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

I’d like to reiterate that you read the information provided to you, if you haven’t done so.”

“I’m a lawyer,” she said with a glint in her eyes. “I’ve read every word.” Her gaze shot to the top of the wall. “I’m aware everything’s recorded.”

Sure enough, there was a camera. And another on the opposite wall.

Interesting. That was something I wasn’t aware of, but it was good to know.

“Enjoy your stay. You’ll find a list of events throughout the week. Attendance is, of course, optional.”

“We’ll be there,” she said. “I think it’s an important aspect, to see how he interacts throughout.”

Polite goodbyes were then made before I followed Talon out into the hall, where Jasper, Cody, and Braelyn were talking softly.

“That was tame,” Talon told me. “As you’ve witnessed plenty of scenes, some of the Owners are very creative.”

I wouldn’t lie. I was curious as to just how creative they could get.

Turned out, I didn’t have to wonder long. The next delivery was to a man who went strictly by Mr. A. I figured Talon knew everything there was to know about him, but it appeared it was highly confidential. Probably saw a lot of that since high-profile people had certain … desires, too.

We went through the same steps to get inside the room. Mr. A opted to have the delivery on the balcony overlooking the pools below. Jasper and Cody set up. Male three-two-three was brought in, measured.

“Mr. A’s been here before,” Talon said softly as the five of us stepped back, allowing the Owner to perform his own inspection.

When he started with a test of the possession’s jaw capacity, shoving his cock right into the man’s mouth, Talon turned to Braelyn, whispered something in her ear.

I expected her to then leave, but she shook her head and remained at Talon’s side, never saying a word.

And Talon was correct to say Leah’s inspection had been tame. Mr. A used his fingers, his tongue, and his cock to measure and gauge before finally signing off on delivery.

“He’s one who’ll be fucking that possession everywhere you turn,” Talon warned once we’d exited the room.

“Are there more like that?” Braelyn asked.

“I’m not sure I’ve met anyone as aggressive as Mr. A. But he knows what he wants, and he’s got discriminating taste. This is his third time here and he’s never left with a possession. He’s also interacted, via the app, with roughly fifty over the years, but rarely do those interactions last long.”

“Do you think he’ll find what he’s looking for?”

“Eventually,” Talon told her. “But probably not this go-round.” He turned to me. “Thoughts so far?”

“Is there room for adjustment in the process?” I had some ideas, most of them pertaining to time management that I was interested in running by him if he was open to it.

Talon stopped walking, his eyebrows lifting as he stared at me.

I thought for a second he was offended by my question, but then a slow smile formed.

“I’m open to any and all suggestions. If it doesn’t work for you, change it. But I expect you to review your changes with me before you implement them.”

“Very hands-on, are you?”

Another smile. “You have no idea.” He looked back at Braelyn. “One more, then we’ll break for lunch.”

If this was what one would consider a first day on a new job, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more interesting things would get.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Braelyn

The first day of the Owners’ retreat was eye-opening.

I spent most of the day with Talon, watching as one person after another took possession of another person, using a variety of interesting techniques to make their decision on how to proceed. I would admit, I had a much better grasp on what this fetish-fueled resort was all about, but I still didn’t quite understand it. Not at a core level, although it was beginning to make sense why someone would want to indulge. After all, it was a very sexual experience.

It just seemed to me there was an easier means of getting satisfied sexually that did not involve all the time and effort that went into owning that person.

But whatever.

Now, as I stood in the bathroom, staring at my reflection, I wondered if it would change me, being around all these people, indulging the way they did, taking what they wanted, or giving it—as was the case for the possessions—in an effort to find that missing piece.

I did know that it had affected me on a physiological level. I was horny in a way I’d never been before. To the point, I wanted to jump Talon but managed to refrain because I still felt as though we weren’t quite on even footing after last night. He was making an effort, but he was holding something back. And I was letting him.

I considered myself a cautious woman. I had to be, thanks to my upbringing. The sort of men I’d been around growing up … well, let’s just say, they gave new meaning to the term monster, and that had impacted me, making me think before I leaped. Fortunately, Ransom had saved me from that hell. But because of those monsters, I’d never been the sort who gave much thought to finding a man who I could give myself to completely. A man I could lose my inhibitions with. Not on a level that would require me to trust him with my life.

I wasn’t a virgin, and I hadn’t made a pact to hold on to my V-card in the search of love and romance. I’d dated several men up to this point, been serious with one or two. I even had a desire for unconventional kinky sex. Not that anyone had been able to sate that urge—although Talon was certainly tapping into it—but that didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

But never had a man made my blood hum in my veins, my body warm from merely thinking about him. Until Talon. The more I thought about him, the more I wanted to pursue him, to pretend