Chapter 3: Not an easy existence

Lana

              Lucifer doesn’t say a word as we make our way back to my cabin, which gives me the chance to really take a good look at him. It has been weeks since I saw him, and my eyes are soaking in every inch of his masculine frame. His silky, dark hair is curled back in a trendy style, with the front being longer than the back, his dark eyes are shadowed by his long lashes, and his pouty lips are as luscious as I remember. If I had to categorize Lucifer, I’d say he’s a pretty boy with his Roman nose, high cheekbones and youthful features. Though his face may look young, his body is all man. At a couple of inches over six feet, he’s quite the specimen with his swimmer’s build and powerful aura. His chest is broad, his waist is narrow, and his legs are long and muscular. I can sing many praises to his firm ass and muscular arms. But what really catches my attention is his macho swagger. The man walks like he rules the world, which is really not far from the truth.

              Tonight, he’s wearing a black Henley, dark blue jeans and scarred work boots. He definitely is a far cry from the rugged adventurer gear the guys at the camp wear. What amazes me is that he doesn’t look awkward or out of place. Actually, I don’t think Lucifer can ever look out of place anywhere.

              Once we reach my cabin, I stop in front of the door and turn to face him. The evening dawns on the horizon, creating a halo around his dark locks. “Listen, Lucifer, though I took safety precautions, I really do appreciate you looking out for me back there.”

              He nudges his chin in concession before he walks around me and opens the door. The man seriously has no sense of boundaries, which I guess is par to the course, considering who he is. Following behind him, I open my lips to reprimand him for his behavior but stop when I see that there’s a steaming bathtub brimming with bubbles sitting in the middle of my tiny cabin. Hoping that I’m not imagining things, I blink my eyes and approach the tub carefully. Lucifer stops beside me and waves his hand across the porcelain tub’s surface. “Your wish is my command, my lady.”

              At a loss for words, I look back and forth between Lucifer and the tub. “What? How?”

              Lucifer shrugs nonchalantly. “Don’t just stand there, luv. Get in.”

              My heart flutters with excitement as I absorb the stream flowing around me. Without a thought, I slip off my boots and begin to unbutton my shorts. It’s only when Lucifer moves closer that I remember he’s still in the room. “Turn around,” I mutter.

              He smirks. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”

              I snort. “I mean, you can also leave and let me bathe in peace.”

              Lucifer crosses his arms in front of his chest and shakes his head. “I don’t believe I want to do that.”

              I sputter. “Fine, but either you turn around, or I don’t get in.”

              Once he realizes that I won’t budge, he begrudgingly turns his broad back to me and stiffly grumbles. “You know, if it wasn’t for my power, you wouldn’t have this amazing bath. You are so bloody frustrating.”

              I ignore his protests as I remove my clothes and submerge myself into the deliciously warm water. The pleasant scent of eucalyptus permeates the air, making me close my eyes and rest my head against the lip of the tub.

              Looking back, I watch as Lucifer slips his sleeves up his powerful forearms, squats down beside the tub, and loosens my hair clip. My hair cascades behind the lip of the tub like a waterfall. “What are you doing?”

              His beautiful lips tilt with amusement. “Do not be cross with me, luv. I’m not going to molest you; I’m just going to wash your hair.”

              I gaze into his eyes and gauge his intent before I slide back on the tub and let him wash my hair.

              I won’t pretend that it doesn’t feel amazing. I love the way he carefully slides his fingers through my hair, holds it over the tub, and pours water across each strand. He does this several times until my hair is completely wet, then pours lavender-scented soap across my hair and massages it gently into my scalp. It feels so good that I have to resist begging for him to do that to the rest of my body. His elegant fingers slide through my hair spreading the soap until I’m a pile of goo inside the tub. Once he’s done rinsing my hair, he pulls up a chair and sits next to the tub.

              “Are you enjoying your bath, Luv?”

              I nod my head and weave my fingers through the frothy bubbles. “It’s amazing. Thank you.”

              Lucifer leans his elbow on top of the tub’s rim and snickers. “Why haven’t you ever been kissed before?” he asks.

              I stiffen inside of the water. Of all of the things I expected Lucifer to say, this was not it. “What does it matter?” I evade his question.

              His brow furrows. “It’s not like you’re a dreadful sow. In fact, you’re quite stunning, which is why I’m confused that you’ve never been kissed.”

              I swallow down my despair as I consider how to respond. “When I was fourteen, my mother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Our dad was out of the picture, so it was up to us to take care of my mom, which wasn’t easy because we were so young. Because of this, it was hard to form any attachments. I had a few good friends who eventually drifted away when I continuously canceled on them. Then, the medical bills and rent came due, and we had to figure out a way to make money and care for our mom. While Bree worked to keep a roof over our heads, I stayed home and cared for my mom. Eventually, the cancer won out, and my mom died.”

              His eyes become shadowed as he listens to my story. “It must have been a very difficult time for you and Bree.”

              I flutter my fingers through the warm water and shrug. “It was, but at least I had my sister and Zoe.”

              His jaw ticks. At this point, a normal man would give me some trite apology or empty words of condolence. But I should understand by now that Lucifer is not like any normal man. “It’s not too late to start now. I can make you feel pleasure if you’ll let me.”

              Arching my brow, I give him an incredulous look. “Are you seriously hitting on me right now?”

              His lip quirks. “I was just making an offer in case you were unsure of my intentions.”

              He sounds so reasonably charming that I have to blink my eyes several times. The man definitely knows he’s irresistible.

              My body heats with desire as I consider the situation that I am currently in. I’m literally sitting naked in a bathtub with fading bubbles talking to one of the most beautiful and notorious creatures in existence, and he’s offering to give me pleasure.

              However, a small part of me can’t help but wonder why he’s here. The idea that he sees me as another notch on his headboard does occur to me, but I quickly dismiss it. This is Lucifer we’re talking about. With his looks and aura of power, women fall at his feet. Plus, the last time I was around him, he treated me as a nuisance. Of course, he flirts because that is who he is, but I can’t make sense of his pursuit.

              “Why me?” I ask. “I get that you think I’m pretty, but it’s not like there aren’t any other pretty women in the world.”

              Lucifer’s eyes glow red for a moment. It doesn’t scare me, but it does put me a little on edge.

              Sitting forward, I gesture to the towel. “Can you please hand me the towel and turn your back again? I’m ready to get out.”

              Without a word, he reaches for the towel and hands it to me before he turns his back. As carefully as I can, I rise from the tub, wrap the towel around me and step out of the tub. The water sloshes across the towel-covered floor as I reach for another towel and begin to dry my hair.

              Lucifer steps forward and helps me. We’re standing so close that I’m intoxicated by his incredible scent of sandalwood and man. Lucifer’s so gentle with his ministration that I can’t help but figuratively melt in his presence. As he dries each strand, our covered chests touch slightly, making my heart thunder inside my chest.

              Once he’s done drying my tresses, he moves his fingers across my jaw and lower lip, his eyes tracing every sensual movement. “I didn’t expect you,” he mumbles gruffly. “but there’s something about you…”

              “What?” I murmur softly. “I don’t understand.”

              At that moment, something strange occurs. A slight warmth stretches inside of my chest and neck until it reaches my face. My eyes feel odd, and my back begins to ache. Stumbling back, I rub my eyelids and roll my shoulders.

              I look back at Lucifer, surprised to see that his face is free of any expression. Just as I am about to ask him what’s wrong, he takes a step back and announces. “I should go back to hell. Be careful when you run around out there. I can’t always guarantee that I’ll be around to catch you.”    

              Before I can reply, he and the tub vanish from sight.

              Stunned, I walk up to my mirror and look at my reflection, but I don’t see anything. For a couple of minutes, I slump down on my bed and will my body to come down from its unfulfilled arousal. I spend the rest of the night analyzing his response and come up with very little. Needless to say, my sleep is restless and filled with strange dreams that feel too real. Come morning, I resolve to forget what happened between us. There’s no point in it, considering that I might never see him again.