Page 129 of Owned (Office Intrigue Duet 8)
After one more glance around to ensure no one was outside, I slid the robe off my shoulders, letting it drop to the decorative concrete before padding to the pool and stepping in. The water was silky and warm as it embraced me, moving up my calves, my thighs, my hips. Every step down submerged me into heaven.
I wasn’t one who was familiar with being naked. The only time I was usually involved a shower, but I would dress quickly after. So this was an interesting concept, one I found made me feel free. I liked the way the water moved over my naked skin.
Without hesitation, I dipped beneath the water, wetting my hair and slicking it back from my face. No doubt the long strands would be a tangled mess when I was done, but I didn’t care. Maybe I could spend the rest of my life in here, floating in the warm, silky water. I would never have to worry about clothes or showers or hair dryers. Or combs for that matter.
Because of the shape of the pool, it wasn’t meant for swimming laps, but I did so anyway, working my way around using the outer edge as a guide, into the grotto hidden behind the waterfall, back out again. Around and around, I moved with purpose, but not too fast. I was hoping to tire myself out, but I wanted to take advantage of the solitude, the peace that I found out here.
On one of my returns by the stairs, I heard a sound. I stopped, glancing out into the darkness.
It was then I saw him.
Talon.
He was sitting in one of the poolside chairs, his full attention on me. In the dim light cast by the pool, I could make out his bare chest, the strong column of his throat, broad shoulders. He had one ankle resting on the opposite knee, a glass resting on the other knee.
“I hope I didn’t wake you,” I said softly, moving to the side of the pool, as much to get close enough to hear him as it was to shield my nakedness.
“Haven’t been to sleep yet.”
I glanced around, half expecting to see one of his possessions lingering nearby.
“We’re alone,” he said, as though reading my mind.
“Would you like to join me?” I hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, the request more daring than I usually was, but I found Talon brought out the bolder side of me.
Without a verbal response, Talon set his glass on the ground, then unfolded his long, lean body from the chair. It was then I got a good look at him without the fancy outer coverings he usually wore. Beneath those finely tailored shirts I’d seen him in, the man was concealing a well-muscled chest. My gaze snagged briefly on the key adorning his neck, which he simply shifted so that it hung down his back.
Once again ogling… He was thick but not bulky, his broad shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist, his abdomen contoured, his six-pack and that sexy V quite prominent. His arms were long and corded, his muscles bunching when he reached for the button on his jeans.
I found myself holding my breath, realizing I was leering but unable to look away. He didn’t seem to mind, his eyes briefly meeting mine in the soft light bouncing off the water before he unbuttoned and unzipped, sliding the denim down his thighs.
Oh, Lord.
Although I’d been intimate with him, I’d yet to have the opportunity to truly admire him. Without any distractions, anyway. And this … this was a treat.
His cock was so thick, so long, and he was unabashedly erect. I thought about turning away shyly but forced myself to remain where I was. I refused to be the cowering schoolgirl who couldn’t handle the sight of a beautiful naked man. And he was beautiful. All that copper skin covering toned muscle and sinew. I wanted to touch and taste, to explore in a way I’d never wanted to before.
I was so transfixed by his beauty, it didn’t register that he was moving toward me, stepping into the pool, working his way closer.
“Braelyn…”
“Hmm?” I lifted my eyes to meet his again.
Talon dipped down into the water so he was closer to me, his hand coming up to my cheek, the water cooling my overheated skin. But the sensation was lost to a swarm of heat that engulfed me when he pulled me closer, his mouth meeting mine in the darkness. My nipples pebbled into near-painful points, my skin prickling with awareness. Being touched by him was unlike anything I’d ever known, and I wanted more.
I’d never felt such an intrinsic pull to someone as I did Talon. It was as though we were magnetized and I was drawn to him.
Words weren’t spoken as his mouth melded with mine. I gave myself over to it, freely taking what he was offering, giving as much in return. My hands roamed over sleek, smooth skin. He was so warm, so hard. And in the darkness, it was a feast for my sense of touch, heightened by the lack of light.
