Page 64 of Emma's Element

“Let’s see. We have a former Army, former Navy, former police officer, among others,” Graham explained.

“Which one are you?”

“None of the above. I’ve been career Search and Rescue since college.”

“I never realized one could do that as a career.”

“If you’re dedicated enough and don’t care what kind of hellhole you’re sent to, you can.”

“What types of places have you been sent to?” Marcus was beyond curious about this man. What a fascinating life.

“Anywhere there was a disaster. Earthquakes, floods, tornados, tsunamis. There is no shortage of natural disasters in this world.”

The tsunami part caught Marcus’s attention. The few weeks he’d spent helping to clear the rubble had been intense but worthwhile. “You went to Indonesia?” Graham’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.”

“No, it’s okay. I just don’t like to talk about it.”

“That rough, huh?” Marcus knew exactly how rough it had been.

“You have no idea.” Of course, Graham was wrong about that one. He thought about the boy he’d befriended who’d lost his entire family. He had broken Marcus’s heart. Panji had lost everything but still smiled as he trotted along beside Marcus every day. He’d even jumped right in and helped with the clean-up. Resilient was the only word Marcus could use to describe him.

Needing to change the subject before more thoughts of the tsunami depressed him, he asked, “How did you get into the search and rescue business?”

“When I was a senior in high school, a tornado hit my town. It destroyed my home. A friend and I had to dig my brother out.”

“The brother that was with you today?” Graham nodded. “Glad to see he’s okay.”

“Then, in college, I volunteered to help a neighborhood recover from flood damage. Only it wasn’t done raining. A few friends and I commandeered a boat and rescued people from their flooded-out homes. I was hooked.”

“Your life would make a fascinating movie,” Marcus mused.

Graham gave a bark of laughter. “I don’t know about that.”

“It’s something to think about,” Marcus ruminated.

“I should warn you; the press has been all over this story. ‘The superhero and the real-life superheroes, I think they are saying. Or something like that.” Marcus groaned. “Exactly. The Nighthawks will do our best to shield you as much as we can.”

“They may not leave you alone.”

“If that’s the case, we’ll deal with it.”

“I will do my best to reciprocate. I admire everything you stand for and do.”

“Appreciate it. I’ll let you get some rest now. We’ll be here a little longer if you need anything.” He turned to leave.

“Graham?” The Nighthawk looked back at him, and Marcus felt himself getting choked up. “Thanks . . . for everything.” Graham nodded then walked out the door.

While every organization could have its bad apples, he’d gotten to know most of the Nighthawks, each of them seemed to be as altruistic as Graham. No, none of the Nighthawks had deceived him. So, then, how did Charlie know how to find him?

He turned his focus to the woman sprawled across him, sound asleep. She must have been exhausted after half carrying him through the woods. His fierce warrior had saved him. She never ceased to amaze him. He moved his hand to her back, touching her skin. That’s when he discovered they were both naked. He smiled. Of course, she had used her body heat to warm him. He’d taken a dip in the creek last night and must have been hypothermic. She was truly his hero.

He stroked her back, moving his hand down over her ass. He couldn’t help his own body’s reaction to hers as more sensations of her skin touching his registered in his groggy brain. Her breasts pressed against him. Her leg thrown across his thighs. Her shapely ass his to explore. He smiled and kissed her head. She made a humming sound of pleasure as he touched her. He loved those sounds she made. They were such a turn-on for him. She stirred and opened her eyes. He studied her face. She looked tired, haggard even, but happy to see him.

“You’re awake,” she said, then smiled. “And randy.”

“I am, and how could I not be with your beautiful body wrapped around me,” he replied, squeezing her ass cheek.

“How do you feel?” she asked, concern clouding her eyes.

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