I saw Talon stepping into the house through the open veranda doors in the living room.
He looked good, and I was beginning to realize that was always the case with him. His clothes were similar to those he’d had on earlier: dark faded jeans and a charcoal-gray T-shirt, both tailor-made to fit his enormous body. Not the same clothes he’d worn earlier, because those were still in my room, in the shower, as a matter of fact, right where we’d left them.
It was difficult not to admire him, his incredible physique, long, lean, and layered with the perfect amount of muscle. His chiseled features, angular jaw, the midnight-black hair. All of it came together to form one fine male specimen, and just seeing him set my nerves into riot, my desire for him reigniting in an instant.
I was smiling when he intercepted me, stopping me by pulling me into his arms and pressing his mouth to mine.
Although I could feel tension in the way he held himself, I sighed, sinking into him, surprised by how natural his kiss felt now.
I’d spent a little time attempting to rationalize the feelings I was developing for him after our earlier encounter. I’d had no luck figuring it out until finally I gave up. It didn’t feel like the time or place to try and determine where this was going. It was too new, and there were so many variables I hadn’t taken into account, namely the seven possessions Talon owned. It seemed naive for me to try to insert myself into this on some sort of permanent basis, which was why I’d decided to let it play out. At the very least, enjoy the sex.
“You hungry?” Talon mouthed against my lips.
“Depends on what you’re suggesting.”
His smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes, was like light in the darkness, warming me from the inside.
“I was thinking dinner.” He took my hand. “Then I’ll have you for dessert.”
I shivered, a fact he obviously realized because he smirked.
“This way,” he urged, releasing my hand and placing his on the small of my back.
The table in the formal dining room was set for two, complete with an enormous vase of fresh flowers and two tapered candles, the flames casting small shadows in the dim setting.
Talon pulled out my chair, assisted me, then took his seat on my left, at the end of the table.
For the first few minutes, we engaged in small talk while his possessions delivered wine, water, and the first of what Talon said would be a four-course meal.
“Is this how you eat every night?” I asked, picking up my salad fork.
“Dinner’s a rarity for me. I spend most of my time in my office.”
“What do your possessions do while you’re working?”
“They’ve got chores to tend to, among other things.”
I imagined maintaining this place did take quite a bit of effort. And though I hadn’t ventured out much, I had seen them moving about when I had. Never did I see any of them casually reclining on a sofa or sitting at a table. They were always working or standing sentry over Talon, like the two keeping an eye on us now.
“Can I ask you something personal?” I prompted when Talon didn’t elaborate.
“Anything.”
Based on the sparkle in his eyes, I saw Talon was serious. He would likely answer any question I had. There were definitely plenty on my mind, all related to how he’d come to have seven men dedicated solely to taking care of him.
“How old were you when you first realized you wanted to … own someone?”
He didn’t miss a beat, didn’t appear at all fazed by the inquiry. “Mid-twenties.”
“How old are you now?”
“Thirty-six.” He took a sip of wine. “I’ve owned Auberon for six years, if that tells you anything.”
“Did you own any others before him?”
“I attempted, but they didn’t work out.”
“Did you train them?” I motioned to the two possessions who were standing near the wall, waiting for something to do.
“Of course. It takes time to develop a structure and routine that works. No different than if you hired someone to work for you. They need to know what it is you want, what you like and don’t like.”
“So you consider them staff members?”
“I consider them possessions, Braelyn. Because that’s what they are.”
There was a defensiveness in his tone that warned me to tread lightly.
It was awkward to talk about the men while they were in the room, but I asked the question, anyway. “Do they ever argue with you?”
“Never.”
“What