Read Marked. Part I: The missing Link for Free Online

A little. The first time I saw you and after you fought those men I was. It's the color your eyes take on. Like you're soulless.”
    A sharp intake of breath cuts through the air and I feel guilty for being so honest. The man just saved my life, or at least prevented me from becoming a shell of a human being, and I insult him.
    “I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out so harsh.”
    “ Don't ever apologize for being honest with me.”
    We drive around in silence for another thirty minutes and I don't protest when he pulls into his driveway.
    He tells me to wait and comes around to help me out. Once my feet are safely planted on the ground his eyebrows knit together and his hand strokes the cheek that was slapped.
    “ You should ice this when you get home.” For how big and rough his hands are, they sure feel gentle and soft against my skin. I close my eyes, leaning into his palm. The second my lids shut, tonight’s events play out and I feel panic again. I step back against the truck in fear, hitting my head against the door.
    Jay backs away from me, “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have touched you.”
    “No, it wasn't you. I liked that. It was when I closed my eyes,” I look at the ground in front of my feet. “I could see everything, all playing out like a movie.” A tear drops, and Jay's hand is back on my cheek to wipe it away. “I'm sorry, I'm being silly.”
    He lifts my chin up to look at him, “Stop telling me you're sorry, and you’re not being silly. I only caught the tail end of what happened in that car, and you have every right to be upset.” He steps back and the empty space between us feels miles long. His hand comes out for me to take, “Let me walk you home.” He smirks, “It's a long journey.”
    I crack a smile but shake my head no and his face falls, “I feel stupid but I'm afraid to go home now and go to sleep. I'm afraid I'll have nightmares or my mind won't stop reliving it all.”
    “ Huh,” he scratches the scruff on his face. “I might have some sleeping pills in my bathroom?”
    “ Okay.”
    “ I'll be right back.”
    Jay heads inside and I follow. No way am I waiting out here alone.
    He looks over his shoulder as he unlocks his door and I'm relieved when he doesn't protest me following him inside. The house is dark when we enter but he doesn't turn on any lights as he heads down the hall. It's hard to make out the living room, but I can tell he has a couch and I lay myself down on it, curling up and wrapping my arms around a pillow cushion. I feel exhausted and I want to close my eyes, but I'm still afraid. I hear him come back in and stand over me, but I don't look up at him or make any indication that I plan on moving, because I don't. I feel safe here.
    “ I can't let you sleep on my couch.”
    I tuck my knees up higher in defiance.
    He scratches his scruff, “Seriously, it doesn't feel right having you sleep on my couch.” He lifts me up in his arms. There isn't a single nerve in my body that doesn’t feel the gratifying pleasure it brings me.
    If he wants me gone he'll have to carry me home, but to my surprise he brings me down the hall to what I assume is the master bedroom. The room has a king size bed in it. He lays me down and removes my shoes before pulling a blanket over me. He goes to leave but I grab his hand, pulling him to me as I scoot back.
    He starts shaking his head but I speak first.
    “ Please,” I plead, “I don't want to sleep alone.”
    “ I'll sleep on the floor.”
    “ Please,” I whisper softly.
    He curses under his breath and I can hear him removing his shoes before sliding under the covers with me.
    His whole body is stiff as he lays flat as a board on his back, arms firmly at his sides. I lift the arm facing me so I can snuggle up and I rest my head on his chest. His muscles are strained and tense under me. With every breath he takes his body loosens up and his arm slowly creeps around me. He starts stroking my hair, and within minutes I'm