I still couldn't believe she was back. Even though she was right here, moving around my home like she had never left, it felt surreal. I wasn't about to let her see how much it affected me, though-not after the embarrassing spectacle I made of myself last night. Drunken confessions and clinging to her like a lost puppy? Yeah, I wasn't going to relive that humiliation.
But then I overheard her talking to Enzo. She didn't want to go back to Hell. She was actively looking for a way to stay here. For me.
That knowledge sent a warmth through me I hadn't felt in ages, but I didn't say anything. I wasn't sure how to process it.
Instead, I focused on the mundane task of getting ready for work. She'd been nagging me all morning to go, insisting I'd wasted too much time wallowing in my misery.
"Lucifer Morningstar, the mafia king, skipping work for days on end?" she teased earlier, her tone laced with mockery. "How scandalous."
Now, as I stood in front of the mirror, fixing my shirt, I could feel her eyes on me. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me with that infuriatingly amused expression she always wore when she was up to something.
"What?" I asked without looking at her, buttoning up my shirt.
She didn't answer. Instead, she got up and walked over to me, her movements fluid and graceful as always. She stopped in front of me, reached for my shirt, and started buttoning it herself.
I froze for a moment, her proximity catching me off guard. Her fingers brushed against my chest as she worked, and I couldn't stop my hands from moving to her waist, resting there lightly.
"We're really pretending everything's normal, huh?" I said, my voice low.
She didn't look up, her lips twitching into a smirk. "Why not? You're the one who decided to act like last night didn't happen."
"I'm sparing myself the embarrassment," I muttered.
She laughed softly, finally looking up at me. "You're cute when you're flustered, you know that?"
I raised an eyebrow, my grip on her waist tightening slightly. "Cute? That's not exactly the adjective I'm used to."
"Well," she said, stepping back and giving me a once-over, "you do look a little more... polished today. Almost like a proper CEO."
I tilted my head, studying her. "And what exactly does that mean?"
She smirked again, crossing her arms. "Oh, nothing. Just that it's nice to see you acting like a functional adult for once."
I chuckled, shaking my head. " a tease you're ."
"And yet, here you are, still keeping me around," she quipped, her tone playful.
I reached out, pulling her closer again. "Don't think I've forgotten you're the one who left, Amara Ashford."
Her smirk faltered for a moment, replaced by something softer. "I'm here now," she said quietly.
I nodded, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Yeah, you are."
The moment stretched between us, but before it could get too serious, she stepped back and grabbed my tie from the dresser.
"Come on, Mr. Morningstar," she said, holding it out. "Let's get you to work before your empire crumbles."
I took the tie from her, but instead of putting it on, I caught her wrist and pulled her back to me. "Come with me," I said, the words coming out before I could stop them.
She blinked, surprised. "To work?"
"Why not?" I said. "You're the one who told me to go. You might as well come along and make sure I don't slack off."
She tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Tempting. But don't you think your employees might find it a little strange, considering no one remembered Amara Ashford after I left?"
I frowned. "Yeah, about that. How did you pull that off? One day you're gone, and it's like you never existed. Then you come back, and everything's... normal again. You're the CEO, the files, the records-everything's intact."
She smirked, holding up her hand and wiggling her fingers. "That's my powers, darling."
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Sometimes I forget you're not human. You're the ruler of Hell, a goddess herself."
She laughed, a genuine, melodic sound that I hadn't realized I missed so much. "Don't you forget it."
I leaned in, my voice dropping. "Trust me, I never could."
Her smirk softened into something more genuine, and for a moment, I saw the vulnerability she rarely let anyone see. She reached up, straightened my tie, and patted my chest.
"There," she said, stepping back. "Now you're ready to go."
I grabbed my jacket and turned to her. "You're still coming with me."
She rolled her eyes but followed me out the door. As we headed to the car, I couldn't help but glance at her, a strange mix of emotions swirling in my chest.
She was back. She was here.
The drive to the office was... eventful, to say the least.
Amara sat beside me in the passenger seat, looking out the window with a faint smirk that told me she was up to something. I didn't say anything, just kept my eyes on the road, but I could feel her gaze flicking to me every now and then.
"Something on your mind?" I asked, not looking at her.
She hummed, tapping her fingers against the window. "Just wondering how you manage to run an empire when you can barely manage yourself."
I glanced at her, arching a brow. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said, turning to face me fully. "You're a mess, Lucifer. How does someone like you command respect?"
I smirked, tightening my grip on the steering wheel. "Maybe it's my charm."
She let out a laugh, light and mocking. "Charm? Is that what we're calling it now?"
Before I could retort, the car suddenly jerked to a stop. I slammed on the brakes, looking around to see what had happened. There was nothing in front of us, no traffic, no obstacles.
"What the hell-"
"Oops," Amara said, her tone entirely too innocent.
I turned to her, narrowing my eyes. "Amara."
She was grinning now, her fingers glowing faintly with a golden light. "Relax, darling. Just a little magic. Consider it payback for your... drunken antics last night."
I groaned, leaning back in my seat. "You're making me go crazy ."
"And yet, you love me," she said, her voice sing-song.
I didn't respond, just started the car again. She leaned back in her seat, looking entirely too pleased with herself.
The rest of the drive was mercifully uneventful, though she kept throwing little jabs my way, each one more ridiculous than the last. By the time we reached the office, I was half tempted to leave her in the car just to get some peace. Just kidding she would throw me off a building if I did that !
But of course, that wasn't an option.
As we walked into the building, the usual hum of activity in the lobby came to an abrupt halt. People stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on us-or rather, on her.
Amara strode in like she owned the place, her heels clicking against the marble floor with a confidence that was both intimidating and captivating. She was wearing a sleek black dress that hugged her figure perfectly, her hair cascading over her shoulders like a dark waterfall.
I could practically hear the collective intake of breath as she passed, her presence commanding the room in a way that even I couldn't replicate.
"Lucifer," she said, not bothering to lower her voice, "is this how your employees always behave? No wonder your empire's been slipping."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "moon , please."
She ignored me, her eyes scanning the room. "What's the issue here?"
One of my assistants, a young man named Derek, stepped forward hesitantly. "There's been a... misunderstanding with one of the clients. They're threatening to pull out of the deal."
Amara raised a brow, glancing at me. "And you haven't fixed this yet?"
Before I could respond, she was already moving, her heels clicking sharply as she headed toward the conference room where the client was waiting.
I followed her, a mix of fear and admiration bubbling in my chest. She had no business stepping into my office like this, but damn if she didn't look good doing it.
When we entered the room, the client-a middle-aged man with a permanent scowl-was mid-rant. He stopped abruptly when he saw Amara, his eyes widening slightly.
"And who might you be?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
Amara smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm the one who's going to fix this mess."
The man blinked, clearly taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said, her voice cool and commanding. "Now, let's get one thing straight: you don't want to pull out of this deal. You'd be a fool to do so, and I don't think you're a fool."
The man opened his mouth to argue, but she held up a hand, silencing him.
"You're upset because you think you're not getting what you were promised," she continued. "But let me assure you, you're getting far more than you bargained for. Lucifer's empire is the best in the business, and if you walk away now, you'll regret it."
Her words were laced with a subtle power, a hint of magic that made them impossible to ignore. The man's scowl softened, and he nodded slowly, as if in a trance.
"Fine," he said after a moment. "We'll stay."
Amara smiled, her expression triumphant. "Good choice."
As the man left the room, I turned to her, crossing my arms. "You know, I could've handled that."
She smirked, brushing past me. "Sure you could've, darling. But why waste time when I can do it better?"
I shook my head, unable to suppress a smile. She was infuriating, but damn if she wasn't impressive.
As we walked back to my office, the staff parted like the Red Sea, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear. Amara didn't seem to notice-or maybe she just didn't care.
When we finally reached my office, I closed the door behind us and leaned against it, watching as she made herself comfortable on the couch.
"You really don't know how to blend in, do you?" I said, my tone teasing.
She shrugged, smirking up at me. "Why would I? It's so much more fun to stand out."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You're impossible."
"And yet, here you are," she said, her voice softening.
Here I was, indeed.
She sat on the couch in my office , her legs crossed elegantly, one hand resting on the armrest while the other played idly with a strand of her dark hair. She looked completely at ease, as if the chaos she'd just caused in the building was a casual stroll in the park.
I leaned against my desk, watching her with a faint smirk. "Comfortable, are we?"
She glanced up at me, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Very. Your office could use a bit of a makeover, though. It's so... dull."
I arched a brow, pushing off the desk and walking toward her. "Dull? This office has been the hub of some of the most important decisions in the business world."
She tilted her head, pretending to think. "And yet, it lacks personality. Maybe a splash of color? Or some art that isn't... whatever that is." She gestured vaguely toward the abstract painting on the wall.
I stopped in front of her, towering over her seated form. "You're awfully critical for someone who's only been here for an hour."
She leaned back, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just calling it like I see it, darling."
"Darling," I repeated, the word rolling off my tongue with a hint of mockery. "You've been using that a lot lately. Should I be flattered?"
Her smirk widened. "Maybe."
I stepped closer, placing my hands on the armrests of the couch and leaning down until our faces were inches apart. Her expression didn't falter, but I saw the way her breath hitched, the faint flicker of something more in her eyes.
"Do you enjoy pushing my buttons, moon ?" I murmured, my voice low and teasing.
"Immensely," she replied, her tone equally soft but laced with challenge.
I chuckled, leaning even closer until my lips were just brushing against her ear. "Careful, little goddess. You might not like what happens when you push too far."
She didn't move, but her voice was steady as she said, "And what happens, Lucifer? Will you punish me?"
The way she said it, so brazen and taunting, sent a rush of heat through me. My grip on the armrests tightened, and for a moment, I considered showing her exactly what would happen. But instead, I pulled back slightly, meeting her gaze with a smirk of my own.
"You're not ready for that," I said, my tone dripping with confidence.
She raised a brow, her lips curving into a slow, dangerous smile. "Oh, darling, I've faced the fires of hell. You think you can scare me?"
Her words were bold, but there was a spark in her eyes that told me she was enjoying this just as much as I was.
Without thinking, I slid a hand to her waist, pulling her up from the couch and against me in one swift motion. Her hands landed on my chest, and for a moment, she looked genuinely surprised.
"Lucifer," she said, her voice softer now, almost breathless.
I tilted my head, studying her. "What's the matter? You're usually so quick with a comeback."
She narrowed her eyes, regaining her composure. "I was just giving you a moment to feel like you're in control."
I laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "You're unbelievable."
"And you love it," she shot back, her smirk returning.
I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers in a teasing kiss. It wasn't enough to satisfy either of us, but I wanted her to make the next move.
She didn't disappoint.
Her hands slid up to my neck, pulling me closer as she deepened the kiss. It was slow and deliberate, a battle for dominance that neither of us was willing to lose.
When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathing heavily. Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were slightly swollen, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of possessiveness at the sight.
"You're mine," I said, my voice low and firm.
She raised a brow, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Is that so?"
"Don't test me, Amara," I warned, my hand tightening slightly on her waist.
Her smile softened, and for a moment, the teasing glint in her eyes was replaced by something more genuine. "I wouldn't dream of it."
I didn't let go of her, didn't want to. The thought of her leaving again, of her disappearing from my life, was unbearable.
"You're staying," I said, more of a command than a question.
She looked up at me, her expression unreadable. "For now."
It wasn't the answer I wanted, but it was enough.
The boardroom was bathed in a cold, professional atmosphere, the gleaming glass table reflecting the soft glow of the overhead lights. Lucifer sat at the head of the table, exuding his usual aura of command and power. Beside him, I took my seat, casually flipping through the agenda for the meeting.
The client, Mr. Donovan, entered the room with his son, Jack, trailing behind him. Mr. Donovan was an older man, sharp and shrewd, while Jack was... well, let's just say he was trying very hard to make an impression.
Jack's eyes landed on me almost instantly, and a smirk spread across his face. I could feel Lucifer stiffen beside me, though he kept his expression carefully neutral.
"Miss Ashford," Jack said, his voice smooth as silk, as he extended a hand toward me. "It's an honor to meet someone as stunning as you."
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at his outstretched hand before shaking it briefly. "Pleasure's mine," I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant.
Lucifer's jaw tightened, his hand clenching into a fist on the table. I could practically feel the heat of his glare directed at Jack, but he remained silent, for now.
The meeting began, with Mr. Donovan discussing the details of the proposed partnership. Jack, however, seemed far more interested in me than the actual business at hand.
"So, Miss Ashford," Jack said during a brief pause in the discussion, leaning slightly toward me. "What's a beautiful woman like you doing in a place like this? Surely, you have better things to do than sit in a stuffy boardroom."
I could hear the sharp intake of breath from Lucifer, but I didn't look at him. Instead, I smiled sweetly at Jack. "Oh, you'd be surprised how much I enjoy boardrooms. It's where real power plays happen."
Jack chuckled, clearly taking my response as encouragement. "Well, I'd love to show you a different kind of power play. Perhaps over dinner?"
The room went silent for a moment, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. I could feel Lucifer's gaze burning into me, his possessiveness practically radiating off him.
Before I could respond, Lucifer's deep voice cut through the silence. "Miss Ashford is quite busy. I'm sure she doesn't have time for... distractions."
I turned to him, arching an eyebrow. "I can speak for myself, Lucifer."
His eyes met mine, dark and stormy, but he said nothing.
Turning back to Jack, I smiled. "Dinner sounds lovely. I'll check my schedule."
Lucifer's reaction was immediate and visceral. His hand slammed down on the table, making everyone jump. "This meeting is over," he announced, his voice cold and final.
Mr. Donovan looked startled but quickly gathered his papers. "Of course, Mr. Di Carlo . We'll be in touch."
Jack hesitated, glancing between me and Lucifer, before finally following his father out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Lucifer rounded on me, his eyes blazing. "What the hell was that?"
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "What was what?" let's have a little fun !
"You know exactly what I'm talking about moon ," he growled, stepping closer. "Agreeing to dinner with that-child."
I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "He was polite. Besides, it's just dinner."
His hands gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles white. "You're mine, Amara. No one else gets to have you."
I tilted my head, a smirk playing on my lips. "Funny, I don't recall signing a contract."
He straightened, his expression darkening further. In one swift motion, he was in front of me, his hands braced on the arms of my chair, caging me in.
"Don't test me," he warned, his voice low and dangerous.
I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "Or what?"
His eyes flicked to my lips, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. But instead, he leaned in, his voice a whisper against my ear. "Cancel the dinner, Amara. I won't ask again."
I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my spine, but I refused to let him see how much he affected me. "Make me."
The corner of his mouth twitched, a dangerous smile forming. "Oh, I will."
Before I could respond, he pulled back and walked to the door, pausing only to glance over his shoulder. "Be ready at eight. I'm taking you out."
And just like that, he was gone, leaving me alone in the boardroom, my heart pounding and a smile tugging at my lips.