Never Been Ready (Ready #2)(24)

The weatherman had actually been right for a change. The fog hanging heavy in the air created a very ominous sight as we stood around the historic gravestones. This movie had brought Declan and I back full circle, and we were now at the cemetery we had walked through so many months ago. This was the place where I had seen Declan in his element, and I had known he was more than just some Hollywood poser.

Pulling my thick red peacoat closer to my body, I tried to keep myself from shivering. It was teeth-chattering cold this morning. Winter was slowly winning the battle against fall, and I felt like our autumn days were numbered. Soon, snow would come, and the trees would become bare. It made me a bit sad. I loved autumn in the South. It was breathtaking. Orange, red, and brown leaves would take over the landscape, almost overnight, and the air would finally become cool and crisp after months of suffocating heat.

As I snuggled into my scarf and coat, I felt warm hands encircle my waist.

Declan whispered in my ear, "Are you cold?"

It was such an intimate thing to do, and I felt off balance for a moment, not knowing where this sudden change had come from. All I could do was nod as he pulled my body closer to his. Looking around, I noticed a few of his costars watching us. He must have noticed, too, but he didn't pull away. He stayed there with me in his arms, like he was purposely staking his claim in front of the rest of the crew.

I turned in his arms, needing to see his face, in hopes that I could understand what was going on in his head. Looking in his eyes, I saw heat and desire, but I also saw something deeper. Affection? Possession? I wasn't sure, but it gave me chills. It created possibilities in my head that I didn't want to think about. I could not allow myself to hope with Declan. Hoping led to pain, and I knew one thing. I wanted Declan more than I wanted my next breath. Hope could be my ultimate downfall. I didn't think I would survive Declan like I had with Daniel.

"They're ready for me," he said.

I took notice of his makeup and costume for the first time. He looked...good. The Confederate soldier uniform made him look regal and handsome, and the makeup they had applied gave him an aged, worn appearance that fit the time period.

"You can sit over there. Someone from the crew will give you headphones, so you can listen, okay?"

I nodded, but before I could say anything else, he lowered his lips to mine in a slow, lingering kiss that showed anything but urgency. It left me branded. As he walked away, my hand drifted up to my mouth as if I were trying to make sure I was still real. I had been kissed by Declan James too many times to count. He seemed to have quite the obsession for my mouth —among other things. But that kiss? That kiss had left me awe-struck. It was earth-shattering in its simplicity, mind-numbing in its intimacy, and completely raw in its emotional depths.

Did I miss something? What had changed? Before I could take the necessary time to think through Declan's complete turnaround, I was ushered over to a set of chairs and handed large headphones.

Lights went on, and someone yelled, "Quiet on the set!" and "Action!"

Holy shit, I was on a movie set!

The reality of where I was solidified when I saw Declan dressed in his Civil War–era uniform, wandering through the graves. His eyes found mine briefly before he carried on through the foggy graveyard. Declan had told me they were filming the scene where his character came back after the war had ended, only to discover his wife and child had died. The scene they were currently filming had Declan's character, William, visiting their graves after he just heard the terrible news.

He stumbled, looking distraught and disheveled. He looked around from grave to grave with a small candlelight lamp, searching for their graves. Stopping, his eyes found what they were searching for. Falling to his knees in front of the graves, an angry cry tore through his body as he placed a hand on top of the granite slab, and then he began to sob.

I couldn't help it. Even though I knew he was acting, I felt tears trickle down my cheeks in response to the emotions he was expressing. He hadn't even delivered a line yet, and I was completely transfixed on him, mesmerized by his performance.

"I'm so sorry, Anne. I'm so sorry I wasn't here," he said.

He continued to cry and whisper to his wife until a woman entered the scene. Her real name was Sidney Monroe, and she was an amazing actress. She was around my age with chocolate brown skin and a curvy body that most women would kill for. She was cast as the head maid to the wealthy landowner played by Declan. She would also be his love interest after his wife died. That was what made the film so interesting —a wealthy man in the Civil War era falling in love with an emancipated slave in the South. It was beautiful, and I hoped to God Declan got the credit he deserved.

"Mr. Hamilton, sir..." Sidney said. "Mr. Hamilton," she said a bit louder.

Declan looked up, his eyes completely red and bloodshot from the tears he had shed.

"I'm so sorry. I tried, sir. I tried everything I could, but the sickness came so quickly..." She trailed off.

"Leave. Please. Just leave me," he said harshly.

The woman nodded and fled.

The director yelled, "Cut!"

And I was pulled out of my Declan-induced trance. I looked up in time to see Declan jogging toward the director, who was huddled in discussion with the cameraman. Declan glanced my way, giving me an expression that said he'd be with me as soon as possible. I just smiled and gave him a slight nod as he joined the small group. I watched as they looked through the film, pointing at different aspects and pausing to discuss. Both the director and lead cameraman listened to Declan as he provided his opinion and suggestions for the scenes they had moving forward. He was so passionate when he spoke and so in his element as he described his vision.