Chapter 9 - Blair
Ispent about an hour in between trying to decide what I should wear for our date and dolling myself up by doing my hair and makeup.
I decided to go with a long sleeve floral maxi dress with sandals.
I kept my hair down, putting product in it to help give my lavender curls definition.
I barely finished by the time he arrived.
He picked me up for our date right on time.
When he stepped out of the truck, I was appraising him, staring at how handsome he looked.
It was the first time I saw his hair down, the white strands glistening in the sun.
He had on a pair of dark jeans that molded around his thighs and legs, with a plain white t-shirt hugging his upper body.
God, he was drop-dead gorgeous. I swear he could be a model.
He was quite the gentleman and had a bouquet of red roses for me.
I put them in the house real quick to make sure they could go in a vase later on.
“It’s pretty surprising to see the house in such good condition for how old it is,” blurting out what’s on my mind as we leave, the museum doors closing behind us.
“Boy, do I have a surprise for you then.” He grabs my hand and pulls me along, back to his truck.
Pondering on his response, not sure where he is going with that. “Uh huh, and what’s that? Don’t tell me you’re some 500-year-old fae prince from another realm.”
His eyes glimmer in the sun as a deep and throaty chuckle leaves his lips. “Definitely not that. You will have to wait and find out,” giving me a wink before he does the motion to zip his lips and throw away the key. I roll my eyes and shake my head, trying to hide my grin.
Ten minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of a cute Italian restaurant next to the river. It has a small outdoor patio with warmers and a small dining room for guests. We decided to eat outside since it was such a lovely evening.
“How long have you lived in Hartford?” I ask after we get situated at our table.
“Hmm, that’s a good question. I think it’s been three years now. How are you liking Hartford?”
“It’s really lovely! I know most people wouldn’t pick this city, and it seems really random, but I wanted to stay on the East Coast; it called to me for some reason,” I shrug but an unknown emotion crosses his face and disappears.
“Well, I hope you fall in love with this place and stay long term,” his voice raspy. I nod, a small smile on my face. “If you don’t mind me asking, where did you live before?”
“I’ve lived in Cleveland my whole life actually. I was born and raised there. This is my first time living somewhere new,” I admit to him.
“What made you decide to move?” It was a simple question, but it made me slightly nervous.
A nervous chuckle escapes me. His eyes go wide. “I apologize if I asked an uncomfortable question. You don’t have to answer! Please don’t feel pressured to respond,” he blurts out.
My hands twist in my lap, picking at my finger.
I shake my head, “no, it’s okay. That’s a valid question to ask.
Basically I came home one day after work and my boyfriend was proposing to me.
” I suddenly stopped speaking, but he didn’t push for more.
I was collecting my thoughts together, figuring out what to say next.
I let out a breath, “Basically, I said no. I told him that I wasn’t in love with him and I wanted a love you find in romance books, the whole ‘fated mates’ ordeal,” I mumbled out the last few words.
My cheeks heated from embarrassment at my confession.
He looks at me thoughtfully, not with disgust or anger.
“You know… Fated mates are real. I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’m glad you followed your heart, Blair.” His words are sincere and there is something else there, something deeper that I quite can’t figure out or catch.
“I really hope you’re right, but thanks for the support.” I give him a small smile. Playing his words back in my head.
The rest of the conversation went smooth and was more on simple ground.
We talked about our favorite colors, our favorite foods, and our favorite holiday.
It was an easy and pleasant conversation, allowing me to get small glimpses of this man before me.
Even the silence was enjoyable; there was no awkwardness, and it felt like we had been around each other for years.
I went ahead and ordered the chicken parmigiana, and Asmodeus got a giant plate of lasagna.
Our meal came with bread, and we ordered some wine with our dinner.
After we finished eating our main course, we still had room for dessert, getting something to share with one another.
I got a piece of tiramisu cake, and he got some cannolis. The food was delicious.
I sat there for a moment after we finished the dessert in contentment, glad I wore a dress because I was stuffed. “Why are you purple?!” I blurt out. It has been at the back of my mind constantly since I first met him.
He chuckles at my outburst. “Have you been thinking about me? It seems you have been awfully focused on me,” he raises his right eyebrow, a smirk on his handsome face.
I shrug my shoulder, not sure what to say.
I sit there in silence for a second, studying him.
“Maybe I have been thinking about you, but it’s hard not to focus on you.
” I admit to him, and myself in the process.
I wanted to deny it, but where will that get me?
I’m only going to omit how much he has crossed my mind.
A devilish smile spreads wide across his face, a gleam in those emerald eyes.
A dark chuckle escapes him, sending shivers down my spine.
He leans in close to me, our faces inches apart.
“Mmm, I think I like the fact that you’re thinking about me.
I’ve been thinking an awful lot about you too.
” I feel his breath against my skin, his words setting me ablaze.
“Is that so?” I murmur, our eyes locked on each other.
“Oh you have no idea, little one,” he growls, suddenly feeling something warm and solid wrap around my ankle, sliding up my calf. What in the world?
“Please tell me that’s you and not a snake or bug on my leg right now,” I whisper at him.
Another deep chuckle comes out of him. He leans in close, “don’t worry, I’m the only one that will be touching you from now on,” his words ending on a growl.
“That’s a bit presumptuous of you,” my breath hitches.
He searches my face for a moment, nodding in understanding as he pulls himself back.
I reach out, the loss of his warmth and closeness sends a pang through my chest. I appreciate him respecting my boundaries, but I don’t want him to pull away from me.
I suddenly feel nervous. “I-I want you close. Please don’t pull away,” I admit to him.
Afraid he is going to close himself off now due to my comment.
I hate to compare Asmodeus to Heath, but that was one thing that frustrated me about Heath.
He was always closed off and reserved. I always assumed it was because of his parents and the way they treated him, even if he never admitted that to himself.
Asmodeus nods in understanding, his hand coming to rest on my leg, “okay, I won’t. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
He gives me an understanding smile. “Of course, anything for you. Which brings me back to the important topic of the evening, hearing the reason as to why you think I’m purple,” he whispers.
I groan, “okay okay fine, just don’t make fun of me.” I huff.
“I would never,” he says with a serious tone.
I nod my head a few times. “Okay, well my first thought was maybe you cosplayed, but then I thought about it more and came to the conclusion that you have some weird skin disease or disorder that changes your pigment.” I gnaw on my lip, trying not to fiddle with my hands from the nervous energy coursing through me.
He studies me after I am done with my explanation, “those are valid assumptions. But none of those apply. Gotta think more outside the box, Blair.” A smirk crosses his lips. More outside the box?
“How outside of the box are we talking here, big guy?” I ask, very confused. Like no way right? No way in all get out of here is he saying he is some paranormal being.
A deep laugh escapes him. “God you’re cute as shit. Think beyond the realm of possibilities. Things that are written in fantasy books,” he shrugs, like it’s no big deal.
“If that is the case, then why is no one else freaking out about you being violet colored?” I question as I look around us and no one is gawking at the man in front of me.
He hums, “because I don’t want them to. I put a glamour on to hide the true me in order to fit in.”
“What do you mean by having to put a glamour on? You mean like a magical glamour?” I was confused. I thought magic wasn’t real, and here he is, telling me that he uses magic on a regular basis.
He nods his head. “Yes, exactly like that. You buy a spell that protects you from being seen. Or at least what you don’t want others to see.”
Now it was my turn to laugh, well more like snort, of course I had to go and snort “There is nothing about you that screams “fit in”, you know that right? You stick out in a crowd.”
“Oh yea? How so?” amusement bleeds from his tone.
I scoff, “it’s like you don’t look at yourself in a mirror,” I roll my eyes.
“For one, you’re massive! Like everywhere!
You’re very tall, and bulky. Your eyes are extremely beautiful and breathtaking that they almost seem fake.
And you look absolutely perfect! No blemishes or scars.
And don’t get me started on your hair and how glorious and shiny it is.
I bet it feels like silk.” His cheeks suddenly get darker.
Oh gosh, is he blushing? I recount in my head what I said, and then blush myself, realizing I probably said too much and sound like a stalker, guess he wasn’t wrong when he asked if I was thinking about him.