Page 11 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
He set me down and immediately turned his attention to Aldaine, who had materialized at my side. Denis's eyes widened slightly as he took in my "boyfriend's" appearance, and I couldn't blame him. Even in casual designer clothes, Aldaine looked like he'd stepped off a magazine cover.
"Dad, this is Aldaine." I grabbed Aldaine's hand, trying to ignore the spark of electricity that shot through me at the contact. "Aldaine, this is my father, Denis."
Dad looked him over for a moment before he stuck out his hand. "Welcome, Aldaine."
Before Aldaine could respond, the temperature seemed to drop several degrees. I looked up to see Stephany and Jan emerging from the house.
"Rosie, darling!" Jan's voice carried across the driveway, sweet as artificial sweetener. She descended the stepswith perfect posture, her designer outfit probably worth more than my monthly rent. But her smile for Denis was genuine as she passed him, touching his shoulder affectionately.
Then there was Stephany.
My stepsister glided down the steps like she was on a runway, her blonde hair catching the sunlight. She was reed-thin in her white sundress, looking every bit the blushing bride-to-be. But her eyes, when they landed on Aldaine, they lit up with predatory interest.
"Oh. My. God." Stephany's voice dripped with fake enthusiasm. "Rosie! You didn't tell us your boyfriend was so," she let her eyes drag over Aldaine's form in a way that made me want to step in front of him. "Sophisticated."
I felt Aldaine's hand tighten around mine. "Aldaine, this is my stepmother Jan, and my stepsister Stephany."
"Charmed." Aldaine's voice was smooth as silk as he executed a small bow that somehow managed to be both polite and slightly mocking. "I've heard so much about you both."
"All good things, I hope!" Stephany tittered, but her eyes narrowed slightly. I recognized that look. It was the same one she'd given me right before she'd stolen my high school boyfriend.
"Rosie's descriptions were," Aldaine paused perfectly, "quite accurate."
I bit my lip to hold back a laugh as Stephany's perfectly made-up eye twitched.
"Well!" Jan clapped her hands together. "Let's get you both settled. Denis, help with their bags, darling. Stephany, why don't you show them to the blue room?"
"The blue room?" Stephany's voice went up an octave. "But Mother, that's the nicest guest room! I thought we were saving it for-"
"Nonsense." Jan cut her off with a sharplook. "It's perfect for them."
I watched in fascination as Stephany's face went through several micro-expressions before settling on a plastic smile. "Of course! Follow me!"
It wasn't like I didn't know the house like the back of my palm or anything.
As we moved toward the house, Aldaine leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Your stepsister's soul is practically gift-wrapped with spite." His warm breath sent shivers down my spine. "Are you sure I can't add it to my collection?"
I shouldn't have found that funny. I really shouldn't have. But I had to disguise my laugh as a cough when Stephany whirled around to glare at us suspiciously.
"Behave." I bumped his shoulder with mine.
Stephany led us up the grand staircase, her heels clicking against the hardwood in what I was sure was meant to be an intimidating strut. I'd forgotten how everything in this house was designed to scream old money, from the crystal chandelier overhead to the oil paintings of random landscapes and scenes lining the walls.
The blue room was at the end of the east wing and as Stephany threw open the double doors with a flourish, I had to bite back a snort at how forceful she'd been. The room was exactly as I remembered it, but somehow even more extravagant than in my memories.
Pale blue wallpaper caught the light streaming in from floor-to-ceiling windows. The king-sized four-poster bed dominated the space, draped in deeper blue velvet with white threading that probably cost more than my car. A sitting area near the fireplace featured antique Victorian furniture that Jan loved to brag about acquiring at some exclusive auction.
"The en-suite bathroom is through there," Stephany gestured to a door on the right, her voice clipped. "There are fresh towels, of course, and the shower has six different pressure settings." She said this like it was a personalaccomplishment as she eyed Aldaine in a way a soon-to-be bride shouldn't be looking at someone other than her groom.
My father squeezed past us with our bags, setting them near an ornate armoire that looked like it belonged in a museum. "Need anything else, sweetheart?"
"We're fine, Dad. Thanks."
Stephany cleared her throat. "Lunch will be served on the back patio in an hour. More guests will be arriving after that." Her smile was so forced it looked painful. "I'm so happy you made it, Rosie." The words practically dripped with insincerity as she air-kissed near my cheek.
Dad gave me one more quick hug before following Stephany out, closing the doors behind them.
That's when I noticed it, the very obvious, huge, very singular bed.
