Page 22 of Loched in Love

“I’m sure we’ll be fine ladies. Not to worry,” Lachlan says, while Bernadette and Aubrey stand on the tarmac going on about what he’s to do if we get separated or in case of emergency.

We landed in Bucharest a few minutes ago, and now that both mine and Lachlan’s bags have been retrieved from the plane, everyone is saying their farewells. I adjust my hold on my luggage and straighten my white blouse.

“If you do have any troubles, just text me,” Bernadette says, a cheery glow on her cheeks. But Frank standing behind her gives me a pointed look that says there better be no trouble before his attention goes back to the phone in his hand.

I smile sheepishly, unsure of how to respond in any case, since I’m only here to help Lachlan make it home.

The tarmac and landing strip here is empty except for Frank’s jet plane parked and waiting for its passengers. Sun gleams off the metal and glass building in the distance where various planes are parked allowing passengers to embark.

Vlad hovers over Aubrey like her personal bodyguard, complete with the whole suit outfit and sunglasses, while Frank types furiously away on his mobile like he’s far above the goodbyes and can’t grant any of us real attention.

To be honest, I almost feel bad for the guy if his life is being organized by this chaos squad. I glance at the ladies at his side who are currently taking turns hugging Lachlan goodbye and bite my lip.

Bernadette and Aubrey have grand plans of house shopping in the states so the two will have somewhere close when Frank has to be there for work. At least that’s all they could speak about for the last stretch of the journey here.

I look out at the busy terminal in the distance and notice various people walking to and fro inside the glass walls of the place. The airport looks very small in comparison to the ones back home, but more than one commercial plane is stationed along with gates and ramps bridging to the airport. With luck, we’ll have a short flight to London.

“The private lounge is that way and it connects to the rest of the airport,” Bernadette offers, pointing one painted blue fingernail toward the large building.

“I hope you guys have the best time,” Aubrey says, waving us off with both hands before jogging back up the stairs, Vlad hot on her heels.

Tightening my grip on the handle of my luggage, I turn and glance at the lounge that hopefully connects to the rest of the airport when Bernadette demands Lachlan take pictures of our adventures.

Nervousness has my stomach flip flopping with the knowledge that I don’t actually know what stops we’ll be making now, with her and Frank Stein’s vacation gift.

A warm arm wraps around my shoulders as a body sidles up close to me, forcing my head to snap to the right to see who’s touching me. Lachlan. I only pray the merman doesn’t notice how the movement makes me shiver and tense in the same breath.

“Are you ready, Elena?”

The way he says my name sounds foreign and warm, like he’s magically added syllables I didn’t know were in it until now, and I nod to keep from having to respond. I can figure out what fun activities he wants to do once we board the plane and get settled, and then hopefully, have time to get my bearings before we reach the UK. Once I’ve got a plan in my head, I’ll be fine.

Lachlan turns and waves a final goodbye at Frank’s jet, his arm stretching over his head as he does pulling at the fabric of his red plaid shirt, and all thought leaves my brain.

My face heats and a frown creases my brow when he moves close suddenly, huddling me to him. “Come along and let’s get inside,” he murmurs, taking my baggage and putting it on his shoulder. He takes my hand in his other and starts tugging me toward the private lounge entrance.

“Finally, just the two of us,” Lachlan says, offering a wink the moment the glass double doors open.

I’m too practical to melt into a puddle at his feet, or so I tell myself. Except the blast of cool air that seems to billow around him, opening the collar of his shirt to show the V-cut gray t-shirt underneath. It pushes his intoxicating scent my way, and my mouth waters instantly.

He smells like cucumber melon.

“Bernadette said our gate should be a short walk to an … escalator,” he says, sounding excited and oblivious to his overall assault on my person.

My knees go weak with the strong smell in my nose and his accent in my ears. Oh my god, this trip is going to kill me if this is how my body is going to react to just his smell.

Damn him.

He’s allowed to live, Elena. Or so I tell myself as I walk at his side. I fan my cheeks, trying not to bring attention to how flustered I am. This is just an overreaction and a clear response to being near his maleness because I’ve never been truly attracted to another man before.

Except he’s not really a man, he’s the Loch Ness monster.

I give my head a slight shake to remove the stars Aubrey must’ve put there by mentioning the possibility that this beautiful leviathan creature could be interested in me and scoff to myself as he moves further down the hallway.

He’s just being nice, and now, I’m having a subconscious response which is normal.

“Oh my gods, look at that metal monstrosity. It looks like giant teeth,” he gasps like a giddy child, and lumbers toward the escalator.

He swiftly backs away as soon as he reaches it, his gaze wide and alarmed, as if visibly perplexed while it continues to move in the background. “No way is that safe,” he mutters in that thick Scottish brogue he has.