Page 8

But then I caught him watching me, his dark eyes filled with concern. He squeezed my hand again and I felt a surge of gratitude. He was here for me, not for them.

Just as I was starting to relax, Stephany made her entrance. She swept into the room like a queen, her white sundress billowing behind her. Her eyes locked on Aldaine, and I could see the hunger in them .

"Well, well, well," she purred, taking the seat next to him. "Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"

Aldaine's smile didn't falter, but I could see the tension in his jaw. "I'm sure you meant that for your fiance'."

Stephany's laugh was like a tinkling bell. "No, I meant you. Really, Rosie, what have you told him about me? You always did have a way of exaggerating."

I felt my cheeks burning with embarrassment, but Aldaine's hand tightened around mine. "I think Rosie has been quite modest. She's an amazing woman."

Stephany's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Jan stood up. "Well, it's time for dessert. I hope you all saved room!"

As the servers brought out the elaborate desserts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The meal was almost over, and I had survived.

Aldaine leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "You're doing great, little minx. Just remember, I'm here for you."

I smiled, feeling a surge of affection for him.

I scanned the table again, realizing that Roger was conspicuously absent.

My high school boyfriend, now Stephany's fiancé', hadn't made an appearance yet.

The thought of him brought back memories of stolen kisses behind the bleachers and that devastating moment when I caught him with Stephany in his car.

I smoothed my napkin across my lap, trying to appear nonchalant as I addressed my stepsister.

"Where is Roger? I would have thought he'd be here for such an intimate family dinner. "

Stephany's perfectly manicured hand waved dismissively in the air.

"Oh, Roger's just picking up some of his college friends from the airport.

They're flying in for the celebration." Her eyes never left Aldaine as she spoke, her lips curved in what I assumed was meant to be an alluring smile. "He'll be here later tonight. "

I felt Aldaine's arm slide around my shoulders, pulling me closer to his side. The warmth of his touch helped ground me, even as Stephany's sharp gaze made my stomach churn.

"So, Aldaine," Stephany practically hummed his name. Stephany was good at making sure dad and Jan were busy chatting with others and her voice low. "What made you fall for my dear stepsister? I mean, you're clearly," she gestured vaguely at all of him, "and she's so.."

I stiffened, waiting for the inevitable insult, but Aldaine's fingers squeezed my shoulder gently.

"Perfect?" he finished for her, his voice carrying a dangerous edge that made Stephany's smile falter. "I knew the moment I saw her that she was special. Though I must admit, spilling my coffee on her wasn't my smoothest move."

"You spilled coffee on her?" Stephany's laugh was sharp. "How quaint."

"Best mistake I ever made," Aldaine replied smoothly, pressing a kiss to my temple that sent shivers down my spine. "Though I'm sure you understand making mistakes that turn out to be blessings, don't you?"

Stephany's face flushed, clearly catching his reference to her stealing Roger. "And what exactly do you do for work?" She tried changing tactics.

"Investment banking," Aldaine answered, his thumb now tracing circles on my shoulder. "Though I prefer not to discuss business at social gatherings."

The dessert seemed to last forever as Stephany continued her attempts to draw Aldaine into conversation, each question more personal than the last. But he deflected them all while keeping me tucked against his side, his presence both comforting and increasingly distracting.

When the last plate was finally cleared, I practically jumped to my feet. "Thank you for lunch,” I managed to say, proud that my voice didn't shake. "But we should probably rest after the long drive."

I didn't wait for responses before heading for the stairs, hearing Aldaine's measured steps behind me. The moment we reached our room, I bolted for the bathroom, my hands shaking as I turned on the faucet.

The cool water felt good against my heated skin as I splashed my face, trying to calm my racing heart.

I hadn't expected Stephany's obvious interest in Aldaine to affect me so much.

It wasn't like this was real, right? This was just a contract, a deal with a demon.

So why did my chest ache every time she looked at him like that?

"Here."

I jumped at Aldaine's voice, not having heard him enter. He held out a soft hand towel, his expression unreadable in the bathroom mirror. I took it with trembling fingers, patting my face dry.

"Thank you, I'm sorry, I just needed a moment."

The rest of my words were lost as Aldaine suddenly spun me around, one hand cupping my face while the other settled on my waist. His eyes, now glowing with that otherworldly light, searched mine for a moment before he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

The kiss was gentle at first, almost questioning, but when I gasped in surprise, it changed.

His grip tightened, pulling me flush against him as his mouth claimed mine with a possessiveness that made my knees weak.

I found myself clutching his shoulders, responding with an eagerness that should have embarrassed me but somehow felt right.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes were almost completely golden, barely a ring of brown visible. "She can try all she wants," he growled softly, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. "But you're mine, little minx. Even if you don't know it yet."