Chapter 3

3

Lachlan

I stand at my front window, looking to see if anyone was coming up my drive yet. Madame Liora called me yesterday, excited that she found my match. I have to admit, I expected this to take longer. I pride myself in my ability to keep my head on my shoulders but right now my stomach feels like butterflies were playing Twister in there.

Madame Liora informed me she would bring what we would need to have a nice first date since we are meeting at my cabin. I am not sure why she suggested the date occur here but I’m happy to not have to drive into town. As for my match, I was told her name and that she owned a bookshop. That is it.

Two cars come rambling up my drive, Liora leading the way. I open the door and watch the two women walk up my front path. A tiny but friendly old woman and the most stunning woman I have ever set eyes upon.

As Paige walks toward me, I attempt to not gawk at her beauty and gorgeous figure. Her wavy, shoulder length hair is the color of cinnamon. She appears to be close to 6 feet in height, with long, shapely legs. Her large breasts are hugged tightly by the t-shirt she is wearing. Her hips as well, underneath a snug, long skirt. Our eyes meet and neither of us appear to be able to look away.

At the doorway, Liora looks between the two of us and gives a small giggle.

“OK, I think you two know who each of you are. Here’s a picnic basket filled with goodies and a picnic blanket. I threw in a loaf of bread. I hope it came out OK!”

I think I respond with a thank you but I’m not entirely sure.

“Please come in.”

Paige walks across my entrance way, smiling at me. Liora places the basket and blanket inside the doorway, waves, and closes the door behind her. Her car starts up immediately and I hear her drive off my property. I turn to Paige, who is looking around my living room.

“Your home is gorgeous. I love the wood.”

“Thank you.”

We stare at each other awkwardly. There’s an electricity between us. I fight the urge to kiss her right here and now. I clear my throat.

“Well, it’s beautiful outside. The lake is behind the house. We could picnic on the shore.”

“I would love that.”

Liora not only can read people, she also knows how to pack a picnic basket. Wine, cheeses, bread, fruit, and various meats. Paige and I tuck into the lunch, taking turns asking each other questions.

“That’s a boring answer. I’m an accountant.”

Paige chokes and once she recovers, she replies, “Seriously? I totally thought it would have been something physical. You’re so, um, strong looking.”

Her cheeks turn pink and she looks down at her plate. I reach out to her arm and give it a squeeze. Paige looks up at me with surprise, breathing in sharply.

“Did you feel that?” she asks.

I had. When I touched her skin it was as if a sparkler went off in between us. The feeling didn’t hurt but it did burn. Hot sparks shot through my body.

I close the gap in between us and look down into her dark, brown eyes. I want to kiss her. My body insists upon kissing her.

“Lachlan,” she breathes out, looking at me intensely.

I start to lean in, breathing in her scent, letting it consume me. She smells like honey, fresh pages of a book, and chamomile. And human.

I sit up.

“Paige? You’re a human?”

Paige looks at me, clearly disappointed that I did not kiss her.

“Yes, I am. Liora told me you are not but she did not elaborate. She thought you should be the one to explain to me.”

Paige sits up straighter, her eyes imploring me to share.

I had not even thought that my match would be a human. I was so enthralled with her when she came to my door that my usual instincts were too clouded by my intense desire. Fear grips me. This woman, who I know I am meant to be with, may reject me now. I stand up.

“Lachlan? Are you leaving? Please don’t go. I want to know you, the real you.”

Paige stands up directly in front of me and places her hand on my chest.

“I realize this may not be what you signed up for,” I state, as I start unbuttoning my shirt.

Paige swallows hard as I let the shirt drop to the ground.

“I will show you what I am but you may want to look away. I have to take off my pants as well.”

Paige stares at me intensely, her cheeks flushed, and whispers, “I don’t want to look away.”

Our eyes don’t leave each other as I undo my jeans and let them fall to the ground. Next goes my boxers. Paige’s breath catches as she allows her eyes to wander down to my hard cock. I can’t help it. That electrical touch woke up every inch of my body. She looks back up at me and a hoarse whisper comes out of her soft, full lips.

“Show me who you are.”

I walk to the edge of the lake and rush in. The water chills my body for a moment but as soon as I shift into merman form I feel at home. Paige runs to the edge of the lake and waves at me, a huge grin across her face. No one has ever looked at me like this before. I swim around for her, plunge deep, and then breach into the air. I hear laughter and Paige shouting.

“Holy shit!”

I shift back into human form and slowly walk back to her on the land. Paige runs up to me and grabs the sides of my face.

“I have never seen anything so beautiful.”

“Are you sure?”

I sound gruff, I realize. I am so out of my element with this woman.

“Damn right I’m sure.”

Paige stands before me and lightly touches my dripping wet chest. She looks up at me and says, “I want to kiss you. May I kiss you?”

I think I answer but the next thing I know our lips are pressing together, hungry and frantic. She opens her mouth for me and I slide my tongue in, tasting strawberries and wine. Her large breasts are pressed up against me, with her shirt wet from my body. I explore her chin, neck, and clavicle with my mouth and tongue as she moans softly in my ear. I am aware of nothing but her body. I slide my hand over her covered nipple, feeling it harden with my touch. Paige’s moans become stronger but are suddenly interrupted with a loud thunderclap.

We both look up, surprised. Dark clouds have taken the sunny day away and fat drops of rain start to pelt us. Paige shrieks as the rain starts coming down in buckets. I grab her hand and we race back up to the cabin.