Nanny for the Army Rangers by Krista Wolf

 

Twenty

 

 

DELILAH

We spent a few minutes assessing the situation, with Duncan eventually determining it was worse than we initially realized. Our raccoon problem was plural, meaning there was probably a whole family. We saw pellet-sized evidence of varying sizes, plus we could hear the scratching noise behind more than one wall.

“I’ll pick up traps in the morning,” the ranger grumbled. When I made my most shocked face, he shook his head and smiled. “Safe traps,” he amended. “The catch and release kind.”

We were deep enough into the darkness now that I was more than a bit lost. Duncan took his time leading me back through the rooms, pointing out different features of the hundred-year old estate. This side of the mansion was much bigger and fancier than the side we were living on. The rooms were wide and vaulted, with detailed paneling and intricate crown mouldings and all sorts of other stuff that would, when finished, be breathtakingly beautiful.

“Did old man Jackson always own this place?” I asked.

“I think so,” Duncan replied. “Either he had it built, or he bought it shortly after it was constructed.”

We were moving slowly, since we were both barefoot. More than once Duncan took my hand to help me step around something. After the third time, he simply refused to let go of it.

Or maybe it was even me, not letting go of him.

“Whatever happened here though,” he said, “it happened all at once. Like the Jackson family just up and left.”

“How do you know?”

“Just look around,” said Duncan. “Projects were dropped midway through being done. Some of these materials have been sitting here for five or six decades. They were here when the guys and I started.”

“You, Liam, and Julius.”

“That’s right.”

“And your friend…” I started slowly.

“Roman.”

“Yes.” I hesitated. “Did he grow up here? Or—”

“Roman was way more than a friend, he was more of a brother to us,” Duncan cut in. “A comrade in arms.”

“I see.”

“And no, he never really knew this place. He’d seen photos, and he’d visited the grounds once or twice. And he talked about it all the time. He described it in such painstaking detail the three of us felt we knew it, even before we got here.”

“Why?”

“Because this place was his birthright,” Duncan continued. “His legacy. All throughout our time with him, Roman spoke of fixing it up. He wanted to get it ready for his wife, when he eventually chose a wife. And for his children, when he finally had them.”

I could sense the sorrow in his voice as he spoke. I didn’t want to press too hard, but there were still some things I wanted to know.

“At least he got to accomplish those things,” I pointed out. “He married a beautiful woman. He had two gorgeous kids.”

Duncan nodded, silently squeezing my hand around the next pile of construction materials. We stopped abruptly, and he turned to face me. His jaw was clenched, his expression fierce yet strikingly handsome. For a moment I thought he might chastise me, or tell me to let it go.

Then a shiver ran through my body, causing me to shudder involuntarily.

“You’re cold.”

It was freezing on this side of the house, especially considering what we were wearing. I was still in my sleep-shirt, which came down to my knees, but beneath that I was practically bare. Likewise, Duncan’s T-shirt and boxers left a lot of exposed skin.

“Come on,” he said, sliding one warm arm around my waist. “Let’s get back.”

We walked in silence this time, our intrusion having scared the raccoons away for the time being. Somewhere along the way Duncan began rubbing my back. His big palm slid gently up and down, warming me up, comforting me as we moved through the ancient rooms and halls.

He’s sweet.

Eventually we passed back through the plastic curtains, and into the heated, lighted part of the mansion. All of a sudden it felt like home, and the feeling was really good.

Really sweet.

We checked on the twins again, and found them exactly in the same positions we’d left them. After covering them to the shoulders with their tiny blankets, we closed the door gently behind us and re-entered the hallway.

“Well it’s been an adventure,” Duncan smiled, his arm slowly dropping away from me. His handsome smile was meant to be a parting one. “Goodnight Delil—”

“I’ve thought about it a lot,” I blurted. “Just as you asked.”

The ranger’s face registered genuine confusion. His smile faded. “Thought about what?”

“I want to kiss you.”

He reached behind his head, to rub at the back of his neck. The move flexed his bicep into a hard, delicious-looking boulder. “You do, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Well now that changes things.”

He took my hand again, tugging gently until my arm was extended. It took me a moment to realize he was pulling me toward his room.

“Not in there,” I said. “Out here, in the hallway.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s neutral ground,” I shrugged. “Neither one of us has an advantage.”

“Do I really need an advantage?” he laughed. “It’s a kiss, not a competition.”

“I know,” I said, dropping my gaze shyly. “But if I go in there with you… who knows what’ll happen?”

A silence blanketed the hallway, as my gaze slowly crawled back up his body. When my eyes met his, I bit my lip.

“I love it here too much, Duncan. I can’t risk that.”

Behind those two chestnut irises I saw respect, reverence, understanding. Without a word he swept me into his arms, crushing me against his broad, perfect chest as he bent to kiss me.

Ohhh…

With the others, I was prepared to give as good as I got. With Duncan however, I completely surrendered. His lips were soft but insistent, his hands gentle but still commanding as they took hold of me throughout the act. His tongue slid forward, dueling softly with mine as I whimpered into the nighttime silence.

My God…

I would’ve been content to just lay there and drown in his two strong arms. Instead I savored every last second of the blissful delirium, knowing it could end at any time.

And that’s because it was the hottest, wettest open-mouth kiss of my life.

I don’t know exactly when it ended, only that I was left standing on my toes, wanting more. Duncan retreated slowly backwards, still holding my gaze. By the time he reached his bedroom, my body was already screaming for more of his touch.

“I’m leaving this door open,” he said, smiling wickedly as he passed inside. “In case you change your mind.”

Ten seconds passed. Half a minute. I could feel my pulse picking up speed as I stared down at my two bare feet, willing them to move.

And then they finally did move…

Ah shit, Delilah.

And I was powerless to stop them.