Page 37 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Chapter Twelve

Ainslee and I entered the garden party in full swing at the oversized terrace, which overlooked the large gardens, gorgeous river, and green Highlands. There were at least a hundred people roaming over the enormous backyard and various gardens laid on the east and west of the castle.

I felt my usual uneasiness from big gatherings and strangers come over me.

“Eve and Ainslee” I heard Colin cheer happily and spotted him as he made his way over to us. “Look at you. Beautiful, a vision!”

He was smiling broadly with an elderly woman on his arm. I tried to remember if he’d said he was married and failed miserably. I’ve known him for a little over two months and knew nothing about him.

“Hello again, Uncle Colin.” Ainslee smiled back. “Eve, this is my mother, Margaret.”

Ainslee looked nothing like her mother. Her mother was shorter, plumpier, and blonde. She had kind eyes though so I immediately took a liking to her.

“Nice to meet you,” I reached out my hand and she took it in hers.

“You too, my dear,” she responded in a smooth soft voice. “I heard so much about you. Colin, my brother, just adores you.”

I blushed at the compliment. “I like him too,” I mumbled flattered. It was true though; I had liked him from the moment we met.

I glanced around and noticed Lachlan with a group of men. There was a slim woman with long blonde hair holding on to his arm. I couldn’t see her face, her back turned to me but it was clear nobody mattered to her except Lachlan. If she scooted any closer, she’d be on top of him. I frowned at my annoyance seeing a scene like that.

She must have said something to him because he gave her a frowned look. And then he noticed me.

Time stopped, as if nobody was around us. If I had any qualms about the way I looked, they all disappeared. His eyes were savoring me and my body loved it. Since I met Lachlan McLaren, my body seemed focused only on him. If his gaze alone could do this to me, I wondered what his body would bring.

The deep despair I felt for so long started lifting when I met him and I wanted the light he brought me. I needed it like a flower needed light to survive.

Without a doubt, I knew Lachlan McLaren wanted me and had his sight set on me. And I knew, again without a doubt, he always got what he wanted in life. I’ve known him for two weeks only, but I would bet my life on it.

The woman on his arm was completely forgotten and left behind as he walked towards me in his powerful stride.

“Eve,” his voice was deep, and his grey stare was hot on me.

“She looks beautiful,” his aunt Margaret spoke up. “Doesn’t she, Nephew?”

“Stunning,” he agreed.

“Ainslee knows what she’s doing,” I mumbled, blushing profusely. My cheeks probably matched my dress by now.

Ainslee spoke up this time. “Lachlan, why don’t you show Eve around?” she suggested with a wink at me. I couldn’t help a happy smile. Colin and Ainslee took a sharp breath in at the same time.

“What?” I asked worried. “Is something wrong?”

“No, nothing at all,” she mumbled. “You are just very beautiful when you smile.”

“Oh,” I stammered, not expecting an answer like that. “Thanks, I guess.”

Colin said something in Gaelic to Lachlan, which caused a slight reaction out of Ainslee and her mother and I wondered what it was. Lachlan nodded and took my hand in his, nudging me gently along with him.

I glanced back at Ainslee and mouthed, “See you in a bit.”

She smiled with a look in her eye I could not quite explain.

As we walked the grounds, Lachlan spoke up first. “You truly look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” I couldn’t help but feel a little bit flattered. “You look good in your suit too.”

I blushed giving him a compliment. His hand gently squeezed mine in encouragement, as if confirming he liked hearing that.

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