Page 11

I followed Rita and Aldaine into the formal dining room, relieved to see Dad had arranged the seating. He'd placed me between himself and Aldaine, with Rita across from me. Stephany and her friends were at the other end of the long table with Jan, which was perfect.

The first course was served, some fancy soup that I couldn't pronounce, and Dad turned to me with a warm smile. "So, sweetheart, how's the job hunt going?"

I felt Aldaine's hand squeeze my thigh under the table. "I just started a new position," I remembered our cover story. "That's how Aldaine and I met."

"At the coffee shop," Aldaine added smoothly, his thumb making small circles on my leg that were very distracting. "Best coffee I ever spilled."

Dad laughed, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. I'd forgotten how much I missed his laugh. He traveled so much for work that I rarely got to hear it anymore.

"Rita," I turned to my friend who was watching us with an amused expression. "Tell me what you've been up to. Last I heard, you were taking over your dad's business?"

Rita's face lit up. "Yeah! The Silver Spur and Horse is doing great.

Dad officially retired last year, but he still comes in to critique my bourbon selection.

" She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "You two should come by while you're in town.

We've got live music most nights, and the dance floor is always packed. "

"That sounds fun," I glanced at Aldaine. "What do you think?"

He smiled and my heart did a little flip. "I'm free any night except Saturday. Have to take a business call that evening."

"Perfect!" Rita beamed. "How about Tuesday? It's usually our best night for dancing."

"You dance?" Dad asked Aldaine, looking impressed.

"When properly motivated," Aldaine replied, his hand sliding a bit higher on my thigh. I nearly choked on my wine.

Dad didn't notice my reaction, already launching into a conversation about his other passion. "You know what else is great for unwinding? Golf. Do you play?"

"When I can find the time," Aldaine shrugged. "Though I admit it's been a while."

"You should join me Monday morning," Dad looked like a kid as he spoke enthusiastically. "The country club here has an excellent course. What do you say?"

I held my breath, wondering how Aldaine would handle this. But he just smiled that charming smile of his. "I'd be honored, sir."

The main course arrived, roasted duck that looked amazing, and Rita leaned forward. "So, Rosie, remember that time in high school when we snuck into the Silver Spur and Horse through the back door?"

I laughed, the memory coming back clearly. "And your dad caught us trying to steal a bottle of his best whiskey! "

"He made us work as dishwashers for a month," Rita grinned. "But hey, that's how I learned the business from the ground up."

"I always wondered why you skipped college," I took a bite of the duck.

Rita shrugged. "Didn't see the point when I already knew what I wanted to do. Dad had been training me since I was old enough to reach the bar. Besides," she winked, "now I get to be my own boss and make my own rules."

I felt a wave of admiration for Rita. She'd always known exactly what she wanted and gone after it. Unlike me, who'd spent years trying to figure out what I was supposed to do with my life.

Aldaine's hand found mine under the table and he squeezed it gently as if he could read my thoughts. I squeezed back, grateful for his silent support.

The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, with conversation flowing easily between the four of us while we successfully ignored the occasional loud burst of laughter from Stephany's end of the table.

After dinner, I wasn't ready to go back to our room.

I followed Aldaine into the backyard, the night air cool against my skin. The pool lights cast a soft blue glow across the water, making it look magical in the darkness.

"I needed this," I admitted, taking a deep breath. "Being inside that house too long makes me feel like I'm suffocating sometimes."

Aldaine's hand found mine as we walked toward the pool. "Tell me about growing up here."

"I didn't, for the most part, until I was older." I squeezed his fingers. "Before Dad married Jan, I stayed with my grandparents when he traveled. Their house was about twenty minutes from here, this old Victorian with a wrap-around porch and the most amazing garden. "

We reached the pool's edge and Aldaine sat down, pulling me with him. I kicked off my shoes and dipped my feet into the water, watching the ripples spread out across the surface.

"My grandmother used to make these incredible cinnamon rolls," I smiled at the memory.

"She'd let me help knead the dough, even though I probably made more of a mess than anything else.

And Grandpa would take me fishing at this little pond behind their house.

He'd tell the most outrageous stories about the 'one that got away' — each time the fish got bigger and bigger. "

Aldaine chuckled, rolling up his pants legs before joining his feet with mine in the water. "They sound wonderful."

"They were." I leaned against his shoulder, feeling the warmth of him seep into me.

"Grandpa taught me how to play chess. He never let me win.

Said it wouldn't help me learn. But the day I finally beat him fairly, he was so proud he took us all out for ice cream, even though it was nearly midnight. "

"Where are they now?" Aldaine's voice was soft and gentle.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the sudden sting of tears. "They passed away a few years after Dad married Jan. Car accident. They were coming back from their weekly date night. They never stopped dating, even after fifty years of marriage. It was raining, and.." I trailed off, unable to continue.

Aldaine wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. "I'm sorry, little minx."

We sat in comfortable silence, just watching the water ripple around our feet. The crickets chirped softly in the background, and somewhere in the distance, an owl called.

"Can I ask you something?" I finally broke the silence, turning to look at him.

"Anything."

"What's this business meeting next Saturday that's so important?" I was curious about what kind of demon business he conducted .

He tensed slightly beside me, but his voice remained casual. "It's a family meeting of sorts? It's a little complicated. I'm required to be there as the elder."

"Your family?" I sat up straighter, staring at him.

I stared at him, my eyes widening in surprise. Aldaine, the powerful demon I had summoned, was an elder of his own family? I couldn't help the curiosity that bubbled up inside me. What exactly did that entail?

He held my gaze steadily, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips, but I could see the seriousness lurking in the depths of his gorgeous brown eyes. "You're the head of your family?" I repeated slowly, trying to wrap my mind around this new information. "What does that even mean?"

Aldaine chuckled softly again, the sound sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"It's a bit complicated, little minx. We're a tight-knit group, my people, and I'm responsible for making sure we stay on the right side of things.

Even if that means bending a few human rules now and then.

" His expression turned wry. "Can't have illegal demons getting into too much trouble, after all.

I try to keep us ethical in our dealings with humans and others. "

I couldn't help but be intrigued. The idea of Aldaine overseeing some sort of demonic family, making sure they behaved themselves, was both fascinating and a little unnerving. What kind of things did they get up to that required his intervention?

"Ethical demon," I snorted. "That's an oxymoron if I ever heard one."

"Hey now," he splashed water at me with his foot. "I'll have you know I'm very ethical. All my contracts are clearly worded, no hidden clauses, and I always fulfill my end of the bargain. My people are required to have the same."

I laughed, but then sobered as I remembered our contract. "Speaking of contracts. "

"Don't." His finger pressed against my lips, silencing me. "Let's not talk about that right now. Just enjoy the night with me."

The way he was looking at me made my heart skip a beat, and I found myself nodding. He replaced his finger with his lips, kissing me softly under the starlit sky, and for a moment, I almost forgot that this was all temporary, that my soul wasn't part of some supernatural business transaction.

Aldaine'slips were on mine, and I could feel the heat building between us, threatening to consume me whole.

His hands roamed over my body, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

I moaned as his tongue slipped into my mouth, tangling with mine.

He tasted like smoke and sin, and I couldn't get enough.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer as if trying to meld our bodies into one. His touch was electric, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body. I could feel myself growing wetter with every passing second, my body aching for him.

I moaned again as his fingers found their way under my dress, teasing the sensitive flesh of my thighs. I could feel myself growing closer and closer to the edge, my body trembling with anticipation.

Just as I was about to reach the peak, Aldaine pulled away, leaving me gasping for breath. He gazed down at me with a wicked grin, his eyes dark with desire.

"Not yet, little minx," he murmured huskily. "I want to savor this moment."

And with that, he leaned in for another kiss, his lips claiming mine once again as he continued his slow, torturous exploration of my body.

But suddenly, he pulled away, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I need to cool off," he stood up.

I watched in amusement as he slipped into the water, fully clothed. The water darkened around him as his clothes soaked up the liquid, and he let out a satisfied sigh.

"Come join me, little minx," he called out, beckoning me with a crook of a finger.

I hesitated for a moment.

Aldaine must have sensed my hesitation because suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my ankle, yanking me into the water with him. I sputtered and splashed, trying to regain my footing as he laughed.

"You ass!" I shouted, smacking his shoulder playfully.

He grinned at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You love it," he pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me.

The water swirled around us as we moved, our soaked clothes creating interesting patterns in the pool.

My sundress billowed out like some exotic sea creature, then clung to my curves as I twisted through the cool liquid.

The fabric felt oddly sensual against my skin and watching Aldaine's white shirt turn nearly transparent wasn't helping my concentration.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd done something this spontaneous, this playful. Maybe it was back when Denis would take me to the community pool. Those summer afternoons seemed like another lifetime ago.

Now here I was, fully clothed in a luxury pool with a demon, of all things.

The absurdity of it made me giggle, the sound echoing off the water's surface.

Each movement felt simultaneously awkward and liberating.

Like breaking some unspoken rule and loving every second of it.

The weight of my waterlogged clothes tried to drag me down, but Aldaine's presence kept me buoyant, both physically and emotionally.

Aldaine and I stole kisses as we swam, our laughter echoing through the night air.

His lips were soft and demanding, sending jolts of pleasure down my spine.

I could feel his hands roaming over my body.

It was a perfect moment. The cool water lapped at my skin, providing a delicious contrast to the heat that was building between us.

If Jan or Stephany saw us, they'd be scandalized. But I didn't care. For once, I was doing something for myself, something that made me happy.

I gazed up at Aldaine, his dark eyes making me feel like drowning. He looked ethereal in the moonlight, his wet hair slicked back and his white shirt clinging to his muscular chest. At that moment, I felt like I could see the real him, the demon beneath the human facade. And I was okay with that.

"You know," I murmured, leaning in for another kiss. "I never pictured myself doing the naughty tango with a demon."

Aldaine chuckled, his breath warm against my cheek. "And I never pictured myself enjoying the company so much with a human," he replied. "But here we are."

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't sustainable 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.