by Donna Grant
She was close to giving in, he was sure of it. “I’m leaving soon. If it goes badly, you willna have to see me for much longer.”
“What if the night goes well?”
“Then we have fun.”
She blew out a breath. “You make it sound so simple.”
“Because it is. Why are you making it so difficult?”
“I don’t know.”
“Say yes, lass,” he urged.
She was wavering. He could see that she wanted to agree, but something held her back.
He shot her a grin. “What do you have to lose?”
She held his gaze for a long minute. “Nothing. And everything.”
“Then there’s no reason no’ to say yes.”
Finally, her lips turned up at the corners. “You have your date.”
V’s smile widened in anticipation. “How does tonight sound?”
CHAPTER NINE
Claire couldn’t believe that she’d agreed to the date. With a Dragon King! She must have lost her mind.
But V was so bloody perfect. She’d wanted to say yes from the very beginning, but it was the knowledge that she knew his secret that held her back. Not to mention the fact that the night could go horribly.
Then how would she ever look at him again?
It didn’t make her feel any better that he was leaving soon. She didn’t know the real reason behind him wanting to go away, but she knew it must be important.
After lunch, she and V returned to the clinic and continued working, but she looked at him differently. She saw him as a man who might be interested in her. He’d said it wasn’t a pity date, and she was going to believe that. Because to think otherwise was just too much.
Now, she stood in front of her closet and stared at the clothes before her. Thankfully, she had gotten waxed a few days before. Not that she expected anything to happen, but she’d learned the hard way what happened when she wasn’t prepared for any eventuality.
Her stomach went weak when she thought about having sex with V. Claire put a hand on her chest and took a deep breath to calm herself. The excitement mixed with trepidation was a combination that had her stomach in knots.
“What the hell, Claire?” she asked herself. “He’s taking you to dinner. That’s it. Stop thinking there’s going to be sex or kissing or, well … anything.”
But no matter how many times she told herself that, a little kernel of hope whispered in the back of her mind, “you never know.”
Claire still hadn’t figured out how the smallest speck of hope could make a person cling to it with all their might. It was what she had done for years waiting for her One. Through disillusionment, hurt, pain, tears, and depression. Hope remained.
It tantalized her with possibilities. It made her dream—both awake and asleep—of a life that could be hers. One that was just out of reach.
Even when the sting of loneliness was too much to bear, and she couldn’t hold back her tears, through it all, she clung to hope.
Her eyes blurred as she recalled the horrible nights where she silently screamed into her pillow, wondering what she had ever done to Karma that she was made to suffer so. She’d had her heart broken so many times, but she had never broken any hearts. She had never cheated or wronged anyone.
So why did it feel as if she were being punished? What did she need to do to find the happiness and love she craved more than air itself?
Claire looked at the ceiling as the tears rolled down her face. In front of Sophie and everyone else, she put on a brave face. It was easy to pretend that everything was fine, especially when others were so deliriously happy.
Maybe V had the right idea. Perhaps she should consider leaving. The idyllic Scottish village next to Dreagan and the Dragon Kings was amazing, but she would eventually let something slip about what she knew of them.
As much as Claire was looking forward to the night with V, she was also aware that nothing could come of it. She wouldn’t allow it. It was simply a night of fun to help her forget about her diminishing options.
She chose a sleeveless gold shirt that dipped low in the front to show plenty of cleavage. Since she had nice breasts, there was no reason not to show them off. Claire paired the slinky shirt with white pants and her favorite white heels.
With her clothing picked, she turned to her vanity and sat before the bright lights. She pulled back her length of hair with a clip to get it out of her face. After dabbing at the tear streaks, she prepped her face with moisturizer and primer. Then she put on her base and concealer along with powder to set it.
Her next step was the eyes. Claire looked over the many palettes she had and opted for a bronze metallic look for the night. With her eyes primed, she set about creating the nighttime smoky eye look. She took her time, wanting it to be perfect.
With the shadow done, she donned eyeliner and mascara before working on her eyebrows. Once those were finished, she contoured her face with a little bronzer and blush.
Claire turned her head this way and that to make sure everything looked good. She removed the clip and slid her fingers through the strands of blond hair, deciding to leave it down and free. Her hair was thick and straight, so she didn’t have to worry about it frizzing or doing much of anything for that matter.
All Claire had to do now was get dressed. There was no mistaking the ball of nerves in her stomach. Which was silly. It wasn’t like this was a real date.
You don’t know that.
“I do actually,” she argued with her conscience.
Do you? Why else would he ask you out?
“I don’t know. But he’s not shown any interest in me before.”
That you know of.
“Oh, God. We could do this all night.”
Take a chance, Claire. What’s the worst that can happen?
She refused to say it aloud because to give voice to it meant that it might very well happen. And she’d had her heart broken too many times already.
“I’m so bloody pathetic,” she whispered.
Because her conscience was right. She didn’t know why V had asked her out. It could be because he felt sorry for her. Or … it could be because he was attracted to her.
She rose from the chair and walked back to her closet where she removed her robe and dressed. Then she put on a pair of long, gold, dangle earrings and a bracelet on each wrist. She slipped a thin gold ring onto her left thumb and a butterfly ring on her right middle finger.
Then she returned to the vanity and pulled out the drawer that held her lipstick and lip gloss. Her gaze moved to the section of nude colors, and she chose her favorite. With a slow, steady hand, she primed her lips, lined them, and then put on the color.
Claire turned off the lights of the vanity and rose to stand before her full-length mirror. She looked good, if she did say so herself.
Now, all she had to do was wait for V to arr—
Her thought was interrupted by a knock on her front door. Claire’s stomach dropped to her feet. Her hands shook as she reached for the small, white envelope purse in her closet. With every step to the door, her nerves jumbled, tangling with each other until she was nearly hyperventilating.
She had to fist her hand to get it to steady before she reached to open the door. It swung open to reveal V. He looked utterly magnificent in black slacks and a dress shirt that came close to matching his ice blue eyes. His long hair was pulled back at the base of his neck, giving her a perfect view of his jaw.
“You look beautiful,” he said as his eyes ran over her.
She couldn’t help but smile at the compliment. “You look pretty amazing yourself. Come in.” As he stepped inside, she walked to her every-day purse on the kitchen counter. “I’m nearly ready. I just need a moment.”
“Take your time,” he said.
Claire put some money, a credit card, her ID, mobile, and house keys in the clutch before she turned to him.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded. “I am.”
She spotted the dark silver hypercar parked behind hers and glanced at him over her shoulder. “Nice car.”
“Thanks. I can no’ take credit for it. It’s one of the vehicles owned by Dreagan.”
“Dreagan has that many?”
“A few,” he said with a grin as they approached the vehicle. “It’s a Rimac C.”
Before she could reach for her door, he had the butterfly door open and waiting for her. She climbed inside the vehicle, marveling at it. He closed the door and proceeded to walk around the back. Claire hurriedly reached over and opened the door for him.
When V folded his large frame to get inside, he shot her a smile. He pushed the button to start the engine, but nothing revved. That’s when she realized that it was an electric car. He then pulled out of the driveway. It wasn’t until they were driving down the road that she realized she had no idea where he was taking her.
If it had been anyone other than V, she would’ve demanded to know. But it was V, and while she didn’t know him well, Darius did. Claire trusted Darius, and if he trusted V, then so would she. And all of that had to do with the Kings saving her and Sophie from the Dark in Edinburgh.
The car sped down the road. Claire wracked her brain, trying to think of something to talk about, but she kept coming up empty. Her. The woman who could speak to anyone about anything couldn’t find a single topic to start a conversation.
“If you want some music, feel free to find some,” V told her while motioning to the radio. “Con told me it has something called satellite radio.”
Finally! Something she could discuss. “Really? The options are endless with satellite.”
Claire turned on the stereo. The first station it came to was some 90s station. She began pushing the right arrow button, letting it scroll to the next available station. She glanced at V occasionally to see if there was something he might like. So far, nothing.
Then she landed on the perfect station. They were playing Frank Sinatra. She leaned back, content in her finding.
“Happy?” V asked.
She nodded as she looked at him. “Who wouldn’t be happy listening to Frank? It’s the Rat Pack station, which means they’ll play Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., along with others like Bing Crosby.”
“It’s nice. I like it.”
“You make it sound as if you haven’t heard it before.”
He lifted his shoulders in a half shrug. “I have no’.”
“Oh, you’ve been missing out. I have so much to teach you.”
To her surprise, he smiled as he briefly met her gaze before returning his eyes to the road. “I’m looking forward to that.”
“Since we’ve now driven from the village and in the opposite direction of Dreagan, I’m guessing we’re going somewhere else?”
“Did you want to go to Dreagan?”
“No,” she hurriedly said. “I like the idea of being alone with you.”
He nodded. “Good.”
She waited for him to continue. When he didn’t, she said, “So, will you tell me where we’re going?”
“Do you no’ like surprises?”
“Most people say they do, but I don’t. The few times I’ve been surprised, it wasn’t nice.”
V glanced at her. “I’m taking you to Inverness.”
That meant a thirty-minute car ride. In close proximity to a very virile, very handsome man that she’d been thinking about kissing and touching for hours. “That sounds nice.”
“I can turn around,” he offered, slowing the car.
She jerked her head to him. “Please don’t. I want to do this.”
“You didna sound so sure.”
“I still hold concerns about being out with you since you’re Darius’s friend.”
“Forget Darius and everyone else. Let this night be about us.”
It was a good suggestion, one she probably should’ve thought of herself. How irrational she must seem, continuing to bring up Darius.
“I like that idea,” she said.
The headlights of an oncoming car showed V smiling as he pressed the accelerator.
DATING ADVICE
If there is any advice I can give, it’s to ask questions. Lots and lots of questions. Oddly enough, I hear from both men and women that they’re afraid to ask someone they’re interested in questions.
WHY?!?!
How are you ever going to learn anything if you don’t ask? I always imagine the worst thing that could happen to prepare myself. No matter what the outcome is, I know how to react if it’s as bad as I think it could be.
SIDE NOTE: It’s never as bad as I imagine it will be. So take that into account.
There are three things you need to ask the other person you’re dating. When and how you ask is up to you, but these are the top three. However, I think the earlier the better to prevent some of the disasters we’ve all encountered.
Now, some people will be fine asking these questions to someone’s face. They are quite personal, so some might feel better posing the questions via text or email. It allows the other person—and yourself—time to think and craft a response rather than being put on the spot.
Question #1: What are you looking for in a woman/man?
This is pretty important, folks. You’ll be able to tell right from the get-go if the two of you mesh. And the guy better turn around and ask what you’re looking for. Be brutally honest. You’re just getting to know each other, and if you put it all out there at the beginning, then he’ll feel like he can, as well. It sets the stage for a relationship.
Question #2: What do you like as far as sex goes?
In some ways, this is more important than Question 1. For starters, if you’re wild in bed and he isn’t, one of you is going to be disappointed the first time you’re together. Both of you may play it off as nerves, but the second time you have sex, it’ll be the same. Then it gets awkward because one of you has to bring up that something isn’t working. And one of you will have to make a change. Sometimes, that works out. Sometimes, it doesn’t. It’s better to know going in if you’ll be compatible than to be surprised.
Question #3: What do you want/need in a relationship?
If you’ve made it past the other two questions with honesty, this one should be a breeze. This is where you lay it all out. It doesn’t matter if you’re in your early 20s or in your 60s. No one has time for games, and quite frankly, I don’t know anyone who enjoys playing them. So, put all the good and bad out there. If you’re someone who needs your man around all the time, you better tell him. If you need to talk and/or text with your man every day, let him know. If you like more space or don’t like to constantly have his arm around you, tell him. Whatever you need him to do, you need to make sure that you return the favor when he tells you.
I know from your messages that you all believe I have all the answers for dating. Trust me, if I did, I wouldn’t be single.
BUT … I have learned a few things along the way, and if I can pass them on to help someone navigate the minefield of dating life, I’m happy to do it.
Besides, you can never do enough good Karma, right?
Something else I learned was to be confident. Yes, we’re all nervous the first time we meet up—even the guy. He may not show it, and that’s fine. You’ll see it in other ways. Women want men to be confident, and in turn, men want the same from women.
We are naturally drawn to self-assured and poised individuals. It’s a great first in-person impression. So even if you spill your drink all over yourself (yes, I did that) or trip on the way to the bathroom (sadly, I’ve done that, as well), it’ll be embarrassing, but it’ll give both of you a reason to laugh.
In turn, he’ll get to see another side of you. Hopefully, you won’t burst into tears or run away if something bad happens. Just laugh it off, clean yourself up
, and tell him that you were too focused on his eyes/face/voice to concentrate properly. He’ll eat that up.
Yes, ladies, men LOVE being complimented. Everyone does. So, if you want him to dole out praise, make sure you do the same.
Oh. One last thing. We all have baggage we carry around from our childhood and/or relationships. There will come a time when both of you share such stories, but keep the start of this blossoming relationship positive and upbeat. Let him see you for the beautiful, vibrant, intelligent, and funny woman that you are.
In other words, when you’re asking and answering those questions I mentioned above, I suggest being honest. But that doesn’t mean you should go into detail of what you hated about your ex-lover or husband or whatever. Generalities work best here.
Now, I’m taking my Advice Hat off to finish getting ready for a date. Keep your fingers crossed I have something good to report.
Until next time!
CHAPTER TEN
V let his gaze move over Claire’s nicely shaped backside as they walked into the restaurant. It had been nearly impossible to keep his eyes from her chest. The shirt allowed him a great view of her breasts.
He lightly placed his hand on the small of her back when they entered the establishment and saw the men look at her. Claire was beautiful every day. But tonight, she was breathtaking. The gold and white outfit complimented her blond hair and brown eyes.
V made sure to meet the gaze of every man who stared at her. Claire might not be his, but she was tonight. And he wanted everyone to know it.
Once they were seated, Claire reached for the menu and shot him a smile. “I had no idea we were coming here. I’ve heard so many rave things about this restaurant.”
“Asher talked about it last week. Some of the others have been here as well, so I thought we’d give it a try.”
“Thank you,” Claire said, her eyes flashing with glee.
He’d had no idea his choice of restaurant would make her so happy. V liked the dim lighting and the soft music playing. It was, he admitted, a romantic atmosphere. Not that he knew anything about being romantic.
