Bachelor Unclaimed by Brenda Jackson Page A

minute? But then, didn’t that make her just as bold as him?
    “Come on, time to feed the dolphins,” he said.
    “Dolphins?”
    “Yes.”
    She glanced out the window. “In case you’ve forgotten, it’s storming and—”
    “The dolphin tank is on the back in an enclosed area.”
    “Oh.”
    Already he was walking away toward the laundry room and opening that door that she’d been curious about earlier. She quickly followed, determined not to be left behind. As soon as she walked through the doorway she saw the stairs that led down to what seemed to be a basement area.
    He stood aside. “After you.”
    She nodded and began walking down the stairs. She shook her head at just how trusting she was of this man she really didn’t know. Other than knowing his name was Winston Coltrane and he was a bodyguard to Dr. R. J. Chambers, she didn’t really know a lot about him. She hadn’t found it necessary to ask for a full disclosure of his life the night they’d spent together. All she knew at the time was that the man had set her stomach fluttering the moment she’d laid eyes on him and the sexual chemistry flowing between them had been strong. But still, he was taking her down some stairs that could lead to heaven knows where, so she decided she needed to know more about him.
    “So why would a bodyguard feed dolphins? Is that part of your duties?” she asked over her shoulder.
    “It is if you have a degree in marine biology.”
    She almost missed the next step and he quickly reached out to grab her by the waist to keep her from falling. “Thanks, you can let go of me now.”
    “You sure?”
    “Positive.”
    He slowly removed his hand and she felt the withdrawal of his touch in every part of her body. She frowned up at him. “You never told me that,” she said in an accusing voice.
    Stifling a grin, he said, “Never told you what?”
    “That you were anything to Dr. Chambers other than his bodyguard. You’re also his assistant, aren’t you?”
    He hunched his shoulders. “Possibly.”
    “You are, so go ahead and admit it. Otherwise why would you be feeding dolphins?”
    He smiled. “Because they’re hungry. Now stop asking questions and let’s move on. We’re almost an hour late and Lucy and Ricky don’t like late meals.”
    “Lucy and Ricky?”
    “Yes.”
    She chuckled. “Oh, that’s cute. Who named them?” she asked as they began making their way down the stairs again.
    “Dr. Chambers.”
    “That figures.” And then she decided to ask. “Do you think Dr. Chambers will come down while we’re here?”
    “I doubt it. He has more important things to do. A full moon is expected in a few days and he wants everything to be ready.”
    They had reached the bottom floor and he came to stand beside her. “Ready for what?”
    “Mating of the sea horses. But before there’s mating, there’s a few days where they go through this courtship ritual.”
    A huge smile touched her lips. “You’re kidding, right?”
    “No, I kid you not,” he said, grabbing hold of her elbow to lead her toward an area where she could see a huge tank ahead.
    She tried ignoring the stirrings in her stomach from his touch. “You mean sea horses actually court before they mate?”
    “Yes. As far as I’m concerned that’s too much time wasted. I say just get the one you want and do your thing.”
    Like he’d done to her. Like she’d done to him. “Um, I sort of like the courtship part.”
    “I’m sure most women would.”
    Was that disdain she heard in his voice? She wouldn’t be surprised if it was. “There’s nothing’s wrong with a man making a woman feel special before he does her.”
    He chuckled. “If he works it right, he can make her feel special while he’s doing her. Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.”
    Ainsley stopped walking, which made him have to stop, too. “May I ask you something?”
    A smile touched his lips. “Ask away. That doesn’t mean I’ll answer.”
    She pushed a hand