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

Glancing at Auberon, I said, “Deliver these to Braelyn’s room, along with a note advising breakfast will be served precisely at eight. I expect her to be there.”

While he left to do my bidding, I decided I would make a brief detour to check on Ransom before I got my day underway.

Being that he would no doubt interact with many of the possessions once he ventured out of his villa when he was feeling up to it, I figured it made sense to give him an overview before he found himself front and center without the backstory of what transpired here on Sapphire Island. While I pegged Ransom as an open-minded man, I knew there were some things that required explanation. A resort full of unowned possessions was one of those things.

As was my early-morning routine, I strolled the grounds, observing the possessions as they performed their morning duties, some wearing the maximum attire allowed (which wasn’t much at all), some naked. Most would consider their nudity some sort of perversion on my part, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There was a saying I’d heard: you have to break them down before you can build them up. That was very true. At least when it came to submissives of this caliber.

And to be honest, I found nothing desirable about seeing them working sans clothing. It didn’t do anything for me. Hence the reason my own possessions wore clothing when they worked. Not because I gave a shit about their vulnerability, I simply didn’t need to see all their bits and pieces bouncing around. Yet it was something I’d grown used to here on the island.

As I walked past the pools and the Owners’ Retreat on my way to the villas, possessions would stop what they were doing and shift down to their knees, heads lowering. No one said a word to me, as was their instruction. However, this was their way of acknowledging and showing their respect for my presence. It was one of the first things they were trained on. After all, as far as they were concerned, I was the be all, end all, the one man who could make or break their entire existence. When I passed, they returned to what they were doing, dutifully focused on whatever the trainers had them working on today.

I probably didn’t need to mention that, in all the time I’d been dealing with possessions, that was one rule not a single one of them had ever broken.

Like I said, determination was a heady thing.

And just like always, seeing it all flowing seamlessly left me with a sense of pride in what I’d built.

As perverted as that might seem.

*

RANSOM

I did not know Talon as well as I’d originally thought.

A fact I became aware of last night when I’d slipped out in an attempt to get some air after Jasper had returned to his own villa, assuring me he was only a phone call away if I needed him. Along with that brush off, he’d conveniently given me a cell phone. Provided by Talon, of course.

Problem was, I’d needed Jasper then, but I figured sharing that little detail probably wouldn’t have worked in my favor, so I’d let him leave, intending to sleep some more. When that proved futile, I’d ventured out.

My midnight stroll had led me to what I could only describe as an elaborate resort courtyard complete with waterfalls and climbing rocks, swimming pools, an outdoor kitchen, and more space than any single individual should ever need. Not to mention, a naked Talon and an equally naked possession of his engaging in what looked to be a rather fulfilling late-night swim. At least the blow job had seemed fulfilling, something I’d found myself watching despite my lack of desire to do so. There was just something about Talon that drew me. It wasn’t sexual by any means. The man did nothing for me in that way. However, it was possible I was in awe of him. In all that he’d built for himself and how he managed his life. Of all the people I knew, Talon seemed to be the one who had it all together.

And today, I was hoping to take a deeper dive into what it was he had going on here. If I was lucky, I would be able to wrangle Jasper into giving me a personal tour of the grounds, perhaps introduce me to those responsible for running this place like the well-oiled machine it appeared to be. Although the idea of some downtime was appealing, I was not a man who did well with idle time.

A knock on the door had me peeking my head out of the kitchen, wondering if I’d summoned Jasper simply by thinking about him. “It’s open.”

“I take it you’re feeling better.”

Not Jasper.

When Talon appeared, I smiled and nodded, continuing to pour my coffee. “Almost as good as new.”

“Liar.”

Okay, fine. I was lying. I felt like I’d been hit by a Mack truck. Or perhaps like I’d gone headfirst into a tree.

“Maybe not one hundred percent,” I admitted, ignoring the ache in my shoulder as I replaced the coffee carafe. “But better than I was two nights ago.”

“That I believe.”

“Care for a cup?”

“I’ll hold off until breakfast.”

“Suit yourself.” I took a sip, fought the urge to close my eyes because this was perhaps the best coffee I’d ever had. “What brings you by?”

“Thought I’d give you a glimpse of what goes on here.”

It appeared I wouldn’t have to wrangle Jasper after all. I would get the inside scoop straight from the horse’s mouth.

“Bring your coffee,” Talon said with a smile.

I topped off my cup one final time, mock toasted Talon, then followed him to the front door. Since Talon was dressed down from what I’d seen him in previously, wearing a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, I figured my attire of athletic shorts and T-shirt—what I’d found in the dresser—were appropriate. And because he was