Read Online MARKED (Hunter Awakened) by Rascal Hearts - Free Book Online
Authors: Rascal Hearts
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the camera, there comes a
moment, even as a child, where you realize that this is what you
were born to do. And, of course, I'd always had to add that I
was so grateful to my parents for getting me started in film. I
hoped that Elias's story wasn't like mine. That one hadn't had a
very happy beginning, though the middle was much better so far.
“I do not know if I ever truly decided that
this would be my chosen profession.” He started out slow, like he
had to think about what he was saying before he said it. “I have
always wanted to help people, to protect them. It is, I believe, in
my nature, and has been for as long as I can remember. Doing this
just seemed to be a way for me to do this and make a living.”
Interesting. I leaned forward slightly. “I'd
think that the first thought for someone who wanted to protect
people would be policeman, fireman, soldier, maybe a paramedic.
Bodyguard is usually what people like Paul do, men who were one of
those things and need a civilian job.”
“Paul?”
There was a glint of something that I thought
almost looked like jealousy in Elias's eyes, but it was gone before
I could really analyze it. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to
answer his question. “Paul enlisted in the Marines right out of
high school, and he spent three of his four years overseas. When he
came back to the States, he wanted something different and ended up
here.” I took a sip of the red wine I'd poured. “But your paperwork
didn't say anything about being in the military.”
“I suppose,” he said. “That those noble
professions would seem obvious for someone like myself who stated
that he wished to protect people, but as I considered every option,
this one appealed to me the most.”
Something about his tone told me that this
line of questioning wouldn't be going any further into his personal
life. I gave him a smile and turned to other things.
As the meal progressed, I learned that his
favorite desert was blueberry cobbler, his favorite color was dark
green and that he'd always wanted to own a St. Bernard. All of this
was good, but I was sensing that he was purposefully keeping things
just at surface level. That, I supposed, left it to me to allow
things to get personal.
When we finished our meal, I told him that
there was something I wanted us to do before we had dessert. “When
I was growing up, my favorite part of Thanksgiving was when we
finished the main meal, everyone would help decorate the house. I'd
really like it if you'd help me decorate.” Okay, so I didn't let it
get too personal either.
Elias looked surprised, but he didn't run
away screaming either, so that was something. When he nodded, I
could feel my smile stretching wide enough to hurt. As I led him
into the living room where I'd set everything out, the excitement
bubbled up inside of me, and it wasn't just because Elias was here.
I'd forgotten how much I'd loved this time of year. I gave him a
sideways glance as I turned on the Christmas music and earned one
of his rare real smiles. He seemed to be enjoying himself as
well.
“Are there particular places on which you
wish these decorations to hang?” Elias picked up a garland.
I shook my head. “Surprise me.”
And that was when I learned something very
important about Elias Bane. He could actually be a little
silly.
He took two long strides and hooked the
garland around my shoulders. My heart gave a silly little flutter.
He pulled me towards him, our eyes locking. This was it, I thought.
He was going to kiss me. He tossed the end of the garland around my
neck like a scarf, the twinkle in his eyes turning into a smolder.
I was suddenly very aware that we were alone in the house.
“Thank you, Teal, for inviting me to share
your holiday meal.” His voice was low, running over me like warm
water. “It has been a long time since I have had company on a
holiday.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. All
he had to do was lean a little closer. The
moment, even as a child, where you realize that this is what you
were born to do. And, of course, I'd always had to add that I
was so grateful to my parents for getting me started in film. I
hoped that Elias's story wasn't like mine. That one hadn't had a
very happy beginning, though the middle was much better so far.
“I do not know if I ever truly decided that
this would be my chosen profession.” He started out slow, like he
had to think about what he was saying before he said it. “I have
always wanted to help people, to protect them. It is, I believe, in
my nature, and has been for as long as I can remember. Doing this
just seemed to be a way for me to do this and make a living.”
Interesting. I leaned forward slightly. “I'd
think that the first thought for someone who wanted to protect
people would be policeman, fireman, soldier, maybe a paramedic.
Bodyguard is usually what people like Paul do, men who were one of
those things and need a civilian job.”
“Paul?”
There was a glint of something that I thought
almost looked like jealousy in Elias's eyes, but it was gone before
I could really analyze it. Instead of dwelling on it, I decided to
answer his question. “Paul enlisted in the Marines right out of
high school, and he spent three of his four years overseas. When he
came back to the States, he wanted something different and ended up
here.” I took a sip of the red wine I'd poured. “But your paperwork
didn't say anything about being in the military.”
“I suppose,” he said. “That those noble
professions would seem obvious for someone like myself who stated
that he wished to protect people, but as I considered every option,
this one appealed to me the most.”
Something about his tone told me that this
line of questioning wouldn't be going any further into his personal
life. I gave him a smile and turned to other things.
As the meal progressed, I learned that his
favorite desert was blueberry cobbler, his favorite color was dark
green and that he'd always wanted to own a St. Bernard. All of this
was good, but I was sensing that he was purposefully keeping things
just at surface level. That, I supposed, left it to me to allow
things to get personal.
When we finished our meal, I told him that
there was something I wanted us to do before we had dessert. “When
I was growing up, my favorite part of Thanksgiving was when we
finished the main meal, everyone would help decorate the house. I'd
really like it if you'd help me decorate.” Okay, so I didn't let it
get too personal either.
Elias looked surprised, but he didn't run
away screaming either, so that was something. When he nodded, I
could feel my smile stretching wide enough to hurt. As I led him
into the living room where I'd set everything out, the excitement
bubbled up inside of me, and it wasn't just because Elias was here.
I'd forgotten how much I'd loved this time of year. I gave him a
sideways glance as I turned on the Christmas music and earned one
of his rare real smiles. He seemed to be enjoying himself as
well.
“Are there particular places on which you
wish these decorations to hang?” Elias picked up a garland.
I shook my head. “Surprise me.”
And that was when I learned something very
important about Elias Bane. He could actually be a little
silly.
He took two long strides and hooked the
garland around my shoulders. My heart gave a silly little flutter.
He pulled me towards him, our eyes locking. This was it, I thought.
He was going to kiss me. He tossed the end of the garland around my
neck like a scarf, the twinkle in his eyes turning into a smolder.
I was suddenly very aware that we were alone in the house.
“Thank you, Teal, for inviting me to share
your holiday meal.” His voice was low, running over me like warm
water. “It has been a long time since I have had company on a
holiday.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. All
he had to do was lean a little closer. The
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