“Obviously. That’s why I thought you were weird on the sidewalk.” I told him.
“How?”
“Normally, you see shit with your eyes,” I smirked.
“Ha, Ha, smartass. Humans can’t normally see the hellhounds features. They really can’t see me. Why can you?” he inquired.
I shrugged, “No clue. So what’s his name?
“He doesn’t have a name. The kid was supposed to name him, but that didn’t happen did it?”
“You have to name him.”
“Holly, I’m not naming him. He’s going to a caretaker tomorrow until he’s big enough to fend for himself.”
“I’m not helping you unless you name him.” I crossed my arms and stared him down. The puppy seemed to agree with me and came and sat on my feet. I cocked my head at him, “We’re waiting.”
“You’re going to bargain with the Devil?”
“No, if the Devil wants my help, he’s going to bargain with me.” I flicked my long hair back over my shoulder.
“You have no idea what I’m capable of woman,” he threatened.
“I’ve heard stories and you don’t scare me,” I replied, unafraid of his threats. “Let’s hope for your sake, you’re capable of naming a puppy. Or we might be here awhile.” Animals were one of my weaknesses, I guess I just learned it didn’t matter if they were demonic or not.
“X.” He snarled.
“Excuse me?”
“X. The fucking dog’s name is X, okay?”
“X? What kind of name is that?” I asked.
He flushed a little, “You know, X-mas. He’s here because I screwed up on Christmas. So, X, okay. Just drop it. Now will you help me?”
“I fucking love that name!” I dropped down to my knees in front of the puppy. “What about you boy? Do you like that name?” The puppy licked my cheek, his hot breath brushing my skin, reminding me that he wasn’t just an average puppy. “You’re so damn ugly, you’re cute.” I ruffled his fur and stood.
“Okay, so what do you need my help with?” I asked amicably.
“You’re serious?” He asked in disbelief.
“Why not?” I shrugged. “I said name the puppy and I would help, I’m good on my word. What did you have in mind?”
“I need you to help me not fuck up the presents in these letters.” He pulled out a stack of letters and passed them to me.
They were all addressed to Satan, and still unopened. “You don’t even know what these kids want?”
He shrugged a shoulder, “I’ve kind of been winging it.”
“Why the hell not?” I fanned the letters out. “Take your pick, Satan.”
“Luka.” He said.
“What?”
“Call me Luka.” He looked up from the letters and when his eyes met mine, they were filled with heat. Slowly he pulled a letter from my hand.
I swallowed hard, “Luka.” I repeated a little more huskily than I would have liked. It looked like I really was about to be playing with fire.
Chapter Eight
Luka
I had eased myself into her dreams, just to see what I would find there. I found her dreaming of nothing and I tested her, to see what her reaction to me would be. When she leaned in to capture my mouth with her own, I couldn’t let it go any further. For her it would have been a dream, for me it would have been all too real. It wasn’t fair to do something to her that she really had no conscious choice in.
When I had this woman, I wanted her to be very awake and begging me to take her. I wanted her to desire me the way I did her. By hell, I had burned for her something fierce when she raised that baseball bat above her head, ready to protect herself. I chuckled to myself. Did she really think she was going to do any damage with that thing?
She had no fear, and yet even when she thought I was crazy, offered compassion. Still, when I revealed what I was, she gave me something that so few gave me, acceptance. She baffled me though.
This woman dared to make me bargain with her? I was the Devil, I made bargains, I did not take them. Yet I found myself naming a puppy just so she would help me deliver these presents.
What in the fiery inferno was it about her?
Her excitement when I had named X had been infectious and I couldn’t help but grin as she bent down and ruffled the hellhounds fur, letting him lick her cheek. I also couldn’t help but be jealous that the hellhound was able to be so close to her and yet she still kept me at arms distance.
I couldn’t say I blamed her though, I had kind of appeared out of nowhere in her bedroom. As far as the human knew, I had broken in with nefarious purposes in mind. I didn’t have time for niceties though. There was one night to make this happen.
She had surprised me when she agreed so quickly to helping me after I named the pup. For her it was as simple as I did what she asked, now she would do what she said she would. That had to be admired.
Not only had she amazed me, but I flabbergasted myself even more when I had revealed to her my real name. Very few knew me as anything other that the Devil, Lucifer or Satan. Only those closest to me knew me as Luka, and I could count those on one hand.
We could have easily made it through the night without me telling her my real name. She would have been none the wiser and we would have gone our separate ways. For some reason, I had needed to tell her. I had wanted to hear my name roll off her tongue.
As she fanned out the letters for me to choose, her scent drifted closer, that rich vanilla that made me itch to taste and to touch. Her musical voice washed over me, the need behind it clear and I knew my desire wasn’t exactly one sided. I would bide my time, but I hoped before the night was over, I would taste her, teach her exactly what kind of pleasure the Devil could bring her. Perhaps sate this need for her enough that we could part ways and I could forget I ever met this woman.
I picked a letter and slid it from her hands, giving it a quick glance as I dropped my arm. It was nowhere near as pretty as hers.
“Well?” She asked.
“Right,” unceremoniously I opened the envelope, and pulled out the plain white paper from inside.
“Dear Santa,” I began to read aloud, “Yeah, I know it wasn’t really meant for me. I’m stubborn, what can I say?” I grinned.
She raised an eyebrow at me, indicating I continue, “Okay, Okay.”
“Dear Santa,
This year for Christmas, I would really like a friend. I have no one to talk to and a doll would be nice. I love the ones with the red curly hair.
Thank you and fly safe.
Annie”
“Well then.” Holly said.
“Okay, so what would you suggest?” I asked her hopefully.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“I thought the last one was obvious.” I smirked, nodding my head at X who had curled up on Holly’s feet.
“A doll, Luka. Just a doll, leave it under the tree and move on. No fire breathing doll, no walking doll, just a doll.”
“Got it.”
She sat on the edge of the bed a small smile on her face, making sure to keep her feet still so she didn’t disturb X. Holly might be tough on the outside, but that small act showed me that she had a soft heart underneath it.
“Hey, do you want to come with me?” I asked her.
She shook her head, “I don’t really think that’s a good idea. Thank you though.” She took a deep breath, “If you need help with your next one, you know how to find me.”
“Why not? You asked to go somewhere warm for Christmas, right? This little girl lives right off the beach. We can deliver her presents and then I can take you to the beach for a little while before I deliver the next one.” I reasoned.
“Don’t you have a busy night? You know delivering presents on Christmas Eve and all?”
“I’m not Santa,” I laughed. “I only have a handful of kids, and plenty of time. Please, let me do this to thank you for your help.” I insisted.
“How exactly are we going to get there?�
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“Is that a yes?” I asked hopefully.
“Why the hell not.” She chuckled.
“Why the hell not indeed.” I stood from the window sill and held my hand out to her. “Take my hand Holly.”
Hesitantly she accepted my hand and I pulled her nearer. Probably a little closer than necessary, but I wanted to feel her pressed against me. The sweet vanilla scent that was uniquely her wafted up to me. I wanted her, and I knew being this close to me, she could feel exactly how much. She dropped her hand, linked her fingers in mine, and looked up at me. “Luka I-“ Holly began, her eyes locked on mine and I was lost as I summoned the portal.
The flames engulfed us and I bent down, closing my mouth over hers, her taste every bit as forbidden as I imagined it would be. Her grip tightened on mine as she sucked in a breath and returned my kiss with an unexpected passion.
I slipped my free hand behind her neck and changed the angle of the kiss, deepening it, demanding more. I nipped her bottom lip and a small moan escaped her, opening her lips enough for me to dip my tongue in, and explore the way I wanted to. My tongue danced over hers, this single taste I knew was never going to be enough.
I pulled her bottom lip lightly between my teeth, making her let out another low moan. “Luka,” she shuddered, running her hand up my back and fisting it in my hair.
“Holly, I-” barking in the distance interrupted us. I leaned my forehead against hers letting out a weak laugh. “It’s probably better we didn’t do this here anyway..”
Holly looked around us, her eyes still clouded over, heavy with need. We now stood on a pier, just above the beach I had promised her. “Can the Devil be charged with public indecency?” She chuckled making me laugh.
I reached down and grabbed her hand, “Come on, let’s deliver some presents, this will be continued later,” I promised, huskily.
Chapter Nine
Holly
Luka held my hand and led me down the pier toward the little girl’s house, X right on our heels. I wasn’t sure what the hell had just happened, but I knew I hadn’t wanted it to stop. My lips were swollen and still tingled from his assault on my mouth and I wondered what else he could make tingle.
I was pulled from my lusty thoughts as we stopped in front of a small yellow bungalow with white storm shutters. Large tropical trees dotted the yard, and little colorful plants filled in the garden. This looked like a cheerful little home.
Luka strolled up to the front door, pulling me along with him and a thought occurred to me. “How do you plan on getting in there? And you do realize if we get caught, its breaking and entering?”
“Don’t get caught,” he winked and pulled me through the door.
I gasped, “You just pulled me through a solid wooden door!”
He stared at me for a moment before bursting out in laughter. “You were fine with a burning inferno for a portal, but going through a wooden door is too much?”
“First, I was too busy having my brains kissed out. Second, I’ll be sure to notice next time, so I can freak the fuck out.” I rolled my eyes at him sarcastically. I noticed the fire sure, but I preferred the kissing over making a big deal about the whole fiery portal thing.
“So I kissed your brains out, huh?”
I grimaced, “don’t kid yourself.” With a laugh I motioned to the next room, “let’s get this done.” We moved into the living room where the family had a cute little tree set up. Colored lights were strung and lit the room brightly, tinsel danced over the branches tossing their cheerful reflections across the room.
This looked like the house of a little girl that would be very happy to receive a doll. “Okay, Luka, just leave the doll under the tree and let’s go.”
“Right,” he walked over to the tree and looked like he was thinking for a moment. He held out his hands and a much smaller version of the portal we traveled by appeared in his hands, the rolling fire spinning in his outstretched arms. Slowly the fire closed and behind was left a doll, just as the girl had asked for. She was very cute with her blue plaid dress and curly, red yarn hair, small freckles dotting her cheeks. Any young girl would be happy to have such an adorable little doll. I watched as he set her upright and thought how well he had done in picking her out.
“Okay, stockings,” Luka said as he straightened from next to the tree, pushing his black hair back from his face.
“Luka,” I warned. I didn’t see this ending well. Not considering how bad his first attempt at giving a kid Christmas had gone.
“Nick always fills the stockings, Holly. How can I not give this little girl a real Christmas?”
“Nothing crazy, just keep it simple.” I reminded him.
“Deal.” He grinned, and instantly the stockings filled. I could see candy peeking from the tops of the stockings.
“Well done, lets get X and go.” I turned to call X and sucked in a breath. The doll had stood up from her seat underneath the tree and was currently walking toward me, arms outstretched.
“Wanna play?” The little doll asked, her voice childish, but sending chills up my spine at the same time.
“Luka!” I exclaimed. “What did you do to it?”
“What it talks!” He reasoned. “She wanted a doll that talked.”
“No she wanted someone to talk to, not a creepy ass doll that will give her nightmares.”
The doll kept coming across the room toward me, when she reached me, I picked her up and turned her around to face Luka. “Wanna play?” she repeated to him. I laughed at the look on his face.
“Alright, that’s a little bit creepy,” he agreed.
The doll stopped walking forward and her head spun in a circle, stopping when it faced me. “You will play.” She demanded in that creepy almost tin-like voice.
“You gave her a fucking possessed doll?”
“How else was I supposed to get it to talk?”
“For fucks sake Luka!”
I looked behind him, my shock growing even more. Colored plastic monkeys were currently linking together forming a chain from the mantle to the floor trying to escape. “Monkeys in a barrel?” I inquired. “Did you have to make them alive?”
“They’re more fun that way!” He insisted.
“Not when they’re destroying the house.”
I watched as the last red monkey made its way down the chain toward the floor so they could escape to freedom. “Grab them Luka.” I pointed to the long chain of monkeys.
He bent over and scooped up a handful of monkeys, their cacophony of calls erupting with their discontent at the disruption. One of them made it known how unhappy it was by biting down on Luka’s finger in it’s struggle to escape his grip. Luka shook his hand free and jerked straight up, smacking his head on the mantle with an audible thud, dropping monkeys and scattering them everywhere.
“Mother fucker!”
I tried not to laugh, I really did, but the big bad Devil had been bested by a tiny red monkey. I gripped my sides, lost in a fit of laughter.
X ran around the room, chasing down the monkeys as they swung from the lower branches of the tree and skidded across the floor, elated with his own personal toys. Slowly Luka stood and rubbed his head, glaring at me as tears rolled down my cheeks.
I glanced over again as the doll had resumed her walk back toward me.
She stood in front of me once more, “Play,” she said.
“Not today.” I replied. Why the hell I was talking to a doll I would probably never know.
The dolls eyebrows drew together and it was clear I had just pissed this little doll off. “You will play,” her voice had grown increasingly harsh and threatening. She reached behind her back and from out of nowhere drew a huge ass butchers knife.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed, jumping up on the couch. “Where the hell did that come from? You gave a possessed doll a fucking knife Luka! What were you thinking?”
Before Luka could answer me the room started glowing and the doll stilled, the knife held above her he
ad, ready to slice the world to little bits and pieces. Slowly the glow faded and in the center of the room stood two of the sexiest men I had ever seen, even if they looked like Christmas had attacked them.
I had never thought suspenders could look sexy on a man, but these two quickly changed my mind. One was dressed in deep red pants, muscles bulging beneath his blazing white shirt, and his blue eyes scanned the room taking in the situation quickly.
The others outfit matched the first, but his pants were a dark green in color and he was a bit leaner built, though still muscular. He wore sexy little glasses and I grinned, thinking this guy looked like a human version of an elf. Damn, he even made pointy ears look sexy.
“Luka, what in the North Star is going on here?” The guy in the red pants bellowed.
Luka rolled his eyes and grinned, “Well, I didn’t burn the place down this time.”
I shot a glance over to X for confirmation and shook my head furiously as his eyes blazed red at the monkey frozen in midair in front of him. “X,” I whispered loudly, “get over here.” I jumped from the couch and scooped him up before he could cause anymore damage.
“A human?” The one in green asked, eyes wide.
I spun around and faced them like a deer in the headlights, but I wasn’t going to scamper off like one, that was for sure.
Chapter Ten
Holly
“This human wrote me a letter, and she has agreed to assist me in delivering the rest of my presents,” Luka replied. “Meet Holly,” he introduced me to the two. I lifted my chin, determined not to back down to them.
“Oh, for the love of sugar cookies, Luka. You can’t include the humans in our world, you and I both know it never ends well.” The guy in the red told him, running his hand over his face.
“Says who?” I chimed in. If they were going to talk about me, they were going to at least include me in their conversation.
They all turned to stare at me, different expressions crossing their faces. Luka looked proud, more than likely of himself and the fact that he had pissed this guy off as a small smirk tilted the corner of his mouth upward.
Satan's Gift Page 4
