The Devil's Mark (Book 1)

Chapter Three: The City of Angeles

Jason

On a final descent into LAX, the early morning sun came up over the horizon. Sparkling skies above the city, a gentle breeze blowing across the beach-goers. Lucifer emerged from the back of the plane dressed in the same suit and tie as last night. We barely made eye contact with one another as the flight attendant announced our arrival into Los Angeles.

As the jet touched down on the tarmac, it's wheels leaving a trail of rubber in it's wake, I waited until my stomach was back in it's rightful place and not in my throat to breathe a sigh of relief. The twin turbo engines shut down as the cabin door lowered to the ground. Lucifer was the first to get off the plane with me by his side where an Audi was already waiting.

I got in and sat down without restraint as Lucifer put on a pair of dark sunglasses and put the car in drive. The streets of L.A. were unlike anything I ever read from a gossip magazine at a seven-eleven. Bumper to bumper. Angry motorists. Shouting profanities at one another before the road rage begins and the fists start flying. I don't know how people survive without it.

The drive across town took about forty-five minutes. But the silence in the car was defying to say the least. When I asked if I could turn on the radio, Lucifer didn't respond. He just nodded his head instead and kept both hands on the wheel. I leaned back against my seat and enjoyed the view until I couldn't take it anymore and decided just to speak up.

"So, you live here?"

"Mm-mmm."

"Are we going to your place now?"

"Yes."

"Well, what do you know? It speaks."

He smirked. "Smartass."

On a long winding driveway protected by an automatic gate, a mansion sitting high on a hill overlooked the entire city including the ocean. A two-story glass house with modern features and sleek furniture looked like it was plucked right out of a Home & Garden magazine. The car came to a stop and we stepped out. This would be the first time I actually felt the California sun on my neck.

"Home sweet home," Lucifer said. "Allow me to give you the grand tour later tonight."

"I wasn't expecting it to look so...so..."

"Nice? Clean?"

"I was going to say classic, but okay."

"What?" He chuckled. "You were expecting a creepy old mansion with gargoyles on every corner of the roof. And an old guy dressed as a butler standing by the door holding a candle?"

"Yeah, I was, if you were a vampire."

"Trust me. I'm hotter than fucking Edward Cullen. I've got moves he never had."

I laugh as we take to the front porch and walk right up to the door. Except, no key is necessary. He just blinks and the lock unlatches and the door swings open with a thud. Than being a gentleman, Lucifer lets me go inside first, crossing the threshold. He sets the bags down in the sitting room and goes upstairs holding my hand.

"Do you have anything in mind for dinner tonight?" He asked.

"Are you cooking?"

"As a matter of fact, I am. I just happen to be an excellent chef. I can make you anything to your heart's desire."

"Alright. I believe I will have chicken parmesan in a creamy Alfredo sauce."

"Delicioso. I hope you like wine. Cause I got a lot of it."

"Wine. Wine is good."

Lucifer leaned in close. His body pressed up tight against mine as we stood in the middle of the kitchen next to the sink. I stare into his eyes but try not to get lost in them at the same time. Red as blood with specks of gold flecks around the irises. But the way he licked his lips made me blush.

"Stop that," I said.

He smirked. "Stop what?"

"You're licking your lips. It's kind of sexy."

Oh, my God! I can't believe I just said that out loud. Lucifer chuckled as he took a step back and crossed his arms.

"Boy, am I going to have fun with you."