The attraction was not only instant, but from the way his dilating pupils bore into mine, it appeared to be mutual.
My heart rate doubled. His mere proximity stole the oxygen from my lungs.
The air vibrated between us.
Déjà vu devoured me.
It was so much more than the way he looked; it was the overwhelming sense of familiarity radiating from his every pore. Tiny fragments of my previously untouched heart sizzled and sparked to life.
‘You look nice, you must be married,’ were the first awkward words that tumbled out.
‘I am, surely.’ I was simultaneously relieved and disappointed with his reply.
‘I’m in safe hands then.’ I held up my left hand, showing him the wedding band I wore like a coat of armour.
‘You couldn’t be in better hands.’ His innuendo set my pulse racing.
I pressed my thighs together and changed the subject. ‘Fabulous accent.’
‘You’re the one with the accent,’ he said, with another flash of that bright grin.
Those startling twin pools burnt through my skin, setting my sleepy insides alight. I was under no illusion. He could clearly see way past the platinum armour I wore, the shield on my finger. This could only lead to trouble. Yet I couldn’t tear myself away.
‘What part of Ireland are you from?’ I attempted to negotiate a safe topic of conversation.
‘County Mayo.’
‘I’ve never heard of it.’ My ignorance was embarrassing.
‘It’s between Galway and Sligo. It’s the best county in Ireland.’ He winked and took a sip from his pint.
‘I have a friend in Galway. Great city, I loved it. Like a mini-Edinburgh with the cobbled streets and pubs.’
‘You live in Edinburgh?’ His eyebrows burrowed together questioningly.
‘Not anymore. The weather got me in the end.’ I looked down at my tanned arms and legs and shrugged my shoulders. I was just back from ten days holiday in San Francisco with my mother. Escapism was a means of survival at this stage.
‘I’m John, by the way.’ He extended his hand, and I took it without breaking his stare. His grip was warm and firm, sparking an erratic pounding in my chest.
He jolted; his darkening eyes piqued with interest.
‘Lucy.’ I introduced myself, before scrambling to my feet. I had to put some distance between us before I got carried away with myself. ‘I’m going to the bar. I need to get the girls another drink.’
‘I’ll give you a hand.’ He stood up and followed me, dropping a protective palm across the base of my spine as we weaved our way through our drunken friends.
The chemistry between us rendered me shocked, vulnerable, and painfully aware of every tingling cell in my body.
I looked at him and swore he could read my mind. His twinkling eyes roamed the entire length of me before shooting a boyish smirk.
Heat crept into my cheeks as we perched on two high stools and ordered drinks. Before I could finish ordering the round, John handed over a credit card. I stood in protest, but he gestured to the bar stool encouragingly.
‘Sit down, Lucy, I promise I won’t bite.’ His teasing tone did nothing to reassure me. ‘Tell me about yourself.’
I dropped back into the seat and searched my brain for something other than, ‘I’m a fucking hot mess in your company and I can’t be trusted not to throw myself at you’.
I glanced at his left hand. It was without a ring, or even the tell-tale mark of one. Did he never wear one? Or had he taken it off deliberately tonight?
His gaze followed mine and he shrugged, a small smile curling at his lip.
