Dawn Endeavor 3: Julian's Jeopardy by Marie Harte Page B

with a grin. “Make that six monsters.” Olivia shook her head, and Sheridan stared, wide-eyed. The woman was a Circ as well? “You're all Circs?”
    “Not me,” Ava said. “I'm just the hired help.”
    “And I'm mostly human,” Morgan added with a grin.
    She didn't know whether to believe him or not.
    Mrs. Sharpe explained, “Ava's my assistant. We also have Melissa and Jack Keiser on staff. Melissa's our cook; Jack's our handyman.”
    “Okay.”
    “And as you've met the team, I think we'll let you get settled in before we hit you with more. Ava, why don't you show Sheridan upstairs? She'll stay in the guest wing. We can show you the laboratory tomorrow, Sheridan, if you like. It's late, and I'm sure you're tired.”
    Sheridan grabbed the excuse and held tight. Despite their shared past, she hadn't expected to feel so much upon seeing Jules again, and she needed time to catalog and process her feelings. “Yes, I am. A long drive, you know.”
    “I'll take her upstairs,” Jules volunteered.
    “Ah, that's okay—”
    Mrs. Sharpe nodded. “Actually, that's a better idea. Ava, you can help me with Mr. Anderson. I can't find the paperwork on that funding issue we need taken care of. Gunnar? Would you be so kind as to get Sheridan's things from her car?”
    “Sure, Alicia,” he drawled. “Hell, why don't we just open a fucking hotel? First Olivia, then Morgan, now a looker with big blue eyes. Just what we need around here—more women. Ava's bad enough.” He huffed and sneered at Morgan.

    “Really, Gunnar.” Mrs. Sharpe's disapproval rang loud and clear.
    “Did you just call me a woman?” Morgan growled, affronted.
    The others smiled widely and laughed. Ava beamed at Tersch before following Mrs. Sharpe from the room. It seemed almost everyone encouraged his rudeness, while no one seemed easy with her being there. Terrific.
    “Sheridan Keyes, in the flesh. What a pleasure,” Jules rasped and drew closer.
    “You know, I'd swear we've met before.”
    “Wow, talk about a zing. Fallon, you feeling what I'm feeling?” Sheridan heard Olivia ask her husband in a low voice.
    “Yeah, and you wouldn't believe what's in his head.”
    “Fuck off, Fallon. Olivia, butt out,” Jules growled.
    Not understanding the undercurrents in the room, Sheridan tried to step back and found her way blocked by Gunnar.
    “I'll need your keys, honey.” He held out a huge hand.
    She stared from his hand to his ice blue eyes before dropping her keys into his palm, careful to make minimal contact.
    He turned and walked away.
    “I didn't bring much,” she blurted to Tersch's disappearing back and looked up at Jules. During their weeks apart, she'd tried like hell to convince herself that the chemistry hadn't been strong between them. That the danger had spiked her responses. If only.
    “Don't worry. I'm sure we can find you exactly what you need while you're with us,” Jules answered in a soft voice.
    The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. “Er, right. Sure.” She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping the subtle move disguised her hardened nipples.
    “Come with me.”
    She bit her lip but hurriedly smoothed out the gesture with a wobbly smile when she noted the others staring at her. She nodded to them. “Nice meeting you all.”
    “Yeah, nice,” Fallon said with a toothy grin. She blinked. Were those fangs?
    “Sheridan?” Jules waited at the entrance to the room.
    She hurried to follow him.
    As he walked, he talked about the house and grounds. He kept pace with her, making her feel downright tiny by comparison. His muscles were just as big as she remembered, his handsome face just as attractive as she feared. Those mesmerizing eyes, those firm lips. His talented mouth that had set her on fire.
    When he stopped talking, she realized he was watching her watch him, an intent look on his face.
    She blushed and glanced away. “Um, so you said this hall leads to the back stairs?”

    “Yeah. It's the main drag.