word. He took my hand, guided me toward the door leading outside.
“We’ve got about an hour before I have to start delivering possessions,” he informed me. “I need to take care of something. It’s a personal matter. Would you care to join me?”
I found myself nodding. I figured the only way I was going to find out my true feelings for this man was to get to know him better. The more time I spent with him … well, the better I would know him.
With my hand securely in his, we made our way over to the main house. The closer we got, the more I noticed the shift in Talon. Something was wrong, but I wasn’t comfortable asking what, so I walked silently beside him while he stewed.
He stopped at an electronic panel just inside the doors, keyed in something, skimmed the screen, grunted, and then we were on the move again. During our trek, I got a fairly good look at the rest of the house: kitchen, dining, library, study, several more rooms that looked to be for relaxing, and finally a laundry room that could’ve held two of my apartments within its four taupe-colored walls.
Inside, Bram was tending to towels and sheets. The moment Talon stepped into the room, he stopped what he was doing and gave him his full attention.
“Find Taurus. Have Auberon bring him to the main level.”
With a clipped nod, he was out the door.
“What’s on the main level?” I asked, curious.
“It’s an entertainment space.” He motioned for me to exit the laundry room. “Pool table, bowling alley, theater.”
Wow. And to think I’d spent my time reading in my room when I could’ve been bowling. The thought made me smile. I’d never bowled a day in my life. Wasn’t even sure what the objective was.
“And a dungeon.”
I stumbled only slightly as I processed that information, but managed to keep up with Talon as we went down a long hallway.
He stopped at a set of shiny gold doors. “Elevator, down.”
Elevator. Because why not.
Nothing should surprise me, I figured. He’d already admitted he didn’t hesitate when it came to luxury.
The doors opened; Talon urged me forward.
“What happens in the dungeon?” The words came out hesitantly as we entered the elevator, the doors closing silently behind us.
“Elevator, lower level,” Talon commanded. “Punishment.”
Oh, boy.
Why was I coming along again? Maybe getting to know him wasn’t such a brilliant idea. Not when he was in a mood, anyway.
“Who’s getting punished?” Please don’t say me.
“Taurus.” He sighed. “Of all my possessions, he’s the one who ends up receiving the most punishment at my hand. He’s got a tendency for jealousy.”
“He’s jealous? Of what?”
“If I had to guess, you.”
I took a step back, real concern filling me. “I’m sorry, Talon. I had no idea.”
“This is not on you,” he stated firmly. “My possessions shouldn’t be experiencing such emotions.” Another sigh from him. “But as is the way of human nature…”
For a man who claimed he didn’t have feelings for his possessions, I was pretty sure that was disappointment I saw on his face. And in order to feel that, you had to feel something.
The elevator door opened to a lavishly decorated space. I wasn’t good at estimating square footage, but I’d say there was more than enough to hold a hundred or so people easily. And that was just the main area, which resembled a banquet hall with chandeliers mounted above. Along both the left and right wall were a handful of doors. Talon pointed them out along the way. Bowling alley, theater, racquetball court, boxing gym.
We neared the end of the room, where a pool table stood proudly. “What? No separate room for this?”
Talon peered down at me and a smile slowly formed.
I breathed a sigh. At least he’d lightened up a little.
He placed his hand on a palm scanner, and the locks on the double doors disengaged then slowly opened on their own.
When he’d said dungeon, I guess I automatically thought of something dark and dingy, maybe flames coming out of wall sconces. Medieval stuff.
For the record, that was not this.
Holy. Crap.
“You use this much space for punishment?” I asked as we continued to walk.
“These days, yes. I’ve designed a playroom in the main house that I utilize for … sessions. Originally, I’d had this built for a variety of activities, but it doesn’t see much action these days.”
It was incredible in its detail. The walls were unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Reaching out, I swiped my finger