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

didn’t wallow in pity, rather picked herself up and dusted herself off. She was, by far, the strongest woman I’d ever met.

When I opened the door, I found Talon standing there, his hands in the pockets of his slacks. Gone was the laid-back, island-casual attire. In its place, the refined man I knew so well.

His gaze slid past me. “Is she here?”

I opened the door, stepped back.

I could see he was looking for privacy by the way he cast a sideways glance my way, so I sighed heavily to show him I didn’t appreciate being put out like this.

However, because I knew it was best for Braelyn, I decided I would check in with Jasper. Perhaps I’d catch him while he was taking that shower he’d teased me with.

*

Jasper

I was getting out of the shower when I heard sounds coming from the kitchen.

It was still early, another hour before I had to be back at the clinic. I’d already stopped by to check on one of the possessions who had an accident in the kitchen. Nothing major, but the slice from the knife had cut deep, enough to warrant stitches yesterday. I’d wanted to check on him this morning before I decided whether or not he could participate with his daily duties.

“You better not drink all my coffee,” I shouted, dragging on my boxers. If I let him, Cody would drain every last drop of coffee before I had a single cup.

“And if I do?”

My entire body went rigid as I stood, turning to face Ransom, who was standing in my doorway.

“I…” I swallowed, unsure what I intended to say.

A smile formed on his face, his gaze raking over me. I wouldn’t lie, it warmed me from the inside out to see the approval in his eyes. After what had transpired the other night, I wasn’t sure what his reaction would be. Then last night, he’d invited me over for dinner. Nothing extravagant, but we’d shared some conversation, and I’d ended up in his bed again, but we hadn’t had sex. Which was part of the reason I’d slipped out. I wasn’t sure what direction this was headed, and I feared I was getting in over my head already.

“Good morning,” he greeted, stepping into the room and moving closer.

I fought the urge to back up, a natural response when one felt as though they were prey. And this man … he had a way of making me feel hunted.

Ransom stopped when we were chest to chest. “Sleep well?”

“Yes.” My voice sounded like it was in a blender. I cleared my throat. “Yes, Titan.”

“You should’ve woken me before you left. Would’ve been a better morning.”

He grunted as he shifted his body weight.

The doctor in me immediately kicked in, my worry for his health coming to the forefront. “Are you hurting?”

“Most definitely.”

The teasing note in his words told me he wasn’t talking about injuries sustained from the car wreck. However, I sensed he was attempting to mask that pain. I could see it in the strain near his eyes. He had allowed me to put a bandage around his midsection again last night, but he hadn’t been happy about it. Because of the loose fit of his shirt, I could tell he didn’t have it on now.

Stubborn man.

His gaze swung to the unmade bed, back to me. I could see the heat churning in his brown eyes, knew where his mind had wandered.

“Where’s Cody?”

“I haven’t seen him.”

Ransom shifted and grimaced.

“All right.” I stepped forward, took one of his hands. “What hurts?”

Ransom shook his head, took a step back.

I gripped his arm tighter. “Please don’t do that. I’m a doctor. I can help you.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“You said it would take some time,” he argued, pulling his arm from my grasp.

“It will, yes, but…” I exhaled heavily. “Ransom, will you at least tell me if it gets worse, not better?”

He turned to face me again, his brown eyes warming.

“Can I take a look?”

I could tell his mind was in the gutter, but I pushed forward. If he thought he could use sex to soften me up, he had another thing coming. Most of the time, sure. But not when it came to his health.

“Lie down,” I ordered, keeping my tone hard.

His eyes heated.

I sighed. “Ransom, please.”

He stepped closer, his hands going to my hips. “If I get in that bed, you’re getting in there with me. Then you’ll be late for work, and I’ll be in worse shape than I’m in now.”

Damn him. I hated that he could play me so easily.

“Then I guess we’ll be late,” I taunted.

Big mistake. It was like poking a bear.

Ransom’s hands moved fast, shifting from my hips to my face, holding firmly as he planted his mouth on mine.

All the air rushed out of my lungs, my body tightening. That was all it took. This man, touching me, kissing me. It was familiar yet not, and I found myself falling into the kiss.

“Bed,” he demanded.

As much as I wanted to get in that bed with him, I knew better. It would do neither of us any good. He was in pain and I would be late for my shift. Considering we had Owners coming in today, I had things that had to be dealt with before their arrival.

“We can’t,” I told him, tilting my head when his lips trailed down to my neck.

“Are you denying me, Jasper?”

He sucked my skin roughly. Hard enough I knew there’d be a mark, and it thrilled me to know I’d have his mark on me.

My response was for my knees to go weak. Ransom simply pushed me back against the wall, his hand sliding down to my neck, pinning me in place. His other hand grazed my stomach, sliding lower into the waistband of my boxers.

“Titan… Oh, fuck.” I dropped my head back with a thud when his hand circled my cock.

“Are you denying me?” he repeated.

“No, Titan … oh, God.” I panted, my hips undulating, grinding my cock into his fist.

Ransom