Dealings With The Devil

Chapter Six: Don't Leave

I woke again when the sound of the Tv got loud. A hand was stroking my hair, gently untangling the knots. I hummed, burying my face further into the warmth of a person. A small chuckle reached my ears, and I opened my eyes. Lucas was watching me, his expression loving.

"You're cute when you sleep."

I groaned, no longer enjoying his sweetness. "Can you go ten seconds without sounding creepy, please?" I asked. He laughed, leaning down and kissing my forehead gently. "Nope." I scrunched up my face, launching myself up. Bad idea. My skull felt a sharp pain and Lucas cried out. I gripped my head, falling back down on the pillow.

Lucas held onto his chin, the skin red with irritation. "Malaika, please never do that again." I laughed, the action racking waves of pain through my head. "Noted." He laughed with me, a sound that I wouldn't have guessed would sound so good coming from his mouth.

"What time is it?"

"Nine o'clock."

I yawned, my head still in his lap. "Cool." I got up, this time carefully, my feet hitting the cold floor. I realized that a black leather jacket-that was three times larger than I was-draped over my shoulders, coming down half my legs. "Keep it." I turned and looked at Lucas. "What?"

"Keep the jacket. You liked it when you slept."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I bowed my head, hair falling in my face to keep him from seeing. "Thanks." I stumbled to my room, embarrassed and flushed. I realized that it smelt like his cologne, my nose enjoying the scent. I recoiled, tearing the jacket off of me.

Really, Ashlyn? He's a criminal. Trying to seduce you so he can squeeze information out.

The voice in my head scolded me. Only it didn't feel like that...

Waving it off, I changed into a Dolly Parton t-shirt with ripped black jeans. I placed on my warm boots, grabbing my winter coat. I walked to the door, Lucas still on the couch. "Where you going?" He asked. I noticed he still didn't have on a shirt. "Out." I shortly answered. His marble abs coaxed me to come to him. I turned, blocking my view.

"Really?" I heard him walk behind me, his fingers tracing up my arm. "Or are you avoiding me?" I let out a shaky breath, his closeness intoxicating. "Stop it." I feebly said. I tried to sound confident, but it came out weak. "Is that what you want?" He cooed into my ear. "Yes." I said, my eyes shut. Lucas planted a kiss on my clothed shoulder.

"Don't ignore it. Just give in."

My eyes flashed open.

"The Devil will always try to get you to give into your deepest desires, Ashlyn. Ignore him always."

I broke away, throwing the door open and slipping on my coat. "Malaika?" Lucas called after me. I shook my head. "Lucas, I'm just going out. Leave me alone." I ran to the elevator, not looking back at him.

I pressed the down arrow, the metal box sliding open almost immediately. It was as if the nonliving object could tell I needed out as fast as possible. I stepped in, hit the L button, peeking out for a split second to see if Lucas was following. He wasn't there, and I sighed in relief as the doors shut.

Swallowing, I collapsed against the back wall. When the doors slid open again, I hastily made my way out of the building. The brisk, cool air caused me to hug my coat closer to my body. The streets of New York were crowded as usual, my legs pumping faster as I hurried away from where my demons lay.

The people chattering calmed me.

A young couple was swinging their little girl along, her face a spitting image of pure happiness. A gay couple held hands through the window of a coffee shop, the two men laughing carelessly. Even a woman yelling on the phone had her face melt into a softer expression. Not quite a smile, but something to be hold of.