12 Meet The Parents

Hand in hand Blade and I manoeuvred through the crowd, Blade pausing to return greetings as we went, keeping an eye out for my mother.

I had yet to see her this evening and wondered briefly if she had come - we weren't exactly close - however I doubted either my mother or step father would miss the opportunity to schmooze Blade.

Looking around surreptitiously, not wanting them to know we were seeking them out, I spotted a familiar figure on the dance floor.

Lane was dancing with a major hottie and all thoughts of my mission evaporated as I clasped Blades arm excitedly and he looked down at me with affectionate bemusement.

"Please tell me you know who Lanes dancing with!"

I squealed doing a jumpy jig on the spot. Blade looked at the dancers and when he spotted Lane and her mystery man he smirked wickedly.

"That, my dear fiancé, would be my cousin Nate"

I grabbed him so tight there would probably be crescent shaped holes in his arm from my nails and shook him

"Give me more information, my dear fakeancé!"

He just raised an eyebrow at me as if to say 'what more is there' and I sighed dramatically.

"How old is he, is he local, does he have a girlfriend, is he a manwhore, does he do this often, does it seem like he likes her -"

I was cut off abruptly as Blade dipped me and kissed the tip of my nose.

"28 same as me, yes he lives in Country A, no, sometimes, no, yes - I think that's everything.. now do you want to see his medical records or can he finish his dance?"

I rolled my eyes dramatically as Blade pulled me back to standing.

"It's not crazy to want to know those things you know! Lane is my best friend!"

He smiled indulgently and took my hand

"I know kitten but it's their first dance not their wedding"

Eugh don't you just hate it when people bring logic into the conversation? I stuck my tongue out at him and started giggling uncontrollably when the demon president started tickling me!

As I squealed my surrender I looked up breathlessly and froze as Blade was giving me a tender look I had never seen before. He leaned in slowly and I tilted my head back, eyes falling closed as I anticipated my first kiss.

It was nothing like I had imagined, it was even better.

His lips touched mine, gently at first and I sucked in a sharp breath as the sensations hit me. I clung to him, my port in the storm of my emotions as our lips, tongues and teeth clashed together almost desperately.

I was beginning to feel light headed when Blade pulled back and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead

"Kitten" he panted, laughing softly " you're not supposed to hold your breath when you kiss someone"

My cheeks flushed, almost like bloody clockwork and I huffed out a breath

"Well it was my first time I bet you didn't kiss perfectly your first time!"

Blades fingers brushed gently against my cheek and he leaned in so all I could see was him

"Believe me wildcat you did kiss perfectly and as far as breathing, don't worry I'll teach you"

I shoved him away teasingly and smiled triumphantly

"I don't believe I begged you and yet you just kissed me.. I win"

I turned to dash away but he caught my arm and spun me back around to face him

"When I kiss your other lips believe me you'll beg"

As my breath died in my throat he smirked at me smugly before something over my shoulder caught his attention; his mask slipping back into place.

I turned and saw my mum sitting with my step father and step sister. Gulping I took Blades hand and squeezed, trying to show I was there to help him if he needed, then straightening my shoulders I dragged him off to meet my family.

"Honey let me introduce you to my family, this is my mother Hazel, my step father Jasper and my step sister Missy. Everyone please meet my fiancé Blade"

We were all smiles as handshakes, hugs and kisses were exchanged between us all and I gave a small sigh of relief that the introduction had gone off without a hitch!

Blade shaking hands with the man who murdered his sister and niece or nephew could not have been easy but he executed it without fault.

I gazed at him as he exchanged pleasantries with my family, worried that this was hurting him. Without looking at me he placed his hand on my knee and squeezed; letting me know he was okay.

I tuned back into the conversation just as everyone turned to look at me and I had the feeling I'd missed something!

"Darling I know you're in love but please stop making goo goo eyes at your fiancé and join in the conversation. I invited you and Blade to dine with us one evening"

I smiled sheepishly and glanced at Blade apologetically

"Sorry Mum we would love to have dinner with you just text me the details and I'll check if Blade is free"

Missy was sitting opposite Blade and she was openly flirting with him and I felt my blood begin to boil while she simpered at him and fluttered her fake eyelashes at him.. I was also wearing fake eyelashes but I'm allowed to be a hypocrite when I'm mad!

Leaning forward so her cleavage was basically thrust in Blades face she cooed

"President Night, what am I saying we're practically family now, can I call you Blade? Well Blade let's dance, sis you don't mind right?"

As she went to grab his hand to pull him onto the dance floor I caught her wrist halting her

"Sorry Missy but Blade has a sore leg so he can't dance"

I'm a terrible liar. Ask anyone. My face goes red, my eyes go wide and I smile maniacally. However this time I was cool, calm and collected. Stopping Missy from touching Blade was like a reflex ingrained in me.

Blade was laughing at me with his eyes the smug idiot! Missy was spluttering at me, Mum was fluttering her hands trying to dispel the tension and Jasper was watching it all unfold with narrowed eyes which I filed away to discuss with Blade later.

"It was lovely to meet you all however we still need to make the rounds but we look forward to having dinner together soon."

Blade rose to his feet as he said this and another round of handshakes hugs and kisses followed however as we were walking away,hand in hand, Jaspers voice followed us.

"As you're engaged does that mean our little Tasha is living with you?"

Blade and I looked at each other conveying so much in that one short glance and as one turned back to my step father.