I show you that I do, too.
Facing him, I cocked an eyebrow. You do not.
What was that? Daemon gestured at the table, and I flushed. People eat at that table I think I showed you that I like you. I can do it again if youre not clear on what that was. And Ive brought you a smoothie and a cookie to school.
You stuck the cookie in your mouth! I threw my hands up.
He smiled at that, like it was a good memory. The table
Humping my leg like a dog in heat every time Im around you doesnt prove you like me, Daemon.
Daemon clamped his mouth shut, and I could tell he was fighting back laughter. Actually, thats how I show people I like them.
Oh. Fine. Whatever. None of this matters, Daemon.
Im not going anywhere, Kat. And Im not giving up.
Not that I really believed he would. I reached for the door but he stopped me. Do you know why I met you that day in the library? he asked.
What? I faced him.
The Friday you came back after being sick? He ran a hand through his hair. You were right. I picked the library because no one would see us together.
My mouth snapped shut and a sick feeling leached up my throat, causing it to burn. You know what, Ive always wondered if your ego was so big you didnt want to eat crow.
And as always, you jump to the wrong assumption. His eyes pierced mine. I didnt want Ash or Andrew to start giving you a bunch of crap because of me like they did with Dawson and Beth. So if you think Im embarrassed of you or not ready to make my intentions very public, then you better get that idea out of your head. Because if thats what it takes, then its on.
I stared at him. What in the hell was I supposed to say to that? Yeah, a part of me had believed it. How many people would kick a chick out of the cafeteria like he had and then start wooing her? Not many. And then I remembered the lump of spaghetti hanging off his ear, heard Daemons amused laughter from the day that felt so long ago.
Daemon
His smile was really starting to concern me. I told you, Kitten. I like a challenge.
Chapter 14
Lesa practically pounced on me the moment I sat down in class. Did you hear?
Half asleep, I shook my head. Id had a hell of a time going to bed last night after everything with Daemon. The fluttering my stomach was doing had to be a consequence of no breakfast.
Simon is missing, Lesa said.
Missing? I didnt pay attention to the warm tingling on my neck or when Daemon sauntered into class. Since when?
Since this past weekend. Lesas eyes flicked up behind me and widened. Wow. Now thats even more unexpected.
Something smelled sweet and familiar. Confused, I twisted around. A single rose in full bloom, a vibrant red, brushed against the tip of my nose. Tan fingers held the green stem. My eyes lifted.
Daemon stood there, his eyes glittering like green tinsel. He patted me on the nose with the rose again. Good morning.
Dumbfounded, I stared at him.
This is for you, he added when I didnt say anything.
Every single person in class was staring as my fingers wrapped around the cool, damp stem. Daemon sat down before I could say anything. I sat there, holding the rose until the teacher walked in and started calling off names.
Daemons throaty chuckle warmed my chest.
Cheeks flaming, I placed the rose on my desk, and I honestly dont think I took my eyes off it. When Daemon had said he wasnt giving up, I had no idea he was going to go all balls-to-the-wall right off the bat. Why would he? Maybe he just wanted to have sex with me. And that had to be all, right? Hatred turned to lust. Hed been so against me months ago and now he wanted to be with me, going against the wishes of his race? Maybe he had a secret drug habit.
The light caught the moisture on the rose.
I looked up, catching Lesas gaze. She mouthed, Nice .
Nice? It was nice and sweet and romantic and about a thousand other things that had my heart doing backflips. Sneaking a peek at Daemon over my shoulder, I watched him scribble along a blank piece of notebook paper. His brows were lowered in concentration. Thick, sooty lashes hid his eyes.
They lifted and his lips spread into a grin.
I was in so much trouble.
Cops were everywhere over the next couple of days, asking students and teachers questions about Simon. Daemon and I ended up being some of the first people they talked to. As if we were a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, plotting to take out jocks everywhere. Well, the fact that Daemon had beaten the crap out of Simon didnt look
good. But the cops didnt treat us like suspects. After my first and only questioning with them in the principals office, I determined that two of the state troopers were aliens. And I also got the distinct impression they suspected I knew their secret.
I wondered if someone had let the alien out of the bag. Ash was the most likely suspect, especially since Daemon had become the bearer of gifts. One day he brought me a pumpkin spiced lattemy favoritethen an egg and bacon breakfast croissant, glazed doughnuts on Thursday, and a lily on Friday. He did nothing to hide his intentions.