Page 19 of The Tycoon
She thought about the question for a moment.“My boyfriend at the time was going into the Army and I knew I didn’t want to go to college, at least not yet, and more than anything, I wanted to be with Danny.So we joined together.We signed up for the same things and thought we’d be together that way.Actually, the recruiter assured us we would be.But we weren’t.We were sent to different posts for basic training and then stationed at different ones after that.Heck, we weren’t even on the same continent.”She leaned back against the sofa.“He went to Korea, and I was sent to Germany.After a couple of years, I decided I wanted something more exciting and applied to join the Rangers.”She sipped her coffee, the smooth dark brew, slid easily down her throat, warming her all over.“Long story short, I worked my butt off to make it as a Ranger.It’s hard and very few women make it.Heck, most men don’t make it.Fifty percent of the candidates who enter Ranger Training School wash out in the assessment phase.”
He whistled.“Wow, I’d heard it was tough.I didn’t realize how tough.You must be pretty special…to have made it as a Ranger.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m special, but I was determined.And now I’m tired.”She sipped the last of her coffee and set the empty mug on the coffee table.
Cole followed suit with his empty mug.
Regan laughed.“I can’t believe you’re afraid of that little elf.”
Cole cocked an eyebrow.“He’s right to be afraid.Wendy’s like a wolverine if someone comes after anyone she cares about.Or if they’re late to dinner.”He laughed.
She shook her head.“She’s a lovely woman and one of my best friends.Actually, she is my best female friend.I don’t have anyone other than her.I have lots of male friends, though.”Regan didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her for not having girlfriends.She didn’t mind.The friends she had were great.Powerful men she’d met as a Ranger.They were part of her team and she knew they had her back should she ever need them, just like she had theirs.
Regan turned to Cole and placed her hands on her hips.“You get the bedroom, but I need to change first.”
He stared, while he appeared to chew the inside of his cheek.“I’m not taking the bed unless you’re in it with me.”
Eyes wide, she stared.“You want to sleep with me?”I don’t know if I can keep my hands off my employer.I’ve never been so attracted to a man before.
“I’m a red-blooded American male.Of course, I want to sleep with you, but…” He held up an index finger.“That’s not what I mean tonight.I simply mean rest in the same bed.Because neither of us will allow the other to sleep on the sofa, we have to come to a compromise.I’ll sleep on top of the sheet and you’ll sleep under it.You’ll be safe and we’ll both have blankets.”
Yes, I’ll be safe, but will you?
