2. Lochlan
Lochlan
Ididn’t think I’d been so nervous for a date before in my life.
A matchmaking service wasn’t something I’d usually entertain. But even I couldn’t pass up the offer of having the literal Cupid help me out. God knows I wasn’t having any luck on my own.
And it wasn’t through lack of trying. Over the decades, I’d gone on countless dates. Occasionally, they’d even developed into relationships.
But none of them had lasted long. I’d yet to find my perfect match – the one who would keep me on my toes.
The one who was so fascinating that I’d follow him anywhere.
So, yes. I’d been nervous before the date had even begun.
Then Ash appeared, and those nerves solidified into sheer terror.
He was the most exquisite creature I’d ever laid my eyes upon. From his bright pink spiky hair to his sparkling blue eyes, to the way he couldn’t seem to hold still.
He was utter perfection in a five-foot-eight package.
That was before I’d even heard him speak. Then he opened his mouth, and I was lost.
All I could do was stare at him as he rattled through words so fast I don’t think anyone else could’ve followed. He didn’t lose me though. I hung on to them with an intensity rivalling a devout follower listening to their apostle.
Ash was so far out of my league that it wasn’t even funny. Flirty, effervescent, gorgeous…he was everything I was looking for.
I’d wanted to introduce myself to him. To fall over myself getting to know him. To charm him.
What came out instead?
Aye.
Fucking aye. Christ, he was going to think I had no manners at all.
It only got worse as we went into the building. I managed to muster up my usual self for the host, but the instant I felt Ash touch me, my power of speech was ripped away again. Heat unlike anything I’d felt before licked over my skin where he touched me, making me jump away in surprise.
A brief scowl flashed across his face before he replaced it with a brittle smile. “After you,” he said, gesturing to where the host stood waiting.
Fuck. Horror washed over me as I examined my behaviour from his perspective. Not only had I barely spoken to him, but I’d not even given him a proper smile.
Stupid fucking nerves.
I rectified this immediately, forcing my lips to tip up at the edges, but it was too late. Ash was looking at the floor, the tips of his ears slightly pink.
Brilliant, Lochlan. Winning at life again.
The room we were shown into was space-themed, but that’s all I really noticed. I didn’t listen to the games master’s spiel, too busy studying Ash surreptitiously from the corner of my eye.
Even while listening, he was still moving. His fingers were twitching off each other as he rocked up on his toes. From the way his eyes were darting around the room, I could tell he was desperate to get started.
He noticed me staring, and a slight flush came over his face. Clearing his throat, he sank down onto flat feet and shoved his hands deep in his pockets.
I scowled. What was that about?
His eyes flitted back, no doubt spotting my expression, and his blush deepened.
I cursed myself internally. For cripes sake, Lochlan. He probably thought you were scowling at him.
The games master left us alone, and Ash was moving like he’d been unleashed.
“Okay, so we need to break into the control room, find the coordinates for Earth and re-programme the computer. Why do you think they always give you such far-fetched scenarios? Like, they just walked us along a corridor. There’s no theming to make us believe we’re in space until you enter the room. ”
He wasn’t wrong there. Given that was the only part I understood, I just nodded in response.
Ash was already buzzing around the room, hands at work arranging objects and searching in various drawers.
I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He exuded energy in a way I’d never seen before.
And I wasn’t just talking about his supernatural energy, which was considerable.
There was just something about him, a storm trapped in a bottle.
I realised that if I wanted this date to improve at all, I should probably stop just staring at him like an idiot.
Moving around the room, I started pulling at random objects on the shelves lining the space. I’d made it about halfway around when Ash’s voice behind me made me jump. “What are you doing?”
“Pulling the objects to see if it opens a secret door.” Ash stared at me like I’d lost my marbles, and I felt my cheeks heat. “Shit, isn’t that what you said earlier? Am I doing this wrong?”
“You were listening to that?”
I raised a brow at him, not liking how shocked the mere idea of me listening seemed to make him.
Suddenly, my personality roared back to life, wanting nothing more than to reassure this gorgeous uncertain man.
“Of course. You migth’a robbed away my ability to speak, but there’s nothing wrong with my ears. ”
Ash’s jaw fell open, his wickedly sharp incisors flashing.
I shivered, my cock stiffening as I imagined feeling them on my skin.
Can’t say I’d ever intentionally sought out a vampire’s bite before…
but there was something about the thought of Ash’s teeth being the ones to do the biting that was mighty appealing.
We couldn’t do that here though. Not with cameras watching us. Using the tip of my finger, I pressed lightly on the bottom of his chin until his mouth closed. “Now, d’ya think I should keep grabbing objects, or is there something else that’d be more handy?”
Ash swallowed twice before finding his voice. “Umm, I think we need to work on finding the code for that chest. Once we’ve got that open, we’ll know where to go from there.”
I searched the room with Ash, looking for clues. I had to admit I was more invested in working out the puzzle that was Ash over any of these.
In between finding clues, I peppered Ash with questions. Where had he grown up? Was he close to his parents? Did he have any siblings? How old was he?
“Five hundred and fifty-six.”
I groaned at that. “You’re practically a baby!”
That made him smirk. “Ooo, are you an ancient one? Like, quite literally?”
I dug my fingers into his ribs, making him squirm and give off the most delicious giggle. “No, not literally, you cheeky fucker. I’m nine hundred and thirty-two.”
“Huh,” Ash’s gaze swept over me appraisingly. “I got the vibe that you’re powerful, but I must’ve been underestimating it if you’ve lived this long.”
“This long without someone killing me off, you mean?” I asked drily. “I know I didn’t make the best impression on ye, but I can normally comport myself in polite society.”
The door to my left clicked open, Ash pumping a fist in the air. “What about in impolite society?”
I caught his wrist as he brushed past me, leaning down to whisper in his ear. “Guess you’ll find out later. If you want to, that is.”
Ash shivered. “Oh, I want to. There’s just one problem.”
I let go of his hand immediately, putting a few steps between us. “Oh?”
My date looked like he was trying not to laugh, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “We’re locked in a room, remember? So if we want to move onto the fun stuff, we better get moving.”