“Anyone else?” I turned to Daimon. “Is there anyone else I need to face today?” I said exasperated.
“Darren wasn’t me,” he murmured angrily.
“It’s never you, Daimon,” I said sarcastically.
“Come on. You need to eat and we need to keep up appearances.” He took my hand, pulling me through the main hall to our table. He forced me to sit down next to him. He then stood up and picked up his champagne glass. He hit it with his knife making the music and the people stop what they were doing.
“Good evening, everyone,” Daimon said in his deep and powerful voice. Silence fell over the entire room as our guests turned and faced us. “I wasn’t going to do a speech tonight so forgive me if it’s not up to par, but the moment I saw my Addie, I knew I wanted to tell everyone how much she means to me.” Daimon turned to me and smiled. “Addie and I started our little romance in high school. You can say I did all I could to get her attention, but when high school ended and my bond with the girl that I had grown to know had broken, my world had grown dark. She was a light that I needed. A fire that blazed inside me, and without her, I am no measure of a man. I asked Addie to marry me only because I could not imagine another day without her by my side. There can be no other woman for me. It’s actually her fault really since she imprinted herself so deeply inside me. I know, Addie, we will fight and I will not always be the man you want.” Daimon now winked, and my heart, my stupid heart fluttered. “But I know you are everything to me and I am willing to do anything I need to do, to assure you are with me forever.” Daimon smiled a crooked grin as he leaned down and kissed me.
The room clapped and hollered. I could feel his tongue trying to enter my mouth. He pushed and I relented. Hateful Lucifer. He used any and all opportunities to make what he wanted happen. His tongue eased in, filling my mouth with his taste. He took the back of my neck and went deeper, forcing his dominance on me. My body went limp at his mere kiss. I couldn’t fight him off, afraid that our deal would be exposed. I tried to move slightly, but his hold was unyielding. He finally released me and smiled, his sky blue eyes telling me I was his to play with.
“See what I mean?” I heard Elissa over the crowd. Stupid girl. I was going to kill her. I could feel my face growing hot with sheer embarrassment that he had kissed me possessively, especially with my family here.
The night was filled with so many events that I didn’t realize how late it was. It was well past the usual time for weddings. People were making deals and one of them was Daimon. He used this event to his advantage. I watched him carefully as he sat down with some serious-looking business associates.
“So I think it’s time we go,” Jace said as he leaned in and kissed me on both cheeks.
“Yeah, it’s rare, but damn, I’m tired,” Elissa said, smiling at me.
“Do you think your dad will refuse me if I go over to his place to crash? Your bed was awesome to sleep in, plus my roommates are probably still partying,” Elissa asked.
“Why don't you come over to my place?” Jace offered.
“Yeah right, you and me, alone in a one-room apartment. Are you seriously trying to pick me up now?” Elissa fired back.
“Relax, you’re not my type. I was just trying to be a friend.” Jace shook his head at her.
“Really? No funky fucky business?” She eyed him carefully.
“No.”
“Fine then, lead the way,” she said to him as they left. I watched their exchange and was left wondering what was really going on between them.
“I think it’s time we go too.” My dad and Sofia came up from behind Jace and Elissa.
“Oh, okay,” I murmured, finally realizing I wasn’t going to go home with them.
“It was really great, Addie.” Sofia hugged me and held onto me a few moments longer.
“It really was,” my father agreed, watching us.
“I’ll call you tomorrow before I leave for school,” Sofia said.
I watched as both of them left me alone. I felt like I no longer was part of them. No longer was it just the three of us. It was the two of them and now I was the outsider.
“Lost in your thoughts I see. You always were a nerd. I’d ask, penny for your thoughts, but I already paid you enough,” Daimon said low in my ear as he stood behind me.
“Don’t you have more business deals to take care of?” I murmured, too hurt to care about his jabs.
“Not really, since everyone pretty much left.” I stood back and faced him. I looked around and he was right; it was the two of us. The band was getting ready to put away their instruments.