“What if I hurt you? Or killed you?”
Tears gathered in Analise’s eyes. Lucifer recognized the years of guilt taking hold. “You are not responsible for anyone’s death. If someone is to blame, it is my brother.”
“Yes, but I’m the catalyst,” she retorted. “Were it not for me everyone I love would still be alive. I’m the cause. I’m the fucking cause. I could have killed you.”
“You cannot kill me, Analise Saria,” Lucifer said forcefully. “You are my Consort, my life mate. To bring my life to an end is to end yours. You are my life as I am yours. You will never deliberately harm me. As my life mate, you will do what is necessary to keep me alive. Our souls are bonded.”
“You keep talking about our souls,” she whispered. “What about our hearts? Is your heart mine?”
“Among angels, the soul is the seat of all bonds between life mates. You have my soul. I am not human but I am coming to understand what humans mean by love. If you want my heart, my love, they are yours. If you need to hear me speak the words, I will. Analise Saria Willoughby, my soul and heart are yours for eternity.
Her voice cracked as she murmured, “You do know how to tear the walls down, Seraphim.”
Analise claimed his mouth with a possessive, demanding kiss. She sucked, nipped, and tangled with his tongue until, nearly breathless, he drew back. “Analise Saria.”
“Shut up, Lucifer.”
Her need was evident in the rough erotic touch of her hands when they moved down to his chest, her fingers like fire as they pinched his nipples into hardness. She breathed against his lips as her tongue slithered down his chin. “Are you wet for me, Lucifer?”
Analise’s hands imprinted her desire on his flesh. She inched her way down his body, kissing and licking his skin until her mouth bumped against his hardening shaft. Her hand came slowly up his thigh to his belly and fisted his penis. Her breath warm against highly sensitive flesh, he sucked in air when she kissed him. He released his breath and inhaled sharply. Her tongue teased the vein that ran the length of his penis before she licked the tiny slit.
“You are wet for me, sweet angel,” she whispered seductively. “’Tis good.”
Her mouth slipped over the head of his penis. Her lips tightened and she inhaled, curling her tongue as she did so. Analise sucked him deeper into her mouth before she relaxed her jaw. She tightened her lips again, then dragged her tongue along the rough underside.
“I do not think this is a good idea at the moment,” Lucifer groaned.
She drew back and raised her head, her eyes locking with his. “I think this is an excellent idea. Why don’t you lay back, shut up, and enjoy my inexperience?”
Lucifer’s laughter stopped the moment she slowly circled her mouth down his long, thick shaft. Analise squeezed her lips and slowly moved back up to his crown, her tongue rough against the underside of him.
Will you share this pleasure with me, Dream Candy?
You are my life mate. I will share everything with you.
He opened his mind to her, causing Analise to inhale. She not only felt his pleasure but also saw the physical reaction as it played across his body.
“If you do that again, I cannot promise to restrain myself.”
Poor baby.
The sensitive skin of his penis ached with tightness, his nerve endings pinched by the erotic sensations her lips created. She squeezed her lips as she sucked more of him into her mouth. His body tensed as blood throbbed in the veins. It surprised her to discover the more she teased his erection the harder his penis became and the more his mind reacted. His blood pulsed like drum beats to accompany his groans of pleasure.
Lucifer’s fingers gently gripped her head and taught her what pleased him. He relished the faint nips she took, the long, lavish tonguing, and the smooth feel of her lips on his testicles. Unable to take much more, he grabbed her shoulders and smoothly reversed their position. Once Analise was flat on her back, he kissed her.
“You will make me ejaculate,” he murmured as his knees shifted hers apart. He pushed into, sliding home with ease. “You were ready for me, Consort.”
She leered at him and giggled. “I didn’t think you’d take so long. Also, it’s come not ejaculate. I come, you come, we all come.”
“Whatever.”
Lucifer lifted her knee to angle her body for deeper penetration. Analise contracted her vaginal muscles around his dick and said, “harder.”
He did as she commanded. His hand slid between them, his thumb stroking her clit. She struggled to hold on to the shared link as desire whipped through her, building toward an intense orgasm. Lucifer pulled out and lifted her hips from the bed and pushed deep into her pussy. His thumb rubbed her clitoris. Her orgasm came in a rush, a flood of wetness bathing his erection. She clenched and he exploded, his release leaving them both shattered yet whole.
Analise wrapped her arms around him. “I will care for your heart with my life, Seraphim.”
Chapter 20
Gabriel. Where is my Consort?
In a meeting with Richard Houston and the architect, Sire. Do you need her?
My brother intends to visit. I do not want his followers to trouble her.
I will take care of it, Sire.
Lucifer walked into the elevator. Consort. My twin is about to enter my building. Do not come here until I send for you.
As soon as he sent the telepathic message, Lucifer knew he, as Analise Saria will no doubt tell him, fucked up.
Pardon me? Lucifer without a surname, I am not one of your angelic lackeys. When you’re ready to apologize, I’ll be in my apartment.
He winced as Analise telepathically slapped him then slammed a metaphorical door in his face. His hand gently rubbed his forehead to ease the pain. He needed to remember how sensitive she was to his requests.
When the elevator stopped and the doors opened, Lucifer strode into his office to spot Raphael standing near the window. The archangel turned and his dark brown face was more grim than usual. Raphael and Michael had spent centuries protecting Lilith’s Tamahaq descendants, which meant both Guardians felt keenly any failure.
“Raphael. Who is with my Consort?”
“Sire. Saraquel and Remiel guard Analise.” Raphael hesitated before he asked, “Since Gabriel isn’t here, do you wish for me to remain?”
Lucifer walked over to his desk. “I have nothing to fear from my brother. I rather you guard my life mate.”
Raphael went to the elevator. When the doors parted, he stood to one side as Satan strolled into the office as if it were his. Raphael inclined his head to Lucifer and left. The insult to Satan was blatant.
Lucifer peered at his twin. “This visit is unexpected.”
Satan laughed. “What? No happy hugs? Air kisses? Not even a ‘hey bruh, what’s up’? You really must spend more time among humans, Lucifer. The niceties count for so much in any negotiation.”
“Are you here to negotiate an end to your foolish rebellion?” Lucifer sat. “I am certain our Sire would be pleased.”
Satan ignored him and strolled over to the desk. His gaze swept the room, his eyes taking in every detail. “Very nice. Did Analise choose the furnishings? It seems a bit too modern for your taste.”
Lucifer watched his brother slouch on the chair opposite him, the desk in between. He lowered his eyelashes and waited.
“It appears a female comes between us again, brother. Analise Willoughby is mine.”
Lucifer lifted his eyelids slowly. “I believe this is a matter to discuss with Analise Saria. While I have not spent as much time among humans like you, I am aware they are fiercely protective of their free will.”
“I’ve already informed Analise of my interest. Now I’m informing you,” he said, his pale cheeks reddening at Lucifer’s sly return.
Satan leaned back against the chair. “I assume you’ve behaved with your usual firstborn arrogance and claimed her as your Consort. Has she agreed?”
Lucifer stared at
his brother before he answered. “I would not dare to speak on Analise Saria’s behalf, especially on a matter so personal. You waste your time with attempts to bait me, brother.”
Satan pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. He slammed his fist on the wood surface. Jaws clenched, he glared at his twin. Anger rode him like a wild boar.
“Consider this visit a warning not to underestimate me.” Satan’s paler blue eyes narrowed. He stroked his bearded chin. “There is no Lilith to watch your back.”
“I do not underestimate you,” Lucifer countered. “And, in case you have forgotten, Lilith was slain by the Seraphim who swore he loved her.”
“I did love her,” Satan protested angrily.
Lucifer tented his fingers and rested his chin on them. “Then why did you murder her?”
Satan opened his mouth and then shut it. He inhaled deeply. “I won’t play your game. Consider yourself warned. Analise Willoughby is mine.”
“Is it because you love her?” Lucifer questioned.
“Love her? Such a human question and not one I expected from a Seraphim who knows fuck all about love.” Satan clenched his fist. “Did you even mourn Lilith’s death? Did you hate me knowing I was the reason? What did you feel, brother? Did you even feel at all?”
“I cannot hate you. You are my twin. Born of the same mother, sired by the same father, you are my blood.” Lucifer rose and moved to the center of the room, flexing his wings before turning to face his brother.
“Hate is such a human emotion,” he said thoughtfully. “For angels to feel hatred, they must become human. Have you become human, Satan? Since I am not human I do not hate. What I feel is confusion. I do not understand why you chose to rebel.”
Satan took a step toward Lucifer. “Did. You. Mourn. Lilith?”
“Yes, I mourned her. All angels mourned the death of my Consort.”
“You mourned, but what did you feel, brother? Did you feel at all when Lilith died?”
“I have answered you.”
Satan stormed over to the elevator and then turned to glare at his twin. “You don’t get it, which is why I will destroy you, Lucifer. You and the Hierarchy.”
He entered the elevator. As the doors were closing, Satan issued a warning. “Watch your back, brother. There is no second Lilith.”
Lucifer walked to the window. Satan hovered near Analise’s balcony. Before he flew away, he looked over his shoulder at Lucifer’s wind. A harsh cackle pushed into Lucifer’s awareness followed by, Watch your back, big brother.
***
Analise peered through the glass doors into the lobby of her building. Peter Nathanson was in conversation with the guard. Her hand brushed her right hip. The weight of Amina’s dagger was reassuring, although Analise had no idea why she thought that. She plastered a smile on her lips and entered the lobby. Peter looked in her direction and began to walk toward her.
There was no question the man was fine, even with a beard and despite his predatory ways. If Peter weren’t after her company, didn’t have the beard, and didn’t make her skin crawl, she’d wonder what it would be like to swipe right with him.
I do not care for the particular direction your thoughts are taking, Consort.
Then, stay out of my head.
“Analise.”
“Peter. What brings you back to San Francisco so soon?”
“You.”
Startled by his bluntness, she took a step back. “I thought we. . . you understood I closed the door,” she stammered.
“Yes, but you didn’t appear to lock it. So I’m here to help you find the key.”
“How exactly do you plan ‘to help me find the key’?”
“I’ll explain over dinner,” he answered.
No, Lucifer’s voice bellowed in her mind.
Analise waited until the reverberations died and blocked him. “I take it ‘please’ isn’t a word in your vocabulary.”
“Will you dine with me this evening, please? I promise to behave.”
She hesitated then gave him the name of a nearby restaurant. Peter flashed her a smile. “I also promise not to disappoint you.”
Analise watched him leave the building before she entered the elevator to her apartment. Why had she agreed to dinner? Her fingers rubbed the space between her eyes. One reason. Lucifer of no surname. She needed to stop letting him goad her into stupid.
Exiting the elevator, she entered her apartment and took off her shoes. Analise dropped her purse on the table near the door before she headed into the kitchen. She grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator, walked over to the sofa, and plopped down. “Sometimes, I’m too stubborn for my own good.”
“I agree.”
She shot up from the sofa as Lucifer strolled in from her bedroom. His expression stopped her words dead. Taut ivory skin highlighted his sharp cheekbones. For a white man with platinum hair and eyelashes, he actually had color to his skin. Her eyes met his and she sucked her teeth. He was royally pissed.
“Yes, I am, and how many times must I state I am neither white nor a man. The word you seem to stumble over is Seraphim.”
Analise felt her hackles rising. She wasn’t his possession.
“You are my Consort.”
He had no right to tell her what to do or how to live her life.
“Subject to debate.”
She opened her mouth to speak.
“Do not bring it up. Your foolish decision has no bearing on our lovemaking.”
Damn, when would she learn to double her shields around him? “Make your point and leave,” she snapped.
“My brother intends to make you his Consort.”
Analise rubbed her temples. “Great. First you, then some demon king—”
“Mephistopheles.”
She stared at Lucifer. “What?”
“Mephistopheles is the demon king.”
“Whatever,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Now it’s your brother. Are there any other dickwads who want a piece of me?”
Lucifer struggled to stop the laughter and failed. Analise marched to where he stood and slapped his chest. “Don’t you dare laugh. This isn’t funny.”
“No, it isn’t,” he said, tamping down his amusement. “You can’t trust my brother.”
Analise reached up to snake her arms about his neck. “I don’t know what this is between us. I have to find out. When I’m with you, I can’t think. All I know is a craving, an obsession for you.”
Her mouth grazed his chin. “It’s an addiction so strong I have to fight not to give in. It scares me, Seraphim.”
She raised herself up on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “I need to be sure what’s in my heart is real. Only then can I accept the position of Consort. Only then can I become your life mate.”
She stepped back from him and rubbed her fist against his T-shirted chest. “You take my breath away every time I see you. I’ve dreamed of you for years. Now, you’re here in my life, and I need to be sure what I feel is love not lust.”
Her hands reached up and took his face in them, drawing his head down to her lips. She grazed the firmness and then pushed her tongue inside. She kissed him as he always kissed her, hard and ruthless. When she lifted her head, they were both breathless.
“I need to do this for me, Seraphim. Your brother pulls at me, and it doesn’t feel as if it’s my will. I have to be certain I’m not confusing you two.” Her tongue licked his bottom lip. “I need to do this for me. Not for you, not for Lilith, not for Peter but for Analise Saria Willoughby.”
Lucifer’s finger fingered her braid. “Your safety.”
“I chose the restaurant, Mia’s. Gabriel or Roger can babysit me as usual. Either one will terrify.”
At Lucifer’s continued hesitancy, she traced tiny circles on his chest. “I am coming round to your bossy protective ways. By the way, does Mark know they’re not shifters or even human?”
Analise caught the flash of color on Lucifer’s face befo
re it disappeared. Her eyes narrowed. “Lucifer with no surname.”
“Actually,” he said as he put distance between and folded his wings protectively in front of his body. “I do have a surname.”
“Don’t change the subject. What about Mark?”
“Mark’s actual name is Michael.”
“As in the archangel Michael?” Lucifer nodded.
Analise walked over to the island before she whirled back to face him. “I will rip him a new one.”
“Do not blame him, Consort. Michael is a Guardian under my command. He was following orders.”
“I’m well aware of your little tendency to control. Are there any other unknowns in the equation?” Analise slapped her forehead. “Damn, I sound like Martine.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Well, Seraphim?”
Lucifer pushed his fingers through his platinum locks and glanced at the window. He straightened his back before he turned to stare sheepishly at her. “All of your drivers are Guardians. Will’s name is Saraquel. Roger is Raphael—”
“I knew it,” Analise shouted triumphantly.
Lucifer shook his head. “Remiel you know as Patrick and Gabriel refused to change his name.”
“What’s with the Tamahaq braid?”
“Gabriel must be the one to tell you.”
Analise rubbed Lucifer’s chest. “Any more angels?”
“Your doctor, Sani, your attorneys, the security guards in this building, the cleaning crew—”
She pressed a silencing finger against his lips. “Is there anyone around me who isn’t an angel?”
“Richard and Tess. Most of the people who work in AnthroGen’s labs are human. I needed to protect you, Consort.”
Analise wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. His strong heartbeat was comforting and reassuring.
“You can’t be other than what you are, Lucifer. What you must accept is I can’t be other than who I am.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I will try, Consort.”
“It’s all I ask. We’ll talk about this later. Will you come to me tonight?”
“I rather you come to me, Analise Saria. My bed is more comfortable than yours. Sleeping in your bed is cruel and unjust punishment.”
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