A merry laugh slipped from my lips before I could stop it. “No, I meant I was getting a car so we couldbothgo 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’mverykeen 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 exactlyquiet.”
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 beenproudto 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.”
CHAPTER 4
Lochlan
It took Ash a little while to warm up as though he didn’t quite believe me when I told him I enjoyed listening to him. But by the time we left the restaurant and ducked into the waiting Uber, he was fully relaxed and rattling through stories.
“And now Cassie won’t even get on a plane with me. Like it wasmyfault the cat escaped.”