Page 19 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

His gaze moved down to my lap and my hands. I followed his gaze and noticed he was focused on my scars on my wrists. I quickly turned my hands over and pulled my sleeves longer to cover them up.

His eyes came back to mine and he continued watching me in silence. While silence regularly didn’t bother me, it made me squirm under his watchful eyes.

“I had a person close to me commit suicide.” I took a sharp inhale. I wasn’t sure what shocked me more, that he said the wordsuicideor that he went through it. Ever since I did the unimaginable, people always avoided using that word or referring to my attempt to kill myself.

Until now.

I stared at him in silence, his grey eyes watching my every move, every breath.

I got the feeling this man was always direct. Before I could decide whether that was a good thing, he broke the silence. “Did you have dinner?”

“Too early for dinner,” I mumbled. He rose from his desk and came around to me, giving me a chance to see more of his strong body.

His shoulders were broader than Hunter’s, my mind tortured me. My eyes lingered on them and slowly moved down his torso, to his waist.

“Let’s go grab dinner,” he suggested, reaching out his hand. “It will be a quick one.”

I remained glued to my seat, staring at his hand.

His hands are bigger than Hunter’s too.

I squeezed my hands together so hard, pain shot through to my elbow. I needed the pain to keep me grounded.

“Just a quick dinner,” Lachlan spoke softly, his hand still outstretched.

I glanced up again and he had a small smile on his lips.

“I won’t bite,” he promised.

“Ok,” I whispered, my heart beating wildly as I slowly put my fingers into his hand.

My hand appeared small next to his and his warmth was a contrast to my ice cold fingers. I stood up and found myself again inches away from him. He was so tall, I had to lift my chin up to look into his eyes.

His hand held mine as he guided me out of the office. His warmth spread from his hand, up my arm through my body. It was the first time I felt a man's touch since… I stopped my train of thought and pulled my hand out of his as we waited for the elevator. I couldn’t handle the feel of his skin and warmth anymore.

We entered the elevator together. His scent and warmth lingered in the air. I was certain dinner with him was not a good idea at all.

As we walked out of the elevator, and out of the building into the fresh air, I felt quite a few glances thrown our way. He must have been used to it because he carried on like he was the only one in the world.

We walked a few streets in the direction of my apartment and found ourselves in front of a fancy looking restaurant. I’ve walked this path to work every day for at least a month now, but I never noticed it before.

He nudged me through the door by placing his hand on my back and I felt like he burned me. I quickly stepped away from him, catching his pensive eyes on me. Maybe I should tell him I didn’t like anyone touching me?

The hostess met us right away and led us to our table. When we were seated, we got our menus, and as I opened it I realized I couldn’t read it.

I glanced up at Lachlan, wondering if he had the same issue.

“It’s in Gaelic,” he explained. “This is a traditional, old Scottish restaurant. Have you eaten any traditional dishes since you lived here?”

“No,” I muttered and shook my head. My dark hair fell into my eyes and I nervously pushed it out of my eyes, noticing his eyes tracing my every move. I got the distinct feeling of being prey to a predator.

“Is there anything in particular you are in the mood for?” he asked.

I haven't cared about food in a long time. It had only been a necessary nutrition to get myself back to normal and my attempt to take better care of myself.

“Salad?” I suggested. His disbelieving look was my clear answer.

“How about salmon?” he recommended instead.

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