When I pulled back, she licked her lips and stared hungrily at my mouth, eager for more, and fuck, how I wanted to give it to her. Everything inside me surged with the need to possess her body again, and I knew she’d let me do anything I wanted to her. Within minutes I’d have her begging for me, until she knew deep in her soul that she was mine, and mine alone.
But I couldn’t do it.
Not yet.
Those crystal blue eyes were hazy with sleep and desire, but something held me back from making her mine. A slight hesitation in her gaze, a small tremble in her touch. She wasn’t ready for this. Not after the night she’d just had. The act of restraining myself nearly undid me, but I told myself it would only make my claiming of her even sweeter when it did occur. I pressed one last hot kiss to the hollow of her throat, and then relaxed my hold on her.
She looked confused for an instant, but then footsteps sounded outside the door. Rage threatened to bubble up inside me again—who dared interrupt me with my woman in my bed?
Gadreel strode purposefully inside and then paused when he saw Hannah in my arms. She looked a little stunned as she touched her lips, like she was still dazed from the way I’d kissed her. I couldn’t blame her.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Gadreel said, averting his eyes. “I’ll come back later.”
“It’s fine.” I let go of Hannah, though it pained me to do so. “You have a report for me?”
“Yes, we managed to capture one of the shifters at the motel. We’re holding him for questioning now.”
“Very good. Did they find anything else at the motel? Any indication of who was leading them?”
He kept his head bowed. “No, my lord.”
A low growl rumbled in my chest. Imps, shifters, and gargoyles had all acted against me or Hannah in the last few days. Ever since she came into my life, demons who were once loyal to me were turning against me. Was it a coincidence or part of a larger conspiracy? The Fallen and the Lilim still seemed loyal, but what of the dragons and vampires? I needed to question that shifter tonight and find out the depth of this mutinous plot. Either way, I would have to deal with this problem before more demons got any ideas about defiance.
I ran a hand through my hair, the anger and pent-up lust making my movements sharp. “Thank you, Gadreel. I’ll meet you in the war room soon.”
He bowed and then departed, and I turned back to Hannah, who’d watched the conversation with questions shining in her intelligent eyes. Damn it. I needed to tell her who she was, but first I needed to deal with this insubordination problem. Besides, she wasn’t ready for any more surprises tonight.
“Sleep,” I told her, easing her back into the bed, putting a touch of power in my words once more. “Stay here in my bed, where you belong. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
She nodded slowly as she settled down, her eyelids growing heavy. “Don’t leave just yet.”
My heart twisted at the soft plea. “I’ll stay until you’re asleep.”
That seemed to satisfy her, and I stroked her head softly as she relaxed, no longer tense like before. I longed to crawl in beside her, to curl up behind her and wrap my arms tight around her small frame, but I had matters to attend to tonight.
Tomorrow. I’d tell her the truth tomorrow.
13
Hannah
Sleeping in Lucifer’s room was like an extra level of decadence. I’d escaped there because it was the only untouched room in the penthouse after the gargoyle attack, and sheer exhaustion and lingering shock had made me pass out in his bed, amid black silk sheets that smelled like him. When I awoke to his touch and his news that Brandy was alive, I’d never felt such overwhelming relief and gratitude. He said he was a villain, but last night he’d been my hero.
And then there was that kiss, and the way he touched me like he already knew every inch of my body. I grew wet again just thinking about it, imagining him here in bed with me now as I stretched out upon his soft sheets with morning sunlight filtered through sheer black curtains. I had no idea where he’d slept last night, or if he’d slept at all. The last thing I remembered was him stroking my hair as sleep overcame me.
Lucifer wasn’t in the kitchen either, I discovered with a pang of longing. I was sure he was dealing with the aftermath of last night’s events, and I wanted to go see Brandy anyway, but I still felt his absence in the big, empty penthouse. I quickly downed my coffee and ate a muffin, then threw on some yoga pants and a t-shirt from my own wardrobe.
Once I was ready, I hurried down to The Celestial’s day spa to meet Brandy, with Azazel and a few other guards surrounding me. It was no surprise that The Celestial had its own luxury day spa. There seemed to be nothing that Lucifer’s resort and casino lacked. I even saw a champagne vending machine on my way down the marble halls. I could probably live my entire life in this
