I had to stop fucking this up, if for no other reason than I wanted to have this man whisper things in my ear all night.
I needed it.
“Well, I’m glad I’ll be your first time,” I said flirtatiously, letting my fingers drift down his arm. “I promise to be gentle.”
Lochlan jumped, his face paling as he stepped out of my reach. He cringed as his gaze met mine.
I felt my smile turn brittle. Fine, Lochlan. Message received. I gestured to the door the games master was holding open. “After you.”
There was no point fighting this. Sure the attraction was there on my end, but clearly it was missing the mark for my date. He probably didn’t like how much I talked. Or my hair. Wouldn’t be the first time.
Oh well. I’d get through the next hour, and we could go our separate ways and chalk this up in the ‘we gave it a go’ column.
I needed to give up on the idea of finding someone who’d accept me as I was. Because what I was, was clearly too much for anyone to want to put up with long term.
Even with Cupid’s help, I couldn’t stop myself from fucking up.
CHAPTER 2
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.
Fuckingaye. 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 propersmile.