Synching With the Devil's Son

Chapter 62

Bella's P.O.V.

As soon as I return to the table, leaving Lucien in the kitchen to call his father, my family turns to me with a barrage of questions.

"Is that boy treating you right, Princess?" my Dad asks, looking into my face for signs of malfeasance. When I nod and smile he says, "I don't want you getting hurt. You've been hurt too much in this lifetime."

"He has been a complete gentleman, Dad," I assure him, purposefully leaving out the fact that I have held the most intimate parts of Lucien in my hands. Does that make me a liar? A Siren? A Goddess?

Chris is looking at me speculatively. "I know what teenage boys want, Bella, and you need to let him know what's okay and what isn't."

Oh my God, we are not having this conversation here, at the dinning table, with its subject standing in the other room on the phone with his father, the Devil. I fight back the urge to tell them Lucien is older than all of us put together, so I just nod and try to present a genuine smile. "I know, I know. I promise you Lucien is one of the good guys." Hmm, I truly believe that, so maybe his Dad isn't that bad, right?

They are quiet for a moment, and we can hear the dulcet tones of Lucien speaking in the kitchen. "I like him," my Dad tells me suddenly. "I want him to sleep on the couch, but I was young once too. Just try to be up before me if he doesn't manage to stay downstairs all night."

I chuckle. My Dad, my protector, my valiant Knight just gave me permission to sleep with my boyfriend under the roof of our house. "Thanks Dad," I say, getting up to kiss his cheek. He pulls me in for a hug and whispers, "I'm so thankful you're getting past your trauma."

I nod at him and say, "Lucien is helping a lot. He's been so great, so patient, and I'm thoroughly relieved you like him."

"He seems like a good kid," my brother concedes, "but if you ever need me to rough him up to remind him you have an older brother looking out for you, just let me know."

I laugh out loud at the image of Chris trying to take on my angel. "That won't be necessary, I promise," I tell him, walking back into the kitchen as Lucien is hanging up with his Dad.

"You've made quite the impression," I tell him. "My Dad just gave you permission to sleep with me, as long as we're up before him in the morning so he doesn't have to witness it."

Lucien gives me a smug look. "Did he now? I was going to suggest one of the barns, but I'd much rather have you on a comfortable bed."

I can feel my face flush, and I'm at a loss for words. He chuckles. "You are adorable when you're flustered," he tells me, kissing my forehead and leaning in close. "Should I go to the pharmacy?" he whispers silkily in my ear.

I look at him with wide eyes and nod quickly. As usual, Lucien took what I said in a sexual manner. I just meant we could sleep, as in close our eyes and sleep together, but that's not how he interpreted it, and it's not what I should have meant either. After the weekend we had, I should have realized he would hear 'sleeping together' and equate it to 'having sex'. Besides, my inner Goddess is ready to beat me with a crow bar if I keep her waiting much longer. He gives me a lascivious grin and heads out the front door.