Phoenix Reborn Read Online Free PDF Page B

the best place in town to scan what’s above us, in the day or at night,” he said. “And the sky is open, free of all the crap that goes on down here.”
    “I suppose that’s what appeals to me too,” she said. “It’s uncluttered. I like that.”
    “So tell me: what else do you like?”
    Once again, those deep eyes were taking her in, warm and inviting. Ashling studied him, assessing him. Did he really want a reply to such a question? Well, he’d asked, so she was giving it whether he liked it or not.
    “I like quiet,” she said. “I like seeing new things, beautiful things. I like when people have open minds. I like being alone, but I like to talk to someone who gets me.”
    “That’s a start,” he said. “And—” his hand approached her neck as he pulled her new eagle pendant away from her skin, examining it. “You like a certain sort of bird.”
    “I like many sorts,” she said, trying to ignore the tingling sensation where his fingers had grazed her chest. “I’ve always envied creatures who can fly and get away from everything. The ones who can see the world from above.”
    “It is pretty great,” he said, his eyes trailing back to the sky. “The sensation of it.”
    “Oh? Have you done a lot of flying?”
    “In planes, sure,” he said, pulling his gaze back to her. “I seem to spend half my life on a plane.”
    “Of course.”
    “So, did you get the things done last night that needed doing?”
    “Last night?”
    “You said you’ve been busy.”
    “Oh right, of course. Yes. I did some work at the studio. I needed to finish a project.”
    “Was it the eagle?” he asked, his fingers touching the pendant once again.
    “Yes, in fact.”
    “It’s beautiful. I’m impressed, Ashling. Truly.”
    “Thanks.”
    “Well, if you’re finished, that means you have some free time,” said Hawke. He smiled at her — he had the warmest smile, and she found herself wondering if this was just some symptom of being a talented actor. How could anyone ever trust a guy who’d won awards for pretending to be someone else?
    And once again, he was coming close to implying that he’d like to go out, without actually saying the words. Ashling found her hands balling into tight fists, waiting for what she hoped and feared might come.
    But Hawke seemed distracted a moment later as his eyes moved away from her, up to the sky, and Ashling’s followed. “What is it?” she said.
    “That vulture,” he replied. “I don’t like him.”
    He definitely wasn’t acting now. In his voice she heard something strange — a hostility, a change. As though he had a personal vendetta against the bird.
    “Neither do I,” she said. “But what’s your issue with him?”
    “I don’t think he’s what he pretends to be.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Hawke’s eyes moved back to her face and he smiled again. “Nothing, really. I just don’t trust some creatures. There’s often more to them than meets the eye.”
    “You know, you’re — more interesting than I expected,” Ashling said, letting her guard down for a rare moment.
    “I suppose I should be offended by that,” he laughed.
    “Not at all; it was meant as a compliment.”
    “Well, speaking of creatures with more to them than meets the eye, I want to hear more about you, Ashling. So I hope I can see you later.”
    “Me too,” she said. “I’d like that.”
    “Good. Good.” Once again he ran his fingers through the back of his hair, as though he were nervous, restless in his thoughts.
    “I’ll see you later then, Ashling the eagle-watcher,” said Hawke as he smiled once again — that irresistible smile — and began his hike down the hill. She watched him go, wondering how it was that two days earlier he hadn’t existed within the frame her life, other than as a man on a screen. Now she found herself calculating the hours until she would see him again.
    And after that would come the countdown until he would leave forever. In spite of