Taming the lion

chapter 4

So here we were: Braxton and I accepting the first delivery of animals to the park, although we still had a few hoops to jump through before we could release them. Ideally, we were hoping to take in and provide a home for unwanted or injured wildlife, but people wouldn't come just to look at the scenery, and the faster we made some money, the more animals we could rescue. At the auction a few hours earlier, we had purchased wildebeests,  zebras, and the ugliest warthogs I'd ever seen.

At least four of the animals were pregnant, and one of the men I'd met at the auction, a gaming lodge owner named Ethan Leone, had mentioned he had several pregnant animals at his property. he wanted to part with

 His business was mostly hunters, foals, and pregnant mares were of no use to him. I was still thinking it over. Although we badly needed the stock, I wasn't sure about dealing with a man such as him. He seemed very animalistic. I shuddered while remembering the way his eyes were almost orange in color; they had seemed to pierce right through me like he was looking at a juicy steak; his silvery grey hair had made him appear somewhat gentlemanly. However, his sculpted abs, rich, rounded lips, and rough, calloused hands suggested he was anything but...

"Jacey, Jacey..." Braxton was peering at me; concern edged on his face.

I blushed, realizing he had been speaking to me all this time. Things were still a little tense between us since I'd learned he was basically my watchdog from Marie's company here to make sure I wasn't trying to dwindle the investment money and not just the friend coming to assist where he could. I thought he was...

"Braxton, I'm sorry. It's been a few days. I was just thinking over that Ethan guy's offer of more animals which would mean we could get predators earlier than we thought and then maybe have the money for the larger five."

"I understand, Jacey. In fact, you've handled all these a lot better than I thought you would. Just remember, I'm here to help, okay?"

With that, Braxton wandered off to help the men lock down the pens so the vet could safely assess and inoculate them. I sighed, knowing I was too hard on him. He, like Marie, had never done anything but try to help me.

The last few days had shown me a different side of Brax. I was enjoying having him around. Once, I'd let go and accepted my best mate back.

Today was the big one, and I couldn't wait. We were releasing the zebras and wildebeests into the park, and after that, I could take a much-needed break at the lake.

After showering and dressing for the day in my trademark cargo khakis and white shirt rolled up, I stepped outside my cabin to head down to Brax's and start the day. I was not prepared to see the beautiful Ethan standing at the foot of my cabin steps.

"Hi, sexy," he said, sauntering over and taking a seat on my porch. "Thought I'd see if you needed a hand today."

Come to think of it. He had been popping up quite a bit lately. "Oh, Ethan..." I was cut off from finishing as Brax rounded the corner and stopped suddenly at seeing Ethan sitting there. "Ethan, anyone would think you live here."

"You ready to go, Jace?"

"Yep, sure am. I was just coming to get you when Ethan arrived here." But as I was saying, I turned back to Ethan. "Thank you, but we're fine."

"Sure. No problem. Just being neighborly. How about you pop round to mine for a drink later, and we can have a look at those animals I told you about."

"Sure. I'll call you later, and thanks again." I frowned at Brax as he rudely waved Ethan off, and we went to work.

"I can't help it, Jace. I know it's not my place, but there's something about the guy I just don't trust. He's a pig, and the way he looks at you."