Page 24 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

During my outings with Colin, Lizzy, and her husband, my emotions weren’t reacting like this. We’d talk about work and accomplishments, I’d listen to their stories about the good old times and felt a part of their group. With Lachlan, I couldn’t understand my reactions. Annoyance, surprise, contentment… I haven’t felt all these in so long.

“I can’t,” I muttered.

“Why not?” Ainslee and Lachlan asked at the same time.

“Do you have some plans?” Lachlan challenged. I haven’t had plans in a long time.

“I’m not familiar with this area,” I mumbled but I had a suspicion the answer wasn’t good enough to convince them I couldn't come. Remembering his comment about working weekends, quickly I added, “And I might have to work.”

“I’ll pick you up,” Lachlan argued. “And nobody is working that weekend.”

Ainslee laughed happily. “That’s settled then. Lachlan will bring you Friday night.”

I took a deep breath wanting to object but instead just answered, “I guess so.”

Shortly after she left. I watched as she strolled out of the coffee shop, completely unaware of all the men’s gazes lingering after her. It was as if she strolled in just to cause havoc and then left for the two of us to deal with it.

I looked back to Lachlan and caught his gaze on me. Before my brain could even process it, my body responded, heating up. I remembered the heat of his body from yesterday when we were so close I could almost touch him. I had been alone for so long that I hadn't given a second thought to being close to someone, but there was something about the man across from me that made me yearn to feel that physical closeness again. He was a flame burning red hot and I was the moth hypnotized by the glimmer and dance of that flame. I couldn't get burned again, couldn't risk feeling the heat and falling victim, having my heart engulfed in the fire.... could I?

“We should get to work,” I mumbled hoping for an escape. I didn’t miss the irony of reminding a company owner to get to work.

When we arrived and exited the elevator on our floor, we ran into Colin.

“Good God, lass,” he sounded relieved. “I was worried sick.”

“Why?” I asked with a frown.

“You are always early.” It almost sounded like he was reprimanding me. “I thought something happened to you when I got to work and you weren’t here.”

“We stopped and got some coffee,” Lachlan answered like it was the most normal thing in the world.

Colin glanced between two of us and his gaze held worry. He began speaking in Gaelic, glaring at Lachlan. He was clearly upset but Lachlan never lost his cool or even changed the tone of his voice while Colin was clearly raising his own with each second.

“What’s going on?” I asked hesitantly.

“Nothing,” Lachlan answered calmly. And if I hadn’t witnessed the exchange between him and his uncle, I would have totally believed him. Lachlan's gaze on his uncle was calm and cold.

“Ready to start the day?” Colin gave me a gentle smile, ignoring Lachlan.

I looked at Lachlan but his expression was blank so I just nodded and followed Colin with one more glance backwards. Lachlan was still in the same spot, his eyes following me. I attempted a shabby smile and he smiled back.

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