He chuckled. “Indeed, we do.”
“I once read you were the prototype for all other celestial creatures and humans alike.” She lifted trembling fingers and traced his cheekbone. “But I don’t believe anything or anyone could be as perfect as you. God shouldn’t have messed with the original design.”
His heart stuttered at the raw honesty in her eyes. She truly meant it! Yes, he knew he possessed a gorgeous appearance, but he suspected she wasn’t referring to his looks. There were only two others who saw deeper than his exterior—Mother and Dinathial. Both of whom he loved and who had loved him. No one else ever had.
But the light in Nadia’s eyes was different. Real caring mixed with passion equaled the beginning stages of love. A step above infatuation.
And if he were honest, he’d admit he was close to feeling the same whenever he was alone with her. But in this, he couldn’t be truthful. If anyone believed he cared for her as more than a tool, both their gooses were cooked.
Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and she traced his lower lip. “What does it say about me that I don’t care if you are the Devil? That I want you regardless?”
“It says you have discerning tastes,” he quipped before softly biting her thumb.
She laughed.
“I can halt time once a decade inside my world, without consequence. If you wish, I could do it for you today. Now,” he confessed, drawing her against him.
“How does that work?”
He nodded toward the human-sized hourglass in the corner. “Turning it on its side will stop the sand.”
“Why would you ever do it at all?” she asked breathlessly.
“Why do you think, pet?”
The majority of her mind screamed yes, but the reasonable portion of her brain vetoed the plan. “I want to. But what are the consequences on the outside?”
“The human world would continue as if nothing had happened. But when we returned, our bodies would age, catching up for the length of time we were gone. Ten years, twenty, a millennium.”
“Millennium? Everyone we know would be gone after so long,” she gasped.
“Just the humans.” And perhaps all those he and his Watchers protected if Michael were to tear the mortal world apart looking for Nadia.
Though she didn’t voice it, he heard “Katie” echo off the walls around him. Tears filled Nadia’s troubled eyes, and he had his answer. She wasn’t ready to sacrifice her friendship for him. It hurt, but he’d be a fool if he didn’t understand.
“Forget I mentioned it.” Luc lowered his mouth to hers and delivered the softest of kisses. Her lips clung to his as he drew away. “You are free to stay in my flat, but do not go beyond the kitchen level. Do you understand?”
“What’s down there?”
“You don’t wish to know.”
Her eyes rounded in speculation, and because he couldn’t resist, he claimed her mouth without holding back. A wanton mewl escaped her throat, the perfect match to his moan.
“Promise me you’ll hurry home,” she said.
Whether for her protection or because she desired his presence, he couldn’t quite determine. Maybe both. But he became hung up on one word.
“Home,” he murmured. “What a novel concept.”
21
“This is your last chance to hand over the triscelene, Lucifer,” Michael called, like a broken record set on repeat.
Once again, he’d caught Luc unaware and daydreaming about Nadia. If he kept this up, he’d find himself dead. Considering the dozen soldiers surrounding him, that day might’ve arrived.
“And if I refuse?” he taunted.
One arrogant fucker, likely the most loyal of Michael’s disciples, shot him an evil grin as he approached and threw iron shackles at his feet. Lucifer’s responding smile was frosty enough to solidify the ocean. In one smooth, lightning-fast motion, he withdrew his sword and beheaded the angel.
