Page 39 of Midnight with the Devil

A hot blush burned Diana’s face, and she grabbed his arm, dragging him toward the store.

“Let’s just get in there, get the stuff, and get out.”

“Why in such a hurry?” he demanded, but his lips twitched.

“I have to go to a thing this afternoon, so the sooner I can satisfy your need to play the mortal, you’ll leave and I can get back to my life.”

“Now, hold on, you can’t just shrug me off. Yes, at midnight on Friday you do have to do as I wish, but the rest of the week there is nothing stopping me from joining you as you do whatever it is you do.”

They entered the store, and classical music filled the air. The soft floral scent of freshly cut flowers made Diana relax. She did love shopping here, even if it was more expensive.

“You really plan to tag along while I shop for groceries? Don’t you have people to maim, torture, and bring to the dark side?”

He pushed back the sleeve of his suit and checked his expensive Cartier wristwatch. It had a red quartz face. No surprise there, she thought. The man loved black and red.

“I’ve got time between maiming and torture sessions.”

“Oh lucky me.” She couldn’t help but layer the response in sarcasm.

Lucien ignored her and grabbed the nearest cart and began pushing it. The sight was almost comical, with men and women in the store watching him as he headed toward the produce section. The men looked on with envy and the women with desire.

Diana sighed and rushed to catch up.

“What is on your list?” Lucien asked as he picked up a very big pineapple and set it in the cart.

“Well, pineapples aren’t.” She reached for the fruit to return it to the display stand, but he smacked her hand away, tsking.

“That’s for me, darling.”

“What is it with you and pineapples?”

“The devil has to keep a few secrets,” he said cryptically, but the glint in his eyes told her he was teasing.

She focused on her list. “Hot dogs, hamburgers, buns for both, coleslaw—”

“Good God, what sort of party is this?” He plucked the list from her hands, eyeing it.

“A barbecue.” Diana tried to take the list back, but he wouldn’t let her.

“You know, I’ve never been to one. I think I shall ‘tag along,’ as you put it.”

“No!” she gasped. “You can’t.” The devil at her neighborhood barbecue was aterribleidea.

“Yes I can.” He curled one arm around her waist and leaned in as though to kiss her cheek, but instead he whispered in her ear, “I can doanythingI like. Never forget that.” He licked the shell of her ear, and she shivered as her body awakened with desire. She nearly burned up with mortification when she noticed an older lady watching them.

“I’ll get the meat. I love the butcher.” Lucien left her to walk up to the counter about ten feet ahead of her. The older woman wheeled her cart up to Diana’s, smiling.

“Keep a hold of that one, dear. He’ll make beautiful babies.”

“Thanks,” Diana said. Her face was hot, so she was surprised she wasn’t steaming.

She looked at Lucien’s back as he leaned casually over the curved glass of the deli counter and talked to the butcher. The butcher laughed at whatever Lucien said as he collected fresh hamburger patties. A young woman pushing a stroller stopped next to Lucien while she ordered some fresh salmon. Her child, a little boy, was fussing, but he cooed and waved his arms at Lucien, who glanced down at him. For a second Diana was worried Lucien would do something to make the child cry. Lucien merely grinned at the baby, and the child squealed in delight, clapping his chubby little hands. Diana hastily walked up to stand beside Lucien on the other side.

“Thank you,” the mother said as she collected her salmon and turned to Lucien. “He’s been fussing all day—teething, you know. This is the first laugh he’s had in days.”

“He’s a cute little guy.” Lucien flashed another grin at the kid before he glanced at Diana. “What?”

“You made him laugh.” Diana simply stared at him. How did he keep surprising her like this? Just when she thought she had him figured out, he proved he was even more unpredictable.

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