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

ridiculously sexy. “Why don’t we reserve the business discussions for tomorrow.”

“And tonight?”

“Tonight we’ll simply enjoy each other’s company.”

Because I still didn’t understand his relationship with his submissives, I figured now was a good time to bring them up.

Talon didn’t seem at all surprised when I mentioned them. “What would you like to know?”

“For starters, how many do you have? The ones you were with last night weren’t the same from the plane. Are they all your submissives?”

No sooner were the words out than I realized I’d given myself away.

Another smile curved the corners of his incredibly seductive mouth.

Feeling my face flame, I took a sip of my wine, then another, waiting patiently for him to respond and hoping he would not call me on the fact I’d been watching them last night.

“Possessions,” he corrected.

Frowning, I waited for him to clarify.

He didn’t.

“Possessions? What does that mean?”

“It means they are not submissives; however, they do submit. But I do not cater to them, nor do I tend to them on an emotional level. They are my property.”

I snorted, because seriously? Was that really a thing? Why would someone want to belong to someone else and not get anything in return?

“You mean they’re your slaves?”

“No.” He took a drink of his wine, set the glass down. “My possessions came to me of their own free will. And they’ve consented to surrendering all control to me in every aspect of their lives.”

That sounded … complicated.

“And you have sex with them?”

“I do. I use them however I choose.”

Use? That seemed a harsh term.

“How many are there?”

“Seven.”

Wow.

I wasn’t even sure what to say to that.

“You met Auberon and Rolphe on the plane,” he explained, his voice smooth as silk. His eyes met mine and a slight smirk formed on his lips. “Last night, I was with Ari, Corvin, and Taurus.”

I didn’t respond, but I could feel my ears heating at the memory of what I’d witnessed them doing.

“Bram, Corvin’s twin, was the other one who delivered our meal. And Sim, the youngest of all my possessions, has been posted outside your door all day.”

Wow, again.

My head was spinning.

“I assume they serve everyone here? Tiegan and the others, too?”

His face sobered, his eyes going hard. “Absolutely not. I do not share them with anyone. They belong solely to me.”

There was so much conviction in his tone, I had to believe that was a steadfast rule. It made me wonder if it’d ever been broken or, at the least, compromised.

“Are you in love with all of them?”

“I’m not in love with any of them.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’re possessions. They’re here to serve me.”

“But they’re also people.”

“Technically, because of our agreement, they’re not.”

“They have names.”

“Those are descriptive words I use to refer to them when I need something.”

“When you need them to serve you? Like wash your clothes and deliver your meals?” The words came out laced with disbelief. “So they really are slaves?”

Talon sighed. “I assure you, they’re not. It’s their desire to serve me.”

Right. Like I would believe there was anyone who willingly wanted to serve someone else and what? Get to have sex as a bonus? No way.

Before I could launch another question, Talon held up his hand, his voice taking on a harsher tone when he said, “I assure you, it’ll all make more sense when I show you around tomorrow.”

I seriously doubted that, but I could play along. For now.

“Mind if I ask what your last name is?” I asked, changing the subject because clearly that was what he wanted.

“Talon.”

“So what’s your first name?”

“I have only one name.”

Only one? Okay. Hadn’t met a man with only one name before, but it wasn’t the weirdest thing, I figured. In fact, it seemed apropos considering all that I’d learned about him thus far. The man wasn’t simple by any stretch of the imagination, nor was he even close to being like anyone else I’d ever met.

“Why’d your parents name you that?”

“They didn’t.”

“Who did?”

Talon didn’t respond and I could see I was overstepping.

Despite the fact I felt he owed me some personal details, I opted to shift once again. “What do your possessions call you?”

“My possessions don’t speak to me.”

“Ever?” I blurted.

“Not unless I instruct them to.”

Well, hell. So what? They were like tables or dishes? Dragged out when necessary?

It was going to take some time and a lot of explanation for me to wrap my head around that, for sure.

“Are you gay?” I blurted because it was hanging on the tip of my tongue.

Once again, he looked amused. “Come here.”

“What?”

He crooked his finger and repeated what I could only decipher as a command.

It was like I had no control over my own body. I found myself pushing my chair back and getting to my feet, then placing my hand in his when he held it out.

The next thing I knew, I was sitting across his lap, my shoulder pressed to his chest, doing my best to hold the silk robe closed and hooking my ankles to keep my legs tightly shut since I happened to be naked beneath.

My breath hitched when his big hand curled against my neck, his thumb grazing my cheek, then over my bottom lip.

I could hardly breathe, staring into his eyes as my heart pounded rapidly, his hand sliding behind my neck, holding firmly yet gently. When his fingers urged my head toward his, I leaned in, my skin tingling with a mixture of excitement and desire.

“Considering how desperately I want you,” Talon whispered softly, his lips close to mine, “I think it’s safe to say I’m not gay.”

Bisexual then? Of course, I didn’t ask the question because I couldn’t form words. I was so caught up in his touch and the feel of his breath fanning my lips.

“And make no mistake, I want you, Braelyn,” he reiterated. “I have since the first night I met you.”

“Last night,” I managed.

“The first night.”

It took a second.

“Oh.” He was referring to the Halloween party I’d crashed. The first time I’d gone looking for my brother.

Holy