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

her alone with Lucifer. She wanted to collapse. The spellcasting had taken it out of her, not to mention suddenly having to deal with Jax being here.

She made her way around the sofa, coming to a halt in front of him. Lucifer stared down at her with an unreadable expression. She took his hand.

“Bed?”

He frowned.

“You want me to come with you?”

“If you’re not busy. Do I have to ask nicely?”

He smiled a little, shaking his head. She tugged him into the bedroom before letting go of his hand. She strolled into the walk-in wardrobe, changing into something more comfortable. A plain t-shirt and sleep shorts.

When she walked back out, he was lying in his bed, tucked under the covers. She crawled in next to him, feeling the weight of the world sitting on her shoulders.

“Are you going to insist I hold you again?” he asked.

“You don’t have to. I’m sorry I forced you last time.”

His arm shot out, pulling her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her red hair.

“I like holding you,” he whispered.

Her heart did a somersault in her chest.

If that’s not the sweetest thing he’s ever said to me, then I don’t know what is.

Pulling away, she stared up into his mesmerising dark eyes. They were the sort of eyes she could get lost in forever. Perhaps it was just because she loved staring at them that she felt that way. She had it bad for Lucifer. So bad that she would leave a piece of herself here with him when she left.

Her eyes found his mouth.

“All I can think about right now is kissing you,” she whispered, reaching up and brushing her fingers across his jaw.

“Are you asking for permission?”

“No. I want it to be just a kiss and nothing else.”

He cupped the back of her head, pulling her into him. Their lips met with the gentlest of touches.

“I’m not going to push you anymore. No matter how much I want you. But you’ll always be mine, Candace. Even when you return to Earth.”

She pressed her mouth more firmly on his, wanting so much more than just a simple kiss from him. His words in her head made it hard for her to resist him.

I think I was yours from the moment I landed on you, Lucifer.

Her hand curled into his hair, tugging at the strands. He groaned, pressing her closer. Even if she wanted this to go further, it couldn’t. She pulled away from him, regret filling her heart.

“You know I wish things could be different, don’t you?”

“You won’t explain it, so how would I know what you wish?”

“I wish I had a choice and if I had a choice, then I’d let you ruin me. I’d let you drown me like I want you to. I’d let all of this happen without question because all I want is right here in front of me.”

She hid her face in his chest, unable to take the look in his eyes. There was something about the angel which made her want to admit all her secrets. All the reasons why she couldn’t be with him. Perhaps he would try to save her, but she was resigned to it. If she didn’t go back, she’d never forgive herself. Her chance at happiness was slipping away and yet there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop it.

“What’s between us is more than just about sex to you?” he asked.

“I thought I’d already made that clear. It doesn’t matter if it’s only sex to you. I don’t expect anything else.”

There was a long moment of silence which made her wonder if she’d said the right thing.

“It’s not just sex. I want every part of you. You are mine to ruin. Only mine.”

Her heart stopped dead in her chest.

Lucifer wants all of me? Doesn’t he know he already has that? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Her resolve was shot to pieces.

She was going to let him ruin her.

Completely.

Chapter Eleven

It took two weeks for Candace and Jax to find a solution to their predicament. She stopped counting how many failed attempts. Jax had more knowledge than she did which meant they didn’t have any more accidents.

She’d managed to keep him from discovering she had feelings for the Devil. It didn’t stop Lucifer getting in bed with her almost every time she caught some sleep. Kissing turned to teasing and teasing to touching, but it never went further. It was driving her crazy. The force of their pent-up desire for each other was going to explode.

“I know what we’re missing,” Jax said.

“What?”

“Divine power.”

She stared at her best friend with wide eyes.

“And how do you think we’re going to get that? Walk up to God and be like — hey, we want out of Hell, fancy lending us some of your juice?”

He rolled his eyes, shaking his head.

“You’re forgetting we have divine power right here.”

“Wait, you mean Lucifer?”

“He is an angel, Cadmi.”

She sat back, drumming her fingers on the arm of the sofa. Jax was right. It didn’t sit well with her, but he was right.

“Fine, but I’ll ask him.”

“Not even going to argue that point with you. He doesn’t like me very much.”

She grinned. Despite knowing Jax had a girlfriend, Lucifer didn’t like how close they were. Jax was her only real childhood friend. He was special to her. Knew almost everything about her. Lucifer just had to suck it up no matter how possessive he was of her.

“I don’t think he likes many people to be honest.”

“He likes you.”

Yeah, well, he cares for me in a way Jax doesn’t know