Daimon reached out and took the ring from the chocolate box. He then took my hand and gently placed it on my finger.
“There now, the deal is done,” he said smirking.
“What?” I asked quietly.
“I asked you and you said yes.”
I continued to stare at him, the wondrous dream he had created, busted.
“You were upset about how I did it. So now you can’t be upset anymore,” he said flatly.
I lowered my head and bit on my lip not wanting to yell at him in this expensive restaurant. In one simple sentence, Daimon was able to destroy one of the most romantic things that had ever happened to me. But really it wasn’t his fault; it was mine for blurring the lines again. He was rich, powerful and sexy as hell. He didn’t ask me because he cared, he asked me because I was a means to an end, just like he was to me.
The waiter showed up with champagne and two glasses. “Isn’t she beautiful?” Daimon asked. I knew by his tone he was being sarcastic as he smiled, looking at me and waiting for the waiter’s response.
“Yes, she’s very beautiful,” he said as he finished pouring our champagne.
“She should be; she’s now going to be my wife. My Addie.” Daimon picked up his glass and held it up waiting for me to toast to his statement. I reached for my glass and played my part by smiling and acting that I loved being his, when the reality was quite the contrary.
“Congratulations to both of you.” The waiter smiled and left.
“Addie, aren’t you going to have the rest of your dessert?” Daimon grinned. For whatever reason it was, I wanted to reach over and rip his smile off his face. It was like he had finally won me.
“No, I lost my appetite,” I said quietly as I continued to drink.
“Is my Addie angry?” he asked, knowing the answer to his question. I said nothing as I glared at him from the other side of the table. “You realize the way you’re looking at me right now makes me want to push your buttons even more. I love how easily I can get under your skin, Addie,” he smirked.
“Screw you, Daimon,” I breathed, as I finished the last of my champagne.
“You have. Remember?” he grinned.
I didn’t speak to him the rest of the evening until we reached the front of his penthouse.
“Why are we in front of your building?” I asked. Daimon had paid the bill and told me he'd drive me back, which I thought would be to the hospital.
“Because you’re staying here,” Daimon said flatly as he got out of his car.
“Daimon,” I hissed.
The jolly doorman opened my door and waited to help me out. I begrudgingly took his hand and slipped out of the car.
“Hey Phil, guess what?” Daimon smiled at the doorman.
“What is it, Mr. Evans?” he asked.
“I got engaged today. Addie is beside herself with excitement, can't you tell?” Daimon said while pointing at me.
“Congratulations,” Phil the doorman said to me with a wide smile.
“Thank you,” I said lightly. Daimon took my hand and intertwined our fingers. I tried yanking my hand away, but he held on tight.
“Let's go, Addie. Let's make sweet, sweet love to commemorate this wondrous day,” Daimon whispered low so only I could hear him.
“Not on your life, Daimon,” I hissed underneath my breath.
He pulled me through the lobby to the elevator. He took out his keycard and slid it into the slot. I was still trying hard to get away from him, but he held on like a vice. When we finally arrived at his home, only then did he release my hand. Drako came running to me, jumping up and down wagging his tail. I knelt down carefully so my dress wouldn’t ride up and began petting him.
“If you think I'm going to have sex with you, to seal the deal, you’re more fucked than I thought,” I coldly stated.
“Relax, Addie. I brought you here to sleep, unless you want a repeat of last time,” Daimon said low, trying to entice me.
“Why couldn't you just drive me home?” I asked, annoyed at his behavior.
“Addie, you're mine to take care of. I'm not going to let you stay home alone in that rickety house of yours,” he challenged.
“Yours to take care of?” I choked out.
“Yes, mine!” he snapped.
“Daimon, I realize you bought me, but you can’t seriously think you own me?” I seethed. I couldn’t believe the thought even crossed Daimon Evans’ mind.
“Addie, we can work on the contract as many times as you want, but you are going to be my wife. Whereby being mine to care for. That's non-negotiable. Now you can go upstairs and take a shower, I'll get a shirt ready for you to sleep in,” he said as he went to the fridge to get a bottle of water. I stood there as my heart skipped a beat at hearing him.