The kind of girl Daemon expected he could easily boss around and intimidate. He probably expected me to wear a one-piece and keep my shorts and top on since he’d taunted me. What had he said when he first met me? That I looked like a thirteen-year-old?
A red hot feeling sparked inside me.
Screw him.
I wanted to be exciting and bold. Maybe I even wanted to shock Daemon, prove him wrong. Without a second thought, I threw the plain suit into the corner and laid the red one on my small desk.
My decision was made.
I put on the tiny scraps in record time, and a pair of denim shorts and a tank top that had pretty flowers on it over the top to hide my audacity. Once I found my sneakers, I gathered up a towel and headed downstairs.
My mom was lingering in the kitchen, the standard coffee cup in hand. “You slept late. Did you sleep well last night?” she asked expectantly.
Sometimes I wondered if my mom was psychic. Shrugging, I shuffled by her and grabbed the orange juice. I concentrated way too hard on making toast while she continued to stare at my back. “I’ve been reading.”
“Katy?” she said after what seemed like forever.
My hand shook a bit as I buttered my toast. “Yeah?”
“Is…is everything working out for you here? Do you like it?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it’s nice.”
“Good.” She took a deep breath. “Are you excited about today?”
My stomach dropped as I faced her. Part of me wanted to throttle her for helping trap me in Daemon’s plans, but she didn’t know any better. I knew she worried I was going to hate her for yanking me out of everything I loved and insisting we move here. “Yeah, I guess so,” I lied.
“I think you will have a good time,” she said. “Just be careful.”
I shot her a knowing glance. “I doubt I’ll get into any trouble swimming.”
“Where are you guys going?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t say. Somewhere nearby I’m sure.”
My mom made her way to the door. “You know what I mean. He’s a good-looking boy.” Then she gave me the I’ve b een there so don’t try anything look before she left.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I washed out her coffee cup. I didn’t think that I could sit through another birds and bees conversation, especially not now. The first one had been traumatic enough.
I shuddered at the memory.
I was so caught up reliving that horrible mother-daughter bonding moment, I jumped when someone banged against the front door. My heart flipped as I looked at the time.
11:46 a.m.
After taking a calming breath, I stumbled over my own feet to get to the door. Daemon stood with a towel thrown casually over his shoulder.
“I’m a little early.”
“I can see,” I said, voice flat. “Change your mind? You could always try lying.”
He arched a brow. “I’m not a liar.”
I stared at him. “Just give me a second to grab my stuff.” I didn’t wait for his reply. I swung the door shut in his face. It was childish, but I felt like I’d scored a small victory. I went to the kitchen and grabbed my sneakers and stuff before returning and opening the door again. Daemon was right where I’d left him.
Nervous excitement fluttered in my belly as I locked the front door and followed Daemon down the driveway. “Okay, so where are you taking me?”
“What fun would it be if you knew?” he asked. “You won’t be surprised then.”
“I’m new to town, remember? Everywhere is going to be a sur-prise for me.”
“Then why ask?” He cocked a smug eyebrow.
I rolled my eyes. “We aren’t driving?
Daemon laughed. “No. Where we’re going you can’t drive. It’s not a well-known spot. Most locals don’t even know about it.”
“Oh, I’m special then.”
“You know what I think, Kat?”
I peeked at him and caught him watching me with such serious intensity I flushed. “I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know.”
“I think my sister finds you very special. I’m starting to wonder if she’s onto something.”
I smirked. “But then there’s all kinds of special now, isn’t there, Daemon.”
He seemed startled to hear his name. After a beat the intensity was gone, and he led me down the road and across the main highway. He had me curious when we entered the dense tree line on the other side of the road.
“Are you taking me out to the woods as a trick?” I asked, half serious.
He glanced over his shoulder, lashes hiding his eyes. “And what would I do out here to you, Kitten?”
I shivered. “The possibilities are endless.”
“Aren’t they?” He made his way easily around the thick brush and vines tangled together on the floor of the woods.
I was having a hell of a time not breaking my neck on the many exposed roots and moss-covered rocks. “Can we pretend we did this?”
“Trust me, I don’t want to be doing this either.” He jumped over a fallen tree. “But bitching about it isn’t going to make it any easier.” Turning around, he offered me his hand.
“You’re such a joy to talk to.” I briefly considered ignoring it, but I placed my hand in his. Static passed from his skin to mine. I bit down on my lip as he helped me over the downed tree before dropping my hand. “Thank you.” Daemon looked away and continued walking. “Are you excited about school?”
What? Like he cared? “It’s not exciting being the newbie. You know, the whole sticking out like a sore thumb. Not fun.”