Free Demon at My Door by Michelle A. Valentine Page A

eyes, then quickly break away. Bodies pile into the room to check out the commotion. It seems the entire party has found its way into this enormous bedroom to witness my rescue. “I’m fine. Can we go?”
    He nods, reaches over to take my hand, and then leads me through the gawking crowd. Every couple of seconds through the staircase gauntlet, I hear my name whispered.
    “Can you believe someone would fight over Sugarman?”
    “She’s such a freak.”
    “Rick’s too hot for her.”
    Tears threaten to spill from eyes at the sound of their words. I let go of Rick’s hand and place my hands over my ears. I follow close behind him and try to block out the world around me. We reach the living room, and I feel the warmth of his hand on the small of my back. He guides me out the door into the cool night air. I drop my hands from my ears, feeling safe from the judgmental whispers in the house. I wipe the fallen tears from my cheek with the palms of my hands. 
    Rick grasps my hand in his large, warm fingers. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can always go back in and finish the job on Trevor.”
    I sniff and shake my head. “No, that won’t be necessary. Besides, I think you already did a pretty good job whipping his ass.” I pause and take a shaky breath. “I’m just really glad you showed up when you did. Thank you.”
    He pulls me into a hug beside his car. “Me too,” he whispers. The heat of his body pulsates from him and envelopes me in comfort for some strange reason. “I would’ve killed him if anything did happen.”
    There is an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. I don’t deserve his kindness, but I appreciate he’s given me a second chance. The thought of disappointing my only friend earlier makes his words sting. “Why are you so nice to me? Especially after how I treated you?”
    He pulls back, and I stare into his charcoal-gray eyes. “Because I care about you, Natalie. And even though you pick that asshole Stewart Masterson over me, I’m still glad you’re my friend.”
    My head drops instantly at the sound of his name. “That’s over.”
    It’s harder than I thought to hear myself admit it out loud. Stewart was using me. Trevor made that quite clear. I know it’s over now. Stewart doesn’t even have the balls to tell me to my face. Instead, he leaves me stranded at this party and made me look like a complete moron.  
    Rick frowns, like he’s concerned for me. “Really?”
    I nod. “Yeah, really.”
    Rick’s lips meet my forehead in a gentle kiss and I close my eyes. An electric tingle zings through my entire body. He cradles my face in his hands and his thumbs caress my cheeks, and before I’m ready, he slowly breaks away and I open my eyes.
    “Good,” he whispers. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
     
     

Chapter Nine
    “Natalie?” the voice sounds like it’s down deep in a five gallon bucket somewhere. “Natalie!” This time I roll over to find my sister, drunk and kneeling at my side whispering so loud she might as well announce to Mom and Dad she’s just getting in. “Are you awake?”
    “I am now,” I grumble.
    “Good, because I wanted to talk to you.” She giggles. “So, what’s up with you and that Rick guy? I thought you were dating Steeeeewart,” she slurs his name, stretching it into three syllables instead of just two.
    God, I so don’t want to talk about this. “Yeah, well, he stood me up and apparently he told his douche friend I’m easy. That asshole Trevor tricked me into going upstairs with him and he tried some stuff.”
    She sways as she leans back and grimaces. “Stuff? What kind of stuff ?” 
    I roll over and pull the comforter over my head. “I really don’t want to talk about it. Nothing happened. Rick made sure of that.” I need a subject change fast because I don’t want her to go nuts over the situation. “How’d you get home anyway? You didn’t drive like that did you?”
    “Of course not!” She sounds appalled.
    I yawn,