Page 73 of Owned (Office Intrigue Duet 8)
As I continued to follow Talon, I asked the one question I was most curious about. “Why’d you bring me here? Aside from helping me out with my current situation. Because I know you well enough … you’ve got an ulterior motive.”
“Always,” he said, giving me his full attention by stopping and turning to face me head on. “And yes, I’ve got a proposition for you, Ransom. One I think’ll be beneficial to both of us.”
“What might that be?”
“In due time.” He smiled. “Let me give my spiel before I lay all my cards on the table.”
I had to admire his honesty. I’d known Talon a long time, and this was a side to the man I’d never seen before. At Dichotomy, he was very mysterious. I had to say, I was curious to know more about him and what he’d built for himself.
“Mr. Chastain,” Talon called when he turned down a hallway.
“In here,” came the terse reply.
I followed Talon as he stepped into what appeared to be a medical exam room. It wasn’t the same as the one I’d stayed in upon my arrival, but it was similar. Not quite so sterile.
“Ransom, I’d like to introduce you to Cody Chastain. Mr. Chastain, meet Ransom Bishop.”
The first thing I noticed about Cody Chastain was that he was submissive. How did I know that? For starters, he did not offer his hand for me to shake; instead, he waited for me to do so. Any submissive worth their salt knew it was inappropriate to make such gestures to a Dominant. And when I grasped his hand firmly in mine, his eyes lowered.
He was an attractive man. Young. Probably early twenties if I had to guess. Short brown hair, warm brown eyes, skin tanned by the island sun.
To show my approval, I held on to his hand for a few seconds longer, swiping my thumb across his knuckle. It was my way of gauging his obedience level, as well as his interest, and if I wasn’t mistaken—and I rarely was—Cody Chastain had been trained well. And he was most definitely interested.
“Mr. Chastain’s a permanent resident,” Talon informed me. “He’s our in-house physical therapist. He works alongside Dr. Tate.”
“Is that right?” I got the feeling Talon was attempting to sell me on the hot therapist. “He’s young.”
“He is,” Talon confirmed. “Twenty-five.”
Cody didn’t respond, his eyes remaining lowered.
No lie, I was curious. Mostly because of the way Jasper had so casually mentioned Cody. If I was correct, the two of them were close. Question was: how close?
Because of my curiosity, I didn’t realize until then that there was someone currently laid out on the padded table behind Cody.
“I guess we should let you get back to it.” I waited for Cody to meet my gaze before releasing his hand. “I look forward to seeing you later.”
“Likewise, Master Bishop.”
“Ransom,” I corrected. “Master’s reserved for club submissives.”
Not lingering, I turned and left the room, Talon not far behind.
“You’re baiting me,” I accused.
“Tempting would be how I’d phrase it.”
“Is he a masochist?” I asked.
“I’m afraid he is not.” Talon glanced over at me. “Then again, I think you’ve worn through the Sadist facade. It works for Zeke but not so much for you. Might be time to look for something that suits you better.”
If Talon hadn’t been right on the money, I probably would’ve been offended. But it was a truth I’d been dealing with as of late. As for Zeke, at his core, he was a true Sadist. For the longest time, I’d thought I was, too, but I had been wondering myself for quite some time.
“And I suppose you’ve got more for me to choose from.”
“You mean aside from three dozen possessions who’d give just about anything to serve you in any way you deem necessary?”
“Is Cody a possession?”
“He is not, but he’d like to be.”
“You sound sure.”
“Let’s just say I know more than people give me credit for.”
“And Jasper?”
Talon smirked. “Jasper is an employee and he’s paid handsomely to be at my beck and call at all times. He does not have the same desires as Cody from what I’ve ascertained.”
“Meaning he doesn’t want to be a possession?”
“Correct.” His gray eyes glittered with amusement. “And yes, both Jasper and Cody are available, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
Was I?
He chuckled. “And if you’re not interested in what they have to offer, like I said, I have a few more options.”
“Of the male variety.”
“You underestimate my perceptive abilities, Ransom. I do know you don’t swing both ways.”
No. No, I did not.
SEVENTEEN
Braelyn
When I woke on Saturday morning, it was to the sun streaming into my room. I’d slept later than I intended, but I wasn’t sorry. I felt good this morning, relaxed even.
Easy to understand since the room I was sleeping in was so luxurious it felt like a dream. Between the mattress and the pillows, it was like I’d spent the night on a cloud. The bedding was absolute heaven, soft and warm, and smelled like it’d been hung outside to dry. The fan overhead turned slowly, moving the salty air and making no noise as it did.
