“She’s right,” Grim said.
My eyebrows lifted. I didn’t expect him to support me so readily, but I wasn’t going to turn it down.
“I never thought Grimsby would become a yes man,” Sin muttered.
Malice shook his head. “People do strange things when they’re trying to get out of the doghouse. Trust me.”
“Personally, I prefer make-up sex.”
I rolled my eyes at Sin.
“You four should get into place. Remember what we practiced. I’ll signal when I’m ready for you to jump in.”
We’d decided their roles were primarily to observe and protect. The heavy lifting was on me, but if things went sideways, they’d be ready to come to my aid and do what they did best. Based on Gabriel’s incredibly vague advice, we didn’t think a physical attack would be enough to weaken him the way we needed, but it was our “shit’s hit the fan” plan anyway.
Once they were in position, I adjusted my sheer, flowing gown and sat on a boulder directly under a ray of moonlight. Fireflies winked in and out of view all around the garden, and the scent of apples filled the warm air. All I needed was... him.
Lucifer came to me easily. Too easily, if I was honest.
“Ah, we meet again,” he crooned, stalking into view. He glanced around the garden, smirking. “Feeling sentimental, crabapple?”
I couldn’t play directly into his hand; he’d sniff me out in seconds. Instead I glared and lifted a shoulder. “Not my doing.”
“You look . . . delightful. Is this a date?”
“I’m hungry. You’ve said you’re willing.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes, and I had a brief moment of panic before he began a slow saunter to me. “Don’t you have four horsemen to help you with your appetite?”
“They’re not mine anymore, Luc. You reminded me of the truth. They are my exes. Nothing more. Continuing to sleep with them complicates things more than they already are.”
He made a musing sound as he joined me. There was barely enough room for the two of us on the boulder’s surface, and the sides of our bodies pressed together from shoulder to knee.
“So you’d rather sleep with me now? I’m not buying it.”
Reaching for his hand, I threaded our fingers and looked into his eyes. He really was beautiful to behold.
“I didn’t say I would sleep with you.”
A low laugh came from deep in his chest. “So what are we looking at here? Over the dress? Under the dress? Mouth stuff?”
Undeniable heat flooded me at the suggestions. I could so easily picture all of it. And I didn’t hate what I pictured. Not even a little bit.
What did that say about me?
“I guess we’ll have to see what happens.”
He reached out and tucked a stray curl behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my jaw as if he wanted to pull me closer for a kiss.
I needed to let him. For multiple reasons, one of which I didn’t want to admit.
“Kiss me, Merri. Put me out of my misery and let me have your lips again,” he whispered.
My breath stuttered, and my eyes dropped to his lips. They were so very kissable.
Giving in to temptation, but telling myself it was only for the purposes of the mission, I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.
He groaned at the same time a rumble radiated from the trees. Fucking Chaos. On instinct, I created a thunderstorm in the distance, hoping against hope it would cover any further sounds of protest from the warrior.
