Page 111 of Owned (Office Intrigue Duet 8)
This woman was going to be my undoing, I knew it deep in my soul. She was completely unexpected, and in a matter of just a few days, she had unhinged me. I was a man accustomed to being in control. Always. With her, I felt anything but.
“We’ve got guests arriving shortly. Owners,” I informed her when I eased back, sliding my hand up and down her back. “Would you care to greet them with me?”
Braelyn touched her hand to her hair, stepped back, then peered down at the virginal white sundress I’d picked out for her. “I’m not sure I’m dressed appropriately.”
Taking her hand, I pulled her back to me. “You look sensational.” I grinned. “Good enough to eat.”
She blushed sweetly.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, intruding on the moment. Because I knew what it was about, I stepped back, pulled it out. It was a text message from Zion informing me the Owners would be arriving momentarily.
“Looks like they’re a few minutes early,” I told her, tucking my phone away.
Because I couldn’t resist the urge, I cupped her cheek, pressed my lips to hers, and repeated my apology. Then I took her hand and led her out of Ransom’s villa, heading for the Owners’ Retreat. The plane had landed twenty minutes ago, which meant the Owners would be arriving in about five.
“It’ll be busy around here for the next seven days,” I informed her, holding open the door to the resort. “And you’ll likely see a variety of interactions that might offend you.”
Braelyn smiled up at me, looking more at ease than she had. “I don’t have delicate sensibilities.”
We’d see about that. I knew Braelyn considered herself well-versed in the fetish world, but the truth was, she had no idea. Nothing was off-limits here.
“What happens when the Owners arrive?” Braelyn asked.
“They’ll be driven here, then escorted to their rooms. Their things will be delivered, and they’ll have about two hours to acclimate themselves. Should they choose, brunch is being served in the dining room.”
“When will they meet the possessions?”
“Each one is hand delivered to them.” I peered down at her. “By me.”
When we stepped into the lobby, I motioned for Taurus to bring me and Braelyn something to drink but realized quickly that he had disappeared. Today was his assigned day, and he should’ve been right behind me.
That did not bode well for him.
Luckily, Sim was nearby, still standing by for Braelyn. He immediately set out to do my bidding.
“We’ve got several more employees who’ve arrived on the jet, as well. They’ll immediately get to work, manning the resort or dealing with possessions, whatever Tiegan has assigned them to do.”
“Is there something I can help with?” Her eyes lowered, shyly. “I’d like to contribute. If … you know … you want me to.”
As I turned to face her more fully, there was a swelling in my chest, a feeling I’d never felt before.
“I’d be honored if you would.” I cupped her cheek. “But for today, I’d like you to stick close to me.” I smiled, ensured she saw the pleasure she gave me simply by breathing. “For selfish reasons, but also because you’ll get to see everything that takes place.”
Another blush infused her pale cheeks. “I’d like that.”
Sim appeared, holding up a tray with four champagne flutes.
“With champagne, or without,” I offered to Braelyn.
“I think I’ll steer clear of the alcohol for now.”
I passed a glass of orange juice to her and took one of the mimosas for myself. “Are you hungry?”
She took a sip, smiled. “I could eat.”
And for the first time since I woke up, I felt like myself.
Perhaps even a better version.
*
Braelyn
I was still reeling by the time Talon and I finished a breakfast fit for royalty. And it had nothing to do with the incredible food.
Nope. My world was still slightly tilted on its axis because of Talon. Namely, his apology. It was completely unexpected, so I figured it would take some time to get my bearings after he’d metaphorically knocked me off my feet.
Truth was, I’d been psyching myself up all morning—most of the night, really, since I’d hardly slept—trying to figure out the best way to apologize to him. Granted, I hadn’t been sure what I was sorry for because I hadn’t known where things went so horribly wrong last night. I still didn’t.
So for him to seek me out… It hadn’t done anything to help me figure out what I was feeling for him. In fact, it had complicated matters, giving me a glimpse at a side to him I hadn’t realized he had. Based on what little I knew of him, I didn’t take Talon for one who apologized often.
Not that I had time to think about making up with him. Not with so much going on around me.
I had no idea what I’d been expecting to happen when the Owners arrived, but it hadn’t been for the noise level to increase tenfold. Evidently, Owners weren’t the prim and proper types I’d thought they were. Considering Talon was my only reference, I had just assumed they would be similar to him in mannerisms. Professional, well-dressed, soft-spoken, confident, demanding.
