Page 57 of Life Or Death

“Lucifer,” she says, her voice dropping to a whisper, “there’s a thong hanging from the ceiling fan.”

I glance up, following her gaze, and sure as fuck there’s a black lace thong dangling from one of the blades.

I shake my head. “Fucking saddle bunnies.”

“Didn’t you say they’re the ones who clean up around here?”

“Yeah.” I eye the thong, then look back at her. “Now you see why I wanted to give you a job here?”

Her eyes meet mine, and she hesitates for a beat before she asks, “About that . . . is that offer still on the table?”

I study her face, searching for any sign that she’s joking, but she looks completely serious.

“Do you want it to be?”

She sits up a little straighter, adjusting the strap that keeps sliding off her shoulder whenever she moves. “I need to work, Lucifer. Tori’s drowning in bills, and I’m sitting in that apartment all day, feeling useless. If you’re offering me a legitimate job, then yeah, I want it to be on the table.”

I consider her words. Having her here, in my space, is a recipe for disaster, especially now that I know how she tastes. I’m never going to be able to keep my hands off her. But I can’t say no to her.

She might not be my ol’ lady, but she sure as fuck is my kryptonite.

“You start tomorrow.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”

I’m going to regret this, I’m sure of it.

“Yeah.”

“Okay, well, I have therapy early tomorrow, but I can start after that. Say tenish?”

“What time is therapy?”

“Eight.”

“I’ll be at your apartment at seven. We’ll go for breakfast.” I glance at the clock across the room. That gives me less than ten hours to figure out how the fuck I’m going to explain our new hire to the club.

“Oh, you don’t have to. Tori⁠—”

My gaze snaps back to her. “Tori needs a break.” I glance at her legs. “You still feeling any pain?”

“No.”

I nod. “ Good. We should get back to the wedding.”

“Yeah, you’re right. People are probably talking.” She slowly swings her legs over the side of the couch, and I stand up. My eyes catch on the marks displayed on her neck, and I lick my lips.

If they’re not talking already, they sure as fuck will be when she reappears with those beauties.

I hold out my hand to her, and when her palm slides over mine, I intertwine our fingers and pull her to her feet. But I don’t let go as I start to lead her toward the door.

“Lucifer?”

“Yeah?”

“Are we going to talk about what happened? About the kiss?”

I shake my head and push open the door. We step outside and start for the yard, the sounds of the wedding growing louder and louder with every step we take.