Dragon Alpha's Last Mate

5. All Work, No Play

Daemon held the door open for me, and I couldn’t believe he lived here as I stepped in. Someone greeted us and took our coats and bag. He led me to the kitchen, where three chefs were cooking. It smelled heavenly, and I practically floated to the kitchen table. I finally stopped looking around, and my eyes landed on Daemon.

“Do you like my place?” He asked with a grin. I’m completely speechless, and Cory finally sat down, “It’s quite the dazzler, isn’t it?”

“What do your parents do?” I blurted out, hoping it wasn’t rude. He and Cory shared a quick glance, then he shrugged, “My parents are in politics.”

“Well, they’re doing something right,” As soon as I said it, the server placed our meals in front of us, and it looked amazing. I don’t even know what the food was, but it tasted great. After a few moments, I noticed that Daemon wasn’t eating but just watching me. I caught his eye, and he spoke up immediately.

“Tell us a little about yourself, Elle. We heard you’re here on a full scholarship, and the only other thing I know about you is you’re the only mystic without a cell phone.” I eyed him suspiciously as I finished the food in my mouth.

“Well, there’s not much more to tell. I grew up in Detroit, my family doesn’t have a lot of money, but we get by. I think it’s made us closer.” I looked between them, and they waited for me to continue.

“I have one brother; he’s older than me and just made detective at the mystic police force in Höga Kusten, Sweden. He’s the one who was able to get to school since the scholarship didn’t include travel.” I’m glad I was able to bring my brother up. First, I’m very proud of him for getting the job. I also told them so they knew not to try anything shady with me just because I don’t have money, and they do. I know how rich guys work, and I won't let them take advantage of me as Aaron did.

“That’s pretty cool; what’s your brother’s name?” Daemon asked me just before he finally started eating.

“Jed.”

“How much older is he compared to you,” Cory asked, pulling my attention from Daemon.

“He’s seven years older than me.” They both seemed satisfied, and we all finished eating without much more conversation. As soon as we were done, there were servers there to clear our table. I thanked them a million times; I’m so not used to people waiting on me.

As soon as the table was clear, I had to ask, “Can we start the project now? I have a basic outline and want to agree on a schedule to meet.” They both shared glances, and it almost seemed like they were talking to each other. I was about to say something when Daemon spoke up.

“Alright, we can start the project. But you have to do one thing for me first.” He looked at me with a sly smile as I asked him what do I need to do.

“You have to agree to be my date to our party here tomorrow night.”

I give him a questioning look, then finally speak up, “What? No. I'm here to learn and graduate so I can become a fire master. Once I finish my mastery program, I'm going to work as a fire innovator and create new fire magic spells so I can retire my parents out of the city into a nice lake house.”

They raised their eyebrows, obviously impressed by my ambition. Daemon is definitely calculating something in his mind.

“It’s great you have such high goals, but it’s the first Friday in college. The project isn’t due until the end of the semester. We have plenty of time.” As he was talking, he walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulder from behind. All the tension I was holding in my body immediately eased at his presence. Again, my body reacted before I did and again, I was too aroused to be around him.

I stood up, breaking the contact, and turned to face him. Again I saw the red flash in his eyes, but it happened so fast I couldn’t be sure if I really saw it or was imagining it.

“I… I have to go,” I stammered out, not trusting myself with him.

“Wait, come on, Ellie. You can take a night off and be by date. If you be my date, we can work on the project all day Saturday. I promise.”

He placed his hand gently on my arm. Immediately I felt better and took a step towards him. He smiled as if he knew the effect he had on me. I looked into his deep brown eyes and definitely saw the flash of red that time. I pulled my head back, and he blinked his eyes.

“I can’t. I’m sorry. I’ll start the project, and we can meet next week.” I pulled out of his grip and hated the empty feeling I felt inside. He went to say something else, but I cut him off, “Thank you for dinner. You were right; it’s better than the cafe food.” I smiled sweetly at him and said a quick goodbye to Cory as I grabbed my bag and went for the door.

I don’t really have anywhere to be, but I know I can’t be with him, or I will make some terrible decisions.

“Elle, hold up,” I heard Daemon behind me, “Here’s my email; shoot me a message if you change your mind.” I took the piece of paper from him and shoved it in my pocket.

“Have a good night,” I said to him as I walked out of the front door and back to the dorms.

I opened the door to our room, and Lia was immediately on me.

“What happened! You’re back earlier than I expected.” I proceeded to tell her everything that happened, purposefully leaving out the effect he had on me.

“I mean, if he wasn’t going to work on the project with me tonight, why invite me over?”

“Because he likes you!” Lia blurted out, and I rolled my eyes.

“According to you, he likes anything with a hole.” She burst out laughing.

“Okay, but I did not say it like that. Who knows, maybe he’s trying to change? Change for you.” This time I laughed.

“As if. I bet you can go on your phone right now and see him on all those same dating apps you showed me.”

“Okay, I will!” I sat down on the futon with Lia and looked at her phone. “I saved all his profiles to stalk him. Let me try this one.”

She clicked the first one, and it showed that the profile couldn’t be found.

She wagged her eyebrows at me, and I rolled my eyes. She went to the next one, then the next one, and every single one he was on before, he’s not on anymore.

“That doesn’t mean anything.” I stood up and finished unpacking my bag. I didn’t have any homework, but I would start on the project a little bit.

I took off my pants to change into PJ’s, and as I did, Daemon’s email fell out of my pocket. Lia picked it up immediately, “What’s this? You didn’t tell me he gave you his email.”

“Oh yeah, after I told him I wouldn’t be his date tomorrow, he gave it to me in case I changed my mind.” She put it down on my desk, “I think you should email him and be his date. And then take me.” I shook my head.

“Lia, no. I’m not going, but you should go. I’ll be here studying because that’s why I’m in school. Not to party, not to date, and especially not to be the date of some egotistical ass.” She shrugged and flopped back on the couch to watch TV. I opened my laptop for a few hours of work before going to bed.