Page 40 of Lucifer's Hounds

“You are absolutely not. Fat girl gotta eat. Gimme!” I squeal, snatching the tray of pie away from Cass.

“Give it back.”

Cass rises from his barstool but I’m already halfway across the bar and behind the pool table before he can take the first step.

“Never!” I shout, holding the tray up and running a hand over it.

Cass jukes, moving one way then the other before he thwarts himself onto the pool table and over the top of it, tackling me when he lands. He at least has enough sense to put a hand behind my head as we tumble to the ground together, giggling like school children on a playground. I’m laughing so hard I can barely breathe when I realize we both have pie on our faces, making me laugh impossibly harder.

“Damn it to hell,” Cass laughs.

My laughter softens as I stare at the man hovering above me. His smile is so bright and stirs feelings deep inside my soul. His laughter has also all but stopped, and without passing a word between us, he kisses me more passionately than I’ve ever beenkissed before, even by him. I can feel the words he won’t say, the hunger inside him. I feel the sparks fly as our bodies connect, electricity zinging between us on the soft flesh of our lips.

In this moment, there is not a world outside. There is nothing but us, Lilly and Cass, lost inside each other. My mind races as I try to process whatever feelings that are swirling around inside my chest. Cass pulls away all too soon. He grips my face with one hand while mine find their way to idly play in his hair.

“You are so beautiful, even covered in pie.” Cass leans down and licks my cheek.

“Thank you.”

I lean up and lick a piece of pie filling from his cheek, returning the favor.

“You tastejustlike pie!” I say, over-dramatically.

Cass laughs hysterically above me. His eyes are closed, his smile is wide, and his face is starting to redden. His laughter is contagious, and I can’t stop laughing at the fact that he’s laughing.

“I need to get going. I have to get some sleep so I can be at the airport bright and early in the morning.”

I poke my bottom lip out. “Fine.”

Cass stands and holds a hand out to help me up. Together we walk to the staff bathroom in the back of the bar and clean the pie off our faces.

Standing in front of the mirror with Cass behind me, I can’t help but stare at our reflection. We pair well together. Cass wipes his face with a wet towel then leans his head over my shoulder to wipe my face, my eyes never leave our reflection in the mirror. I lock in on his hands, watching intently to each move his fingers make.

“What are you thinking when you look at me like that?” he asks, his head cocked to the side.

“Honestly?”

“Well, yeah. Do you know how to be any other way?”

“It amazes how your hands are rough, yet so gentle when they’re on me,” I say.

“That’s sweet.” A soft smile spreads across his face. I regain my composure from that moment of transparency and finish wiping my own face before walking out of the bathroom.

“You better get going,” I say softly as I toss the wet, pie-covered rag into the hamper.

“Yes ma’am. Keep in touch with me while I’m gone?”

“Abso-fuckin-lutely,” I lean in and kiss him on the cheek.

Cass grabs my hand and begins to walk me out, but I pull back.

“You go ahead, I have to stay and clean up. I can’t leave the place like this.”

“I’m not leaving you here alone. I’ll help, then we can both leave.”

I simply smile and begin picking up the bar. While I wash dishes, Cass cleans the pie from the floor. I dry my hands and finish turning out most of the lights.

“Ready to get out of here, boss man?” she asked.

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