Page 21 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
Eventually, we grew tired and climbed out of the pool, dripping wet and shivering slightly. We made our way back to our room, hand in hand, and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted after stripping and getting into pajamas.
I snuggled up against Aldaine, feeling the warmth of his body seeping into mine. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close, and I felt safe and protected.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face, feeling happier than I had in a long time.
When I woke up the next morning, I was alone in bed. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, looking around the room. Aldaine was nowhere to be seen.
I got up and stretched, feeling the soreness in my muscles from our swim last night. I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of sleep.
As I stood under the spray, I couldn't help but think about Aldaine and our arrangement. I knew that it wasn'tsustainable in the long term, but for now, it was working. I had a roof over my head, a job, and a man who made me feel desired and cherished, even if that part was just temporary for the week.
I knew that I couldn't keep him forever, but I was determined to enjoy every moment that we had together.
When I emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, I found Aldaine sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at his phone. He looked up when he heard me and smiled.
"Good morning, little minx," he stood up and sauntered over to me.
He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me deeply, making my towel fall to the floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as our bodies pressed together.
For a moment, I forgot about everything else and just lost myself in the feel of him. But then he pulled away, a mischievously evil glint in his eyes.
"We have a busy day ahead of us," he picked up my towel and handed it to me. "We need to get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast. We can have hanky panky later."
I sighed, reluctantly letting go of him and wrapping the towel around myself. "Fine," I rolled my eyes. "But only because I'm starving."
Aldaine chuckled and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before heading to the bathroom to get ready. I watched him go, feeling a warmth spread through me.
I knew that our time together was limited, but for now, I was going to enjoy every moment of it.
Chapter Ten
CHAPTER 10: ROSIE
Ifollowed Aldaine down to breakfast, already dreading what awaited us. The dining room was significantly more crowded than dinner last night, filled with faces I recognized from high school and others I assumed were Roger's friends and family.
Roger stood near the head of the table, looking exactly like the trust fund baby he was. Time had been kind to him, unfortunately. His muscles were more defined than they'd been in high school, clearly the result of having nothing better to do than spend hours at the gym. His perfectly styled hair and designer clothes screamed "old money," but his smirk was the same one he'd worn when he'd dumped me for Stephany all those years ago.
What surprised me most was how little I felt looking at him now. An eerie emotional flatline where once had been mountains and valleys of feeling. No lingering attraction tugging at my core, no echoing hurt reverberating through old wounds, just mild annoyance at his existence. Ten years ago,seeing that smile would have sent my heart into gymnastics. Today, I might as well have been looking at wallpaper. An expensive, pretentious wallpaper that thought too highly of itself, but wallpaper nonetheless. The realization was oddly liberating, like discovering you've finally outgrown clothes that never quite fit right anyway.
"Well, well, if it isn't little Rosie," Roger's voice carried across the room, making several heads turn our way. "Steph said you might show up, but I didn't believe it."
I felt Aldaine's hand press against my lower back, grounding me.
"Roger," I nodded coolly. "This is my boyfriend, Aldaine."
Roger's eyebrows shot up as he gave Aldaine an obvious once-over. "Boyfriend? Really?" He laughed, the sound grating on my nerves. "That's surprising, considering Stephany told everyone you were such a wreck last week she wasn't sure you'd even come."
Several people snickered, and I saw my father's face turn an alarming shade of red as he started to rise from his seat. But before he could say anything, Aldaine's smooth voice cut through the tension like a knife through butter.
"Interesting," Aldaine's tone was deadly pleasant, the kind that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "I find it fascinating when people feel the need to spread rumors about others to make themselves feel more secure in their own, well, questionable life choices." He looked at Stephany with a raised brow and a small smirk.
The room went dead silent. Stephany's face turned an ugly shade of purple, while Roger's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
"Come on, little minx," Aldaine's hand slid to my waist, guiding me away from the awkward situation. "I see Rita saved us seats."
As we moved down the table, I caught sight of my fatherhaving what appeared to be a very heated whispered discussion with Jan. His hands were clenched into fists on the table, and Jan looked both defensive and alarmed. Meanwhile, Stephany was trying to soothe an obviously rattled Roger, but her concerned girlfriend act wasn't quite covering up her own embarrassment.
Rita grinned as we sat down beside her. "That was beautiful," she whispered, passing me a plate of fresh fruit. "I haven't seen anyone put those two in their place since high school."
