The bed was warm and soft against her skin. Snuggling further into the covers, she pulled the pillow down even with her and hugged it. She was well-rested but staying in bed felt like a wonderful prospect. Letting out a long sigh, she cuddled closer to the pillow and drifted back to sleep.
The bed shifted from under her and an arm rested itself across her stomach. Her eyes shot open. Whatever thoughts she had of spending the day in bed quickly left her. Flying out from under the covers, she grabbed the pillow and slammed her back against the wall. Wielding the pillow like a weapon, she struggled to gain her bearings.
Leaning in her bed casually on one elbow was Ben. He was shirtless and the outline of every muscle was clearly defined. His hair was messy and she had to fight every ounce of her being not to climb back under the covers with him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
A sly grin crossed his face. Sitting up, he raised his arms over his head and stretched. He knew she was watching him so he was sure to take his time, flexing every muscle he could, before leaning back against the headboard. “I was sleeping until you kicked me.”
Lowering her pillow, Elizabeth was at a loss. “You were supposed to sleep on the floor, you ass!”
He only shrugged his shoulders, “The floor was cold and too hard, so I moved after you fell asleep.”
She was shocked. Chucking the pillow at him, Elizabeth stormed into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. After using the toilet and washing her face, she stared in the mirror, not wanting to go back into her room. Looking down, she still had the thin robe on. She slept with it on all night. At least that means he didn’t try anything.
Cracking the door open, she peered out of the bathroom. No sign of him. Tip-toeing into the room, she went straight for the door and locked it. Feeling like her privacy was secure, she took her time getting dressed. After brushing her teeth, she made the bed and tidied up the room. The clock said it was almost noon and she still had a lot to do.
Walking downstairs there was no sign of him. Peering out the windows, she saw that his car was gone. Good; that meant she could get on with her day and not have any more awkward moments. Grabbing her purse, she immediately left the house, did the grocery shopping and picked up Wendy’s for lunch. After putting the groceries in the make-shift kitchen, she sat down at the computer to eat and try to find out some more information on her rude house guest.
She wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but figured the more she knew about him the better. Most of what she found was absolutely useless. Some sites claimed he was supposed to be lazy and worthless, which really didn’t concern her. She was looking for something with substance. In the end she went through an ungodly amount of sites and spent more time than she intended trying to find anything worthwhile on him.
She needed to take a break from her research to get some work done on the house, however. The electricians had finished during the week so she was able to start installing the drywall. After only a few hours she had all the panels screwed in the living room and decided to move onto the kitchen before floating it.
She wasn’t in the kitchen long when a familiar voice made her jump. “What are you doing?”
She’d been standing on a small stepladder and nearly fell off when she heard him. Lowering the sheet of drywall to the floor, she slowly climbed off the ladder and turned to face him. Ben was standing in the doorway and had a large tote bag flung over his shoulder. Grabbing a dirty rag off another ladder, she wiped her face clean of dirt and dust. “What are you doing?” Elizabeth said. “And what’s with the bag?”
Without hesitation, he replied, “I’m moving in.”
Wide-eyed, she stared at him. Anger quickly flooded her veins and growling, she tossed the dirty rag to the floor. “Like hell you are! Who told you that you can move into my house?!”
“I did.” A smooth calm voice came from the front of the house. Walking between the bare studs, Lucifer moved into the kitchen. He was just as beautiful as she remembered and she had to shake herself back to reality before continuing to protest, “No! No, he can’t move in here!”
“You’re in danger,” Lucifer said.
“Because of you!” Glaring at Elizabeth, Lucifer didn’t appreciate the tone she was taking with him.
Clearing his throat, his eyes narrowed. “Whoever’s fault it is doesn’t matter. The simple fact is that you’re in danger and cannot defend yourself. Belial can, and these are his orders.” Pausing, a sly smile parted Lucifer’s lips. “Besides, I already reprimanded him for sleeping in your bed and he knows he has to stay in his room at night.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed and her mouth dropped open. She was speechless. Why would he share a story like that? Who else had he told? With her luck it would be common knowledge around the entire town in no time and she wouldn’t be able to show her face at church for the next few weeks.
Feeling he was now in control, Lucifer continued to give orders. “Belial, go put your things upstairs. Elizabeth, go shower and put on something nice.”
Snapping out of her lull, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What? No. You don’t go upstairs and I’m busy and won’t stop until I want to.”
Belial stopped in his tracks. Wide eyed he turned slowly, looking between Lucifer and Elizabeth in turn. She was pushing her luck. Lucifer had a temper and had been curbing it in front of her, but that would only last for so long.
Lucifer didn’t move, however. His eyes stayed locked on Elizabeth. His face was stone cold and his lack of expression was intimidating. Fidgeting, she pulled on her fingers and tapped her toe on the floor nervously. Staring at her feet she was unable to back up her words. Without looking up, she trudged slowly past Belial. Motioning for him to follow, she progressed up the stairs and walked to the only empty room left. Opening the door, she flicked the light on.
“You’ll have to get either a bed or a mattress. I don’t have another bed at the moment. Until then there’s a couch in the next room you can sleep on.”
Taking a step past her, he looked into the empty space. It was sizable but completely empty except for a solitary chair sitting in the corner. Placing his bag on the floor, he nodded. “This will do fine.”
Nodding absently, Elizabeth left him and went to her own room. Standing in the shower, she let the hot water lap over her. She didn’t want to go with them. She didn’t want them in her house. But she was listening to him anyway. It was like she was being compelled to, from the inside. She couldn’t control it.
She didn’t rush, however, and remained in the shower for over thirty minutes. Taking her time drying, she also straightened her hair. It even took her awhile to pick out something to wear. She didn’t know what he considered “nice.” That was the worst phrase ever: “Put on something nice.” After over thinking her outfit, she settled on a knee-length skirt and a scoop-neck shirt. After slipping on a pair of sandals, she finally headed downstairs towards the unknown and the forbidden.
Chapter 8