Page 28 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
His answering smile was slow and devastatingly sensual. "Always be honest with me, Rosie. I can smell a lie, remember?"
"How could I forget?" I rolled my eyes, though there was no real annoyance behind the gesture. "Demon senses and all that."
"Indeed." He leaned closer, his lips nearly brushing my ear as he whispered, "And right now, my senses are telling me exactly how much you enjoyed our morning activities."
A flush spread across my cheeks, down my neck, as memories flooded back with his mouth between my thighs, my hands in his hair, the way he'd looked up at me with those dark, hungry eyes.
"Aldaine!" I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. "We're in public!"
His chuckle rumbled through me. "And yet your heartbeat just quickened, your pupils dilated, and there's a very particular scent.."
"Okay! I get it!" I cut him off, my entire body now feeling like it was on fire. "You're impossible." I slapped my hands over his mouth.
"I'm exactly what you summoned," he countered, his expression smug as he pulled my hands down, kissing them.
I couldn't help but laugh again, the tension in my body transforming into something lighter, almost giddy. It struck me then how comfortable I felt with him, how natural it was to lean into his side, to share these small, intimate moments. For someone I'd known only a matter of days, he felt surprisingly right.
The thought should have terrified me. Instead, I found myself relaxing further into his embrace, letting the warmth of his body and the rumble of his voice wash over me.
"Tell me something. Something real. Something about you that isn't part of this," I waved my hand vaguely, not wanting to say 'contract' out loud again.
Aldaine considered me for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. "I've lived on Earth for centuries, yet I've never seen a sunset quite like the one reflecting in your eyes right now."
My breath caught. It wasn't what I'd expected, something so tender, so personal. "That's, wow. Smooth."
"I don't do smooth, little minx," his face serious. "I do truth. And the truth is, you're unlike any human I've encountered in my very long existence."
The intensity in his gaze made something flutter in my chest, something dangerous and hopeful that I immediately tried to squash. This wasn't real. It couldn't be. He was a demon, I was his contract holder, and when this weekend was over we went back to the real world.
The thought lodged painfully in my chest, and I took another sip of champagne to wash it down. This was getting too complicated, too confusing. I needed to remember the parameters of our arrangement.
"Rosie!" A familiar, overly cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. Stephany appeared beside us, resplendent in a blush-pink gown that probably cost more than three months of my rent. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you."
I seriously doubted that, but I plastered on a smile anyway. "Stephany. Congratulations again. The party is beautiful."
She preened, tossing her perfectly highlighted hair over one shoulder. "Isn't it? Roger's family spared no expense." She turned to Aldaine, her smile becoming noticeably more genuine. "And Aldaine, you look absolutely dashing tonight. That suit is Armani, isn't it?"
"Good eye," he replied smoothly, his arm tightening almost imperceptibly around my waist.
"I know my designers," Stephany gave a little laugh that set my teeth on edge. "Actually, Rosie, I was hoping to introduce you to some old family friends. They just arrived and were asking about you."
I frowned slightly. "Old family friends? Who?"
"The Harringtons," she raised a brow as she spoke, as if that should mean something to me. "They're dying to see you again. It's been years, apparently."
I searched my memory but came up blank. Then again, there had been so many society functions over the years, so many introductions that had blended together.
"Oh, um, sure," I hesitantly glanced up at Aldaine.
"I'll come with you," he offered immediately, his expression neutral but his eyes watchful.
"Oh, no need!" Stephany's hand shot out, grabbing my arm with surprising force. "It'll just take a moment, and I'm sure Aldaine doesn't want to be bored with old family stories." She turned to Aldaine with a dazzling smile. "I promise I'll bring her right back."
Before either of us could protest further, she was pulling me away from Aldaine's side, her grip on my arm just shy of painful. I looked back over my shoulder to see a tall, distinguished-looking man approach Aldaine, clapping him on the shoulder with the familiarity of an old acquaintance. Aldaine's expression shifted subtly—recognition, followed by what appeared to be resignation.
"Who is that?" I asked as Stephany led me through the crowd.
"Hmm? Oh, that's Mr. Blackwood. Some finance type. I think he and Aldaine have done business together." She waved dismissively. "The Harringtons are just over here by the fountain."
