Devilish Mate

31

I let Kassiel keep talking, wanting to hear him, to just listen to his voice. My love for my son was so overwhelming it felt like it might burst out of my chest. How had I gone the last forty years without this feeling? And how did mothers live with this every day and not go insane? Or maybe we all were a little insane, but it didn't matter, because it was worth it. It was all worth it.

“Most recently I became a professor at Seraphim Academy on a mission for Lucifer, and with Olivia and the others, I helped stop a plot against demons," he said.

"Yes, Olivia told me all about it." I reached over and took Kassiel's hand, and to my relief he didn't pull away. “I’m so proud of you."

"What of you?" he asked, seeming a bit more comfortable now. "Tell me about this life. Lucifer gave me a quick rundown, but I want to hear it from you."

I bit out a sad laugh. "There's really not much to tell."

We talked for the next hour about our lives, catching up as if we were old friends, and I was delighted to hear that Kassiel shared my love of reading and history. In fact, he'd been the Angelic History professor at Seraphim Academy, which greatly amused both of us. I told him about my flower shop, and what Jophiel had done to me, and he told me about how he and Callan had hated each other for a long time. Of course, back then they'd had no idea they were basically cousins.

“What of your brothers?” I asked, hungry for more news of my sons. "Do you see them a lot?"

Kassiel shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable again. "Not very often. Damien and I get together when we can, but he's in Faerie and outsiders are not welcome there. And Belial... I haven't spoken to him in years. Last I heard he's working as a bartender in New Orleans and laying low. Probably a good thing."

I frowned a little at that. I was beginning to realize my family was larger than I’d ever imagined as Hannah, but I sensed our family had grown distant and estranged, a side-effect of the curse, perhaps. But with the loss of my daughter so fresh in my mind, and the promise of one long, unbroken life ahead of me, I was desperate to reconnect with all of my sons and bring them together again.

A

fter night fell, I decided to take a short swim in the infinity pool. It had been out there on the balcony all this time, tempting me with its cool waters, but for various reasons I hadn't taken a swim yet. On my shopping spree with Lucifer—which seemed like a lifetime ago—he'd picked out some skimpy little bikinis I would normally have been too shy to wear, but now I wore one confidently. Knowing who you truly were had a way of bolstering your self image.

Lucifer walked outside, carrying two drinks that looked fruity and fun, with little pink umbrellas in them. "I thought you could use a little refreshment."

I swam to the edge and took a drink from him. "Thanks."

"You deserve it. You've been working hard with the angels all week." A naughty grin crossed his lips. "And I've been working you hard after that."

I splashed him a little, rolling my eyes, even though his words made heat dance across my skin. All he did was chuckle and step back to avoid the water, and then he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt. As he revealed inch after inch of perfect skin and hard muscle, it was hard to concentrate on his next words.

“Tomorrow I plan to visit two of the Archdemons—Baal and Lilith—on a diplomatic mission to find out if the Lilim and vampires are working against me with the other demons.”

I took a sip of my drink, tasting the alcohol and the pineapple. “Probably a good idea.”

He unbuttoned his trousers next, but his gaze remained on me the entire time. “I’d like you to join me.”

“I’m not sure how much use I’ll be.” After all, I was still learning my place in the demon world, and I wasn't sure it would help Lucifer's cause if he showed up with an angel on his arm.

"You might not be sure, but I am. I’m stronger with you by my side. I’ve always appreciated your advice and wisdom." His slacks fell to the ground, leaving him in tight black boxer briefs that did nothing to hide his impressive package. “We’re a pair. Dark and light, wrong and right, day and night. For all eternity."

He dove into the infinity pool on the far side, where the water seemed to disappear over the side of The Celestial. Watching him was a luxury, with his waist narrowing from broad shoulders, and his taut stomach rippling with muscle. He plunged below the water and his form wavered beneath the surface as he swam in my direction.

He burst up in front of me, tossing his head back, his dark hair gleaming under the stars. Water ran in rivulets over his broad shoulders and down his hard chest, and I couldn't tear my gaze from his body. Everything about Lucifer called to me, making him impossible to resist.

“Well?” His rich voice sounded by my ear, and his wet skin brushed over mine.

I sucked in a breath as a rush of desire caught me by surprise. What had we been talking about? Oh, right. Going to see some Archdemons. "Yes, I will go with you."

“Good. I need you with me, Hannah." He moved closer and took hold of my hip. “And I want you. Now.”

Desire shot through me, and the fire in Lucifer’s eyes only strengthened it. He tilted my chin up, then his mouth came crashing down. I pressed against him, urgency thrumming a second heartbeat in my body, pushing unrelenting waves of desire through me. He drew a sharp inhale at the touch of my tongue against his lip and I pushed farther into his mouth, touching against the delicate skin there.