Page 20 of Letters to Satan

Was I?

Was Ireally?

Because this soundsverydifferent from what I was imagining. My plan had been to haul his impudent ass to my bed and fuck him until he cried, then lick the tears off his flushed cheeks while I came inside him.

But if this is the game he’s wanting to play, then I’ll play.

“What a lovely idea, Lucifer,” I say, and he smirks at the underlying threat in my voice. “Please, join us… Caddy, you’re welcome to come along as well.”

Understandably confused, Cadbury nods, probably wondering why I’m standing out here shirtless in the freezing snow. I’m nothing if not stubborn, though, and determined to hide my discomfort from Damien. “As you wish, Santa.”

“Come, Lucifer,” I purr, and his lip tugs up further at the double entendre.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asks, falling in step beside me.

“Why, do you want to return my sweater? I’m sure Xalreth would have a few heated opinions about what he’d see if you did.”

He laughs, pushing his hands up into the baggy sleeves and crossing them over his chest. “Nope, this is mine now.”

Something possessive purrs inside my ribcage at the sight of him in my clothes, and I try to hide my smile, but fail miserably. We walk into the barn, and I don’t miss the way his eyes light up at the reindeer in their stalls. In a jarring contrast to his earlier show of dominance, he now looks innocent and eager, almost youthful despite being centuries old.

He steps forward, then hesitates, and my grin downturns into a frown. “What’s wrong?”

In a rare display of nerves, he licks his lips and gestures towards the reindeer, and I glance at theenormous beasts. They are larger than most people realize, with fur that straddles the line between brown and gray. Soft, downy fuzz covers their noses, highlighted by the sun peeking through the windows.

“It’s just that… animals aren’t huge fans of demons. Most creatures avoid us and shy away, while others bolt and hide. On rare occasion, they even attack.” He gave me a quick shrug, but his eyes reveal the unspoken hurt he tries to conceal.

My heart gives a sudden pinch in my chest.

How can such a powerful man be sosweet—turning into a sad boy because he can’t cuddle all the animals? He yanks me from my thoughts when he adds, “Except cats,obviously. They adore demonkind.”

Is that obvious?

Is it?

I open my mouth to question him when he gestures at the reindeer. “They probably won’t like me.” The disappointment in his tone causes my heart to give another funny squeeze, but I understand the sentiment better than most.

Being a leader means people respect you. They tolerate and obey, put on a smile when they’re in your presence…

But it doesn’t mean they like you.

And he encounters rejection not only from peers but also from animals, for no reason other than the way he was born. His very nature pushes them away, warns of the impending danger he carries.

It warns me, too.

So why do I want to get so close?

A burst of my magic is guided towards the reindeer, soothing them with its calming energy. “They’re very friendly, and I’m sure they’ll love you.” I take his hand and tug him along, but resistance makes me stop, glancing over my shoulder at him.

Looking at our hands, he appears fascinated by the sight of our fingers weaving, like he’s puzzled by how they fit together. His honey brown eyes move to mine, and for a fleeting moment, he’s vulnerable.

But then, like it was nothing more than a trick of the light, his calm cockiness returns. “Everyone loves me.”

“Of course they do,” I tease, lips twitching as he walks up to my side, hand still woven with mine. He doesn’t release me even as he reaches forward, tentative in a way he doesn’t normally let others see. When his fingers land on the reindeer’s snout, relief relaxes his posture before a sweet smile spreads over his lips. It nuzzles against his touch, and I can’t bring myself to look away.

Fingers raking through my hair, I stare at the stacks of unfinished business and trashed deadlines that cover my desk. It feels like a lost cause, a desperate attempt to catch up on everything that’s falling more and more behind.

How did I let myself get this far off schedule?

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