Page 2 of Falling for Lucifer
Ellodie looked between him and Harley. “This your man, Harley?”
Harley made a choking sound as she held onto her stomach, while Lucifer shook his head.
“He’s my brother-in-law. Trust me, you don’t want to know my husband.”
Lucifer snorted. Not many people found pleasure in meeting Hades’s mean ass, so Harley told no lies as far as he could tell.
Ellodie took in a deep breath and seemed to work through another contraction before she looked back at Lucifer, a sickly, sweet smile curling her juicy lips. “Since you’re here, grab me some ice chips . . .please?”
Lucifer’s head cocked to the side. She seemed like an uppity woman who was used to getting her way. He didn’t even know her, and here she was bossing him around. Not only that, but Ellodie seemed to take joy in toying with him at the moment, and he wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction.
“Nah, I’m good.” He smiled right back at her, his deep dimples sinking into his cheeks as he finessed the hairs on his chin. Truthfully, though, he wanted to do whatever she asked. She was so damn pretty, and not to mention vulnerable at the moment, that his first mind yearned to get her some damn ice chips and lay on that bed and deliver that baby for her if he could. She had him under some kind of spell, and he wasn’t even sure he minded.
Ellodie’s smile only widened in challenge as her brow arched. Yeah, he could tell her spoiled ass wasn’t used to hearing the wordno. He liked that he had said the simple word, despite his desire to give her whatever she wanted.
Another contraction must have hit her, because her smile quickly morphed into a frown as she cried out.
“Go get her some ice chips,” Harley demanded, shoving a glass into his hand. “And wait in the hall. I’ll let you know when you can come back in.”
She pushed Lucifer toward the door, and by the time he opened his mouth to protest, the door had slammed in his face.
“Ain’t this some shit . . .”
He muttered under his breath the entire time to the ice machine down the hall. By the time he got back, the door still wasn’t open. He sighed and rolled his neck, ready to give them these ice chips and then get out of dodge. He leaned against the wall next to the door, partially blocking it, and closed his eyes, silently urging that baby in Ellodie’s stomach to make its way into the world. Slowly, his thoughts drifted to the sly grin on Ellodie’s face when she ordered him to get her ice chips. As much as her audacity irritated him, there was something about her that made him want to play her game. For some reason, he wanted to be the one to humble her, only to give her what she wanted anyway.
“You’re in my way, boy, move.”
Lucifer’s eyes popped open. He was really zoned out because he hadn’t heard anyone near him. He had to look down his nose to find the source of the high-pitched voice.
“Excuse me?” he asked the older woman, who looked up at him with a scowl. Her lip curled up like she smelled something stank, and she straightened up as if she tried to give off the vibe that she was important.
“I said move. You’re in my way.”
Lucifer’s face turned up as he looked the woman up and down. She was dripping in labels and had enough jewelry on to lace a rap music video.
Lucifer stood straight while peering down at the small woman with a mighty attitude. “I think you got it twisted, ma’am. You walked up on me, so you’re actually in my way.”
The lady sucked her teeth so loud Lucifer was surprised one didn’t snap in half. She opened her mouth to say something, but the door swung open.
“Lu, where are those ice chips? She’s getting ready to push.” Harley’s eyes landed on the woman. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”
The lady huffed and pushed past Harley. That was the moment Lucifer lost all his patience. The woman barely even touched Harley, but she was disrespectful as hell, and one thing he didn’t play about was family.
“Lady, you’re gonna have to get up out of here?—”
Lucifer’s words were cut off when Ellodie said, “Ma! What are you doing here?”
The older woman’s eyes turned to slits as she placed her designer purse on a chair before marching over to Ellodie. “You’re lucky I don’t slap the hell out of you, Ellodie Glover. Why in God’s name would you not call your mother when you’re in labor? I had to find out from Martin, and that was only because he was trying to reach your father and accidentally let it slip.”
Ellodie groaned. “Uncle Martin, . . . shit.”
The woman took them all by surprise when she swatted Ellodie on the hand. Lucifer instinctively took a step forward. Who the hell hit a woman in labor?
“Watch your mouth, little girl. I can’t believe you didn’t call me. I’m your mother, and it isn’t like you know who the child’s father is. You can’t do this alone.”
“I told you I do know who the child’s father is, Mama.” Ellodie cried as another contraction hit.
“It’s time to push,” Harley said. Lucifer could tell she was doing her best to stay calm and ignore Ellodie’s mother, but her patience had been really thin since she’d gotten pregnant, so it was only a matter of time before she snapped.
