A Demon's Love

Chapter 1

"Miss you are late."
I glanced up from the book I was reading, throwing my head back.
"And ?" I grinned brightly.
Rita pressed her lips tightly together in annoyance but I didn't care.
"And you have a family meeting to attend, your mother will pitch a fit."
I carefully placed the book on the coffee table and stood, making Rita shrink back abit.
"Let me remind you dear Rita, that I could care less but let's go." I said already walking out the living room, Rita scrambling to catch up to me.
I turned the corner that led into the hallway.
Rita finally fell into step beside me.
"What's the meeting even about?" I ask.
"I'm not sure miss." She answered.
I rolled my eyes as we reached my father's office and Rita pushed open oak door, allowing me to slip past her.
"Ah! So nice of you to grace us with your presence Sage." My mother said sarcastically.
I flopped down in one of the many comfortable chairs, rolling my eyes once again.
"I'm here, aren't I? What's this about?" I asked.
My mother narrowed her blue eyes at me but didn't say anything instead she turned her attention to a tall, dark haired man.
"This is Mason Steele, he's your new right hand." My mother said.
I blinked.
"What?" I straighten up almost instantly.
The man looked like he belonged on the cover of men's GQ magazine.
"Yes, I figured you needed someone to keep a better eye on you."
"I can take care of myself." I objected.
"While that is true, I mean someone who keeps you in line." She smiled and then clasp her hands together. "I have some work to do and by work I mean shopping, so I'll leave you two to get acquainted."
The man smiled brightly at my mom as she left the room with Rita trailing behind her before turning his grey irises on me.
Instantly, I felt uncomfortable with this God of a man looking at me with such...curiosity?
"So nice to finally meet you Miss Sage." He said as he bowed.
The deepness and smoothness of his voice caught me off guard but it just made him 10 times more attractive.
"Likewise." I said as I stood.
My mother mentioned something about hiring someone new but I figured she was referring to a female maid.
"Do you need anything?" Mason asked, stepping abit close to me.
So close that, I caught smell of lavender.
I inwardly swooned for a moment.
How am I supposed to focus around this man?!
"Er. No I'm okay for now." I mumbled, looking down.
"Alright then, do you mind if I explore for a while? I rather get acquainted with the manor before dinner time." Mason asked now, his face blank for a moment as he waited for an answer.
"Oh! No I don't mind at all." I say quickly.
He nodded and then led us out of the office.
We were about to turn in opposite directions but I paused.
"What if i need you for something? How would you know to find me?" I asked, mildly curious.
Mason glanced back at me with a closed eyed smile.
"I have my ways Miss Sage."
I watched him walk down the hallway and out of sight then I turned and made my way back to the living, back to the book I was reading.

○●○●
I was so entranced in the Jane Austen book that I didn't hear approaching footsteps, I didn't feel the warm of another person beside me.
"Miss ?"
I let out a yelp, jumping straight to my feet.
Oh shit, how long was he there?
My blue eyes flickered up to meet amused grey ones.
A smile crossed his pink lips as he straightened up from his bent over position.
"Dinner is almost ready, would you like to get changed?" Mason asked, the amused look on his face never wavered.
I blinked in confusion.
How did I not sense him beside me? Why didn't I smell the lavender scent from earlier ? He was just as close or even closer than before, I didn't hear footsteps either... why does it seem like he just appeared out of thin air?
Mason tiled his head, making a few strands of black hair fall in his face.
"Is something wrong?" Mason asks, the amused expression replaced by concern.
"Um no, you just startled me abit." I mumbled.
"Oh I apologize." He bowed respectfully but I waved him off.
"It's fine, and to your earlier question yes I'd like to change for dinner."
The smile returned to his handsome face as we exited the room and made our way to my bedroom.
We walked in silence which I didn't mind before after a while, Mason gazed down at me.
"Miss, can I ask you a question?" He asks.
"Yes?"
"How old are you ?"
"I'm 22, you?" I asked.
He smirked."25. Your betrothed is one lucky man."
"Why do you assume I'm betrothed?" I ask.
"You are not?"
"No."
Mason looked surprised." Really? I assumed a woman of your beauty and wealth would have a suitor by now."
"Did you just call me pretty?" I blurted out.
"I did." He chuckled.
I felt my face go red at his honesty.
"Thank you." I managed.
"If you don't mind me asking, why don't you have a husband yet?" Mason asked as we entered my bedroom.
I shrugged." There are many men that want to take my hand in marriage but none of them ever...." I trailed off as I watched Mason get closer and closer to me.
He stood in front of me, towering over me as he gestured for me to raise my hands in the air then it clicked that he was just doing his job and I obeyed.
"None of them ever what?" He asked as I slip out of the maxi dress I was wearing.
I stood there in front this man that I only met today in a matching lace bra and panty set.
His eyes racked over my hourglass figure for a moment before returning to my face.
He looked abit uncomfortable for the first time.
"They never lit that fire in me, no kiss or touch made me feel anything. I felt nothing with them." I continued.
Mason intently watched me for a moment, almost as stiff as a board but as quickly as came it was gone.
A more relaxed look on his face now.
"Someday you'll find someone who sets your soul on fire, someone who sparks that electricity-" Mason cut himself as his fingers brushed my bare skin which oddly enough made me jump.
I felt like I was shocked like touched a socket with wet fingers type of shocked.
Why? I have no idea.
I finished yanking down the black knee length dress on my own and Mason took a step away from me as though he was scared of something.
"What?" I ask, seeing his sudden blank, hard expression.
"Nothing Miss." He answered, no emotion in his voice.
He gestured for me to turn around which I did, and he buttoned the 3 little buttons at the neckline of the dress.
He was quiet again.
"What was it you were saying before?" I asked.
"I hope you find someone who sparks that electricity in your heart." Mason finished in quiet voice.
His soft fingers brushed my back and I involuntarily shivered at his touch.
"Are you cold?" He asks softly in my ear.
I froze, remembering how close this god of a man was to me.
Geez I could just melt into ice-cream on a hot summer day right now.
"N-no." I mumbled.
"Are you sure?"
I nodded stiffly.
"Alright then." Mason said, stepping away from me. "I must go over see the dinner plans for the guest."
"Guest?" I asked confused.
"Yes, your mother informed me that they will be about 20 guest here for a dinner party tonight actually-" He checked his watch." In about 30 minutes, didn't she tell you?"
Of course she didn't.
"Right, I forgot." I lied.
Mason rose a perfectly cut eyebrow at me but didn't say anything on that.
"Would there be anything else Miss Sage?" Mason asks.
"No you are dismissed." I say.
He dips his black head respectfully then leaves the room.
I flopped back onto my bed, feeling annoyed that I had to hear news of a party from the help but after a few minutes, I stood up and walked over to the mirror.
Suddenly not liking my outfit anymore, I decide to change.
I should've gotten one of the maids or even Mason to assist me but I was always rather capable of doing it myself.
The only reason I allow anyone to do basic things such as dressing is because it's the norm. It came with being the heir to the Taylor million dollar company and estate but that doesn't mean I like it.
I much rather do things on my own and alone.
I looked through my closet for a while until I found a floor length, tight fitting navy blue dress. I paired it with a simple diamond necklace which was Christmas gift from my parents and a pair of flats seeing that I didn't want to spend all night in heels.
I left my hair how it was with its natural curls.
I looked in the mirror again.
Good now, I'm satisfied with my outfit for the occasion.
"You changed?" Mason was standing by the door with his hands clasp behind his back, making his muscular arms more pronounced in his navy blue suit. He wasn't wearing this suit before he left.
"So did you." I stated.
"I did but I unintentionally matched with you." He smiled as he took a step toward me. "Why didn't you call me to help you change?"
I shrugged." I knew you were busy and I'm more than capable of dressing myself."
"Yes you are." Mason said, more to himself but I still heard.
He looked me up and down like predator would its prey.
"You look wonderful, truly a vision."
I couldn't help but to smile at him.
"Thank you." I replied.
Once again, Mason came very close to me. He moved a stray hair from my face and tiled my head up gently with his slender finger.
All I could see was beautiful grey eyes that held small freckles of green in them.
"There...prefect." He stepped back, a smirk on his lips.
My eyes lingered on his prefect pink lips, something he noticed which made him smile, flashing me bright, white strangely sharp teeth.
"Is there something on my face." He chuckled.
Oh god, have I been staring at his lips this entire time?!
I stepped back, trying to hide my burning face but I'm sure I failed.
"Er.. no.. shouldn't we be going?" I stumbled over my words.
Mason just smiled at me. "Yes we should Miss Sage."
He held out his gloved hand for me to take which I did and he led us out into the hallway.
I could hear music and lots of chatter.
I wonder who did my mother invite.
Hopefully no one I loathe.
"Mason?"
"Hm?" He glanced down at me.
"Can you not call me Miss Sage, just Sage is fine." I asked.
"If that's what you wish." Mason smiled. "Sage."
I smiled at him, surprised by how easily he obeyed.
It took me 6 months to get the rest of the help to just call me by my name but it still hasn't stuck yet.
We turned the corner that lead into the dining area.
"Sage! There you are!" My mother appeared. "Mason dear, did she give you any trouble?"
"Not at all! She's been an angel to work with all day." Mason grinned.
"Good! Now Mason, would you go help Rita with the plates?" My mother, Rosa asked.
"Of course." Mason bowed before walking off towards where Rita was clearly struggling with the plates.
The expensive glass plates that were stacked started to tilt dangerously to a side but before they could be destroyed Mason caught them with such speed and grace that it looked unnatural.
Actually, to be able to move that fast is unnatural.
I narrowed my eyes at him, as he arranged the plates properly.
Even from where I was standing, i caught the change in his mannerisms.
He seemed way more alert.
I narrowed my eyes more if that was even possible and noticed that his grey eyes were a deep shade of red for a passing moment and as on cue, we locked eyes and he shot me that panty dropping smile with a little wave which I returned.
I chalked up the change in eye color to a trick of the light, nothing else made any logical sense right?
"Sage, did you hear anything I said?" My mother's voice cut my thoughts.
Hold on, has she been talking this whole time?
I turned my attention to my mother who was about an inch shorter than I was.
"Yes of course I'm listening." I lied, with a smile.
"Great! So you agree that you and Aston would make a beautiful couple." She smiled.
I blinked in confusion.
"I'm sorry mother, refresh my memory." I say.
"Look to your left."
I turned my head and a blonde man with a dazzling smile was talking to our neighbors, the Youngs.
I must say he's handsome but he's no Mason.
"Oh... mother remember what we talked about. I have to feel some kind of connection with this man before I can even think about anything like that." I sighed.
"I know I know-"
"-Rosa!" Someone called my mother, through I'm not sure who.
"I'll be right back." She said as she disappeared into the crowd of socialites.
Saved by the bell or rather person.
"Would you like some company?" A familiar deep voice sounded and Mason came into view.
"I suppose." I shrugged.
"Here." Mason handed me a plate of what looked like vanilla bean cake.
My jaw dropped at how good it tasted.
It was so fluffy, it just melted in my mouth.
I let out a moan of pleasure and the fleeting look of lust on Mason's face didn't go unnoticed.
"I'm going to assume you like it." He laughed.
It was really a beautiful sound.
"I love it!" I exclaimed." You made this?"
"I did."
"I see why my mother hired you." I say, finishing the cake.
"Massie!" A red haired woman threw her arms around Mason, crushing the life out of him but he looked more irritated by this women's presence than in pain.
"Ah Madame Wendy Gray, it's such a pleasure to see you." Mason said formally.
Eventually Wendy let go of Mason.
"So you are working for the Taylor family now. An upgrade." Wendy said in her thick southern accent. "How's it being the right hand to Rosa? Must be tiring."
"Actually, I'm Miss Sage's right hand." Mason said, gesturing to me.
The lady's eyes fell on me.
"Oh! I didn't notice you there dear, I wonder how you get anything done with a face as handsome as Massie's around." Wendy exclaimed.
Geez, she's loud.
"Massie?" I snickered, earning a side eye look from Mason.
She laughed." Yes it's our nickname for him. Mason used to work for me as my eldest daughter's butler. She misses you dearly."
Mason smiled at the woman but unlike with me or my mother it isn't genuine.
"I miss her to." It was a very short reply but his smile never wavered, showing that he was very well trained around the rich and snobby.
Even though, he did fidget beside me a few times, clearly done with this conversation so I decided to not make him suffer anymore.
"Madame Gray, I'm so sorry but we have to cut this conversation short. There's something I need to attend to and I need Mason's help." I say now, pulling Mason in the opposite direction.
"Oh of course! Go do what you must young miss." Wendy smiled and which we returned.
I yawned non to ladylike as we walked away.
"Seems like I'm sleepy, can you tell my mother that I'm going to bed." I say, walking away from him.
"Sage, I thought you wanted my help with something." Mason stopped me.
I giggled. "I could tell you were dying to get away from that woman so I just lied."
"You are quite the lier Sage." Mason smirked. "I would rather help you to bed before I inform your mother."
I yawned again." If that's what you want."
"That's not the only thing I want." Mason mumbled under his breath.
I pretended not to hear what he said as we climbed the stairs.
"Why don't you like her anyways?" I asked now.
"Hm? Oh you mean Madame Gray. Not her exactly, more her daughter. The girl was a brat which a capital B." Mason answered. "Unlike you, I loathed anytime i spent around her daughter, Stella. You are far more pleasant."
I smiled at his compliment.
Mason opened my bedroom door and both of us stepped in.
"Would you like me to run you a bath?" Mason asks now.
I nod and he goes off into the bathroom.
I managed to strip and put on a robe just as Mason reentered the room.
He looked at me, cocking an eyebrow." Well that was fast. The water is ready."
"Thank you." I nodded, passing him.
He turned to follow me but stopped himself.
"It might be inappropriate for me to see you naked." He said.
I tiled my blonde head." How so? You don't have any inappropriate thoughts about me, do you?"
Mason stared at me for a moment, drilling holes into me.
"No, I don't but I'm sure someone needs my help." He turned away." I have left out some PJs on your bed and If you need me just say my name but if not, I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay."
Mason closed the door behind him, as I heard him walking away.
I sighed, feeling abit hurt but I brushed it off and eased my self into the tub, relaxing almost instantly.
What a strange, long day it had been.