As I sat there dumbfounded, I got the distinct feeling it was.
*
TALON
After losing my cool with Braelyn, I headed for my office, needing something familiar to calm me. I had no excuse for my irrational, defensive behavior back there. Braelyn certainly hadn’t deserved it.
Because of Tiegan’s outburst earlier, Braelyn’s seemingly innocent questions had provoked me, pissed me off. And yes, they’d gotten me defensive, something I wasn’t prone to do. Ever. I didn’t feel the need to defend myself, to explain why I was the way I was.
Yet with her…
With Braelyn, it all boiled down to the fact that I felt insecure. As though I needed to ensure her I wasn’t damaged or broken, that my desires were completely rational. As though I was seeking her approval.
Rather than sit down at my desk, I called for Ari and Auberon to join me, the three of us heading up to the second-floor loft in my office.
While I had plenty to keep me busy, I knew my focus would be for shit. No way would I get anything accomplished, so I decided to be productive in another way.
By having Auberon and Ari perform the way I had, I had violated their trust in me. Never before had I used them like that, out of anger or frustration, to prove a point to someone else. That wasn’t why they were here. Although neither of them would say anything, I certainly didn’t approve of my own actions. When it came to my interactions with them, I had a rigid set of rules. At the very top of that list: only demand they do things that please me.
Having Ari suck Auberon on the table had brought me absolutely no pleasure, and now I would atone for that by taking my pleasure from them in a manner I saw fitting.
“Both of you undress me,” I ordered when I joined them at the top of the stairs. “I expect to feel your lips and hands move over every inch of me while you do.”
Every muscle in my body was rigid, my mind a jumble of thoughts. When they began touching me, I focused on my breathing. In, out. Clearing my mind so I could stay in this moment. I needed some space from Braelyn. Not physically, because I’d been managing that relatively well. Mentally. Emotionally. I was too caught up in her, and it was affecting my ability to be rational.
This was where I needed to be. Right here. Right now. Only in this moment.
It wasn’t until Auberon’s big hands began working the tight knots in my shoulders that I started to relax. I watched Ari, saw the reverence in his ministrations as his hands grazed lightly over my chest, his lips trailing over my skin. There was no choreography, no expectations. I wasn’t issuing a command so they would perform. I truly wanted to feel their touch, to get lost in the sensations.
Together, they worked off each piece of my clothing, one folding and storing while the other continued to lavish me with eager fingers. I let them go on for longer than usual before I palmed their heads, guiding them up to my chest. Each took a nipple in their mouth, sucking, nipping. They knew it was something I enjoyed immensely, and after taking the pleasure for as long as I could, I stopped them by pulling their heads back by their hair.
“Strip, then Auberon, in the swing. Ari, get him strapped in.”
When I released them, they began the task of getting Auberon positioned in a leather swing I maintained in the loft. It consisted of four steel posts connected by cross beams at the top. I’d had a friend design it for me, ensuring it was structurally sound for just about anything I could think to do to my possessions while they were in it.
What I liked most about it was the versatility. At the moment, Auberon was getting situated, his back hugged by the supple leather sling, his wrists and ankles connected to cuffs that could be pulled and maneuvered in a variety of ways, depending on the position I wanted him in.
Once Ari had the cuffs in place, Auberon’s wrists and ankles bound, he stepped back out of the way.
“On your knees between his legs.”
Ari positioned himself as instructed while I pulled the cables to draw Auberon’s legs up toward the ceiling, then outward so they were spread wide, and finally toward his head so his body angled at ninety degrees.
“Work his asshole open with your tongue,” I commanded. “Slowly. No need to rush tonight.”
I paused with my hand on the cable, watching as Ari leaned in, pressing his lips to the back of Auberon’s thigh, dragging his tongue downward as his hands splayed over Auberon’s ass, spreading his cheeks open to reveal his puckered hole. When he dragged his tongue along the crease, teasing the sensitive nerve endings, Auberon’s body tensed, a ragged moan falling from his lips.
While I admired Ari’s ministrations, enjoying the soft moans that began escaping Auberon, I adjusted more of the cables, lifting Auberon’s entire body so that he was at the perfect height to take my cock into his mouth. A couple of adjustments allowed me to lower his head so that I could use that mouth the way I longed to.
“Open,” I commanded, spreading my legs as I gripped the steel posts, pushing my cock into his hot, wet mouth.
Auberon’s lips closed enough to seal around my cock, allowing me to slide in and out at my leisure, his tongue brushing along my shaft as I took my time. As I slowly fucked Auberon’s mouth, I watched Ari tongue-fucking Auberon’s ass, his hands firmly gripping Auberon’s thighs, allowing him to go in deep. There was an adoration to the way they interacted with one another. They weren’t merely performing for me, although it was clearly their main objective. No, they enjoyed one another and I couldn’t say I blamed them.
“Now use the toy I set out,” I instructed Ari.
He didn’t immediately get to his feet, ensuring there was no abrupt halt to Auberon’s pleasure before he dragged his tongue up the back of Auberon’s leg then reached over and retrieved the thin vibrator and lubricant I’d set out for him.
After applying a generous amount of lube to the toy and to Auberon’s anus, Ari twisted the vibrator on, then inserted it gently.
Auberon’s mouth was still wrapped around my cock, so I pulled out, dragging the swollen head over his lips.
“Lick.”
He did, thoroughly teasing my cock with his tongue. Every now and again I would push back into his mouth, retreat, his satisfied hum vibrating up through my shaft.
Changing it up again, I stepped closer so that my balls were over his mouth. He went to work diligently massaging and sucking while I reached for his cock, stroking slowly. Ari continued to fuck him with the vibrator, increasing the speed whenever I instructed.
Auberon’s moans intensified, sending vibrations through my balls as he drew them into his mouth. My cock was rock hard at this point, and it took effort to pull back, but I knew it would be worth it.
I traded places with Ari, allowing him to remove the toy and generously lube my cock before he took his place at Auberon’s head.
“Fuck his mouth,” I commanded.
I synced my efforts to Ari’s, guiding my cock into Auberon’s ass while Ari pushed into his mouth. Then we proceeded to fuck him from both ends, our hands firmly holding him in place so the swing remained motionless.
Auberon’s tight hole gripped me like a vise, my attention on the way Ari’s thick cock was disappearing into Auberon’s mouth, stretching his throat. When Auberon would gag, Ari would retreat only to push in again.
“Come in his mouth,” I commanded.
I paused, my cock lodged deep inside Auberon while Ari used Auberon’s exquisite mouth to send him over the edge. I observed, ensuring he saw the pleasure he gave me by his willingness to do everything I instructed. A startled cry escaped him as he came, his legs buckling. When he pulled out and stepped back, I took over.
“Look at me,” I commanded Auberon.
His head lifted, eyes meeting mine as I slammed into him again and again, holding his gaze as I fucked him ruthlessly. I didn’t hold back, ramming in hard, retreating, driving in again. Minutes ticked by as I let the pleasure wash away the anger and frustration from earlier. Auberon’s moans mingled with my rough groans
as I worked us both to that blessed peak.
“Come,” I bit out.
Auberon’s asshole clamped down on my cock, milking me as his cock spurted.
Then it was over.
With my atonement complete, I headed to bed.
TWENTY-FIVE
Monday, January 4, 2021
RANSOM
I’d slept better last night than I had in a long time. And that was despite the discomfort of my healing body. I’d spent the entire night wrapped tightly around Jasper, secure in his warmth. Content for the first time in … too damn long.
Unfortunately, the night hadn’t been endless, and I woke to find Jasper gone. Initially I’d been upset that he hadn’t woken me, but then I’d read the note: Have something to take care of, then home for a shower. Thank you for last night, Titan. I’m looking forward to the next.
Those words had made it easier to get out of bed.
Now as I sat at the small table in the breakfast nook, sipping coffee and skimming news articles coming out of Chicago, I felt my tension rising. The news of our “deaths” had gotten out, the bodies Zion had planted in my house discovered. The cadavers he’d appropriated from God knows where had been burned to a crisp, unrecognizable, as was how he’d wanted it. Or so he’d told me when we discussed how it would all play out yesterday afternoon when he’d summoned me to his office. Evidently, he had a friend who owed him a favor. Must’ve been a big one for someone to want to get tangled in my mess.
According to Zion, the objective was to set the scene so that the medical examiner wouldn’t look too closely. The news was reporting that a space heater had ignited a blaze and my sister and I—our identification handily nearby—had been the unfortunate casualties. To top it off, someone had leaked a few details to the media because they’d already tied Ransom and Braelyn Bishop to our original identities: Salvatore and Teresa Bianchi.
Zion’s doing, I was sure.
But that was pertinent information. After all, if my parents didn’t realize Ransom and Braelyn Bishop were, in fact, their children, faking our deaths seemed moot.
I honestly hated that I had to do this to my sister again, had to end one life and force her to start another all over. She’d been through so much already.
A soft knock on my door had me shoving the iPad away before pushing to my feet. My ribs groaned rather than screamed in protest. The pain was lessening; that was all that mattered.
I opened the door to find Braelyn standing on the small porch, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, no makeup, paired with a white sundress making her look so very young. Then again, at twenty-four, she was young.
“Hey,” she greeted, her eyes warming instantly.
I stepped back, motioned her to come inside.
“How’re you feeling?” she asked as I closed the door behind her.
“Better.” It wasn’t a lie. I was better, I just wasn’t good. Yet. “You want coffee?”
“Desperately,” she answered with a small laugh.
While I poured her coffee and retrieved milk and sugar, she took a seat at the table. I thought nothing of it until I was carrying everything over and I noticed she was reading the article on the iPad, her mouth hanging open.
Son of a bitch.
Her eyes shot up, tears glistening.
“I’m so sorry,” I muttered, setting everything down and easing into the chair beside her. “I didn’t mean for you to find out like that.”
“You killed us off?”
“I had to, Brae.” I reached for her hand, squeezed. “There was no other choice.”
“You said we were going to discuss it. You didn’t—” Her eyes widened in horror. “What about Zeke? Does he know? Does he really think…?”
I nodded. “There was no other choice.”
She swallowed and a tear escaped, sliding down her flawless cheek. “He’s got to be devastated.”
More than anything in this world, I hated to see my sister cry. I’d spent the majority of my life ensuring nothing hurt her, so in moments like this, it was crushing to know I couldn’t protect her from all the bad things.
“We can’t tell him the truth,” I said before she could launch into a plea for me to let him know. The last thing Braelyn wanted was for anyone to suffer because of us.
“You have to.” Her eyes were wild. “That’s not fair. They shouldn’t mourn us.”
Leaning forward, ignoring my ribs’ vehement protest, I hugged her to me. “I’m so sorry, Brae.”
She sobbed silently, clutching me the way she always had, as though I was her lifeline, afraid to let go and disappear into the ether. I knew the feeling. She had always been the only good thing in my life.
A few minutes passed before she pulled herself together, releasing me and wiping her tear-streaked face.
“Are we staying here?”
“It’s the safest place for us. At least right now.”
She nodded and I could tell she wasn’t happy with the news.
“Why? Do you want to leave?”
She shrugged, her gaze shifting to her untouched coffee.
“Did something happen with Talon?”
Her eyes lifted to meet mine. What I saw there caused me to exhale slowly, heavily.
There was no reason to ask her for details, because my sister was one of those people whose emotions glittered in her eyes. As a big brother, I wanted to waltz right out of here, find Talon, and beat the man to a pulp for hurting her, although I had no clue what had happened. But as her confidant and her friend—of which I’d always been both—I knew my sister wouldn’t appreciate my interference. She needed a shoulder to cry on, not something else to deal with such as me and Talon going to blows.
“It’s serious?” I asked, because clearly it was.
“Of course not,” she said quickly, frowning down into the coffee cup.
Yep. That definitely meant it was. At least from her perspective. As for Talon … I couldn’t even pretend to know the man anymore. I’d learned more about him in the past forty-eight hours than in all the years I’d known him. And this place … it explained so much, but at the same time, it confused me all the more.
Squeezing her hand, I waited until she looked at me. “Be careful, Brae. Talon’s a good man, but … this is his world we’re in now. And it’s nothing like what either of us is used to. Those possessions he has … they’re what he ultimately wants.”
“I thought I was beginning to understand it,” she said softly. “I want to, at least. I mean, it’s not easy, but I was trying.”
“Was?”
She shook her head, lowering her eyes.
“We all have needs, Brae,” I told her as I had a million times. “And we’re all unique. What works for one may not work for another.”
“I don’t want to be owned,” she mumbled.
“And I don’t think Talon wants to own you.”
I didn’t know that for fact, but it was a feeling. A sense I’d gotten when I was around Talon and Braelyn that brief time on Saturday morning. I’d seen the way Talon looked at her, and there was definitely attraction there. He was certainly interested. But there was something more, something deeper. Respect? Adoration? He certainly didn’t look at his possessions that way.
“We had an argument,” she continued. “I think I got too nosy. He was defensive.”
“The only thing you can do is talk to him.”
“I know.” She nodded. “I’d planned on it this morning. But he’s busy.”
“He’ll make time for you, Brae. Find him. Talk it out. There’s a lot you have to learn about him.”
There was a glimmer of hope when she looked at me this time, and I could tell I’d taken the right tack. Braelyn wanted encouragement and understanding. They were the only things she’d ever wanted.
A knock sounded and I turned to look at the door as though that would tell me who was there.
“Excuse me a sec.”
As I got to my feet, she reached for the coffee, which
gave me hope. Braelyn had never been the type to sulk or cry. She 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.
Owned (Office Intrigue Book 8) Page 29