Natasha Romanoff (justlykbudapest) wrote in onewaythreads, @ 2017-10-30 21:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, lucifer morningstar, natasha romanoff |
WHO: Natasha Romanoff & Lucifer Morningstar
WHERE: Decadence
WHEN: Evening of 10/18
WHAT: Arrangements+
WARNINGS: PG-13 for suggestive nudity, FTB
STATUS: Closed, Complete
Like Natasha had told Selene, this “Lucifer Morningstar” individual was someone else she was looking into, and she had decided to visit his club to see what she could find out about him, and the place itself. She had heard a few rumors here and there regarding just what type of place it was - the sort you could find “anything your heart desired,” and she’d been through her fair share of those over the years, generally on missions. Sometimes, they actually became useful for transactions, or to learn information. Other times, she’d used places like that to find a target and take them out. If there was anyone who could pull off tasteful and sexy in a leather dress, it was Natasha Romanoff. Her red hair was in soft curls that just delicately brushed her shoulders, and her makeup - designed to look utterly natural - was flawless. She wore heels that gave her an extra three inches, and she walked up to the club like a woman who not only knew all eyes were on her, but who didn’t care. After giving her name to the doorman and being admitted, she stepped inside and moved into the crowd. She didn’t bother going to the bar just yet, because she was dressed like a woman who never bought her own drinks, instead letting her eyes scan the crowd while she moved further in. Natasha held herself with a natural confidence and grace, and around her wrist hung a small clutch bag that contained only a couple of items - lipstick and a mirror. She’d come out without any ID, license, or weapon, fully confident in her natural abilities to deal without needing any of those items. She’d barely walked in twenty feet when a server was already approaching her with a drink, indicating it had been purchased by a group of men near the bar. She lifted the glass and gave a faint sniff, then set it down again and told the server she declined. Natasha could afford to be choosy at the moment. Lucifer was always alerted when someone he’d put on the guest list himself showed up. A pleased if sly smile spread across his face when he heard who had arrived. One of the redheads. He liked redheads. Lucifer stood up as he gave his security man instructions to keep an eye on her until he joined her. As his man left to follow his orders, Lucifer slipped away from the group of hangers on that always surrounded him. His eyes found her as he got to the bar. He chuckled when he saw her refuse the drink the idiots sent to her. His cigarette was stubbed out in the ashtray nearby then he strolled off to slip up to the lovely young lady. “Lovely evening, isn’t it?” Lucifer asked as he reached her. “Natasha.” Turning when she caught the British accent, Natasha gave the man a quick once over, then smiled slowly as she recognized him from the picture she’d seen online. “It is, if a little stuffy with so many people around,” she replied lightly, then held out her hand to him. “Lucifer, I presume?” Despite the shallow facade, there was a glimmer of sharp intelligence in her gaze as she took in every detail of him, seeking out any threats he might offer. That brilliance in her eyes just made her more attractive in Lucifer’s opinion. He smirked as he took her hand, lifted it as he bent down a little to kiss her knuckles lightly. His eyes locked on hers and never wavered. “Indeed,” he confirmed as he straightened and released her hand. “If you find the crowd displeasing there are private tables we could adjourn to.” Every movement he made was building a profile in her mind, and she was designing her own reactions to keep his interest. Smiling again at the suggestion, she gave a slight nod. “That sounds perfect. Then we could get to know one another in a more intimate setting.” She deliberately took a step closer to him. “Lead the way, Lucifer,” she said lightly, allowing him to take charge. A low chuckle came from Lucifer’s chest then he collected her hand to tuck it under his arm. She was definitely a charming little thing. Lucifer allowed himself to be drawn in by her, but the truth was he knew what she was up to. He played this game himself. Hell, he invented it. He turned to take her toward one of the private booths reserved just for him. The crowd seemed to part before them as if some kind of force went before them to nudge the people to the sides. “Tell me, darling. What would you care to drink? We have just about everything and some things you might not have heard of.” Natasha wasn’t surprised by the crowd’s reaction, noting the way men and women’s eyes glared at her for taking his sole attention, but it didn’t bother her in the slightest. She kept her attention dutifully on the owner as she walked with him. “I’m a fan of vodka, personally. True Russian vodka, none of those off-brands some bars try to pass off.” She didn’t mind divulging her drink of choice since she’d given her obviously Anglicized Russian name, which would have told him what her choice was, most likely. “But what do you have that I’m not familiar with? I’m willing to try anything once.” “Vodka, hmm?” Lucifer smiled down at Natasha as if they were sharing a little secret. “I think I know precisely what to give you.” As they continued to walk he waved down a waitress, beckoning her to him. She left off whoever she’d been waiting on to meet them, then Lucifer leaned to whisper in her ear. The waitress nodded then slipped off into the crowd. “I think you will enjoy this, my dear,” he said to Natasha as he patted her hand. He took her to a pair of solid oak, sliding doors. Lucifer opened one to reveal a luxurious plush leather booth for two. He let her take a seat of her choosing then slid in next to her. “A few more moments and we’ll have our drinks. Meanwhile, tell me of yourself.” “I’m sure I will,” she drawled lightly. When they reached the doors, she arched a brow at the private room, nodding in approval. Sliding into the booth, she crossed one leg over the other while he joined her, turning a bit so she faced him better. “There isn’t too much to tell,” she told him. “I’m fairly new to Preya. I gather from this club of yours that the same doesn’t go for you?” So she was going to play coy, hmm? Lucifer was growing intrigued, but he wasn’t ready to pull out the big guns just yet. “What, this?” Lucifer looked out the still open door then waved a hand as if dismissing the whole thing. “This was easy. I could set something like this up in my sleep, but yes. I’ve been here a little while.” “How long? It’s impressive, particularly if you managed to put it together so quickly.” Her gaze shifted to glance at the door at the people milling about. She’d come back on another night and bled with the crowd, but for now she’d stick by the owner’s side. “I do love the name. It’s as exquisite as the decor. Is that what you sell here? Decadence?” “About a month or so,” he answered with a shrug of a shoulder. Then he spotted the waitress and he sat up a bit to wave her in. “You could say that. Anything you desire can be found here.” And it was no exaggeration. The waitress came in and set down what looked like a gold plated Faberge Egg. Lucifer thanked the waitress as he leaned forward to lift open the egg to reveal a decanter of Venetian glass with four small glasses of the same material. “Imperial Collection vodka had this made,” he crooned as he poured some of the liquor into the glasses. “It costs almost ten thousand dollars.” Lucifer sat back with a smile then handed one of the glasses to Natasha. ”Vashe zrodovye.” When the egg arrived, Natasha just barely hid her surprise. It had been a long time since she’d seen that brand of vodka, and she was truly impressed that he had it on hand in his bar - and that he would bring it out to impress her. “I’ve heard of this, but I’ve never had it,” came her easy lie, and she took the glass while looking over at him to meet his eyes. “I suppose I shouldn’t spill any then, correct?” Mischief danced in her gaze and she lightly clinked her glass to his, repeating the Russian toast, then sipped from the glass. Closing her eyes at the taste, a soft “mmm” of pleasure was heard, before she opened them again. “Delicious. Thank you for this.” He could almost taste the lie from her. That was all right. Everyone deserved their secrets. Let her have hers. It meant nothing to him anyway. Still, he couldn’t help the knowing smirk on his face as he sipped the vodka. “Just so you understand that if you spill any on yourself I claim the opportunity to clean it up.” That wicked grin of his spread across his face. Her free hand lifted so that one fingernail could idly brush across the very short hemline of her dress. “And ruin my dress? I think I’ll pass,” she said dryly, taking another slow sip as she studied him over the glass. Once she lowered it, Natasha tilted her head slightly. “Where are you from, Lucifer? Normally I can place accents, but yours seems to almost be a mix of North London and Welsh - and a few others.” “Hell,” he answered abruptly and with a smile. Lucifer leaned back against the soft leather and crossed one leg over the other. One arm was spread across the back of the bench so that his fingers could just touch the ends of Natasha’s hair. “We don’t necessarily have an accent by location. I just sort of...chose one.” One eyebrow arched at the response. While it wasn’t the strangest thing she’d ever heard, it was definitely on her list of top ten, and for a moment she wasn’t quite sure whether to believe him or not. After all, that response could be figurative instead of literal. “We?” Idly, she leaned against his hand a little so it could brush her skin, jade eyes on his while her other hand still held the delicate glass. “And you like mixing things up, hm?” “Yes,” he said. An appreciative smile warmed his face for the touch of her skin. “We. Myself and the rest of the demonic beings that inhabit the netherworld.” He frowned as he tilted his head. “Well, used to inhabit in my case. I left. Quit my job. No notice or reference. Just cheerio and get lost.” His smile returned with a proud edge to it. “And I like to keep people guessing,” he said. “Especially comely red heads with eyes you could fall into.” “Mm. And this netherworld is the hell you mentioned?” It was clear she was still a little skeptical, though she did arch a brow again at his description of having left his job. She did try to be open-minded, considering some of the things she’d seen in recent years but this was a pushing the line just a tad. “Now that isn’t surprising at all,” she replied, smirking as she held out her glass for a refill. “And I think you can do better than comely.” “Fishing for compliments, darling?” Lucifer tsked at her as he wagged a finger in her direction. “You’re better than that. There isn’t a vapid, self-conscious bone in that luscious form.” Then he smirked as he lifted his glass. “And yes. That hell.” He took a sip. “Well. One of many, but the more commonly known one.” She calculated just which way to go with this, and then after a moment Natasha gave him a slow smile even as she leaned over to refill her vodka, then sat back beside him again, if a little closer. “Luscious is one I don’t get too often,” she mused, sipping a bit, neither confirming nor denying his statement. “You’ll forgive me for being a little skeptical, I hope.” Lucifer’s eyes went exactly where they were supposed to go when Natasha leaned over. Far be it from him to watch the show that was being put on for him. It would be rude. Besides, it was a really nice show. “Do that standing up next time and I’ll forgive you anything,” he said in a low, hungry voice. He took another sip as if needing it then waved a hand in an idle gesture. “And no offense taken. No one believes me right away.” “I’ll consider it,” she replied with an air of nonchalance, idly running one manicured finger around the rim of her glass as she caught his eyes with her own. “You said that anything I desired could be found here. What exactly are you selling in this club of yours?” It was asked half out of curiosity, and half out of professional interest. If there was a little more personal interest there, too, well - who could blame her? Oh, if that was an invitation if he ever saw one! Lucifer grinned. There might have been the slightest glint of red deep within his eyes, but he wasn’t flexing his metaphysical muscles. Not yet. When he leaned toward Natasha the only thing behind his question was charm. “What are you looking for?” Lifting that glass, she took a slow sip, then gave a shrug with one shoulder. “It all depends upon the night,” Natasha replied. “Tonight, I’m just looking to see what this is all about, and what kind of man you are.” The smile she gave was as innocent as her gaze was wicked as it lowered slightly while she studied him, having no problem whatsoever with how close he was to her. She hadn’t actually come there to seduce or be seduced, but it had been a while since she’d done anything of the sort and she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t admit to being extremely interested right now. “In fact, I’m wondering at the moment why you won’t answer my question.” The coy act looked good on her. Lucifer knew that was exactly all it was, an act, but he appreciated it nonetheless. He couldn’t help but wonder if she realized she would only be able to pull this act on him this once. “Because your question was far too vague,” he said in a voice that was almost a purr. “Tell me what you want and I will tell you if I can get it.” “Information, currently.” Turning towards him a little in the booth, she had a feeling that he was just going along with this, but at the moment she didn’t really care. Half the fun was the game, after all. With that in mind, Natasha set her glass on the table, her eyes never leaving Lucifer. “But so far, I’m not so sure you’re of any use to me.” “Ah,” he said with a smile. Something about him changed. The lothario display was dropped. He was still handsome, temptation in an expensive suit, but there was an air of professionalism that settled around him as he sat back. “Information is something I deal in,” he confirmed with a nod. “But depending on what you want to know it can be cheap or very expensive. That was what she’d been looking for - some sign that there was actually a brain beneath the facade, because that meant that maybe tonight wouldn’t be a waste. Her own demeanor didn’t change at all, but she did smile at his words. “Would you believe I didn’t bring anything with me to pay for it?” she asked lightly, picking up her glass again and studying him over the rim. Despite being near the end of her second glass, there was no hint of even a buzz in her eyes or bearing. Lucifer snorted. “Not one bit,” he said. A pack of cigarettes was pulled from the inside of his suit coat along with a gold plated Zippo lighter. “Not all valuable tender is cash, my dear.” He arched a brow at her. “As well you know, I think.” Natasha smirked at that. “I do, yes. But the information I’m looking for is fairly...inexpensive, I believe.” Her free hand lifted to push one soft, delicate curl back from her eyes, and this time she did seem to become a little more serious. “Have you heard about the recent disappearances from Preya? Of those who are unwilling to leave?” This did hold his interest, almost more than the lady did. His smile lost some of its warmth. Lucifer was among the numbers of those who are unwilling to leave. He liked it here. His father wasn’t looming over his shoulder, and his brothers weren’t nattering at him to return to Hell. “I have,” he said then lit his cigarette. “What do you know about who or what may be behind it?” Her eyes had narrowed slightly when she saw his smile change a bit, and she ignored the cigarette for now, more interested in hearing his response. “I’m sure in a place like this, you’ve heard something of interest.” “I wish I did, darling.” His smile disappeared entirely as he lit the cigarette. A plume was smoke was blown out and up where the best ventilation money can buy broke it up and out of the area. “If I did I would do everything within my formidable power to stop it.” This time when he leveled his eyes on her there was more of...him...behind them. Her head tilted at his words and she looked away briefly, a little disappointed. After thinking that over for a long moment, Natasha returned her attention to Lucifer as her face smoothed itself again. “I would appreciate it if you kept an ear out for me.” Lucifer arched a brow as he regarded Natasha in silence. Another drag of his cigarette was taken and exhaled before he said anything. “Why?” Because if she wanted to encourage or control the leaving he wouldn’t have anything to do with it. Her eyes lifted to his, and she drained her glass slowly before responding. “I know several interested parties who want to stop it, and who are looking for friends who are among those who disappeared.” Natasha smiled slowly, then shifted so that she was sitting closer to him, nestled at his side. “I’m being paid to find out more.” That, at least, was true - considering her job. Both of his brows lifted in surprise. Not for what she was telling him. That was pure relief. The continuing and increasing flirtation was what made him blink. It only lasted a moment, however, then he draped an arm around her shoulders. “Who is your benefactor? I would dearly like to speak with them.” “Let’s just say that they pay well enough that I won’t be answering that question...and they have a keen interest in this particular situation.” Natasha peered up at him through her eyelashes as she uncrossed her legs to stretch them out next to his. “They also trust me to speak on their behalf, so you can consider them me if you need to chat.” Lucifer chuckled again, but he was done with this ruse. His fingers found her chin, pinching it gently to keep her looking at him. “Drop the Delilah act, my dear. We’ve moved beyond that, I think.” Since they were talking far more than business. “Who,” he said as he looked her dead in the eyes, and this time let her see a bit more of Hell in them. “Is. Your. Benefactor.” Natasha had seen a lot in her long decades of life, from evil, soulless men to so-called gods bent on destruction to artificial intelligence who wanted nothing more than for the world to burn. But this? It didn’t scare her, exactly, but she was a little unnerved, and one hand moved with faster-than-average speed to catch his wrist and pull his hand away from her chin. “Who I work for isn’t important,” she replied, her voice several degrees chillier now, annoyance sparking in her dark green gaze. “Why are you asking?” The fact that she did and how she managed to catch his wrist only deepened that grin of Lucifer’s. His eyes might even have taken on a touch of red in the irises. Oh, she was indeed the spitfire he took her for. He liked that. Bubble heads he could have a dime a dozen. A woman with unabashed intelligence....now that was incredible. “Because I like to know who I’m getting into bed with before I drop my knickers.” He flicked his hand and wrist until he was able to catch her fingers with his own. “Call it a survival tactic.” While the red was a tad unnerving, she didn’t let it show - after all, it wasn’t the first time she’d looked into red eyes. Her grip on his wrist tightened for an instant before he broke her grip, and her own fingers were loose in his, wanting to make sure he knew she would break away if she wanted to. She considered his words for a moment - she could answer it a couple different ways. Finally, she gave him the response that anyone would be able to figure out if they checked the network closely enough. “I’m a detective with the Ravenmoore police department,” she told him, letting him know just how reluctant she was to give that information up, all to cover up other things. “So in a way, my benefactor would be the taxpayers.” Her lips quirked a faint, rueful smile, and she arched a brow. “Satisfied?” He wouldn’t have held her if she resisted. This wasn’t that kind of situation, after all. But the information Natasha dropped on him made his eyes go hard as he froze in place. One name went through his mind as he stared at her. Decker. It always came back to Decker. Well. The police, anyway, but Lucifer was making a habit of meeting attractive females on the force. He would have to ponder that. Later. “So the good people of Ravenmoore want to keep us here, hmm?” That was...interesting. “Some of the people of Preya are concerned in regards to friends and loved ones who disappear without a trace,” she countered. Reaching out with her free hand, she refilled both of their glasses, then settled beside him with her own - not seeming to care that she was, apparently, on duty. The police gig was new, anyway. “And it seems you’re not in any hurry to go home yourself.” Lucifer would have to have friends or people he would consider loved ones to be concerned about. All he cared about was his own security. He took a drag off his cigarette while Natasha poured, eyeing her as she explained. Could he trust her? Doubtful. There was only one person...one human he had ever trusted...and she was not here. “You are perceptive,” he answered by way of confirmation. “I rather like it here. Less...road blocks.” “Then we have a mutual interest,” Natasha said lightly, giving him a perfectly innocent smile. “If I’m able to figure out how to stop this from happening to the unwilling, then it’ll cease to be a worry for you, yes?” Which should mean they could do business with one another, at least. Tilting her head curiously, she went on after a moment. “Roadblocks to what?” The question was far too personal for Lucifer to be comfortable answering. He just smiled nebulously at Natasha in answer, took another pull from his cigarette then blew the smoke out. There would have to be a whole lot more trust between them for him to let her in that much. “I am not without a considerable amount of ability. In the spirit of our mutual interest I would be willing to lend those abilities.” This time he let Hell turn his eyes completely. He didn’t show his real face, but he let a touch of his power flow out. “I’m happy to hear that,” she said smoothly. The change in his eyes had her own widening just a little, face paling a bit, but the reaction was quickly quashed as she met his gaze without fear. Toasting him with her drink, Natasha smiled once more. “За дружбу,” she said, clinking her glass against his before drinking deeply. Her fear, even as brief as it was, tingled on his senses. It tasted like thick honey to him. After so many eons of being surrounded by the fear of mortals he would know that flavor anywhere. However, to his surprise she controlled it, reined it in. Lucifer approved of her more and more. She held a strength that not a lot of mortals did. She might even be able to handle who he really was. It was a long shot, but maybe. Lucifer touched his glass to hers and responded in her native tongue without a hitch. “Is that what we’re going to be, Natasha?” Her name slithered off the tongue like silk. “Friends?” “Would you prefer a different word?” She asked it easily as she set her glass down again then, with a challenge in her eyes, reached out to take that cigarette out of his hand so that she could try it herself. His chuckle rumbled in his chest as he allowed her to take his cigarette. He had plenty of others. His smile pulled to one side as he watched her, then he leaned more toward her, his eyes locked with those beautiful greens. “I would prefer to know your definition of friendship.” “No two friendships are alike, and as such, the word defies definition,” Natasha said dryly. Inwardly, she had a quick debate with herself, then decided that since it had been a while and she didn’t really have anything to lose - and there was certainly mutual attraction - she could go for it. The redhead stamped the cigarette out on an ashtray on the table, then closed the distance between them and edged her lips across his, teasingly. That was enough for him. Lucifer’s arms wrapped around Natasha’s slender waist to pull her onto his lap. There was no teasing on his end of things. He dove right in for a deep kiss. Fortunately, there were back hallways and stairs that led to his loft from here so after a warming moment or two, he scooped her up to give her an impromptu tour….to his substantially large bedroom. If he really was the devil, Natasha hadn’t been quite sure what to expect; certainly not a kiss that left her feeling a little dizzy. She’d had sex with dozens of men and women - usually for work, occasionally for pleasure - and this was something of a different experience for her. Once they reached the penthouse, she had only a moment or two to process what she saw before Nat found herself in his bedroom, and she turned to face him once the doors were shut, almost amused at the entire situation. “That’s one way to define a friendship, I suppose.” “I like this definition, darling.” A grin of eager anticipation spread across his face as he placed her down on the bed. Lucifer made short work of his shirt then joined her half a moment later. Hours later Lucifer was standing at the large windows that faced east. All he wore were a pair of silk pajama bottoms. If the floor was cold, his bare feet didn’t feel it. His eyes drank in the sight of the pre-dawn light. Lucifer never missed a sunrise if he could help it. Almost an entire night wrapped around a Russian redhead didn’t change that. His expression was unreadable as his hands pressed gently against the window. Just as the sun crested the horizon his wings flared out behind him. It was rare that Natasha stayed in someone else’s bed all night, and rarer still because that someone had actually managed to wear her out. She’d lost track of what time it had been when she had finally drifted off to sleep, but now her eyes fluttered, then opened slowly when a beam of sunlight hit them. All she could see at first was light around Lucifer’s form - which she suddenly realized was accented with a pair of large wings. Rolling silently towards him and landing on her stomach, wrapped in a silk sheet, her hair that had fallen out of its few pins hours earlier settled around her face as she stared at the sight. It wasn’t until now that she actually believed he was who he said he was, outlined by the sunrise as he was, he almost did have a halo. Inherently, Natasha understood that this was a private moment for him, so she didn’t say a word, only studied him without blinking. Patiently, she waited several minutes, until the sun had full risen above the horizon, before she finally spoke up, her husky voice holding more edge from sleep, “Morningstar,” she mused. “Apparently you live up to your name.” If Lucifer had a halo it would be broken, black and dripping with the blood of his brothers and sisters. He did not get sent to rule Hell without a fight. He still has yet to regret his decision and actions. When Natasha spoke his wings bristled, but he did not take his eyes from the window. “Originally it was Star of the Morning, but that doesn’t exactly fit on a driver’s license.” It was only a moment later that his fingers curled against the glass as he pulled his wings in. Only then did he turn. There was a smile on his face, but his eyes held a darkness that did not reflect it. “Sleep well?” In response, she curled in briefly, then stretched slow, languid movements as she smiled at him seeming for all the world like a cat that had gotten its canary. “Very well, thank you” One hand ran through her hair as she shifted around to sit up, letting the sheet fall away as she reached down to scoop her discarded dress off of the floor, then stood, showing no modesty in front of him whatsoever. “Do you have any coffee?” Of course he watched. She really did enjoy putting on that delightful show. Lucifer couldn’t help but wonder if she knew what she was doing every single time she did something like this, or was it all planned. Also...did it matter? Modesty had no place in Lucifer’s house so her nudity went uncommented upon. “Yes, of course,” he answered as if still coming back to himself. He gestured to the phone next to the bed. “There is always someone in the kitchens of the club. Call down and they’ll bring you anything you want.” She smiled her thanks and stepped over to the phone. After ordering a pot of coffee and two cups, she hung up and headed for the bathroom to wash her face and change back into the dress. Several minutes later, the redhead stepped out again, dressed, with her hair twisted up casually as her eyes sought him out. “Last night was very enjoyable,” she told him, smiling. “Maybe we can have an encore sometime.” He hadn’t done more than put on a robe, but Lucifer had managed to pull himself together by the time Natasha returned. Honestly. After all the dawns he had witnessed since he’d fallen one would think he’d be used to them by now. He had been in the process of lighting a cigarette when she came back. Her words made him give a deep chuckle. “I wouldn’t object to that, darling. It isn’t often someone wants to come back to the devil’s bed, no matter how enjoyable.” “Why - do you have a habit of scaring away your lovers?” She asked lightly, smiling as she sat on the edge of the bed and tugged her shoes over to pull them on. “Or do you wear them out and they simply decide to stay away?” Natasha had never been intimidated by any other lover, and she wasn’t about to now, despite the fact that it had been one of the most enjoyable evenings she could remember in a very long time. More often than not, Lucifer decided his partners weren’t worth a second performance. Natasha was...different. She reminded him of Decker in a lot of ways. Not that he would ever admit that. He barely admitted it to himself. He chuckled before he answered. “Sometimes,” Lucifer said. “Sometimes they see the real me and never speak again.” “Mmm. Well, I’ve seen worse than you, Lucifer.” She stretched again and stood, then walked over to him. Cupping his face, Natasha gave him a slow, lingering kiss, then let go when a knock sounded at the door. “That must be the coffee,” she commented, glancing over. With coffee, she’d have a clearer head and be ready to go. Oh, he wasn’t so sure she’d seen worse since she hadn’t seen his true self. Not that he’d mention that. Especially not when she was kissing him like that. He returned the kiss then smirked when she went to get the coffee. Lucifer watched her, sighed appreciatively then followed. “Normally, I have a bit of the hair of the dog, but I suppose coffee will do.” Natasha walked to the door and pulled in the cart that had precisely what she’d ordered sitting on it. Pouring them each a large mug of coffee, she held one out to him and picked up hers, arching a brow as her lips quirked in a faint smirk. “The devil can get drunk?” She asked it teasingly, then sipped her coffee, relaxing a little at the smooth taste. “Not really,” he answered with a cock of his head and a grin. “It can happen, but it takes a whole lot more than whisky to manage it. I just like the taste of it.” Lucifer accepted the cup of coffee from her then lifted it a little as if in toast. “Cheers.” He jerked his head toward one of the expensive leather couches. “So. You work for the police.” She was a little surprised at the invitation, having expected him to politely but firmly send her on her way. Without comment, she walked over to the indicated couch and sat, once more crossing one leg over the other, and cupped her mug with both hands. “I do. It’s a fairly recent position - I joined not long after I came to Preya.” “You don’t strike me as the law and order type,” he said with a lopsided smirk. Lucifer took a seat on the other end of the couch, all the better to face her. He wasn’t to know more about this Natasha. “There is something about you. Something orderly. Controlled. But not the law. So what is it?” “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she replied with a faint laugh, turning towards him as he sat. Lifting her mug, she drank again, then studied him over the rim. “A girl has to have some secrets, doesn’t she?” Tilting her head, jade eyes regarded him in return. “You’re not used to not having all the answers, are you?” Lucifer chuckled. “On the contrary. I find I don’t have all the answers quite a bit.” There were times when that annoyed him, but not often. It just spurred him on to get those answers. “You suggested I work with you and the police on finding out about the disappearances, and how to stop them. To adequately do that I need to know your motivations.” “It isn’t enough that I was assigned to find out, and that I’m investigating these disappearances?” Somehow, she had a feeling it wasn’t, and after considering him briefly, she supplied him with one small piece of personal information. “Friends of mine are among the missing. I’d like to find out what happened to them, as I know that none of them wanted to leave Preya.” It didn’t answer his question, but it did explain a little more about why she was personally invested in this ‘case’. If that was how she was going to play it then Lucifer would show her the door and not help her in any way. Fortunately, she followed up with the truth. Lucifer smiled as he pointed at her. “Now that is more like it. Perhaps I will help you after all.” Because more importantly he would like to see to it that the disappearances stop so whatever was causing them didn’t take aim at him. “Why? Because I gave you a legitimate reason for my investigation?” Natasha arched a brow, lips quirked in a small smile briefly before she took another long sip of her coffee. “Or is it purely for your own reasons?” Color her just as curious about him as he was about her. “An equal measure of both,” he answered just as honestly and in a very cheeky tone of voice. “You gave me a good reason and helping you helps secure my place here.” He lifted his coffee mug in toast. “Mutual back scratching. Metaphorically.” “I can live with that,” she replied, toasting him in return before stretching her legs out absently. “Let me see your cell phone,” she told him, setting her mug down and holding out her hand so she could put her information in it. “I trust that this arrangement of ours will remain discreet.” Lucifer handed over his cell. While she was entering her information he picked up one of those dainty feet and began massaging it. “My dear, I am the very definition of keeping a secret.” His grin was not to be trusted, but it was true. He knew more secrets than anyone. Sometimes he thought he knew more than dear old Dad. Natasha’s toes flexed slightly in his hands, then relaxed as he caressed her well-toned foot. After entering her name and cell phone number into his phone, she sent herself a text, then handed it back over and settled back, leaning against the arm of the couch at her end. “I’m happy to hear that.” The cell phone was set aside as unimportant at the moment then Lucifer went back to Natasha’s foot. “What shall we talk about now?” He leered a grin at her as his hands began working their way up her ankle to her calf, every inch taking him closer to her. His intention was plain enough to see on his face. She chuckled faintly at the look on his face, her eyes warming a bit as she relaxed more as he started to shift closer. “To be honest, I think we’ve done enough talking for the time being,” she drawled. At this rate, the dress she’d just put back on was going to be ending up on the floor very soon… and Natasha was okay with that. |