“Are you okay?” Eleanor grew concerned.
“Charley horse. I have my requalification test tomorrow afternoon. I did a short high intensity workout today without a proper warm-up. Trying to fit everything in my day. Speaking of women doing the same thing…each level of security providers needs to meet certain requirements.” He explained the levels. “No difference between a man or woman. When we formed the company, that was the easiest requirement we instituted. Regardless of gender, the responsibilities are the same. None of us ever wanted to explain to a parent or spouse that someone let their loved one down.” His voice cracked.
Eleanor listened and slid off the couch. As Wes explained the testing, she pulled his shoe free and slowly massaged the muscle spasm. “Better?” This was insane. What was she doing?
“Mmm, magic fingers.” He exhaled loudly, then reached down and pulled her back to sit beside him. “Ellie, I’ve been thinking, and I can give you a hundred reasons for me not to ask or for you to say no.” He opened his legs a little wider. “I like you. I’d like to spend more time with you.”
She flushed. “I like you too.” What was she doing? Something fun and exciting? Crossing into the wild, as her sister Lindy used to say.
Before she could explain her inexperience, Wes took her face between his hands. “I need you to know the kiss before was not an accident.” He slanted his mouth and pressed his lips to hers. His tongue swept along her lower lip, slipping into her mouth.
Eleanor froze, her mind sorting through her feelings. She had no idea what to do.
Wes broke their kiss. “Did I misread you, Curly?”
She teared up. “No…I…don’t…know…. I’m so embarrassed.” She stood and walked in front of one of the towering windows overlooking the corrals and pasture.I’m scared.
“Come here.” He took her hand to bring her back to the couch. He scooped her into his arms and pulled her into his lap like she was not the size sixteen she was. “Let’s sit here and talk. We can enjoy the fire,” he said sweetly.
In his arms, the tension left her body, and she rested against his chest.
* * *
The wine and exhaustion took over, and Eleanor fell asleep in his arms.Did I hear her right? Had she ever been kissed?As he contemplated the idea, he fell asleep too.
Wes’s eyes opened as the front door squeaked. He chuckled. Troy, Ken and TJ, attempting to be quiet, grew louder with each step they took.
Ellie’s eyes flew open. “Shh.” Wes covered his lips and the tip of his nose with his finger. “They’re trying to be quiet.”
She moved to get off his lap. “I better get going.”
“You don’t have to go on their account.” He squeezed her tighter.
“I do. I promised my staff I’d meet them for breakfast. I haven’t finished setting up my apartment.”
“Give me a minute, and I’ll walk you home.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Oh, boys?” he called.
“I told you he wasn’t asleep,” Troy said.
“Who could sleep through you three? I’m walking Ellie home, and I’ll be back.”
Wes helped Eleanor into her coat and headed out the door. As they approached the front doors to the Alpha building, a man in black BDUs and a black jacket greeted them. “Good evening, Mr. Crockett.”
“Hey, Harris, all calm?”
“Yes, sir. Ma’am,” the security operator said.
“Harris Yang, this is Ellie West, new head of our animal therapy program. Ellie, Harris is one of the facility’s security supervisors.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she said.
“Me as well. Have a good night.” He continued his patrol.
“How many people work overnight?”
“We train around the clock. But facility security, now that we have the extra land and the animals, is twenty men and women.”
They continued their walk toward her building. “Do you have your ID tag?”
