Page 24 of Letters to Satan

Since six twenty-eight, I’ve been lingering outside Niklaus’s office, but the idea of being at the receiving end of his punishment is too thrilling to resist. Filthy thoughts swirl in my mind as I anticipate the consequences.

Will he tie me up?

Choke me until I’m on the verge of passing out?

Mark me?

Fuck, all the above?

My cock twitches in my pants at the prospect, and I stand here, almost dizzy with excitement, until the clock reads six thirty-three. Only three minutes late, but something tells me it’ll be enough to have him flustered.

I rap my knuckles on the door in a rhythm, and a curt, “Come in,” is spoken from the other side.

Gods, I’m fucking giddy.

Schooling my face to be neutral, I open the door and slide inside his office. “Good evening, Niklaus.” I take a deep inhale and nearly moan at the heavenly aroma. “Sweet baby Jeebus, that smells incredible.”

Niklaus stands, signature stoic expression on his face as he unbuttons the sleeve cuffs of his button-up shirt. My eyes track every single detail as he rolls them up twice, his movements calculated and precise as he tucks them tight. The fabric is taut against his thick arms as he gives it a tug.

Dear god, the way the muscles in his forearms roll and bunch is enough to make me beg.

He moves deliberately, each step agonizingly slow, until he stands in front of me, forcing me to crane my neck to meet his gaze. I don’t even blink as he leans down and presses a kiss to my lips, then trails to my ear.

“Three.”

A thrill travels up my spine, but I do my best to keep it contained, smiling at him with a flutter of my lashes. “Three what, Nik?”

He backs up, a predatorial smile in place as he nudges my nose with his, then stands tall. Somehow, he seems even larger as he towers over me. “Are you hungry?” Calm as can be, he offers me his crooked arm, and I take it out of pure instinct. He guides me to a cozy table by the enormous fireplace, and we are serenaded by the crackling and popping of the burning logs.

I stare at the table, then up at his perfectly serene demeanor, then at the table once more. My mouth moves in silence a couple of times, before I finally scoff and say, “Aren’t you going to…”

“Aren’t I going towhat, little prince?” His green eyes are locked on mine when I glance up at him, the undercurrent of a challenge burning deep inside them. “Please, sit and let’s eat. This day has been never-ending, and I’ve worked up quite the appetite.” The suggestive inflection to his voice sends another of those silky shudders up my back.

The plates are loaded with juicy steaks, their sear marks crisscrossed in a way that make themalmost too perfect, with a dollop of herb butter melting on top. Fluffy mashed potatoes with whipped peaks sit next to fresh green beans, and suddenly my stomach is roaring.

“Hungry?” he asks, amusement in his grin as he takes a seat across from me.

“Starving,” I answer, sliding my fork into my mouth and sucking in my cheeks as I pull the bite of steak off.

He gives a tiny self-satisfied smile as he glances down at his food. “I know this is a social call, but we need to discuss a few matters.”

Nerves bolt through my body as I freeze, another bite halfway to my mouth. “Oh, uh, what matters?”

His eyebrows bunch like they do when he’s trying to figure me out. “The letters,” he drawls, suspicion painting his face. “They’re the reason you came after all… even if they’re not the reason you’re staying.”

“Listen to you, being all cocky. Maybe I’m staying because I enjoy having miniature servants running around doing my bidding.”

“Your bidding?” My eyes snap up to his green ones, and I curse myself for the choice of words. “Tell me, Lucifer, what orders have you given my elves to fulfill on your behalf?”

Fuck, fuck, fuckity-fuck.

I lie better than this… I’m theDevil, for fuck’s sake.

Quick to regain my composure, I detect a glimmer of recognition in his eyes even as I slide asmirk onto my lips. “Well, the elves are very handy to have at my disposal, you know. I haven’t had to cook for myself or do my laundry since I arrived.”

“You expect me to believe you don’t have minions tending to your every need in Hell?”

I grin, cutting a bite off my steak. “Okay, you’ve got me there.”

---