But none happened to be the man’s daughter.
Reluctantly, Luc pulled away.
Nadia’s eyes were sinfully bright, and her face was flushed. With her kiss-dampened lips, she was more intoxicating than agave. Far more appealing than any wickedness he could tempt from another.
“I guess you showed me,” he teased.
“Damn straight, I did,” she retorted pertly.
He struggled against a grin, and the tightness in his chest loosened. Unable to resist, he caressed her lower lip with his thumb. “You are a badass, love.”
“Why did you lie?” she asked, suddenly vulnerable. “Why not tell me from the beginning?”
“I was surprised when you were able to touch me,” he confessed. “Also, your coloring threw me. I had known Gabriel had a lover, but not that a child had come of that union. But when Raphael appeared, I suspected the truth.”
“So helping me find this place, my job, both selfless acts?”
He hated to crush her budding hope, but he refused to lie. “No. Not selfless. Not by a long shot.”
“Oh.” Her voice sounded small, and her disappointment cut.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t want you, Nadia. But I did see you as a weapon to hone.”
“Yet you didn’t hone her,” Gabriel concluded. “You did nothing more than make yourself available and watch over her.”
“I hadn’t gotten around to swaying her to my side,” Luc hedged. The knowing look in his brother’s eyes made him uncomfortable, and he turned away to pick up another shot. With a nod to them, he strolled toward the patio slider. “Protect her, Gabe. You know how to reach me.”
“Luc!”
He turned at Nadia’s cry.
“Thank you for saving my life today.”
Her gratitude was grudgingly given, but he’d accept it.
He smiled and winked.
19
For the next week, Nadia kept her balcony door locked and avoided Gabriel’s presence in her home as much as possible. Considering they shared the space, it wasn’t easy.
Luc’s words on the day of the service had left her confused. They were odd. As if some world event depended on her, a triscelene, making the right choice. Or perhaps she was only valuable to him insofar as she could help him achieve what he wanted.
Having had time to consider his side, with the help of Gabriel, she was no longer mad at Luc. Yet trust was harder to come by. Her softening was likely helped along by her dreams. They were full of his wicked, knowing smiles and burning caresses. In those dreams, they shared passionate, drugging kisses, and he touched her, bringing pleasure in a way few others had mastered. She dreamed of his large hands on her body, taking her to the brink. Her wild fantasies had her arching and begging in every position possible. Every morning, she woke, panting and on fire. For him. Lucifer. The flood of desire at the apex of her thighs embarrassed her, as did cold showers.
This morning was no different.
After Lucifer’s husky voice whispered her name, she bolted upright, reaching for him.
“Luc?”
Silence greeted her, and the wash of cool air told her she was alone. Arms empty, she flopped back on the mattress, dejected. Maybe she should shove back her insecurity to take him up on all the things his teasing smile and naughty eyes promised in those dreams. Would he agree? One could hope. Up until the day of the service, she’d believed he didn’t want her, but the change had happened, making her believe. Still, he’d held back. Why?
She ran her hands down the length of her body as she recalled the previous night’s dream in great detail. The shrill ring of her phone surprised a meep from her, and she jerked her hands out of her panties as if burned. Breathless and overly warm, she answered.
“Good morning, Nadia.” Luc’s whisky-smooth voice curled her toes. “Did you sleep well?”
Closing her eyes, she caught back a whimper of need.
