Page 58 of Midnight with the Devil

“Lucien, could you help me? I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Her eyes were pleading, and he couldn’t say no to her.

He stripped out of his clothes, stepped inside the shower with her, and helped her wash. She leaned into him, her body still shaking, and he took gentle care with her as he washed her hair and body. He wanted to remember her like this, needing his help, needinghim. No one had ever needed him before. They needed his power, his deals, his devil bargains, but no one had ever neededthe manbefore.

“Are you sure you’re really the devil?” Diana laughed softly as he helped rinse the conditioner out of her hair.

“I’m quite sure.” He grinned at her.

“You’re being awfully nice.” She pressed her cheek to his shoulder and wound her arms around his back.

“I plan to collect a few favors from you in bed once you’re well,” he assured her and gave her ass a playful squeeze.

Another soft laugh escaped her, and the sound made his blood sing.

“Stay there and let me get towels,” he said. He made sure she wouldn’t fall before he let go of her, and then he climbed out of the shower to grab some towels. Then he turned the water off, slung a towel over his hips, and helped her out. He took his time drying her off and brought her underwear and a large T-shirt. While she dressed, he made a soft nest of blankets on the couch, and then he made her lie down in the nest while he stripped her bed of the sweat-soaked sheets, and with a bit of direction from her, he put them in the washing machine.

When he returned to the living room, she was passed out, but she lookedbetter. He sighed and glanced at his soaked briefs. He still had enough power for the small things like quickly drying his clothes, but he couldn’t heal her.

He knew he could leave now that she was feeling better, yet he didn’t want to go. After a long moment, he approached her bookshelves and studied her books. Then he slid one from the shelf and walked back to the couch. He lifted her up as he sat down so her head lay across his lap. Then he opened the book and read. He wanted to know everything about Diana, how her mind worked, and if that meant he had to read her desert island choice of books, then so be it. He would readTwilight. But if any of his fallen brothers found out, they would laugh their asses off. So it would have to be their secret.

“The things I do for you, little human.” He brushed the back of his knuckles over her cheek, enjoying the velvet-soft feel of her skin, and then he turned his focus back on the book.

Hell help me, I’m reading about teenage vampires.

16

Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light. - John Milton, Paradise Lost

There were times when Diana was too cozy to ever want to move. This was one of those moments. She was warm and safe, and a wonderful piney sent clung to her as she shifted in her blanket cocoon.

She tensed when something beneath her grunted.

What?She opened her eyes, blinking against the sunlight. She was lying on Lucien’s lap on the couch.

“Sorry,” she murmured.

“It’s quite fine. I didn’t need that particular rib you jabbed,” he teased. His eyes were halfway between obsidian black and soft brown. What made his eyes change? She couldn’t help but wonder. She saw the book he held in one hand. His other was tangled in her hair, lightly stroking it. The caress felt so good. If she’d been a cat, she would have purred.

“Team Jacob or Team Edward?” She bit her lip, trying to contain the sudden urge to giggle.

“Uh…” He glanced at the book. Good God, the devil was turning bashful?

“Edward, I suppose. I can identify with him. No soul, corrupting an innocent young woman, feels like he’s a damned devil, yada yada. I wasverybored while you slept.”

“Uh-huh.” She knew he was lying. He’d nearly finished the book. “I am going to go to the bathroom, and you can finish it. It will be our little secret, I promise.” She untangled herself from the blankets and headed into the bathroom. When she chanced a peek over her shoulder, she saw him devouring the book again. Diana let loose a fit of giggles, not caring that he could hear her. Then she ran a brush through her hair and washed her face. She still felt tired, but no longer bone-weary. Her muscles ached from all the chills and the shivering, but she definitely felt stronger.

When she came back out, she found him taking the book back to the shelf.

“There are more?” he asked casually.

“Yeah. You’re welcome to borrow them.” She started toward him but then realized she was wearing nothing but a T-shirt and panties. Even after the few times they’d had wild sex, she still felt shy around him, especially after he’d just seen her sick as a dog and looking her worst. She spun away to go change, but he spoke.

“Running away?” he asked. His brows held that hint of darkness, one that made her tremble with longing.

“Umm…”

“You don’t need to hide from me, Diana.” He crooked a finger at her, and she came slowly toward him. He still wore his signature black suit and red tie. She wanted to strip him naked. She may be tired, but she felt good enough to want him. Her pulse quickened with longing.

“Do you still want me, Diana?” He spoke her name again, and it sent delicious shivers through her.

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