Lucifer (Brimstone Heat Book 1) Read online

  “Not so fast. What are you not telling me?” asked Gracie

  “He kind of asked me to go to lunch with him, and I…I kind of turned him down.” Angie chewed on her bottom lip. “I think I did the right thing. But…”

  Gracie looked at her friend and blinked several times. “He asked you out and you turned him down? Are you crazy? Have you ever noticed how good looking he is?”

  “If you haven’t notice, he’s a cop.”

  “So? You should have gone out with him. I would have definitely understood and forgiven you. A date with the hot sheriff? I would have definitely understood and applauded you.” Gracie shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “But he’s a cop,” protested Angie.

  “So?”

  “You know I don’t date cops and you know why.” Angie crossed her arms and stared at her friend.

  “You should at least date him. One date won’t hurt you. Not all cops die because of their profession. Angie, not all cops are going to die like your dad and mom did.”

  Angie sighed. “It’s not just the cop issue.”

  “Then explain to me why you would turn down a date with a hottie like Lucifer Fitch?” Gracie crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in the chair. She had the same look on her face mother’s had when they were disciplining their children. “You need to put on you big girl panties, or better yet, your big girl thong, and go after that man. As far as I know, he hasn’t asked out any of the women in town. That makes you special.”

  “He’s not exactly human,” whispered Angie.

  “So? Most of the people in town are not exactly human.”

  “I don’t know what he is, but I do know the sheriff is not human.”

  “Hello! Quinn, my mate, is not exactly human either. He’s a shifter, like most of the town. Are you even listening?”

  Angie leaned closer to Gracie. “I’m not talking about shifters.” She looked down at the half-eaten food on the plate in front of her. She shook her head and grimaced as she shoved the plate away from her. “I’m talking about Lucifer Fitch.”

  “I get you have issues because he is a police officer.” Gracie grabbed her friend’s hand and squeezed. “I would have issues with cops too, if I had been traumatized the way you were. And don’t tell me you weren’t. But sooner or later you are going to have to face your demons and move past them.”

  Angie bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. She wiped away several tears with her free hand.

  “Angie, are you okay?” Concern filled Gracie’s voice.

  “Yes. No.” Angie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I was fine until I met Sheriff Fitch.” She opened her eyes and looked at her best friend. “He’s not human, and he’s not a shifter. I’ve never seen an aura like his.”

  “And?” Gracie raised an eyebrow.

  “And he makes me feel things that I’ve never felt before.” Angie lowered her voice to barely a whisper.

  “Creepy, skin crawly feeling?” Gracie leaned closer. “Or a hot, tingly, throw him down and have your way with him feeling?” She waggled her eyebrows.

  Angie was so embarrassed. She felt her cheeks burn. “It is definitely the second one. But…” She sighed and shook her head.

  “But what?”

  Angie pulled her hand out of Gracie’s and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s just that…”

  “You like him. I mean, really, really like him. Don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Angie reluctantly admitted. “But…” She didn’t dare tell Gracie that Lucifer was her lifemate.

  “But what?” asked Gracie again.

  “My idea of an exciting date is a stroll through the park, or maybe pizza and a movie at home.” Angie scrunched her nose. “I’m boring. I’m a librarian, and then there’s the fact I’m several sizes larger than normal. He’s gorgeous, and he can have his pick of the beautiful, skinny women that I’m completely sure are falling at his feet. Why would he want me?” She slowly shook her head. “If he saw me without clothes on, his getaway would look like a cartoon character smashing through several walls without stopping.”

  “I was thinking more on the lines that you two could play cops and robbers with the big chase scene taking place in the bedroom and ends with you tied naked to the bed.” Gracie snorted and laughed.

  “I can’t believe you said that!” Angie’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

  “Or you two could have some fun with his handcuffs. If you know what I mean.” Gracie winked.

  “Gracie Hunter, I’m going to tell Quinn you have a dirty mind.”

  Gracie shrugged. “Go ahead. You won’t be telling him anything he doesn’t already know. Besides, we are talking about you and the hunky sheriff, not me and my mate.”

  Angie shook her head. “Don’t even tease me about him. There are just too many strikes against me and against him.”

  “I really think you are protesting too much. Maybe we should just ask Sheriff Lucifer Fitch what he thinks.”

  Angie stared at her friend as if she had grown two heads. “I really don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “Why not? At least you would know one way or the other and not have to worry with all this speculation and guessing you’re doing.” Gracie picked up her glass and shook it.

  “And then he laughs when he finds out the fat girl who turned him down really likes him. I don’t even want to go there. It opens up too many ways for him to hurt me.”

  “I really doubt he would laugh at you. In fact, I bet he really likes and wants you just like a starving man wants food.”

  “Why would you tease me about that? It’s not funny.”

  “I’m not teasing you,” said Gracie. “I meant everything I said because that’s exactly how he is staring at you right this minute.” She nodded her head toward the bar.

  “He’s what?” She blinked in disbelief.

  “He’s here, and he has been staring at you the whole time,” said Gracie with a smug little grin on her face.

  “No. This can’t be happening.” Angie desperately wanted a sinkhole to open up and swallow her. She knew he wasn’t human, and even though he wasn’t a shifter either, he probably had heard everything she had said. “This is so not good.”

  “Hello Sheriff. How are you doing today?” Gracie grinned as she looked at the tall man who was now standing behind Angie.

  “He’s standing behind me, isn’t he?” Angie frowned and wondered if she could crawl under the table without anyone seeing her do it.

  “I’m good. Actually, I’m better now.” He pulled out the chair next to Angie and sat down.

  Angie bit her bottom lip. The floor just refused to open up and swallow her. “Sheriff.” She glanced at him only to find Lucifer staring at her.

  He looked directly into her blue eyes. “I like strolls in the park. Pizza and a movie at home sounds great to me. I’m not much for crowds in my off time. And yes, I like the idea of playing cops and robbers. It could be interesting for both of us. I wouldn’t have asked you out if I wasn’t interested in you, and it’s not a passing thing. I meant it when I said you were mine. I’m just curious about what you have against cops.”

  The pure rush of lust blindsided Angie. She had to get away from the sheriff before she did something totally stupid…like climb into his lap and kiss him. She glanced down at her watch. “I need to get going. I’ve got a lot to do in order to keep our original opening date.” She stood up. “I’ll call you later,” she said to Gracie. “Good day, Sheriff.” Angie turned and made a hasty retreat out of the bar and grill.

  Lucifer watched Angie leave the building. He fought the urge to go after her. He needed to know about her issues with police. He turned to Gracie. “Why is she running from me?”

  “It’s not you personally.” Gracie slowly shook her head.

  “It’s the cop thing, isn’t it?”

  Gracie sighed. “It’s not my story to tell. You will have to get Angie to tel
l you, but I can guarantee it’s not you personally,” she said again.

  “It sure feels that way.”

  “It’s the uniform and what it represents,” she said.

  “My uniform?” he asked.

  “That’s all I’m saying about that. If you want to know more, you have to get Angie to tell you.”

  “That’s it?” Lucifer’s face didn’t reveal any emotion.

  “I’ll give you a piece of advice. Get to know her and give her time to get to know you. I’ve never seen her this emotional about a man. I have a strong feeling it’s more than just liking you or being attracted to you.” Gracie leaned forward. “I don’t care what you are. If you hurt my friend, there won’t be any place you can hide where I won’t find you. Not even in Hell.”

  Lucifer smiled at Gracie. “Hurting Angie in any way is not even on my radar. She is my lifemate.” He stood up. “If I do hurt her, you are welcome to follow me into the depths of Hell. But I doubt it will be anything like you’re expecting.”

  Gracie looked at Lucifer without cowering. “Then make sure you don’t hurt her. She is my best friend. She hasn’t had the easiest of lives.”

  Lucifer tipped his head to Gracie, and then turned and left the bar and grill.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, Angie hid another yawn behind the book she picked up to inspect for damage. Like the majority of the books she had inspected so far, this one too had pages ripped out of it. She set it on top of the growing pile of damaged books. She started to pick up another book, but covered her mouth with her hand as she yawned again.

  “Rough night?” asked her assistant, Teri. She picked up a pile of damaged books and moved them to the counter where she was scanning each one and removing them from the library’s inventory.

  “Just too many dreams and not enough sleep because of them.” Angie picked up another book, only to find it had missing pages too. She put it into the damaged stack, and picked up another book.

  “I can’t blame you. What kind of monster does something like this?” Teri gestured with the book she was holding. “Even I can see this is more than just vandalism.”

  “And that’s one of the things bothering me,” said Angie. She wished that was the only thing bothering her. It wasn’t the unknown person who vandalized the library that occupied her dreams last night. That honor went to one Sheriff Lucifer Fitch.

  Her dreams had started out pleasant and nonsexual, but very quickly they turned vividly erotic. They had been so real. Even after she woke up, she could still feel his hands and lips on her body. And when she laid back down and closed her eyes, the dreams started again.

  For the first time in her life, Angie took a cold shower, hoping it would cool down the desires raging through her body, but the shower had given her only temporary relief. By the time she arrived at the library, not only was she tired from the lack of sleep, but her body was on fire again.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” asked Teri.

  “I’m fine,” said Angie as she dropped another book onto the damaged stack. She picked up her coffee mug and brought it to her lips to take a drink, only to find the mug was empty. She growled as she frowned at the mug.

  “Is it empty again?” asked Teri as she put the books she had scanned into a cardboard box.

  “I don’t even remember drinking this one,” mumbled Angie. She put down the mug and covered her mouth to hide yet another yawn.

  “You keep that up and I’ll start yawning too.”

  “I’m not doing it on purpose.” As if on cue, Angie yawned again.

  “Not funny.” Teri shook her head. Suddenly, she yawned. “See what you’ve done! I’ve caught your bug!”

  Angie, despite being tired, rolled her eyes. “Yawning is not a bug you catch.”

  “Tell that to the yawns that have invaded my body.” Teri dramatically waved at her whole body. “You knowingly walked into the library infected with them when you should have been quarantined for everyone’s safety. And now I’m infested with them. I hate yawning.”

  Angie laughed. “If you hadn’t said anything, you wouldn’t have caught them.” She shook her head as another yawn took over. “I’m going to get another cup of coffee.”

  “Just bring back the whole pot with you. It’ll save you the effort of walking back and forth every time you drain your mug.” Teri walked over and picked up another stack of damaged books and carried them over to the counter. She dropped them with a loud thump.

  “I haven’t drunk that much coffee.” Angie frowned. She couldn’t remember how many cups she had drunk.

  Teri raised an eyebrow. “Then why was Josh mumbling something about having to put on another pot of coffee because there wasn’t even enough left for half a mug? And that was only fifteen minutes ago.”

  “I’m not drinking that much coffee.” Angie got to her feet and looked at Teri. “There’s a hole in my mug”

  Teri chuckled. “Yeah. It’s the large one at the top that you used to suck the coffee out of the mug.”

  “Whatever! When did Josh get here? I didn’t hear him come in.”

  “If you hadn’t been staring at the wall when you drank the rest of your coffee, you might have seen him and heard him when he spoke to you.” Teri leaned against the counter.

  “I wasn’t staring at the wall.” Angie shook her head in denial.

  “Then you were daydreaming.” Teri’s lips turned up in a huge grin. “That must have been one hot date last night, and the sex must have been even hotter.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t have a date last night. As for the sex…no date…no sex.” Angie’s cheeks turned pink. “And if I was having sex, I wouldn’t be discussing it with you or anyone else. I’m going to get me another cup of coffee while you finish scanning the damaged books.” She spun around and almost ran into Sheriff Lucifer Fitch.

  “Careful, I don’t want the coffee spilling on you. It’s hot enough to leave a nasty burn on your skin and that is not acceptable.” Lucifer held a tray of cups, with the logo of a trendy coffee shop blazed across them, away from him so Angie wouldn’t get burnt. “Looks like I brought coffee just in the nick of time.”

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were standing there.” Angie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She slowly let it out and looked up at Sheriff Fitch. She felt the heat creeping into her cheeks. She didn’t know how long he had been standing there, but she was absolutely sure he had heard everything.

  “Are you okay?” Concern filled his green eyes.

  Angie nodded. “I just had a rough night.” And it was all your fault. She stared at Lucifer. How could a man look that sexy in a uniform this early in the morning? “Can I help you with something?” She hoped her voice sounded at least a little normal.

  “You could say yes to a dinner date tonight. Chinese take-out and a movie at my place?” Lucifer smiled.

  Angie felt her heart flip flop in her chest. His deep, chocolate smooth voice and his sexy grin were a deadly combination. She wasn’t just tempted to say yes, she desperately wanted to say yes, but fear held her back. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  “I’m sorry too.” He didn’t push for a reason why, but his eyes turned dark. He blinked and it was gone, making Angie think maybe she had imagined it.

  Teri cleared her throat. “Are those donuts for us?” she asked, breaking the sexual tension building between Lucifer and Angie.

  “Yeah, I brought them for you.” Lucifer’s eyes never left Angie’s face. “Two of the coffees are for you and the other guy.”

  Teri stood up. “I’ll take those and put them in the workroom. It’s safer in there anyway. Watch out for the yawn bug. She’s contagious.” She made a hasty exit with the donuts and two of the coffees.

  “Your yawn bug?” He raised an eyebrow at Angie.

  Angie felt the heat in her cheeks crank up a couple of degrees.

  He grinned at her. “So you’re contagious with this yawn bug.�
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  “I’m not contagious with anything. I didn’t sleep very well last night, and I’ve been yawning this morning. I was just about to get another cup of coffee.” Angie bit her bottom lip. Great! Now she sounded like she had mouth diarrhea. Definitely not a good impression. Too bad she hadn’t found the sinkhole yet.

  “Then I brought you just the thing you need,” said Lucifer after Teri left. He took one of the remaining cups out of the tray and held it out to her.

  “You didn’t have to do that. The coffee and donuts, I mean.” Angie took the cup from Lucifer. Their fingers brushed against each other, sending a warmth through her hand. She whimpered as the feeling faded.

  Lucifer stepped closer to her, knowing his presence affected her as hers affected him. “I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to do it. Just like I want to help you with this mess. I’m hoping you will see that I’m not a bad guy, and you will give us a chance, because I really want to take you home with me.”

  Angie swallowed. “I never said or thought you were a bad guy.” She didn’t say anything about the other because she didn’t know how to respond to it.

  “Then take a chance and go out with me. I know you feel the connection between us. We are meant to be together. We are lifemates. We are destined to be together.” Lucifer stared at her, willing her to say yes.

  Angie bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling. “I don’t think it would be a good idea,” she whispered. Her words didn’t match what her body wanted.

  “Sooner or later, you will say yes to me,” said Lucifer.

  “Don’t you have some tickets to write or a bad guy to chase down?” She sipped the coffee. It was strong and sweet, just the way she liked it.

  “If my deputies need me, they will call.” He winked at her.

  Angie blinked and rolled her eyes. “You’re not going to leave, are you?”

  “Nope.” He looked from her to the books piled on the floor. “What are you doing with the books?”

  She shook her head. “Stubborn man. Have it your way. But it’s not going to work. I’m on to your game.”

  “But it’s a game I plan on winning, and you are my prize,” chuckled Lucifer.