Page 3 of Crimson Everlasting
He was drifting ever closer to sinking into a state of moroseness when he heard someone speaking and walking about the clearing. That person then started walking toward the stream. Emrys stood and watched, and soon a man appeared, tall and solid, dressed in a black suit, and moved like someone in control, someone of power and confidence.
The closer he got, the more interested Emrys found him, and although he was, at first, irritated by the intrusion, he was now engaged and eager to discover this man’s name and his purpose in touring private property. The moment their eyes met, Emrys felt the touch of something meaningful. It shocked him since usually men like this took one look at his youthful appearance and wrote him off. They didn’t realize they were looking at a man who was two hundred and fifty-three years old.
“Excuse me.” He said. “Are you the owner of this property?”
“Yes, Emrys Tarquin.” Emrys didn’t see any reason to be coy.
“Trent Wells, I’m a security officer with the Crimson Corporation. I apologize for intruding. The agent gave my superior permission to enter this property.” Trent, that was a nice name, and he had good manners, which was a plus for Trent and Crimson.
"Yes, well, that agent no longer works for me." He said not with anger but with resolve, and he kept his expression even. There was no need for anger or challenges. Trent seemed like a decent guy and not there to start trouble.
The man’s stoic presence broke for a moment, and he smiled and then looked away. “Understood.” He said. “I have two men with me; they're to the north of us. We’ll get out of your way as soon as possible. It was nice meeting you, sir." He started to turn away, and Emry felt the sudden urge to have him stay.
“I’m sorry to disappoint your superiors. I know that they had their eyes on this piece of land, but it’s been in my family a long time, and I've decided to build my home here." Emrys moved away from the side of the creek and approached Trent, where he stood several feet away. Trent did not retreat or move,and the way that his eyes held Emrys and the feelings that overcame him at his obvious interest were intriguing.
“The acreage is located on our borders, so when it appeared that it was going up for sale, we made an offer. But it's a loss, not a hardship for us." Trent did step back when Emrys continued to walk up the small embankment and into the clearing. Trent walked by his side, and Emrys found his company very pleasing.
"The Crimson property is quite massive, from what I've been told," Emrys commented.
"Yes, Alexander Stone, the CEO, has worked over the years to expand the holdings of the Corporation just as his father did before him," Trent explained, but there was more there, and Emrys could feel it. The Crimson was much more than a simple Corporation.
Trent was good, but his words were too rehearsed. He would have Nolan check into it for him. He liked to know his neighbors even if he didn't actually know them. Although if they were all like Trent, he would very much like to know them. He was courteous without being forced it was natural and Emrys' loved good breeding and pleasant conversation.
He described his plans for the area and his timeline for completion and found that he very much enjoyed talking with this man. Trent was a complete pleasure, and his handsomeness added much to the experience. His jet black hair was styled but not fussy or too much. His eyes were a sage green that played off beautifully against his creamy complexion and that shadow of a beard.
He was manly in an old world sense, strong, solid, and mannerly, all the things that could make Emry’s heart patter. Hestood well over six feet. Emry wasn't sure how much, since he was just over five feet; everyone seemed tall to him.
He stumbled over a root at one point, and Trent reached out and took his hand to steady him. He would say that the contact was electric, but that word was too ordinary for such an exceptional man like Trent. The contact was astonishing and left him swaying slightly under the effect. That was more on track with the feelings rushing through Emrys.
Trent walked him to his car, which was parked half a mile from the site. He did this without asking, just fell into step with him, and continued their easy exchange. “Would it be too forward of me to invite you to dinner this evening?” Emry’s asked.
“Not forward at all," Trent said with a smile. “Actually, I was trying to come up with the right words to ask you the same question.” He stated this with a cock of his head and a half smile that melted things within Emrys. The reserve and distance he always held so fast were melting away under the heat, and this man was holding the flame.
“I’m staying at the Riverside Hotel, and I'm told they have a marvelous restaurant in-house."
“They do, how about I meet you there?"
“Does seven o’clock work for you?”
“Perfectly.”
Trent was having a hard time keeping his feelings in check and the pure excitement off his face. He was assailed by a rush of familiarity as soon as Emrys had spoken to him at the creek, and the moment they touched, he knew exactly who thisman was. He was the new owner of the two hundred acres; he was human, and he was Trent’s chosen, his Fated bond.
Emrys Tarquin was twenty-five years old according to the research, and inherited the land from his cousin John Murphy, who was in real estate in New York prior to his death by natural causes. It all seemed straightforward, but Trent got a sense that things were not exactly as they appeared. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was that he suspected, but his intuition was telling him to pay attention.
Paying attention to Emrys would not be difficult. He walked him to his car and they discussed the land, the home he was envisioning building there, and his plans for the future. He was treating the land like a steward and not like a possession, which was admirable.
Trent was struggling with the best way to ask him out or get his number when Emrys asked him to dinner. Emrys was feeling the attraction as well. The date was set for seven o’clock at the Riverside Restaurant, and Trent was already feeling the excitement of seeing Emrys again, building in his core. The pull was fierce, and by the hungry look in Emry's eyes, he was also feeling it.
"It was very nice meeting you, Trent." He said as Trent held his door, and Emrys effortlessly slid into the seat with his eyes never leaving Trent’s face.
"I'm glad our paths crossed today, and I'm looking forward to dinner," Trent responded. They said their goodbyes, and Trent watched him pull out and onto the road. He stepped forward in order to watch until he was out of sight. He had it bad, so damn bad. He stood there for a few more minutes just looking down the road in the direction that Emrys had disappeared.
He pulled out his phone, called Anders and Shane, and asked them to meet him at the car. The property owner had been on-site and was not inclined to sell. He also intimated that they were on private property. The agent who had given them permission no longer worked for him, making it clear that he had no authority to grant permission. They packed up and headed out.
Once back at the mansion, he met with Tobias in his office. "Sit down," Tobias instructed. "So, the sale is a no-go?" He asked, but his tone indicated he already knew the answer.
"He's building an elaborate home, a very lovely design, near the creek on the rise. He's serious about moving in. He's a young man, but comes off as mature and settled. He’ll be a good neighbor.” Trent couldn’t help the light feeling he had in his heart when he spoke of Emrys. Tobias kept staring at him and not speaking; he was obviously expecting there to be more. Trent hesitated for just a moment and then added. “He’s my chosen, Emrys Tarquin is my Fated bond.”
