Taber (2 page)

When Candace had mentioned her best friend Lainey was looking for a job as well as looking for a home for a female Eurasian lynx, he’d agreed to look over her credentials, to appease Candace. Taber had never thought he would actually hire the woman. Yet the more he read into Lainey’s background and spoke with others in their profession, the more impressed he had been. Time and again people had told him of her dedication to the animals—the lynx was proof. In Kali’s memories he’d seen that Lainey had saved her after her family had been slaughtered, when Kali was but a kitten. She’d nursed her by hand and had fought to make her live.

The lynx’s memory only reaffirmed what had made him give her name to his staff to vet her for the job with his sanctuary and reserves. His staff had agreed with his assessment—she had been undervalued and too good at what she did for a mere subordinate role. He’d had them hire her as the director of the New Mexico locale of the EASAWR. He’d expected her to work hard and make the new reserve a success. He hadn’t expected his reaction to her, yet it felt right. Fate did as it pleased.

The truck stopped, signalling they had arrived. Taber pushed aside the thoughts of the captivating woman and focused on what, for all intents and purposes, was her child. The lynx started to stir.

You are safe. And in moments you will be in your new home.
He sent those thoughts to the lynx.

Anxious waves of fear bombarded him. Taber kept repeating the words mentally and out loud as they unloaded Kali. She didn’t calm, getting more agitated. Taber couldn’t understand why she wasn’t relaxing with his words. Then it dawned on him why she was so frightened.

“Lainey is on her way. She hasn’t left you. She will be with you again. This is both of your homes now. And I will protect you both.”

The lynx, still half asleep, quietened. Taber mentally talked with her, filling her in about the people who worked at the sanctuary as well as the other animal residents. After the others finished unloading her, they left him alone with the lynx. It was his usual method. He spent time with every new animal resident to make them comfortable. He could quiet their fears and give them a sense of welcome. Taber watched outside the gated enclosure as the lynx lay inside its new home. She stirred, coming more fully to consciousness. Kali raised her regal head and stared at him. Suddenly, she stood and ran into the woods.

Taber chuckled. The lynx peeked out of the woods, then darted to the fence. She sat on her hind legs and watched him curiously. He could see her trying to figure out who he was. Taber sat on the ground outside the enclosure.

“I’m Taber. The owner of all this. It is quite large with lots of space for many animals just like yourself.” He gestured around, then put his hand in his lap. “Now, that’s enough about me. Tell me about Lainey.”

Kali turned her head to the side, watching him. Suddenly a sense of love and warmth filled him. Taber smiled as the emotion of the lynx filled him in turn.

“I know you love her. But give me the good stuff. Is she involved with anyone?”

Not that it would matter—Lainey and he were destined to be. She lowered herself to the ground, relaxing. Images of being stalked and ripped up flooded Taber’s mind. He mirrored her pose.

“I’m not going to hurt her,” Taber assured the lynx.

He accepted the warning from the wild animal for what it was intended. A child protecting its parent from harm. The images stopped then she studied him for a bit. New images filled his mind. Taber watched closely as Kali filled him in on Lainey.

* * * *

Lainey frowned at the receding tail end of a huge truck she hadn’t noticed before. “How the hell did they unload her so fast? I didn’t even hear them.” She turned to Candace.

Candace had a weird expression on her face. It cleared so quickly Lainey believed she’d imagined it.

“They are very efficient,” Candace said.

“They are. I guess I will need that ride.”

“Come on, then.” Candace cocked her head towards her car.

Lainey picked up her backpack and put it on the back seat before joining Candace in the front of the car. Candace got them on their way.

“Thanks again for putting in a good word with Mr Ellis for me.”

“As I’ve told you many times, his name is Taber. He won’t like you calling him Mr Ellis. Anyway, no problem about telling him about you. All I did was mention you. You did the rest. Taber wouldn’t have hired you unless he thought you were the best for the job.” Candace shrugged.

Candace had been Lainey’s best friend since childhood. They’d always kept in touch although their careers had taken them to different parts of the world. Candace was engaged to marry Talios Ellis, who was Taber’s big brother. Candace had already asked Lainey to be her maid of honour and she had been planning to come to the wedding, which was in a few months. When she had got the news that the reserve she used to work for was closing, she’d called Candace. She never thought a conversation with her best friend would have led to a place for Kali, a new job and moving to the same place Candace lived. It had all happened so fast.

“But still you got me in to even be considered. I can do this.”

“You can.” Candace’s tone was confident.

Candace knew her so well she didn’t even have to tell her she was nervous about taking on this job. She’d never worked in the capacity she had been hired for, but had worked closely with others who did. Since accepting the job she had done lots of research and had talked with many people who did what she’d been hired to do.

“I’m so glad to be here,” Lainey said.

“It’s good to have my best friend living so close to me again,” Candace said.

Candace lived with Talios, whose property adjoined the reserve.

“I can’t wait to meet this man who has swept you off your feet. He makes you glow. Oh I don’t think I ever mentioned it—for some reason all the pictures you send of Talios are blurry. So I’ve never seen how he looks.” Lainey paused then continued, “You know the strange thing is, it was the same with the pictures I found in my research of Mr Ellis.”

Lainey saw the same expression as earlier on Candace’s face.

“What’s going on, Candace? You’re hiding something,” Lainey said.

“Look there’s the reserve.” Candace gestured.

“Don’t try to dist…” Lainey turned her head as she spoke.

Her words trailed off when she got her first view of the Ellis Animal Sanctuaries and Wildlife Reserve. It was beautiful. The massive archway they passed under had the name carved on it. Behind that was land that went farther than she could see. While they drove along the road, Lainey could hear various animals calling out, but she couldn’t see them. Lainey stared at the vast lands as Candace drove for a bit then made a turn. When she strained to look, she could make out some of the habitats. They went on and she could see others better. Candace bypassed some buildings then went down a path. In moments they were before an area Lainey thought was Kali’s.

“I figured you’d want to see where she will live before seeing to your own comfort. Oh, your things arrived and have been placed in your house and those stated for your office are already waiting for you, too. Also, they have a SUV for you to use when you have to go to outside the reserve. And there’s a ride for you to use around the reserve,” Candace said.

Lainey nodded. Housing and transport came as part of her working here. She got out of the car, moving then to the back door and retrieving her backpack. She joined Candace at the hood of the car.

“This is…” Lainey trailed off, not having words for what she was viewing.

The fenced enclosure looked as if it was actually in a dense forest or woodland. There were many outcroppings and even rocky ledges, which she knew Kali would love. Every need imaginable had been taken care of for her new home. Candace’s voice refocused her attention.

“I’ve got to get back to work. Someone will meet you at the gate leading into Kali’s home and give you a ride to your house whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m letting you get away because you have to work. But we
will
be talking about whatever you’re hiding.” Lainey hugged her.

Candace returned it and got back into her vehicle. She honked as she drove away then turned a corner. Lainey walked close to the fence around the caged area. At the gate, where they would load the cat in, Lainey frowned, wondering where they all were. Kali would be waking soon and she didn’t want her in the cage when she did. A sound made her step closer to the fence of the habitat. Lainey’s breath caught as she spotted the man she had ogled by the plane. He was inside the habitat. He walked confidently.

A growl she recognised well came then she spotted Kali—her back was arched and she was heading for the man. Lainey gripped the gate, looking frantically around to see if anyone else was in the vicinity to help rescue the idiot who was about to get himself killed. Her heart pounded as the lynx leapt at the man.

“Kali, no!” Lainey screamed, although she knew it was useless.

Chapter Two

The man fell under the weight of the cat. Helpless, Lainey watched them, then her mouth fell open as Kali rolled with the man. She purred, making this rumbling noise. Lainey, while shocked, realised the man was fine. And from the looks of things, he was playing with the Eurasian lynx like it was a domestic cat. Since Kali had become fully grown Lainey’d never interacted with her like that. Once in a blue moon she had attempted to pet her, but that was iffy at best. As Kali had got older—she was now fourteen years old—it had become less frequent. Yet this man was not only petting her, he was frolicking with her like she was a kitten. The man’s delighted laughter filled the area. It made Lainey’s pussy get damp as she imagined how his face would look.

Lainey gripped the fence harder, silently cursing herself for even being attracted to him. The man was reckless and a danger to the reserve. No one got in the cage with an animal without taking precautions. And they sure as hell didn’t play with them as he was. Lainey watched them, waiting for the chance to tell him about his recklessness. The lynx ran into the woods and he gave chase. They ran in and out of the trees for a while. As Lainey watched, she stewed over each careless movement. Finally the man patted Kali on the head and came towards where she stood. Lainey could see he had known she was there and it only angered her more. Kali made a sound—like a protest. He looked away from Lainey and turned, saying something to Kali that Lainey couldn’t make out. Kali inclined her head then ran into the woods. He returned his attention to Lainey and came to her before he opened the gate and stepped outside. His expression was arrogant as he waited for her to speak.

“You do not put yourself or this sanctuary in danger.”

The man smiled, the amusement plain on his face, but he still said nothing. It aggravated Lainey. Usually she was even tempered but in the face of his careless disregard and unrepentant attitude, she had to force herself to speak slowly to control her anger.

“I’m the new boss of this reserve. If this is what you do it will not fly with me.”

“Is that so?”

Lainey stilled a shudder. His voice was not only deep as she had assumed it would be, it was raspy with a husky quality that made her think of stripping him where he stood and having her way with him. The idea was inappropriate. He worked for her and she would not cross that line. He was an arrogant idiot who had a death wish.

“Yes, that is so. You know what? You’re fired.”

With a laugh, he raised his head, the strong column of his throat in her view. Her mouth watered with the need to lick up his neck then bite on his Adam’s apple. He lowered his head and his entire countenance was amused.

“You can’t fire me.”

“I can. I have complete autonomy in the decisions of this job. Only Mr Ellis can overrule me. And I’m sure even if you were to go to him, when I tell him of your incompetence he will not change my firing you.”

“If that is what you believe, then let us go see,” he said.

Lainey’s eyes narrowed. He seemed too sure and gestured to the Jeep close to the enclosure. She went to it then got in, putting her backpack on the floor to rest between her legs. He got in the driver’s side and without another word started the vehicle. With the same silence they rode back towards the buildings she had seen. He parked in front of one. Lainey got out and waited for him to join her.

Together they went up the stairs and inside. The air conditioning cooled her as she went in. She followed him down the long hall, past various empty offices. This time of day it seemed most were out working somewhere on the reserve. She noted the closed office door with her name on it. It was the last one before the one at the end of the hall. He went to the office which had a sign on the door reading Taber Ellis. Without knocking, he opened it and gestured her in. Lainey scowled then went to pass him.

The man shifted, crowding her. She inhaled. His scent was as wild as him. She couldn’t place it. Lainey refused to back down. She raised her head, meeting his gaze. The respect she viewed in his eyes was at odds with his response to her outside. Lainey moved into the office. She glanced around the spacious room, noticing it was empty showing it wasn’t being used. Behind the desk, the window that encompassed the one wall caught her attention. It looked out onto one of the habitats. Kali loped out of the trees and sat staring at the window. He passed her then leaned against the desk. In that moment it dawned on Lainey who he was.

“You really are an ass, Mr Ellis,” Lainey said.

She wasn’t worried about getting fired. With her contract, if he decided to let her go, the company would owe her a year’s pay. Lainey glanced at Kali just outside the window—it would hurt to leave her, though. She glanced at the man who she now knew was Taber Ellis, thinking she should act nice. He smiled that infuriating grin and she changed her mind.

“And you really are an expensive director for my sanctuary.”

“I would have taken the job for much less money.” Lainey smiled.