Between the two, she definitely favored Grayson. Raul made her uncomfortable.
The way he'd looked at her and talked to her… She'd wondered what he might have done to her had Grayson not been present.
She shivered as a cool breeze teased her spine and realized that though the roman blinds had been pulled, the window had been left open a crack. At least the wind distracted her from her thoughts, and she focused on the thought of getting clean.
Needing to recharge, Sheridan dug through her suitcase. After removing a few things, she took a much-needed shower.
After washing, rinsing, and drying off, she wandered back into the bedroom, dressed in a thin nightgown, and slid between the sheets. She fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow.
Dressed in a conservative pair of slacks, a silk T-shirt, and sandals, Sheridan felt less than professional as she joined Mrs. Sharpe for breakfast in the kitchen the next morning. They sat at an expansive oak table, just the two of them, while Melissa worked at one of the counters.
None of the other Circs had arrived, for which Sheridan was profoundly grateful. Luck shone down on her, finally. Now she just had to get her head together and figure out what to believe. Jules as a good guy, or Jules as the enemy?
Sheridan worked to keep her smile in place as Mrs. Sharpe tried to make her feel welcome.
“I can't tell you how nice it is to finally have a medical expert on staff.” Alicia sighed. “We've been without for months. Doc, the resident Circ expert, comes down when he can, but he has his hands full with the team up North. Now that they're having babies left and right, it's imperative he stay close.”
“Makes sense.” Circ babies? A fascinating prospect she wouldn't have minded studying if she didn't have more pressing matters to attend. And wasn't Mrs.
Sharpe quite the chatterbox? So trusting, when they'd only just met. Then again, she gave Sheridan the same vibe Olivia had. Everyone around this place felt a bit
“more” than normal, though Sheridan had no idea what any of them could do. She could only hope no one read minds, because the thoughts she'd been having about Jules were embarrassing enough to turn her face perpetually red.
“You've met the team. Names can get confusing, since the men call each other by last name, well, except for Jules. But don't worry. They answer to just about anything.”
Mrs. Sharpe paused, and Sheridan realized she was supposed to say something. She dug through her memories of last night. “Kisho was the soft-spoken man next to Morgan, the one with green eyes, his partner.”
“And mate.”
“Mate, right.” Not just partner. That’s a human concept, apparently. “Gunnar is the tall blond with the chip on his shoulder who brought my suitcase to my room.
Jesse is the Circ who married Olivia. They did marry, right? I saw matching rings.” Mrs. Sharpe nodded.
“Ava is your assistant. I won't forget her, because she's the first person around here, besides you, who's vertically challenged.” Mrs. Sharpe grinned.
“And Jules…” Jules is the god on two legs who makes my heart race and my body liquefy. A man who worms his way into my every thought and renders my willpower useless with a kiss. Man, I have it bad. If this guy’s not on the level, I am in real trouble.
Mrs. Sharpe blinked. “Sheridan?”
“Jules is the team leader. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.” Mrs. Sharpe smiled. “That's him. They're all stubborn. Warriors to the bone.
And they don't like to be told what to do unless it's Jules commanding them.” She sighed. “I miss Admiral London. He used to command this group. But he's been so busy on another project for the navy that he can no longer commit himself to the team. That's why I'm here. It's not easy, but Ava helps. Melissa and Jack Keiser are worth their weight in gold.” She nodded at Melissa, the pretty woman with dark hair who stood at the kitchen sink, her hands buried in soapy water.
“You should know that we really have need of you here, Sheridan.” Mrs.
Sharpe looked deeply into her eyes. “Jules especially needs your help.”
Sheridan frowned. “Why is that? He seems healthy enough.” Had she missed something before when healing him and sent him home still wounded? Or had Ricardo's drugs had long-lasting effects she hadn't considered?
“He recently returned to us from a mission that went very wrong. He was gone for a long time, and he suffered greatly.”
I know. I was there.
When Mrs. Sharpe frowned, Sheridan hastily pushed back from the table and her barely touched plate of food. “Well. I appreciate all the help.”
“Jules likes you.”
“Ah, okay.” He’d like to screw me, maybe, and what does any of that have to do with me working to help you?
“How shall I put this?” Mrs. Sharpe placed her hands together on the table in front of her. “The men are very physical. Quite bluntly, they're sexual creatures.
They work hard; they play hard. Circs are difficult at best when it comes to social situations, this group in particular.”
“I don't have any issues with anyone, but I'll be sure to let you know if I do.” Mrs. Sharpe gave her a look she couldn't decipher. “Wonderful. Then I'll let you get started on your work. The lab is downstairs, and the passcode into your office is one-one-three. We normally use the stairs, but there's a freight elevator down the hall and to the right you might need to use from time to time.” Mrs.
Sharpe checked the gold band on her wrist. “Will two hours be enough time before your first appointment?”
“Sure.” First appointment?
“Good. I'll send Olivia down at eleven. Might be easier to work with a woman before you take on the men. I'd like you to make sure she's all right. I can't put my finger on it, but I think something might be wrong with her lately.” Sheridan frowned. “What do you mean?” She hadn't sensed anything about Olivia that seemed off, other than her psychic sense. Then again, she'd been so focused on Jules, she might have missed something.
“You tell me. Oh, and when you're done inventorying our supplies, be sure to fill out the forms in the computer for whatever else you think you might need.” Sheridan swallowed. “Mrs. Sharpe, you know I'm not a doctor.”
“I know. I couldn't be more pleased you're not.”
“Why?”
“Because normal medicine won't help our Circs. Doc has a medical degree, yes, but he helped created the Circe serum. He's more a research man than a medical doctor, though he serves both purposes. I want you to help heal our Circs, to fix what's wrong with them when you can.”
“I can fix physical problems, but anything else is beyond me.”
“No worries, dear. Olivia handles our emotional traumas.”
Interesting. “Oh, I didn't know she was a psychologist. Or is it psychiatrist?”
“She's neither, and she's both.” With that, Mrs. Sharpe stood. “If you need me, I'll be in my office. There's a phone list downstairs as well. Ava can help you with most things, but I'm available to answer any questions you might have as well.” Sheridan rose, done eating. “I have one now, if you don't mind.”
“Yes?”
“Where is everyone?”
Mrs. Sharpe laughed. “The team is training. Physical exercise is usually a morning event, unless they're on a mission. Circs need to expend a lot of energy to avoid issues of aggression and dominance that can get overwhelming. Don't worry, you'll learn as you go. And remember, Sheridan, to ask as many questions as you need.”
Fine. How about you tell me if I can trust the lot of you farther than I can throw you? She wanted to yell out all the doubt and anguish bothering her. Instead, she smiled, nodded, and made her way downstairs.