3. Ash
Ash
Iwasn’t sure what I was more astonished about. The fact that Lochlan had apparently paid attention to my ramblings or that he wanted to take this further after this.
That’s probably where his interest would end though. Aside from my ex, it wasn’t often a guy wanted to stay around once he’d got his dick sucked. Lochlan might find my chattering endearing now, but that wouldn’t last. It never did.
I wasn’t going to turn Lochlan down though. I wanted a relationship…but I was horny, and it’d been forever since I’d been laid. And even longer since I’d been satisfied during sex.
My ex wasn’t what one would call generous with his time. He was more of the camp of ‘well I got off so that’s what counts.’
Yes, I’d stayed with him too long. Two years too long. Realistically, it was a drop in the ocean to an immortal. The fact that it felt like forever should tell you a lot.
The thing was that, I’d been down this road before. A large part of me believed that being miserable with Gareth was better than being miserable alone. It was only when it moved from miserable to unbearable that I knew it was time to cut my losses.
Being single had never suited me,yet finding the elusive one also seemed impossible. Probably because I managed to scare off anyone halfway decent the instant I opened my mouth.
After our bumpy start, I thought Lochlan would fall into that category.
I snuck a sideways glance at him, not daring to believe he was interested. From the smirk he sent my way when he caught me looking, he was definitely interested. Physically, at least.
The tension simmered between us as we raced through the final puzzles. Lochlan’s questions were replaced with a heat-filled silence. Even my urge to chatter had fled, not wanting to break this loaded moment between us.
Some of the elements in the room had Lochlan needing to lean over me or slip close by. His spicy cologne filled my nostrils each time he did, the sensation of his body brushing against mine making me want to whine with need.
When was the last time anyone had affected me this badly?
I was going to go with never.
I wasn’t even sure why. Had Cupid actually managed to work a miracle? Or was it just that it’d been so long since I’d been laid that I was getting desperate?
Lochlan reached up to grab something off a shelf, his shirt lifting to reveal the dimples at the base of his spine. I bit the inside of my cheek to hold in my moan.
Yeah, you know what? I didn’t care about why I wanted to tackle him to the floor and ride him.
I just cared about making it happen.
When the final puzzle was completed, I was certain I was going to become a victim of spontaneous combustion. Could vampires die from that? It didn’t seem likely, but even so, the idea of having to reincarnate with your body in that many pieces didn’t sound fun.
We stepped out onto the street which was still thrumming with students. I didn’t pay them any attention, already pulling my phone out to order us an Uber back to my place. I wanted to get Lochlan there before I said something to fuck this up.
A notification was on my screen, making me fumble the phone. It wasn’t unexpected, but it was wholly unwelcome.
Baby I want to see you. Why are you ignoring me?
There wasn’t any point in reminding him that we’d broken up. Engaging him in any way would lead to a barrage of texts that I just didn’t want to deal with right now.
A steady hand touched my forearm. “Ash, everything okay?”
“Yep,” I swiped the notification away, pushing Gareth to the back of my mind, the only bit of brain space I’d allow him. “Just getting a car to my place.”
“Oh,” Lochlan’s hand fell away, a small wrinkle appearing between his brows before he smoothed it away. “Of course. I hope I can see you again?”
A merry laugh slipped from my lips before I could stop it. “No, I meant I was getting a car so we could both go back to mine. I’m not missing out on finding what you’re like in impolite society.”
Lochlan smirked, his hand going to my waist to pull me close. “Hmm, well as much as I’m looking forward to that, I’m not quite done with ye in public yet.”
My brows shot up. “You’re not?”
“No, bràmair, I’m not. I want to get to know more about you.”
“Oh.” For the first time, I was stunned speechless. Did he not feel the same attraction as I did?
Like he could read my mind, Lochlan tutted. He pulled me closer, pressing his body to mine. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very keen to show you how improper I can be. But not until you understand that’s not all I want from you.”
His leg brushed my semi, the fleeting touch making me groan. “You really want more from me?”
“I think so. But why don’t we go to dinner so we can find out for certain?”
Lochlan insisted we go to my favourite restaurant, Mango. The Thai tapas restaurant was only a few streets away meaning we could walk.
True to his word, Lochlan peppered me with more questions as we strolled down the busy pavement. I tried to focus on answering them without babbling, but it was so difficult.
Difficult because he was holding my hand. Just reached down and taken it, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Which…it kinda was. It felt like it anyway. My palm sat tightly against his, our fingers effortlessly slotting together. I couldn’t help but stare down at it.
“Ash?”
I blushed, ripping my attention from our joined hands. “Sorry, got distracted.”
That small wrinkle appeared again. “Am I making ye uncomfortable?”
“No,” I exclaimed, tightening my grip so he didn’t pull away. “Not at all, I’m just…not used to it. That’s all.”
“No one’s walked down the street holding your hand before?”
I kept my gaze fixed forwards. “Nope. None of my exes were really into PDA of any type. To be honest, I think they were embarrassed to be seen with me. Not that I can blame them. My hair is generally a wacky colour and my outfits tend to be whatever I grabbed first out of the dryer. And it’s not like I’m exactly quiet. ”
My babbling faded away into silence, and I realised that Lochlan hadn’t interrupted me. No, he was watching me intently, like he’d taken in every word.
“I’m not sure where to start,” he said finally. My heart sank. Great, this is when he decided this wasn’t for him. “Your exes are all twats. Anyone who doesn’t want to listen when you talk needs to take a long walk off a short cliff.”
A laugh burst out from me. “That’s not what I expected you to say.”
“It’s true though. They should’ve been proud to be at your side, not ashamed. As for ye hair and clothes…” His hot gaze raked over me. “You’re a catch, Ash. Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
He’d done it again. I was speechless.
This had to be some kind of a record. Who was this man? Why had fate left it so long before letting him into my life?
Oh dear god, was this really happening right now?
“Come on,” his voice was soft like he recognised I was resting on some unknown precipice, unsure of where the fall would take me. “Let’s get to know each other better over tapas.”