Page 4 of Sassy for the Demon Daddy

“Full disclosure, he’s not for sale,” I say, pausing for laughter and winking at Roland. “But he is cute, so remember your money helps him out. He’s got comedic timing but no braces. Let’s change that. One more round of applause for Roland.”

“Talk about me next,” Lucy whispers as the audience obliges. She gestures to her partner on stage. “And Graham. Maybe somebody wants to adopt him, just like you want to adopt me.”

Graham nods his approval, and I study the half-witch. Now isn’t the time to be bringing this up, though I know I’m the one to blame for talking off-script. Lucy isn’t wrong that she’s grown on me, and I may have let slip that I would adopt her if I could.

While I’d said it in confidence, this didn’t keep Lucy from overhearing and spreading the news among the rest of the kids. That was the day I knew I needed a lock for my office. And that I also needed to check under my desk for hiding children,beforehaving a private conversation with a peer.

I tell the crowd the story of Lucy’s interrupted game of surprise hide and seek, which led to her leaping up from her secret spot and into the halls of the orphanage.She wants me! She wants me!was her battle cry that day, one every kid heard, too. I didn’t deny it later, but I did burst her bubble.

It was a wish, not a reality, even though I meant it. I can’t afford a kid, and someone as gifted as Lucy needs two parents. Preferably at least one supernatural one to help her hone her skills.

“So the next time you think you’re alone,” I wrap up. “Just know you’re not and there’s a kid under the desk. If there’s anything you can take from whatever I just did up here, take that with you. Along with any of these fantastic donations,” I say.

The audience rewards me with another smattering of applause. “Listen to that voice in your head, too. It’s saying you need all of this.”

I pause to let my two assistants do their work. They gesture to the table of prizes behind me, before shimmying to stand next to the flower arrangements at the front of the stage.

“Don’t waste time weighing the pros and cons.” I hold my arm in the direction of the first bouquet for sale. It’s one of the most stunning arrangements I’ve ever seen. “I don’t need to tell you where this cacophony of bombastic smells came from but I will. Little Shop of Florals whipped this collection without a moment’s notice.”

Lucy attempts to pick up the green and white vase holding the moonflower arrangement. The massive thing doesn’t budge, leaving Graham with no other option but to dance her aroundher as she tries again. The crowd is pleased, and I know this first gift is about to bring stiff competition.

“Enchanted to last a whole two months in mint condition, and the personal favorite of yours truly. There isn’t a home office smelly enough to withstand the strength of this potent wonderland.”

I finally drop my arm and rest it on the podium. “The purchase cost of this panacea is three-hundred and eighty-nine dollars. Let’s start the bidding a dollar up from ask–”

“Five hundred!” a lanky leprechaun in the back calls.

“Six!” a gentleman fairy shouts.

“Seven!” comes another voice.

My index finger can’t keep up with the bids. By the time the bid is down to two competitors, I’ve given up on narrating each amount, knowing it will be replaced in a millisecond with another.

“Can I get seventeen hundred?” I ask. The gentleman fairy at the front table to my left nods. “Seventeen hundred. Anyone willing to go higher?”

The faun bidding shakes her head.

“Then –”

“Two thousand,” a smooth, rich voice calls out.

It’s the man with the perfect smile. He flicks his baby blues to the gentleman fairy, who makes another bid of a hundred dollars more. I can’t help but feel I’m being undressed slowly as I point the gavel at my new favorite daydream.

“Twenty-one hundred.” It’s the gentleman fairy.

“Thirty-one hundred,” he replies.

I bang the gavel as soon as the gentleman fairy relents, shooting the winner a cold stare that goes ignored. He no doubt feels cheated, thinking he was the last super standing before this gentleman entered the fray.

The winner’s on stage now and holding the arrangement before I can realize I’ve been gawking.

“Thank you,” he says directly over me, holding the vase in one hand like a superhero or something.

Yep. Definitely not human. It’s then that I realize exactly what I’m looking at. An illusion, a glamor. I can’t see what’s beyond it. I’d need a practiced mind and strong willpower to do that, but I know I’m right that it’s a façade.

He’s a demon,my mind whispers.A gorgeous, broad-shouldered, jaw-dropping, mouth-watering demon.Though I could never see beyond his form unless he let me, I’m certain his true self is just as generous.

Lucy’s voice reminds me it’s my turn to speak. “She’s got a thing about crowds. Her face will go back to normal in a sec.”

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