Page 7 of Fionn (Starlight Mermen #1 | Starlight Alien Mail Order Brides #7)

Elise

T he dating agency had an office in an imposing Victorian building close to the centre of Glasgow.

I'd had a meeting with my agent just an hour ago, gently preparing her for the end of my career.

In the past two weeks, I'd come to terms with it and was now almost looking forward to a new chapter in my life.

If this dating agency adventure didn't work out, I was planning to do some backpacking in Asia.

Part of me was still mourning what could have been, but I pushed the feeling of grief and disappointment away whenever it threatened to rise.

Now I was about to find out if this adventure was going to happen or not.

The agency had contacted me the day after I'd filled in the online form.

A woman called Cleo had promised that this really was going to be a free holiday, no strings attached, and that I did not have to commit to anything.

If I met a nice guy, so be it. If not, also fine.

What I cared about was getting out of my familiar surroundings and routines and learning more about myself.

About the person I was when I was not a top athlete.

Cleo and I had already discussed a whole lot of things over the phone, like what I was looking for in a partner, what my plans for the future where, and so on.

This visit in person today just felt like a formality.

I'd had to bring my passport so they could verify my identity, and Cleo had mentioned something about an optional DNA test but had been somewhat cagey about the details.

The agency's logo - a kilted cupid - was printed next to the doorbell. I took a deep breath and pressed the button. A light flashed under a small wireless camera installed next to the door. I waved at it. The door buzzed and I walked in, feeling both anxious and excited.

Cleo waited for me in a cosy office, most of which was taken up by a huge red sofa. She shook my hand before sinking back on a simple wooden chair, holding her very pregnant belly. Her ebony, glossy hair stood in sharp contrast to her almost porcelain skin.

"About ready to pop," she sighed in a gentle east coast accent. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm afraid that if I sit on that sofa, I won't be able to get up again."

The sofa was as comfortable as it looked. Two glasses of water stood on a fake marble table between us along with a bowl of chocolate biscuits. I resisted the temptation to take one, then I remembered that I no longer had to watch my diet and picked up two.

"We've already chatted on the phone but I wanted to welcome you to Hot Tatties anyway," Cleo said happily. "My boss, Pam, might pop in later, but otherwise this is completely private and nothing we discuss will leave this room. We value confidentiality and so do our clients."

I wasn't too fussed, so I simply nodded. Once I'd officially announced that I was no longer going to swim for Britain, there'd be nobody in the media or public interested in who I dated. Unless she meant the guys.

"Do you advertise for men the same way you do for women?" I asked. "With ads promising adventure and free holidays?"

Cleo smiled. "No. Most of our male clients come to us directly in search for partners. It is how we finance our work. We regularly get donations from happy clients who found their mat-, I mean, who found love through our agency."

For a moment, I felt the whole thing was a little seedy. Men paying to be matched with women without having to do the legwork themselves. But then, I was doing the same thing. I could have downloaded a dating app. Instead, I was sitting on the world's most comfortable sofa.

"Does that mean most of your male clients are well off?"

Please give me a billionaire.

Cleo shook her head. "Some are, some aren't. Just yesterday, we added three new gentlemen to our database who are from abroad and whose currency is difficult to match up with our own.

But that didn't matter. We vetted them and thought they were great candidates for some of our ladies.

Anyway, I don't want to keep you for too long.

I have two things to discuss with you today. "

She pulled a small plastic vial from her pocket.

"As I mentioned on the phone, we'd like to offer you a DNA test. Together with a university, we have developed a unique, patented way to find romantic matches.

All you have to do is spit in the tube, we'll get certain markers in your DNA analysed and uploaded to the database, and our algorithm will do the rest." She suddenly stopped and chuckled.

"Sorry, that sounded like an advert. But it really works.

I've seen dozens of couples get together and describe it as being with their soulmate.

It's more accurate than any other matching technology. "

"What if you don't find anyone?"

"Then we will send you on that holiday to meet people we think have a high chemistry score based on your questionnaire and you might still find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Science is great, but sometimes intuition is just as good - and I've got a knack for matching people. "

I shrugged. "Alright, I'll do it."

She handed me the test tube, and I spat in it, feeling slightly self-conscious.Cleo bagged it, then pointed at the desk behind us. "Would you be so kind to pass me that tablet. I feel like a right hippo at the moment."

I couldn't help but laugh as I grabbed the device. "Is it your first?"

"Third. And he's the biggest of them all. Anyway, we just got a new opportunity that I wanted to show you. You said you're flexible, right?"

"Yes. I haven't officially quit yet, but I think everyone knows it's coming."

"Good, because this trip starts tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I sucked in a sharp breath. I hadn't expected it to be that soon.

"I usually wouldn't even suggest it, especially as your DNA test hasn't been done yet, but I feel like this opportunity was made for you. I'm not allowed to give too much away, but let's just say that there will be a lot of water and swimming."

"Saltwater?" I asked in the hope for her to divulge a little more.

"Oh yes. You'll be surrounded by it."

Could it be a cruise? I'd hate that.

"Along with lots of other people?"

"No." Cleo grinned. "I can see what you're doing.

I really can't tell you anything else. If you're up for it, all you have to do is pack a suitcase.

We'll send someone to pick you up tomorrow morning and then you'll be gone for four weeks.

You technically don't even have to bring your wallet. All expenses will be covered."

It was so very tempting. But I hadn't expected to leave that quickly. Could I really do this? Just pack my bags and disappear for a month? I'd have to call my trainer, my agent, my landlady, my friends...

But I wanted this. I needed an adventure.

I smiled at Cleo. "Do I need to sign something?"

I'd never been on a private plane before. It was just as glamorous as I'd imagined. I was offered champagne and lobster, a steward was at my beck and call, and the leather recliner was so comfy I fell asleep halfway through my in-flight movie. I felt like a rockstar.

They'd not told me where this flight was going, not even when I'd had my passport checked. The steward had said that he didn't know, but I found that unlikely. He must have been ordered not to tell me. But why? There was no going back now. I couldn't exactly jump out of the plane and swim home.

We'd been over water for most of the flight.

I peered at the white-crested waves far below.

We'd started our descent ten minutes ago, but we still hadn't reached land.

It was all very mysterious. But soon, the mystery would have to be lifted.

I couldn't enter a foreign country without knowing where I was.

"Cabin crew, prepare for landing."

The captain's smooth voice echoed through the plane.

She could have just addressed the steward directly.

It was just him and me in the main cabin.

I'd expected more women to travel together with me, but again, the steward hadn't been able to tell me why an entire private plane had been chartered just for me.

There were eight seats, but I was the only passenger.

I ignored the niggling doubt at the edge of my mind that this was just too good to be true.

They'd want something in return.

This was costing them thousands upon thousands. The Hot Tatties office hadn't looked like they were making that much money. Not shabby or run-down, but ordinary, down-to-Earth. Not the sort of office where billionaires came to search for their arm candy.

Not that I was arm candy material. I was thin but more muscular and broad-shouldered than most men preferred.

My boobs were small, my hair short, my cheeks covered in freckles.

I could dress up if I had to, but I preferred loose, comfy clothes.

And because I was so used to swimming every day, I rarely wore jewellery - not after losing one of my grandmother's earrings in the pool.

"Cabin crew, please take a seat."

A thin strip of sand appeared from nowhere, right beneath us. An island.

My heart beat against my ribs. Reality hit me. I was thousands of miles from home. I was about to go on the adventure of a lifetime. And I had no clue where I was.

The landing went smoothly. I tried to get glimpses of our location through the windows, but all I could see was a nondescript airport building in a sandy, flat place.

Airport workers in bright orange uniforms swarmed around the plane as soon as we'd reached our final position, unloading my baggage before the gangway had even been attached.

The steward cleared his throat as he handed me a sealed envelope. Thick, luxurious paper.

"I was instructed to give you this upon landing. Someone from the agency was supposed to travel with you, but she had to cancel at the last minute. You should read it now, before you leave the plane."

I was about to pepper him with questions, but he'd already turned away, busying himself with tidying up the cabin.

I carefully opened the envelope. Ripping it open would have felt wrong. Inside was a letter, the top embossed with the Hot Tatties logo. Maybe I'd underestimated them.

Dear Elise,

Welcome to what we like to call the Island of Love. It has other names, but as it is a private island, allow us the indulgence of giving it a new name.

For the next four weeks, you will be sharing this island with four gentlemen, one of whom has been matched to you.

Other women will arrive shortly. There will be various activities offered, both for ladies and for all guests together, including excursions to neighbouring islands.

Please let the staff know if you have special requests or questions.

They are here to cater for anything you might wish for.

Your first encounter with the gentlemen will be in a somewhat unusual manner.

They have requested to stay hidden from view until you know each other better.

There will be a screen between you and your accommodations are at opposite sides of the island to ensure you only mix once everyone is comfortable.

If you, after meeting the gentlemen in question, feel uncomfortable or do not wish to proceed with the dating aspect of this adventure, please let staff know. You will still be able to have a wonderful holiday in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Happy dating,

Cleo, Pam & the rest of the Hot Tatties

I read the letter twice. They were doing all this for four men? They had to be absolutely loaded. I doubted the agency was paying for all this themselves.

"Ready to disembark?" the steward asked politely.

I grabbed my handbag and took a deep breath to steady myself. I didn't feel ready. But there was no going back.