Page 105 of To Crave Deeply
“Looks can be deceiving.”
“So I’ve discovered.”
We descended into silence again and I didn’t know how to reach him. Torsten had stepped outside to leave me with Lucifer to try and fix whatever this was, but I missed having his calm reassurance at my back. I didn’t know how to get through to Lucifer when he was like this. Perhaps it wasn’t possible. But I wanted to be close to him. I just didn’t know how he’d react.
Fuck it. Talking to him wasn’t working; might as well try something different.
I walked over to him and dropped myself into his lap, straddling his hips and wrapping my arms around his neck.
“What are you doing?” he muttered against my shoulder.
“I’m hugging you. It’s what people do to give comfort.”
It was awkward at first, but eventually he got the gist of it, and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in closer and nuzzling my neck affectionately. After a few moments, I pulled back and looked into his handsome face. He really was beautiful. I traced those sharp lines with my fingertips and just enjoyed being close to him.
“What am I going to do with you?” he murmured softly.
“I could think of a few things.”
A small smile curled his lips and I finally relaxed. I was getting through to him. Slowly but surely, I was getting past the rage.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
“I don’t blame you. If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.”
“Will you at least let me try to fix our soulbond with Selene?”
His eyes darkened with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. “I don’t like it. Or trust her intentions.”
“I know,” I replied. “But she wants me to owe her a favour.”
He grimaced. “I like that even less.”
“But I trust that she wants a favour from me more than she wants to sabotage our bond.”
“I know.” He kissed me softly. “I just wish there was something else we could try.”
“We’re running out of time. I know Rae helped with the wards, but I can tell you look tired.”
Lucifer sighed deeply. “Yes. I feel old. I just feel drained and like my life is fading.”
My heart clenched. “I will do anything to save you. Anything. Even if that means making a deal with Selene.”
He smiled wistfully and pulled me back in for another hug, tucking my head beneath his chin. “I know, little dove. And that terrifies me just as much as it makes my heart sing.”
“Will you let me try? Please.”
There was another deep sigh. “Yes. We will try and see what Selene can do. We just need to be careful.”
I tilted my chin and looked up at him with a smile. “Thank you. I promise to be careful.”
His hand cupped the back of my head and he pulled me in for a long kiss. “We will fix this, together.”
I kissed him again, savouring the feel of him. “Yes. Together.”
“I love you,” he murmured against my lips, and I melted.
“I love you, too.”
