“Raven isn’t pregnant, right? You asked how she was feeling,” he whispered.
“She has a rare colon cancer,” Harper sighed. “And then there’s July. All the new graduates started. August can be a rough month too. They are amusing.”
“Amusing?” Kip smiled, but his brain was turning about what she said.
“Okay, some are close to being serial killers. They think they know everything, and when they aren’t sure, they push forward instead of asking for help. Others are going to make great doctors because they are good people. They ask questions. They ask for help. And they constantly observe. There are some who are scared to death.”
“You have good insight, sweetheart, but back to you, what’s keeping you from completing the work in progress?” He brought her back to her earlier comment.
“Life, I guess. I got caught up. Long shifts. I’ve got a great group of friends…” Harper went on.
Kip listened to her carefully, raising an eyebrow after her fifth excuse. Harper blew out a breath. “I’m twenty-seven. Most of my work friends my age are single, but most of the girls I grew up with are married. Honestly, I’m not sure about men.”
“Yet you’re here with me?” Kip wondered. “Walking into my room, and downstairs when I wrapped my arm around you, triggered something...”
Harper crunched her brows. “Are you sure you aren’t a psychiatrist?”
“I think I’d know if I went to medical school.” Kip smiled. “I like you. No ulterior motive.”
“You don’t scare me,” she admitted. “It wasn’t about you downstairs or you in this beautiful bedroom.”
“I’m glad.”
“Maybe yourno ulterior motiveis why you don’t scare me.” She looked at her watch. “What about Josh, Owen and Barry?”
“Josh will occupy them. You are more important.” Kip smiled.
“Well, if you have time… I know you were in the Navy. And you are in charge of the new branch in New Orleans. What else?”
“Okay. I’m forty-one. I have a degree in engineering from the US Naval Academy. After I left the Navy, fifteen of us formed Chase Security with Ian and Kieran Chase. I’ve spent my career growing with the company. I earned my MBA. I also have a master’s in healthcare administration.
“I was born and raised in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey. The upperclassmen at the Naval Academy had fun with that. I have one brother, who’s married with two boys. And I have one sister.
“On Septemberfifteenth, the new branch opens. Tonight, my work night ends with a meeting with Kieran Chase. But I’m done by seven.”
“Do you ever sleep?” she asked.
“I’m hoping to sleep once we open.” He stood and crouched in front of her. “Harper, you are a beautiful and desirable woman.”
She shook her head.
“You are. I’m going to remind you often if you stay around me.” He stared at her. “I’ll start with this: you have sexy ears.”
Harper laughed. “Not much flusters you, huh?” She tilted her head.
“Some things do. You fluster me,” he admitted. “Panic can get you in… trouble.” He adjusted the saying from “fear can get you killed.”
“I fluster you?” Her eyes opened wide.
“Yes. Why is that hard to believe? I keep stumbling all over myself when I’m around you. Sweetheart, will you go out with me? A real date?” Kip got the words out.
Harper’s eyes grew big. “Really?” He nodded. “I’d like that.”
“Will you let me hug you?” He realized at the club when they kissed, she’d had a couple of drinks.
“Okay.” She walked into his arms.
“I want you to know one important thing about me: I do not play games in business, and I definitely don’t play games with women.” He studied her face. “I know your brain won’t shut off. I know you’re worried about being in danger around me. I know I haven’t done much to make you feel comfortable.
