Page 6 of Luna Ascending

Tavey seems really genuine, not Liz's normal toy-boy type at all – good for her! Except Liz is currently giving me the death-glare across the room. As bell goes to move on Tavey gives me a big bear hug before he ambles away.

I cringe; that'll really have helped Liz's jealousy. I half shrug my shoulders at her and mouth “he's all yours!” I'm pretty sure the wrath emanating in my direction will take more than that to appease it.

Glancing up, I can't help but notice the dominating figure striding into the room. Nowthatis a man, he's not messing about with a pretty boy image there. He's tall, board shouldered, and his very presence emasculates the other men in here.

The newcomer has my full attention – he doesn't seem involved in the speed dating, which is weirdly disappointing. I'm not normally a macho-man kind of girl- they're too domineering for me... but there's something about him.

I'm still eyeing the mysterious new guy when a well manicured hand reaches over my shoulder and places a champagne flute beside me.

“I saw you were running low” a slightly accented voice announces in my ear “it's not an evening to be out of alcohol”.

A little shiver of anticipation slides deliciously down my spine. Maybe the evening isn't going to be such a waste after all. Easing into the chair opposite me is a man who looks flawless. He makes me feel like a little girl in a party frock, although we're probably around the same age.

He's immaculately turned out, in that expensive, non-showy way the super-rich have. Eyeing his hair I'm sure it took three times longer to style than mine. Taking a big gulp of the drink I manage to murmur my thanks and agreement.

“Itisan awful night to be without bubbles!”

In an elegant swoop he chinks glasses with me and toasts. “To meeting a very beautiful lady” he purrs “and hopefully many more enchanting encounters with her.”

I stare at him. What on earth does this guy see in me? He's probably more attracted to the designer label dress Liz gave me than what's underneath it.

I start when he gently touches my hand and asks if we could meet somewhere 'less crass' for another date. I can feel a red blush creeping up my neck.

I am totally out of practice at this flirting business but somehow, in the next moment, we're planning a date... Some of the ideas he comes up with are so surreal I feel myself loosening up a little – an all expenses paid shopping trip, a spot of dinner in Martin Wishart's – he has connections to arrange a reservation of course, a wine tasting tour, or perhaps a spa he muses.

“We'd certainly get to see more of each other in a spa” I blurt, distinctly tipsy.

He raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow and grins seductively, “Indeed”

The bell for the next round goes really quickly but he doesn't rush off. He doesn't seem like someone who's used to being rushed. He kisses me on both cheeks and tops up my glass before he slides away on beautiful leather red-soled shoes.

The bubbles are most definitely getting to me because I could have sworn that he just touched my birthmark and, even more weirdly, sniffed me.

By the time the next few very bland men have traipsed past I'm ready to leave. I can't help noticing the sophisticated champagne-bearing man, Marc, occasionally glances over at me with a smile. Mmm, he is the definition of elegance.

To be fair, if I'm just judging the rest of the guys here on looks, then the quality of men in the room is princely. Too bad most of them seem to take one look at me and either revert to the kind of polite chit-chat you have with your grandma, or to sleazy hints about one night stands.

The last few dates drag hideously, until my spidey senses start tingling. Against the bar is the impressive hunk of hairy man I saw earlier, the one oozing dominance. He's watching the whole show with wry amusement. I swear, every now and then I catch him staring at me with amazing intensity. He has eyes I could drown in, happily.

The final bell eventually goes, and as it does Liz stalks up in a flash - part mock anger, part concern.

“I thought we agreed that one was mine?” she demands jerking her head towards Tavey.

“YOU agreed” I naughtily stoke my friend's jealousy “I agreed to no such thing, and Tavey and I had a lovely time!”

Liz' scowl deepens

“It's like we'd known each other our whole lives!” I chuckle “He gave me the biggest hug”

Liz growls. Since this is the very guy she was pretty cut up over earlier, when she thought he'd jilted her, I relent.

“Okay okay, I admit, it was a mutual enjoyment of the bizarre situation– I think we were both at the point of abandoning the whole evening” I grin at Liz “and do you realise you just growled. An actual growl. Like a bloody cat with a mouse?!”

Liz bats away my remark “So you're not interested in him?”

It takes a few reassurances before she lets it go. Just as she's getting around to interrogating me about the rest of my dates, a shadow looms over us.

“I think, given the speed-dating sham is over, I can safely say hello without being moved on in 5 minutes” a deep voice says “I'm Aaron, and, buying into sheer cheesiness of tonight, I have to say you are the most stunning woman here.”

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