Lucifer's Cage (After Dark Book 6) by Sarah Bailey (short story to read .txt) 📗

And still it wasn’t enough.

She wanted more.

She wanted everything.

She shook herself. Thinking about him was a bad idea. She settled down to read over Mall’s notes. They had a lot of ideas, but too many dead ends.

After a couple of hours, her head hurt, and she felt like her mind was about to explode. She sat back, kneading her eyes with her palms.

“It’s a lot to take in.”

She jumped at the sound of Mall’s voice.

“Um, yes… There’s a lot of things I don’t really understand. I guess you want me for my knowledge of magic rather than the more technical stuff?”

“Yes, a solution using magic could work if we knew the right way to go about it.”

Candace nodded slowly, slumping in the chair. She couldn’t really think of a solution at that moment. She was incapable of creating portals, but she understood how the process worked. Perhaps similar principals could be applied to the situation with Hell. If you could use a portal to get in, then getting out should be simple. Right?

“Perhaps you should take a break. See if you can find those books for me? I put the list on that tablet next to you,” Mall said.

Candace stood up, stretching before giving Mall a nod. She picked up the tablet next to the laptop and strode out of the room. She made a beeline straight for Lucifer’s bedroom. It was empty. A stab of disappointment ran through her, but she shook it off.

What else did I expect? He’s busy.

She looked down at the list on the tablet. There were at least twenty titles. She wondered how Lucifer had categorised the ones on his bookshelves. She placed the tablet on the desk, memorising the first one on the list before starting on the far side, looking over each of the spines.

“Why am I not surprised Mall asked you to go through my library?”

She jumped, stumbling backwards into his chest. His hands gripped her arms, steadying her. She craned her head back, staring up at Lucifer with wide eyes. She’d been completely distracted by all the books, she hadn’t even realised he’d come in.

“You scared me.”

“Anything to get you in my arms.”

She scowled, turning around and facing him properly.

“Funny that. You’re the one who’s stayed away from me since…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence. Her face grew hot.

I’m going to ruin you completely.

He looked her up and down, eyes darkening. A sly smile appeared on his lips. He damn well knew exactly what she was referring to.

“Did you want me near you?”

“I… That… You… That’s not the point.”

“No? Should we not talk about how much you enjoyed it when I had you up against my desk?”

She spluttered, taking a step back. No. She didn’t want to talk about it. She didn’t want to remember how it had felt to have his hands on her.

“Lost for words? Well, perhaps now isn’t the time for talking anyway.”

He gave her no warning, slamming her against the bookcase before his mouth connected with hers. Her hands were pinned above her head with one of his. Everything was on fire in an instant.

“Are you ready to give in?”

No. I already told you. I’m never giving into you.

He pulled away, eyes glittering with amusement. She wanted to be defiant. To tell him to leave her alone, but the other half of her wanted him to have his way. His free hand cupped her face, his thumb running over her bottom lip.

“You’re only delaying the inevitable. I will break you.”

I will ruin you completely.

Why was it so hot? Why did she want him to ruin her? The worst part of it all. She was so close to letting him.

“Just kiss me,” she whispered.

His eyebrow arched up, a smirk appearing on his face. He leant back towards her. His mouth was so close, yet so far.

“Aren’t you going to ask me nicely?”

Why does he have to make this into a battle between us? I can’t take it. I need him to give me everything I crave.

“Please.”

He uttered a low growl. His mouth was on hers the next instant. It wasn’t gentle nor sweet. His kiss was demanding and she relented, completely. He let go of her hands, his fingers tangling in her hair. She gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his shirt. She wanted it all and more.

“Where would you like it this time? Against the desk again or perhaps you’d like me to take you to bed?”

Get out of my head.

The heat between them was unbearable. She couldn’t think straight. Lucifer had taken command of everything. She dropped one of her arms, holding onto his waist, feeling the hard muscle between her fingertips.

This wasn’t anger filled lust this time. It was the fervour brought on by pent up frustration bubbling over. He was right. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough until they’d taken everything from each other. He was going to possess her in ways no other man ever could.

He grabbed her hand and shoved it in between them, forcing her to touch him. She groaned into his mouth. She wanted to touch him there and everywhere. He’d broken her resolve yet again. This man was the Devil through and through, but it only made her crave him all the more.

“I am not a patient man,” he growled, releasing her mouth.

“My answer is the same. No,” she replied, out of breath.

He pulled away, placing his hands on her shoulders and shoving her to her knees. He held onto her hair at the back of her head. His grip was so tight it made her wince.

“Every time you deny me, I will punish you. Is this what you want?”

She reached up, trying to tug his hand