out of the silky sheets, was what appeared to be a vibrator. Turning my attention back to her, I saw she was watching me, her cheeks turning a shade of pink not many hues off from the sex toy. Perhaps I would have to give Tiegan a raise. No doubt that little toy was my assistant’s doing.

“Did you need something?” she blurted, her tone curt, her embarrassment obvious.

Although it would’ve been more appropriate for me to give her space now that I knew she was alive and well, I found I couldn’t do it. Or rather, I didn’t want to give her space, didn’t want to leave