Devilish Mate

26

13

Lucifer

I

took Hannah’s hand as we stepped through a door that led us outside, to the grounds of The Celestial.

“Where are we going?” Hannah asked with a huff.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

I could tell she was annoyed at me for last night, but I loved seeing Hannah all fired up about something, and I’d rather her annoyed than sad.

Besides, she wasn’t really annoyed. She was hungry. For me.

Exactly how I wanted her.

We walked past the paths to the resort's different pool and recreation areas, and I could hear the sounds of my guests enjoying themselves all around us, while the hot sun beat against my skin. Eventually, we reached an area that was fenced off, and I used a key to open the gate. Hannah shot me a confused look, before stepping through to the empty lot on the other side. Flat land stretched before us, most of it dirt with a few sad little weeds sticking out of it, along with some trash and tumbleweeds blowing in the breeze.

I spread my arms wide. “This is my gift to you.”

She c****d her head. “Um, thanks?”

I laughed at her bewildered expression. “I bought this land a few months ago so I could add another pool area to The Celestial, but I’ve decided we have enough pools. What I think we really need is a garden.”

“A garden?” Hannah asked, perking up immediately.

“Your garden.”

She sucked in a breath. “Really?”

“I want you to design it. Something huge and impressive, the kind of garden that people can wander through for hours. A tranquil respite in the middle of the desert.” I watched her face as she gazed across the empty lot, her blue eyes dancing with excitement. “I know you had to leave your flower shop behind, but here you can still work with plants, and this time you can create something that’s completely your own.”

She threw her arms around me, which was a better response than I’d hoped for. “Thank you. I think this is the best present anyone has ever given me.”

“I don’t know, I’ve given you some pretty impressive gifts over the years,” I said with a grin, before capturing her mouth in a kiss. She slid her arms around my neck and pressed against me, a bit urgently. Still wanting more from last night, though she tried to contain it. My c**k strained against my trousers too, begging me to take her right here in the dirt, like an animal. But I was nothing if not patient.

“How did you know?” she asked, looking up at me, still in my arms.

“Know what?”

“That I was already missing the flower shop and wondering how I would fill that void in my life.”

I slowly brushed my thumb across her lower lip. “Because I know you better than I know even myself. You’ve always loved gardens, ever since I got you kicked out of one as Eve.” I smirked at the memory. “As Persephone you had the power to make plants grow and to bend them to your will. You transformed our palace in Hell from a cold, barren manor to a home filled with life and color. I knew if you could do that, you’d be able to work magic on this plot of land too.”

She turned in my arms, leaning back against me, as she considered the lot. “We can call it Persephone’s Garden.”

“Perfect.” I’d never understood nor much cared about plants or flowers, but I’d always loved the way her face lit up around them. “You can already picture it, can’t you?”

“Yes, although I want to sit down and brainstorm some ideas before I get started. I can’t wait.”

“I’ll have someone get you the dimensions of the lot so you can get to work on it. The Celestial has a landscaping team, so all you need to do is tell them what you want, and they’ll work with you to make it happen.”

“Thank you.” She rested her head against my chest, letting me hold her close. “I really love it.”

“And I love you.”

She didn’t say it back, but that was all right. A part of her was still upset with me. Maybe it would always be upset with me. But most of her was coming around.

H

annah spent the rest of the day training with the angels, which was fine because I had business of my own to deal with. Samael's people were still on the hunt for Gadreel, while our other spies sought information about the Archdemons. In today’s report, I learned that Valefar had returned to Hong Kong and declared himself Archdemon of the dragons. My spies said he had no further plans to move against me at this time, and I hoped he’d taken my advice. If not, we’d be ready to go to war with the dragons. A war we would undoubtedly win.

In the evening, Hannah joined me in the penthouse for supper. There were a dozen restaurants in The Celestial, and I owned even more across The Strip, but Hannah always loved it when I cooked for her. Besides, I wanted her alone for what I had planned.

“You won’t win me back by cooking for me.” She took another bite of the meal with a soft sigh. “Even if this is the best steak I’ve ever had.”

Watching her savor the meal I'd prepared was its own kind of foreplay. “We both know I don't need to win you back. I’m your destiny. You’re my fate." I lowered my voice, as I locked eyes with her. "In many of your lives you’ve tried to resist me, but it never works. You always succumb eventually. As you will now."

Hannah shook her head, but she didn’t argue. How could she? She'd already given in.