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Smoothing my hand along the extra pillow, I inhaled, expecting the outdoorsy clean scent that was uniquely his, but all I smelled was a faint trace of citrus. Had I dreamt Daemons presence?
Geez, I was so lame if so.
Frowning, I sat up and grabbed my cell. There was a missed text that had come in around two in the morning from Daemon.
Bacon & eggs 4 breakfast. Cme over when u wake.
Two in the morning? I stared at the phone. Had he been out with them till then?
My heart was racing again and I flopped onto my back, groaning. Apparently I was lame and Daemon had a really late night but not with me.
Dragging myself out of bed, I showered and threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Numbness had settled over me as I dried my hair halfway and twisted it up into a messy bun. I headed next door and found that the door was locked.
I placed my hand on the handle and waited until I heard the locks turning over. As I opened the door, unease blossomed. It was way too easy to get in and out of peoples houses, including mine.
Shaking my head, I eased the door shut and took a deep breath. The house was tomb silent. Everyone was still asleep. I went upstairs, careful of the two steps at the top that creaked. Dawsons and Dees bedroom doors were shut, but I could hear the soft hum of music coming from Daemons.
I cracked open Daemons bedroom door and slipped through. My gaze went straight to the bed and I couldnt have stopped the flutter in my chest if I wanted to.
Daemon was sprawled on his back, one arm stretched across the space beside him and the other rested across his bare stomach. Sheets were twisted around his narrow hips. His face was almost angelic in sleep, chiseled lines softened and lips relaxed. Thick lashes fa
He looked so much younger at rest but, in a weird way, he was even more out of my league. His kind of masculine beauty was otherworldly and intimidating. Something that existed in between the pages of the books I read.
Sometimes I had a hard time convincing myself he was real.
I tiptoed over to him and sat on the edge of the bed, unable to pull my eyes away. I didnt want to wake him. So I sat there like a total creeper, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest. I wondered if I had dreamt him last night or if he had stopped in to check on me. The fluttering was back and I could almost forget the punch of anxiety of last night. Almost but not-Daemon rolled suddenly, snaking an arm around my waist and pulling me down beside him. He kept moving, burying his face in my neck. Good morning, he murmured.
A smile swept across my face as I placed a hand on his shoulder. His skin was hot. Morning.
He threw a leg over mine and snuggled closer. Wheres my bacon and eggs?
I thought you were offering to make them.
You mistook what I said. Get to the kitchen, woman.
Whatever. I rolled onto my side, facing him. He lifted his head, kissed my nose, and then buried his face in the pillow. I laughed.
Its too early, he grumbled.
Its almost ten oclock.
Too early.
A stone settled in my stomach. I bit down on my lip, unsure of what I should say.
He lazily dropped an arm over my hip and turned his head so I could see his face. You didnt respond last night.
So we were going to go there. I fell asleep and I
figured you were busy.
A brow arched. I wasnt busy.
I stopped over last night to see you, and I waited for a little while. I fiddled with the edge of the sheet, twisting it around my fingers. You stayed out late.
One eye opened. So you did get my text and had time to respond.
Id walked right into that one.
Daemon sighed. Why did you ignore me, Kitten? My feelings are hurt.
Im sure Ash soothed them for you. The moment those words left my mouth, I wanted to smack myself.
Both eyes were open now, and then he did something that surprised and ticked me off: he smiled that really big one. Youre jealous.
To me, the way he said it made it sound like a good thing. I started to sit up, but his arm kept me down. Im not jealous.
Kitten
I rolled my eyes and then a bad, bad case of verbal diarrhea occurred. I was worried about the Elder being here, and we were supposed to talk last night. You never showed up. Instead you went out with Andrew, Dee, and Ash . Ash, as in the ex-girlfriend Ash, and how do I find out? Your brother. And how did those seating arrangements work out? Did Dee and Andrew sit on one side and you and Ash on the other? I bet that was real comfy.
Kitten
Dont Kitten me. I scowled, on a roll now. You left around five or so and didnt get back till when? Past two in the morning? What were you guys doing? And get that stupid smile off your face. This isnt fu
Daemon tried to get rid of the smile but failed. I love when your claws come out.
Oh, shut up. Disgusted, I pushed at his arm. Let me go. You can call up Ash and see if shell make you some eggs and bacon. Im out of here.
Instead of letting me go, he shifted atop me, holding himself up with his hands planted on either side of my shoulders. Now he was gri
I already said it, butt-face. Im jealous. Why wouldnt I be?
He cocked his head to the side. Oh, I dont know. Maybe because I never wanted Ash, and I wanted you from the first moment I saw you-and before you get started, I know I had a bad way of showing it, but you know I wanted you. Only you. Youre insane to be jealous.
I am? I fought back angry tears. You guys were together.
Were together.
She probably still wants you.
I dont want her, so it doesnt matter.
It mattered to me. Shes model beautiful.
And youre more beautiful.
Dont try to sweet-talk me.
Im not, he said.
Staring over his shoulder, I bit my lip. You know, at first I thought I kind of deserved last night. Now I know how you felt when I went out with Blake. Like karma was schooling me, but its not the same. You and I werent together then and Blake and I didnt have that kind of history.
He took a deep breath. Youre right; its not the same thing. I didnt go out with Ash on a date. Andrew stopped by and we got to talking about Ethan. Andrew was hungry, so we decided to get something to eat. Dee tagged along and Ash was there, because you know, shes his sister.
I gave a lopsided shrug. Okay, he had a point.
And we didnt go out to eat. We ended up ordering pizza, went back to Andrews house, and we talked about Sunday. Ash is scared to death that shes going to lose Andrew, too. Dee still wants to murder Blake. I spent hours talking them through this. It wasnt a party you werent invited to.
But I wasnt invited at all , I wanted to say, but I knew that was stupid. Why didnt you tell me, at least? You couldve said something. Then my imagination wouldnt have run circles around me.
He stared at me a moment, then pushed up, sitting beside me. I meant to stop by when I got home, but it was late.
So last night was a dream. Lameness officially confirmed.
Look, I didnt think about it.
Apparently, I muttered.
Daemon rubbed the spot above his heart. I honestly didnt think youd get this upset. I figured youd know better.
I was still flat on my back, too weary to move. Know better?
Yeah, that youd know if Ash pranced naked into my bedroom right now, Id still send her packing. That you didnt have anything to worry about.
Thanks for that image you implanted into my brain forever.
He shook his head, huffing out a dry laugh. This insecurity thing ticks me off, Kat.