Chapter thirty-six : Lucifer

Why was it taking her so long? It was almost an hour ago Everly left with Celia and hadn't returned. I could guarantee Celia was pestering Everly for all the details right now which would make her nervous, and I certainly didn't like that idea. But I'd have to be thankful to her for one thing, she accepted Everly with open arms, and not just her but my whole family. It wasn't something surprising though, I knew Everly was capable of winning hearts without even trying.

At first I might've been a little worried about her but the moment I saw her laughing, I knew she had settled in. Yes, that was the thing about her, Everly was not someone who showed her emotions to just anyone, it was something I learnt over time. I could say at times she was better than me at hiding her emotions. Unfortunately, around me she failed miserably, I could see right past her mask. And I always wished it to be the same way, I wanted to be the only one where she let all her guards down and be herself.

"Lucifer, are you even listening to me?" Dylan asked.

"Uh yes," I said. But I wasn't, my mind was already preoccupied by someone.

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, "You know this was the third time you were dazing. It's not like you. Tell me something, this girl, Everly are you serious about her?"

"Yes," I growled.

He smirked, "Whoa, easy there, remember I'm already married." He put up his left hand and I started wondering maybe I should get a ring for Everly too, that'll keep every man at bay.

"But on a serious note Lucifer, are you really into her? You know what I mean, right?"

Of course I knew what he meant and fucking yes I was into her. In fact I was more than into her. From the moment I saw her something flipped inside of me. I wanted to protect her, wanted to take care of her, which wasn't like me. I'd been an asshole to women after the two women closest to me fucked me up. I tried to avoid them at every corner, didn't give a shit about their feelings and took what I wanted from them. It was easy, with my wealth and face they seemed to throw themselves at me, but with Everly it was something completely different. She didn't give a damn about my bank balance and took me at my true value. I could certainly say she was the only one who saw beyond my surface.

It was like she had struck something inside me and gone were all my doubts. Now all I wanted to do was make her mine in every possible way.

As if God sensed my desperation, Everly and Celia walked into the lounge. My eyes fell on Everly who seemed a little lost, and protectiveness took over me. I made my way to her and pulled her out of the lounge. I heard Celia say something and then laugh but I didn't stop.

I walked down the hall with long strides, but soon realized that Everly was barely able to keep up. I came to a stop and she ran into me, "Can't you slow down, my feet are already killing me." She murmured.

I looked down at her beautiful face and nodded. I slowed down and tried to match her small steps. This was my first time doing this and it sure was excruciatingly slow. Thankfully we reached the study soon enough.

I let go of her hand and opened the double doors for her, she looked up at me and I nodded her to get in. I followed her and locked the door. I had to stifle a smile when I saw her standing in the middle of the room like a deer in headlights. It wasn't just a study but a library in itself. It had numerous shelves which were as tall as the ceiling and each shelf had a shifting ladder to reach the top tier. I remembered her telling me about how she loved reading, and instantly I started thinking if she would like this study.

She slowly turned around in a small circle and then stopped facing me, "Lucifer this is magnificent. I mean all these books, there are so many of them." She said gleefully.

"And you are free to explore–"

She dashed before I finished myself, forgetting all about her aching feet, going to the nearest shelf looking at the books in awe. I couldn't fathom how she'd react if she knew there were first editions in here too.

I followed her as she went from shelf to shelf looking at books and talking endlessly about them. I loved hearing her talk. Another new thing for me.

After I sensed her mood had gotten better I pulled her to the plush velvet couch which was in front of a fireplace. Her face lit up again. Couldn't she stop being fascinated by every little thing she saw and being so adorably surprised?

I settled down on the couch and pulled her into my lap, she squealed and tried wiggling away but I tightened my grip on her waist. She wasn't going anywhere. She was sitting sideways on my lap so she turned to look at me, "Lucifer let go of me," she pushed at my chest but I only pulled her closer. "I'm not going to eat you or anything," I said snuggling in her hair and taking in her sweet scent.

She moved away and put her hands on my chest, pushing me away, "Don't, I'm warning you." She glared at me.

I chuckled and pulled away but didn't let go of her waist. "Answer my questions and I'll let you go." I glanced at her, her cheeks already had a tinge of pink. I was really fascinated as to how she could blush so ferociously so easily. I smirked when she tried to get off again. I leaned forward and placed soft kisses on her bare shoulder. She froze and her blush became more pronounced. "So?" I murmured against her soft skin.

"Get on with it!" She snapped and crossed her arms over her chest

I smiled, "Did Celia say something to you?"

Her eyes widened for a fraction of second and then she shook her head. I sighed, "Everly, spill it out already. I know she told you something."

She tried looking away but I held her chin between my index finger and thumb, making her look up at me. I arched my brow, and her big green eyes spoke everything. "Sweetheart, tell me."

She licked her lips, and I almost groaned. Then after hesitating for a moment she finally said, "She told me about your mother. Lucifer, I know you don't like to talk about your mother. I'm sorry I didn't expect her to tell me, and this is all an act, I don't deserve to know it. I really don't–"

"Hey, it's alright. It's true I don't like to talk about her, but there's no reason for you to say that you don't deserve to know this." I grazed her jaw with my knuckle.

That woman, it's been years since she left us and she still had this effect on us. I hated her because she abandoned us when we needed her the most, and I'll hate her for the rest of my life for it. No matter what.

"Lucifer," Everly looked up at me with concern in her eyes.

I shook my head and smiled, "it's nothing, there's nothing for you to worry about."

"She shouldn't have left you." She said softly. My brows shot up, this wasn't something I expected her to say. "I don't know why she left but she shouldn't have." She met my eyes, her green eyes, a shade of a peaceful forest.

This girl, she was relentlessly breaking down all of my walls, and I was helpless for the first time.

When I looked down at Everly, she was gazing up at me with concern and a little nervousness. My eyes flitted down on her soft lips, and what happened at my place crossed my mind. With just a mere brush against her lips, my body had come alive. That's the effect she had on me. I wanted to do it again, and this time I wanted to taste her sweetness too.

I cupped her face and leaned down, pressing my lips against her soft ones. She tried to push away but I pulled her closer and tangled my hand in her hair. Her eyes widened and she gasped and I took the chance to get in. She tasted sweeter than I thought, the warmth of her mouth against mine was serene, and perfect. I tilted her head to gain more access to her mouth. The kiss wasn't slow and sweet, it was more raw and passionate, something I needed.

Much to my dismay, she started wriggling around wildly, trying to push me away. I let go of her reluctantly and we both were left breathless. When I looked down at Everly, her full lips were red, my eyes traveled up and I was taken aback when I saw her wet cheeks. The look on her face broke my heart, "Everly," I whispered.

She jerked my arm away and stood up, her eyes were glistening with tears, I didn't expect her to react like that. Her chest was heaving as the tears rolled down her beautiful cheeks, before I could reach out for her, her hand smashed across my face, "Why would you do that?!" She shouted.

Bewildered, I looked up at her. Did she just slap me? She had slapped me, not in my entire fucking life had anyone dared to do that. I stood up and she stumbled back a few steps. Fear was evident on her face, she did hit me, but there wasn't a streak of regret on her face, just fear of what I might do. She looked up at me with all the courage she could muster up. I smirked, good, I liked it when she tried putting on a fight. Every step I took forward, she stepped back two until her body backed up against the fireplace. She looked around and then back at me, realization struck her, she couldn't go anywhere with me standing in front of her. She was trapped.