Page 4 of I Summoned A Demon For A Date?!
For now, I could be patient. I wasn't even sure how to deal with it myself.
"A week." I turned to face her fully, crossing my arms. "You negotiated for a 'date to the engagement party' knowing full well it was a week-long affair?"
Her green eyes widened innocently. Too innocently. "Is that a problem? I mean, technically, it is one party. Just annoyingly spread out. Over seven days. At my family's estate. Outside the city."
I shouldn't find this amusing. I really shouldn't. But watching Rosie try to justify her clever little manipulation was oddly endearing. A small, shameful part of me wanted to chuckle at how neatly she'd maneuvered me into this week-long engagement party. The demon lord in me should be bristling at being outmaneuvered so expertly.
Rosie's wide, innocent green eyes were doing their best to appear guileless, but I knew better. Beneath that sweet facade lurked a cunning mind that could give even the most seasoned demon a run for their money. The way she'd casually mentioned the "date to the engagement party," conveniently omitting the week-long affair, spoke volumes. My mate was no meek, trembling human. She was a force to be reckoned with.
And I found that utterly captivating. After centuries of dealing with timid, simpering mortals, Rosie's bold spirit and sharp intellect were a breath of fresh air. The thought of being the object of her cunning machinations sent a thrill down my spine. Perhaps I would even let her win a few rounds, just to see what other delightful surprises she had in store.
"You do realize you've tricked a demon lord?" I raised an eyebrow at her, letting my human glamour slip just enough to show my true form's magenta coloring. "Most would consider that unwise."
Rosie bit her lower lip and I had to forcibly remind myself that ravishing her minutes after making a deal would be unseemly. Even if she was my mate. Even if that lip bite was doing things to my centuries-old control.
"Are you going to void the contract?" Worry finally crept into her voice.
I chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. "No, little minx. A deal's a deal. You were creative with the truth, but the contract stands." I stepped closer, enjoying how her breath caught. "I'm impressed. It's been a long time since anyone got one over on me."
The relief on her face was palpable. "So you'll still come?"
"I'll pick you up Thursday morning. Pack for a week." I glanced around her modest apartment. "Do you have suitable clothing for whatever events your stepsister has planned?"
Her silence was answer enough.
"We'll need to fix that before Thursday." I pulled a business card from thin air and handed it to her. "Go to this address tomorrow. They'll take care of everything you need. Put it on my account."
"I can't do that!"
"You can and you will." I cut her off smoothly. "If I'm playing the devoted boyfriend, you need to look the part. Consider it an investment in our arrangement."
She clutched the card, staring at it like it might bite her. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. You still owe me your soul." I winked at her, enjoying how her cheeks flushed. "I'll see you Thursday morning, Rosie. Eight AM sharp."
As I prepared to teleport away, she called out, "Wait! I never got your name!"
I paused, realizing she was right. She'd summoned me without it, after all. "Aldaine."
"Aldaine," she repeated, and hearing my name on her lips sent a shiver down my spine. "I'll see you Thursday."
I vanished before I could do something foolish, like ravish her right then and there. One week pretending to be her boyfriend while hiding the fact that we were mates? Delightful torture was what it would be.
My inner demon was giddy at the thought of having Rosie on my arm, even if it was all an act. To the world, she would be mine, even if I couldn't claim her fully. Not yet, at least. I'd bide my time, let her get used to my presence, my touch. In time, she would come to crave it as much as I did.
As for Timothy, my second-in-command, the bastard wasgoing to have a field day with this development. No doubt he'd tease me mercilessly about my "human pet" and try to convince me to just take her soul and be done with it. But I had other plans. Rosie was mine, and I had no intention of letting her go, not even for the entirety of my demonic existence.
Chapter Three
CHAPTER 3: ROSIE
Istared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, still trying to process everything that had happened yesterday. The dark circles under my eyes were a testament to my restless night, spent tossing and turning as I replayed every moment with Aldaine.
"You summoned a demon," I told my reflection. "An actual demon. With a dollar store spell book." A hysterical laugh bubbled up from my chest. "And then you sold him your soul for a date to Stephany's engagement party. Way to go, Rosie."
The platinum credit card on my bathroom counter gleamed mockingly. Aldaine had pressed it into my hand before leaving, telling me to "dress appropriately" for the week ahead. I hadn't even looked at the credit limit, too scared of what I might find.
My phone buzzed on the counter, making me jump. Charlie’s face lit up my screen, and guilt immediately twisted mystomach. She'd been offering to let me move in with her for months now but my pride kept getting in the way.
