by Emma Castle
“Rule number one: you must never touch the feather. Never.” The bite to his tone made her shiver, not in a good way.
Diana set the glass case down immediately and spun to face the direction she’d heard the voice.
In the shadows of the corner opposite the fireplace, she saw him sitting in a black leather armchair. Darkness concealed his face while he calmly trimmed the tip of a cigar with a silver cutter.
“I’m sorry.” She glanced back at the feather, and then a wild thought struck her. “Is that yours?” She knew the story from the Bible like anyone else. Lucifer, the brightest morning star, had been an angel before he’d fallen and become the king of hell. This man had once been an angel.
“Yes. You must never touch it. It still retains a bit of heaven’s powers, and it could be dangerous for a mortal to touch.” He closed the cigar cutter and set it aside on a small table by his chair and leaned forward, his face suddenly lit by moonlight and firelight.
He was just as beautiful as she remembered. She still couldn’t believe it. Dark hair and dark-brown eyes that seemed to change into obsidian. She couldn’t stop looking at his striking, otherworldly features.
“So it’s midnight and I’m here.” She was proud of how steady her voice sounded, even though her stomach clenched with fear.
“Yes, you are.” He rose from his chair and pulled out a lighter from his pocket and lit the cigar.
“You shouldn’t smoke. It’s bad for your health.” The moment she said it, she felt like an idiot. He was a fallen angel, not a human, so most likely he couldn’t get lung cancer. But she could.
He drew on the cigar, inhaling slowly, and then he let out a puff of smoke. It danced in the air toward her, and she coughed. A sudden flash of anger at the thought that he wouldn’t care about her health made her speak up.
“I guess it doesn’t affect you, but I can still get ill from the secondhand smoke.” She couldn’t believe she was telling him off. It was dangerous.
His sensual lips curved into a smile. He puffed again on the cigar and then set it down into an ashtray on the table beside him, the tip of it still burning red.
“Rule number two. While you are with me between midnight and sunrise, nothing can hurt you, not my cigars, nothing.” The arrogance in his tone made her bristle.
“What? But how—”
“Think of it as me pausing your body’s clock. Everything will go on as normal, but while you’re with me, you’re safe from anything that could befall you.”
“Anything except…you?” she clarified.
Again that wicked smile that made her insides burn, but it also sent a flash of fear through her that raced like a wildfire. “Yes. Rule number three: while you’re with me, you will obey my commands. If I tell you to strip and climb into my bed, you do it.”
Oh God…
“Is that what you want me to—”
“No. Not right now. I’ll make it clear when I give you an order.” He pulled back the sleeve on his left arm and examined his watch.
“I think if we leave now we can make the reservation.”
“Reservation?” She stared at him.
“There’s a little place on Malibu Beach where I have a cook who prepares quite a meal. He is waiting for us.”
“But Malibu is in California, and we’re in Illinois.”
Lucien walked to a door near the bookshelves and opened it. Diana’s jaw dropped. Beyond the doorway she saw a beach house on a slight hill lit with strings of light.
“But… How…?” She simply pointed at the open doorway. “That’s not…”
“Possible?” Lucien held out a hand to her. “Everything is possible. Everything so long as you’re with me.”
Of course it was. He’d healed her father. He had heavenly—or maybe hellish—powers. A quick trip to Malibu was just par for the course, right? She swallowed down a hysterical laugh.
Diana stared at the invitation of his waiting hand, knowing she couldn’t walk away. Every doubt and fear was silenced inside her as she remembered her father in the park, the relief, the joy, the pain gone from him. There had been only life and sunlight.
I’ll do anything to keep that. She crossed the short distance between her and Lucien and placed her palm in his.
Without another word, he tugged and she followed him to the portal. She stumbled onto the sand and almost tripped. Lucien kept walking, his hand in hers, but she couldn’t move because her expensive heels sank into the sand. He sighed and scooped her up in his arms. His sudden possessive hold of her body wasn’t frightening, but rather a mixture between thrilling and comforting.
She didn’t want to think about why she felt that way, but she shivered and burrowed closer, her heart racing. She wrapped her arms around his neck to stay steady as he walked. The tips of her fingers brushed the silk of his hair at the base of his neck, and she suddenly longed to dig her hands into those dark shiny strands. His body was muscular and warm, with an earthy scent that teased her nose. He was pure temptation and sin, right down to that intoxicating scent.
“I’m sorry I tripped. Heels and sand don’t really work.”
He didn’t say anything for a long while. Then he chuckled, the sound surprisingly pleasant.
“I shall make a note of that for future outings, but I do like the way you look in those heels. They will be even better when I have your legs thrown over my shoulders and those heels are digging into my back.”
Diana stiffened.
“Whatever you’re thinking, I assure you that sharing my bed will be one of the best experiences of your life.”
I doubt that. She had a bucket list of a hundred things she wanted to do, and sex with the devil was not on that list. Hell, sex in general was not on the list. The few boys she’d dated in high school and college had been nice, but she felt like she’d missed that spark that everyone talked about. Maybe it wouldn’t be terrible to be with him. She could survive three months of mediocre sex.
Lucien carried her up a stone stairway that had been carved into the rocks. They headed toward the house which sat on the rocky hill. He set her down at the base of the stairs and brushed the sand off her feet before they climbed up to the house. It was illuminated with twinkling lights, and the ocean below crashed into the shore in a peaceful rhythm. Diana had always loved the ocean and the salty sea breeze. Something about the briny smell calmed her like nothing else.
The house Lucien led her to was a stone-and-glass structure that was modern and beautiful. It would probably be stunning in the daytime. They walked around the side of the house until they reached the front. Lucien opened the door, and she came in after him while he held it for her.
“Henry?” Lucien called as they walked straight into a kitchen that would’ve inspired any cook’s fantasies. There were stainless-steel countertops and open shelves painted blue and white with a coastal seashore charm. There was a massive island in the middle with a blue spun glass fruit bowl filled with gleaming red apples. She glanced toward Lucien for a moment, wondering if the red apples were there to make a point. But he wasn’t looking at her; he was focused on the chef, who was hard at work.
Henry was a middle-aged man, and he was standing in front of the main counter, drizzling a sauce over some sautéed vegetables. He smiled when he saw them.
“Mr. Star, the first course is ready. You arrived at just the right time.”
“Excellent. Henry, this is Ms. Kingston, my guest for the evening.”
“Hi.” Diana waved at the cook, trying to act normal. It was just dinner. Dinner with the devil, who’d carried her across a Malibu beach and promised to fuck her senseless after dinner. Yeah, no reason at all to be nervous.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His warmth was obvious and genuine. Diana couldn’t help but wonder how Henry had met the devil. Did he have a bargain too? If she had a chance to ask him, she would.
“Why don’t you both have a seat, and I’ll bring in the first course,” Henry suggested as he picked
up a wooden pepper grinder and lightly dusted the two dishes.
“You heard him.” Lucien held out his arm to Diana, and the courtly gesture surprised her. They passed through the kitchen into a lovely dining room. Tall-backed black leather chairs and a rustic dark wooden table was set for two. Lucien pulled her chair out for her, and after she sat, he pushed her in. Then he took a seat next to her.
Henry served the first course, an Asian blend of sautéed vegetables. Then he poured two glasses of what he called a full-bodied red and presented it to them before returning to the kitchen.
Diana lifted her glass and was about to drink when she saw Lucien swirl his glass and inhale slowly, all the while watching her. Then he took a drink.
“It’s not poisoned.” He chuckled when she still hesitated.
“It’s not poison I’m worried about,” she said as she realized he could put all sorts of drugs into her drink. The man could become invisible, for goodness’ sake.
Lucien let out a deep laugh. “Oh, my dear Ms. Kingston, I’m the devil—I don’t need to drug anyone. It’s rather like cheating. I chose you because of the challenge you present. To seduce a pure soul to the dark side? What a delicious temptation.”
“So you’re not going to…” She choked down the word that had been lurking in the back of her mind.
“Force you?” He seemed genuinely displeased at her assumption. “No. There’s no fun in that. But you will surrender to me, and the power you will give up to me will be my best victory yet.” His displeasure turned to confidence, but she knew she wouldn’t just surrender.
She relaxed a little and finally allowed herself to taste the wine. It was a rich cabernet. “Do you mind if I ask you something?” She picked up her fork and tried a bit of her appetizer. Spices exploded on her tongue. God, Henry knows how to cook.
“Ask away. I’m willing to lay bare for you.” Lucien’s innuendo wasn’t lost on her. He took a few bites as well and made a soft, contented sound that sent shivers through her. He made it sound…sexual.
“So the paperwork from your attorney said you go by Lucien Star. But you’re Lucifer, right?”
Lucien stroked the stem of his wine glass as he contemplated his answer. “I’ve been the king of hell for a very long time. It can be a dull, repetitive existence. I wanted to have a life outside the business.”
A life outside hell? She couldn’t imagine the devil wanting anything to do with anything other than hell. But she was wrong. She couldn’t resist her increasing curiosity.
“So Lucien Star, like the Morning Star?” Diana finished off the rest of her food and waited to hear the devil explain himself.
“I’ve always loved and hated that name.” His voice softened, and his gaze drifted away from her.
“Why do you hate it?”
“To be called your father’s brightest star and then be cast into the darkness where nothing can shine?” He gripped the wine glass so hard the glass shattered. Diana flinched and rushed to wipe up the mess.
“Leave it,” he barked and snapped his fingers. The shattered glass vanished, and a new one appeared in its place.
Diana dropped her wine-soaked napkin onto the table, frowning. She’d never really had anyone yell at her before, and she’d only been trying to help. He may be Lucifer, but he wasn’t going to treat her like that.
“You shouldn’t yell at me. I was only trying to help.”
She met his glare bravely, and he sighed. “My apologies, Ms. Kingston. I’m afraid discussing anything that relates to my fall makes me disagreeable.”
He sounded so formal, even more so than usual. She didn’t know him at all. Could one know the devil? At least she was learning something. Never mention the fall.
“I’m not interested in discussing myself. I’d much rather learn about you.”
“Really?” She couldn’t believe that. He only wanted to corrupt and seduce her.
“That surprises you?” He leaned forward, his eyes holding her to the spot. “Why wouldn’t I be interested in getting to know you, a pure soul and a ripe peach ready for plucking?”
Diana sucked in a breath. She would have been furious seconds before, but the way he spoke, it wasn’t an insult, it was a desire. The inferno in his gaze reminded her all too clearly of those hot nights in her dreams where he’d acted like the seductive villain she’d expected him to be. Yet he was being far too gentlemanly tonight. What was his plan? What was the devil up to? It was obvious he was hungry for her, and she, as much as she wished to deny it, was hungry too.
Henry entered the room with two new plates and set them down in front of Lucien and Diana before he removed the empty appetizer plates.
“Mustard chicken, lemon pasta, and a lemon vinaigrette sauce with dill,” he announced.
“It looks amazing, Henry. Thank you,” Diana said.
Once the cook returned to his kitchen, Diana tasted the entrée, and this time she moaned.
“See? You were judging me earlier—I saw that look you gave me—but some food is good enough that it makes you moan. Some food comes close to being better than sex.”
“Close?” she asked.
He grinned wickedly. “Nothing is better than sex, at least when it’s done well.” The way he said this made her feel like he was taunting her.
“Hmm,” she murmured, not agreeing. Sex had always been pleasant before, but she couldn’t imagine sex with him would be good, because he was the devil. Yet the way he was looking at her, with that sexy, smoldering gaze that warned her he knew just what she was thinking and couldn’t wait to prove her wrong…
That was terrifying.
“You didn’t think those dreams you had were just your imagination, did you?” he asked.
She stopped breathing. The dreams. She wanted to forget and yet relive those dark, forbidden fantasies over and over. They had made sex feel overpowering, all-consuming.
“Well?” he demanded, his tone a little darker.
“I…guess I hoped they were.”
Lucien put a hand on her leg under the table, his warm palm sliding slowly up her thigh, pushing her dress out of the way until he reached her mound. She tried to scoot her chair back, but he reached up and gripped the back of it, stopping her from retreating.
“Everything I did to you, everything you begged me to do, that was only the beginning.” His fingertips brushed the seam of her panties, caressing her clit, and she clenched her thighs together automatically, unable to stop reacting to his touch and the memories…or the dreams of how it felt when his body was between her thighs, his weight pressing down on her. He’d controlled her in the dreams, dominated every part of her until she couldn’t remember who she was. All she could think about was him and the exquisite pleasure he gave her.
Her body burned like a fire in winter. She wanted to view him coldly, dispassionately, but she couldn’t. She kept trying to figure out what made him tick, what he was thinking, and what that look in his eyes meant. Diana would promise far more than was wise if he would let her glimpse who he really was.
He slowly removed his hand from between her legs, making it clear that he was in control, that her body was his to touch as he pleased. The thought turned her on and terrified her at the same time.
“Finish your dinner. We want to get to dessert. That’s always the best part.”
She ate her entrée in silence, enjoying every bite despite feeling the weight of his gaze. But by the time Henry brought out some type of marbled cheesecake, she had to agree with Lucien. Dessert was the best part. She glanced up at him, unable to ignore his intense focus any longer.
“Diana, I want you to tell me one thing about you that no one knows,” Lucien said just as she finished her dessert. She set her fork down and swallowed.
“I…don’t know.” She couldn’t think of anything.
Lucien leaned over and cupped her chin, their gazes locked, and he repeated his question, his sinful voice seeming to put her in a trance. A funny feeling, like being weightle
ss, took over, and she couldn’t seem to stop from speaking.
“I…like to read romance novels. My mom thinks that they’re silly, but I love them.” It wasn’t just the steamy sex scenes that had fascinated her, but the deep, emotional connection the hero and heroine formed by the end of the book. She’d longed for that all her life.
Lucien’s finger slowly dropped from her chin, and he rested his head in his hand, studying her thoughtfully.
“Most people…” He paused, his dark eyes slowly starting to glow red. “Most people tell me something dark, something forbidden. But not you.”
Diana’s heart pounded. She had forbidden desires just like everyone, but she didn’t linger on them. Suddenly she could feel something inside her head, an odd sifting, as though she couldn’t control her thoughts, and the memories that she kept on the surface were shoved away as the walls around her darkest fantasies were attacked. He was inside her head. Digging. Diana slammed her walls up even higher, struggling to grasp memories of happy times and throw them at the presence in her head, and the sifting feeling slowed…then stopped.
“You’re going to be a most interesting toy.”
“I’m not a toy.” Diana threw her napkin onto the table and got up. She didn’t care if he wanted her to stay seated. She needed fresh air. Rushing outside to the patio doors behind her, she stopped when she reached the railing on the deck and faced the sea. Breathing in the scent, she was calmed at once and barely flinched when Lucien came up behind her. He placed one hand on her left hip and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“You are a toy, Diana. My toy.” His tongue flicked against her earlobe, and a shiver rolled through her.
“Remember, my sweet, that is the bargain you made.” His hand pressed into her hip, the touch anchoring her down into a pit of darkness where a wildness dwelt. “Give in, Diana.” His voice was like honey, slow and sweet, sliding over her and blocking out the sound of the surf. “Don’t fight the way you feel. I know you find me attractive, that I arouse you. I see it in your eyes, the way they shimmer with heat.”