I leaned forward, anger simmering under my skin. “Where is Gadreel now?”
Samael’s mouth tightened. “I haven’t seen him since the ball.”
Darkness swirled around me. My fury couldn’t be contained, and with it came fear for Hannah’s life. She was in more danger than I’d realized. “Find him, and bring him to me. Now.”
30
Hannah
The drive from San Francisco to Las Vegas took way longer than I expected, and even with only a few quick stops, it took me the entire day to get there. By the time I rushed up to Lucifer’s penthouse, night had fallen and The Celestial was waking up. Vegas truly was a perfect city for demons, where most of the action happened after dark.
I found Lucifer in his library sitting behind his desk, a glass of whiskey beside him and an ancient-looking tome in his hands. He rose to his feet as soon as he saw me, and my heart skipped a beat as our eyes met and I was hit with the full force of his magnetic presence. Then he quickly crossed the room in a few long strides and swept me into his strong arms. Before I knew what was happening, his mouth came down on mine and he kissed me hard, as if he hadn’t seen me in years, while his fingers tangled in my hair like he was never going to let me go. My hands gripped his soft white shirt while his tongue swept against mine and I wondered how I ever thought I could live without this man.
My mate.
“You came back to me.” He pulled back just enough to study my face. “You had us all worried.”
I was still dazed from his kiss and it took a second for his words to register. “Worried?”
“Jophiel texted me when you drove off with her car. Nice choice, by the way.” His lips quirked up in amusement as his thumb idly stroked my cheek. “Both of our people have been looking for you ever since. You shouldn’t have driven all that way without anyone protecting you.”
I shook my head. “Lucifer, I can’t live in fear all the time. I may be cursed to die, but I’m ready to accept my life by your side. For however long we have.”
“Even though I’m a villain? A monster? The root of all evil?” His eyes gleamed red as he spoke, as if he were challenging me to run away again.
I reached up to stroke his eyebrows and the dark stubble on his jaw while I gazed at him, accepting him completely, red eyes and all. “I don’t care how the world sees you. You’re not evil. Not to me.”
He gripped my arms tightly. “Only because of you. Your light keeps me from turning completely to darkness. I would be lost without you.”
I trailed my fingers down his neck. “I’m here. I’m yours.”
He closed his eyes and inhaled sharply. “Say it again.”
Sliding a hand behind his neck, I drew his face down to mine and brushed my lips across his. “I’m yours.”
“Yes, you are.” He yanked me against him and turned my soft kiss into something much more, something that made red hot desire race across my skin. “Across the vastness of time, you’re the one thing that stays mine.”
My heart beat faster with his words and his touch, my need for him becoming overwhelming. I quickly unbuttoned the top of his shirt, while his hands skimmed down my black, sparkling gown. The gown I’d worn to the ball as his guest. As his queen.
“You’re still wearing this dress.” He unclasped the attached sheer cloak, and it billowed to the floor. “I love seeing it on you.”
I smoothed my hand down the front of it. “It’s probably ruined now.”
“It’s perfect. Just like you.”
He drew the gown above my head, and I raised my arms, delighting in the feel of the silky fabric drawing across my skin and leaving it exposed to the cooler air. When I lowered my arms, Lucifer’s gaze raked down my body like a caress. Then he unclasped my bra, freeing my breasts, and I loved the way he looked at them with fire in his eyes. Like he’d never seen anything he wanted more.
He took a step toward me and the dark hunger in his gaze made me tremble. He took each of my breasts in his strong, masculine hands, feeling the weight of them, rubbing his thumbs along my taut nipples. Then he lowered his mouth to one of them, tasting me with a slow lick that made me moan. His mouth thoroughly explored my breasts, his rough stubble grazing my sensitive skin and leaving the slightest burn behind. I wanted that burn to continue all over me. I wanted Lucifer’s fire to consume me.
After sliding his fingers across my midriff with agonizing slowness, he slid my panties down. His fingers tickled along my thigh, leaving a path of desire from my pussy to my toes. Ready to explode from the heat and desire coursing through me, I ground against him, desperate for a little relief from the ache inside. My fingers fumbled for his trousers, yanking them open, searching for his cock. It didn’t disappoint as it sprung forward, and I wrapped a hand around it, savoring the feel of his size and length in my palm.
With one arm, Lucifer shoved everything off his desk, the ancient texts falling unheeded onto the floor, before he gripped my hips and set me on the edge of it. Then he dug his fingers into my thighs and pulled my legs far apart, exposing my wet folds to him.
He slowly kneeled in front of me. “It’s been far too long since I tasted you.”
“It’s only been a few days,” I said with a delirious laugh.
His tongue slid along my slit, one long, slow stroke before he looked back up at me. “Exactly. Far too long.”
He lowered his
