Chapter 8 #2
I cock my head to the side. "For what? Are you worried I'll act out because you're laughing at me?"
"Most people would."
"I don't think so. If this is because I'm royalty, then we can forget about a second date.
I don't want to waste my time with someone who treats me differently and never says anything that they think I won't like.
" I fold my arms across my chest, the best I can manage given that I'm holding a golf club anyway.
I'm sure that takes something away from the stern look I'm trying to give him.
A small smile lifts the corner of his lips. "You're not what I expected."
"Because I'm not afraid of saying what I'm thinking?"
"No. Most demons wouldn't like it if I laughed at them, even if they weren't royal. They'd threaten to set me on fire."
I roll my eyes. "That's such a basic reaction. Besides, I'd rather spend time with someone who actually enjoys my company and wants to laugh."
"Good to know. I'll laugh away next time you say something ridiculous."
"I might beat you at golf," I protest.
"Unlikely. You're not hitting the ball right."
"I'm not?" I frown, wondering what the people I've played golf with in the past stayed quiet about while I was with them.
"No."
"Will you show me how it's done?" I ask, knowing that it'll bring the two of us physically closer together. I won't admit it out loud, but that's part of why I'm asking him for help. Or most of it. I don't particularly care whether or not I become good at golf.
He swallows sharply and nods, pointing to the starting point of the next hole.
"You're standing with your feet too close together," he says, sounding rather flustered. "And you should use your tail for balance."
"Okay." I shuffle my feet further apart and stretch out my tail. "Like this?"
"Mmhmm. Now you need to move your right hand further down the club."
Instead of moving it a little bit, I go too far the other way.
"No, back up..."
"Why don't you help me?" I suggest while trying not to let my amusement show on my face.
He steps forward, looking a little hesitant. I can tell from the way he's standing that he wants to do this, he's just worried about how I'm going to react.
Once he's behind me, he leans down and puts one of his hands over mine, sliding it back up the club until it's in the right place.
I close my eyes and resist the urge to lean back into him. The warmth coming from his body is more inviting than it should be and it's hard to ignore the urge. But I don't want to rush anything. That's how things get ruined.
Despite knowing I shouldn't, I curl my tail around so I can brush it against his, making his breathing hitch.
"Like that," he whispers, his hot breath tickling the shell of my ear.
If I turn in his arms right now, we'd almost be kissing.
He steps away, as if able to sense the direction of my thoughts and wanting to head them off. I hope that's because he doesn't want to rush me, and not because he doesn't want to. Not that I'm going to force him or anything like that. I'm willing to wait too.
Lucas clears his throat. "All right, now try."
As much as I want to say something that will make it so he comes and stands behind me again, I take the golf club and swing it at the ball. It sounds as if he wants a second date, which will give me plenty of time to get close to him again.
To my surprise, the ball rolls down the green and circles the hole.
"Yes!"
"Hole in one. You're a quick study," Lucas quips.
"I have a good teacher."
I go collect my ball so I can move out of the way and Lucas can take his turn.
As I step over the side of the border surrounding this hole, I stumble, catching my shoe on the small wooden stakes lining the side of it.
Lucas is at my side in a flash, steadying my arm and stopping me from falling over completely.
It may be a slightly over-the-top reaction given that I'm not sure I'd have actually fallen over, but I don't mind.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Are you okay?" he asks, looking over me with concern written all over his face.
"I'm fine." I glance down at my feet and groan. There's a large tear down the side of my left one. "At this rate, I'm going to be going through a pair of shoes every time I'm with you," I mutter.
"I must be bad luck for footwear."
I snort, a very un-princess-like sound, but one I'll stand by. "It's only superficial. I'll be able to get it fixed." I hope. But it doesn't matter if I can't. The date is more than worth it.
He keeps a close eye on me while he readies himself to take the shot. It's not necessary, I'm fine, but a part of me still enjoys that he's doing it. There's something about the way he's paying attention to me that feels completely different to how everyone else does, and I welcome it.
I'm tired of being treated like a princess by the few dates I've had in the past. I'm ready for someone like Lucas who sees me as just a normal demon who wants to do all of the normal things in life.
Including dates like this one. It's a good thing that he's going to win. I have no idea where to find somewhere like this for our second date.
But for now, I'm not going to worry about it. I'm just going to enjoy what we have going on here and make the most of having an evening where nothing matters except for fun.