Page 23 of Loched in Love

“We can take the elevator if you want?” I offer, and push the button to bring the elevator down. “You know, escalators were originally built as an amusement ride?” I find myself saying, trudging up all of the knowledge I have on the safety of escalators and elevators alike.

“Really?”

“They’re actually quite safe.”

His deep red brow furrows after a moment, and it’s my turn to be alarmed next when he starts toward me with a big grin on his face. “Let’s ride the monster, then.”

I let out a yelp when in one swift move, he bends and collects me in his free arm and starts for the escalator.

“Wait, you don’t have to carry me up,” I blurt.

“Aye, I do,” he says.

My gaze widens with each ascent, I hold on for dear life when we start to rise onto the next floor and notice he’s literally holding me while carrying two sets of luggage at the same time up the escalator like a weird superman.

“Put me down,” I say between clenched teeth the moment we reach the landing. But after a quick glance around the spacious room, I realize everyone’s head is in their own business and not paying attention to Lachlan or myself at all.

Yet.

Who am I kidding?

He looks like the lumbersnack of any woman’s dream, and it’s only a matter of time before attention starts to pull his way.

Lachlan’s hold tightens a bit on my waist as if reluctant to let me go, and warmth spreads through my middle at the soft sigh he lets out, as if he doesn’t want to stop touching me after he sets me on my feet.

I straighten my blouse and try to wave the heat off my face as he becomes occupied with looking at the assortment of shops and restaurants within the airport. “Our gate is over there,” I gesture at the gate number that matches the tickets sent to my phone.

“This place is amazing,” he utters.

“Here, let me take that,” I say, gesturing at my luggage currently hanging off his massive shoulder.

“Do you need it?”

“Well no, but I’m going to freshen up and don’t want you to have to hold it the whole time.”

“Lead the way my lady,” he says, nodding like a good bellboy trying to do his job.

Blushing for real now, I avoid meeting anyone’s gaze and head to the lady’s room. “I’ll be just a moment,” I mutter over my shoulder before entering the restroom.

I come out and find Lachlan bent over with his hands on his hips, his face full of concern as a well-dressed woman smiles and whispers in his ear.

Our luggage is safe by his side, but his attention is clearly on the dark-haired woman before him.

I clear my throat when she seems to laugh at something else he says and touches him lightly on the arm.

He’s not mine to touch at all, but he’s definitely not hers.

“Lachlan? Who’s your new friend?”

Immediately, his ears pick up and a grin spreads across his handsome face. “Och Elena, Vanessa was just telling me how she has some tickets to go see a sports game and invited us along,” he says.

He gestures at Vanessa, who looks horrified to find out that I exist, and then back at me, like the woman hadn’t just propositioned him for a date, too wholesome to understand her true meaning.

Bless him.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize he was with someone.” The lady’s face turns a deep tomato red before she turns away in the other direction and without another word, her heels start clicking loud and fast, while Lachlan watches her leave.

“I guess she must have rethought the offer,” he finally says when he realizes Vanessa skedaddled.