Lucifer (Brimstone Heat Book 1) (3 page)

For a few brief seconds, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel his touch and his presence. But then her eyes opened and she realized what she was doing. Angie wiggled her shoulders to loosen his hand. She took a couple of steps forward.

Slowly, she scanned the room. Bookshelves were overturned and books were scattered everywhere. Pages had been ripped from some of the books, and were strewn about the entire room almost like confetti. The chairs that weren’t reduced to kindling had their seats cut open and the stuffing pulled out. “Why would someone do this? Why would they destroy the library?” Angie turned and stared at Lucifer. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “This was way more than just someone vandalizing the library for fun.”

“I don’t know why someone did this but you’re right about this not being just a case of vandalism. Have you received any kind of threats about reopening the library?” The idea of anyone threatening her made him extremely angry.

Angie shook her head. “Every communication we’ve received has been positive. People in town want the library open. So who would have done this?” She looked at the mess. “How am I going to get this mess cleaned up and books replaced so that the library can open? The grand opening is just a couple of weeks away.”

“Marcus Wolfe said he will get a construction crew in here. He gave his word, which means it will happen, no matter the cost,” said Lucifer, trying to reassure Angie. He hated seeing his lifemate so upset.

“I know. Things can be repaired and books replaced, but that’s not the point.” She gestured to the room. “This was intentional hatred. But who or what is it directed at?”

Lucifer closed the distance between them. He started to pull her into his embrace, but Angie turned her back to him and wrapped her arms around her waist. He stepped back. “Have there been any threats against you?”

“What?” Angie turned around.

“Has anyone threatened you?” Lucifer asked again.

Angie blinked several times. She thought about Ted Whitley, the man who kill her parents, but dismissed the idea. She hadn’t received any personal threats at least not sense Ted Whitley’s trial, but the last she heard, Whitley was still serving his seventy year sentence with no chance of parole. “No, I haven’t received any threats. “ Angie didn’t think there was any point to mentioning Whitley and her connection to him. He was in prison, and she didn’t want to discuss her past.

“If you think of anyone, let me know,” said Lucifer.

“As soon as I get the chance, I’ll go back through my emails, but I don’t remember any threats.” She looked around the room and closed her eyes hoping to keep the tears from falling. “There is so much to do.” She opened her eyes and glanced at Lucifer. It was all she could do not to run to him and wrap arms around his sculpted body. She wanted to feel his strength wrapped around her. He put the cover models on her favorite romance books to shame. “When will the deputies finish their search for clues?”

“They should be done within the next fifteen to thirty minutes,” he said.

Angie bit her bottom lip. Lucifer’s voice was absolutely too sexy. She felt as if she was going to melt every time she heard it. Angie nodded. “I’ll grab a notepad and pen from the front desk and start on the list for Mr. Wolfe. It is okay for me to get the notepad and pen off the desk?”

“I’ll get them for you.” Lucifer glanced at his watch. “It will be lunchtime in a about thirty minutes. How about I take you out to lunch, and when we get back, I can help you.”

The offer was tempting—too tempting, but Angie shook her head. “I’ve actually have plans for lunch. Thank you for your offer of lunch and to help me, but I have to turn both your offers down.” It really hurt to tell him that, but Angie kept telling herself it was for the best. She didn’t need to get involved with a cop.

If only she could convince her body that they didn’t need or want him.

“I still can’t believe someone actually broke into the library and trashed it.” Gracie took a drink of her iced, sweet tea. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why would anyone do that?” She set the glass down next to the almost empty plate.

“I don’t know. But you’re right, it doesn’t make any sense.” Angie shrugged her shoulders. “From the mess, you would think it was a bunch of teenagers. But the alarm system was not only disabled, it was completely destroyed. Somehow the system was fried. That’s not exactly something teenagers would think about doing.”

“Are you going to have to reschedule the opening?” asked Gracie.

Angie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I hope I don’t have to, but there’s a good chance I will have to reschedule the opening. A construction crew is going to rebuild the damaged bookshelves, but furniture has to be replaced, and then there are the damaged books that have to be reordered and inventoried into the system before they can be put on the shelves. And that doesn’t count sorting through the damaged books and removing them from inventory.” She shook her head. “I just don’t know what to do.”

Gracie shook her head. “All of this because of one idiot who has something against libraries.”

“I would like to get my hands on that idiot and teach him a lesson. Even just five minutes with him or her would make me feel better.” Angie took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. Her blood was at a boiling point. “It’s ridiculous the amount of work one person has caused. The more I think about it the angrier I get.” She wanted to slam her fist down on the table, but because she was in a public place, she fought the urge.

“If you need any help, I’ll be there,” said Gracie. “And I’ll get Quinn and the others to help.”

Angie stared at the crowd as she chewed on her bottom lip. Her thoughts drifted to Lucifer Fitch.

“What’s wrong?” Gracie leaned forward.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Angie picked up her glass and took a drink.

“Something’s bothering you, and I don’t think it’s just what happened at the library.” Gracie shook a finger at her. “What is it? And don’t you dare tell me there is nothing wrong. You and I bother know you are lying.”

Angie rolled her eyes. “Sometimes, you are just a little too nosy for your own good.”

“Yet you still love me.” Gracie grinned. “So spill it.”

Angie propped her arms on the table and leaned toward her friend. “What can you tell me about Lucifer Fitch?”

Gracie stared at Angie and blinked several times. “The sheriff?”

“No, the deputy by the same name.” Angie rolled her eyes. “Of course, the sheriff.” She sighed as she sat back. “You know what? Just forget it. It’s really not that important.

“You just caught me by surprise. You’ve never asked me about a guy before. Gracie’s mouth dropped open. She stared at her friend. “You’re interested in him aren’t you?”

Angie shook her head. “It’s nothing like that,” she said.
Yeah, it’s nothing like that. I just want to get naked and wrap him around me.

“Denial after a question like that, is a sure sign you are interested in the person. I can see it in your eyes. So, what do you want to know about the good sheriff of our town?”  Her lips slowly turned up into huge smile.

“It was nothing. Just forget I asked,” Angie said again. Her cheeks grew warm and turned pink.

“Not so fast. What are you not telling me?” asked Gracie

“He kind of asked me to go to lunch with him, and I…I kind of turned him down.” Angie chewed on her bottom lip. “I think I did the right thing. But…”

Gracie looked at her friend and blinked several times. “He asked you out and you turned him down? Are you crazy? Have you ever noticed how good looking he is?”

“If you haven’t notice, he’s a cop.”

“So? You should have gone out with him. I would have definitely understood and forgiven you. A date with the hot sheriff? I would have definitely understood and applauded you.” Gracie shook her head. “What am I going to do with you?”

“But he’s a cop,” protested Angie.

“So?”

“You know I don’t date cops and you know why.” Angie crossed her arms and stared at her friend.

“You should at least date him. One date won’t hurt you. Not all cops die because of their profession. Angie, not all cops are going to die like your dad and mom did.”

Angie sighed. “It’s not just the cop issue.”

“Then explain to me why you would turn down a date with a hottie like Lucifer Fitch?” Gracie crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in the chair. She had the same look on her face mother’s had when they were disciplining their children. “You need to put on you big girl panties, or better yet, your big girl thong, and go after that man. As far as I know, he hasn’t asked out any of the women in town. That makes you special.”

“He’s not exactly human,” whispered Angie.

“So? Most of the people in town are not exactly human.”

“I don’t know what he is, but I do know the sheriff is not human.”

“Hello! Quinn, my mate, is not exactly human either. He’s a shifter, like most of the town. Are you even listening?”

Angie leaned closer to Gracie. “I’m not talking about shifters.” She looked down at the half-eaten food on the plate in front of her. She shook her head and grimaced as she shoved the plate away from her. “I’m talking about Lucifer Fitch.”

“I get you have issues because he is a police officer.” Gracie grabbed her friend’s hand and squeezed. “I would have issues with cops too, if I had been traumatized the way you were. And don’t tell me you weren’t. But sooner or later you are going to have to face your demons and move past them.”

Angie bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. She wiped away several tears with her free hand.

“Angie, are you okay?” Concern filled Gracie’s voice.

“Yes. No.” Angie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I was fine until I met Sheriff Fitch.” She opened her eyes and looked at her best friend. “He’s not human, and he’s not a shifter. I’ve never seen an aura like his.”

“And?” Gracie raised an eyebrow.

“And he makes me feel things that I’ve never felt before.” Angie lowered her voice to barely a whisper.

“Creepy, skin crawly feeling?” Gracie leaned closer. “Or a hot, tingly, throw him down and have your way with him feeling?” She waggled her eyebrows.

Angie was so embarrassed. She felt her cheeks burn. “It is definitely the second one. But…” She sighed and shook her head.

“But what?”

Angie pulled her hand out of Gracie’s and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s just that…”

“You like him. I mean, really, really like him. Don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Angie reluctantly admitted. “But…” She didn’t dare tell Gracie that Lucifer was her lifemate.

“But what?” asked Gracie again.

“My idea of an exciting date is a stroll through the park, or maybe pizza and a movie at home.” Angie scrunched her nose. “I’m boring. I’m a librarian, and then there’s the fact I’m several sizes larger than normal. He’s gorgeous, and he can have his pick of the beautiful, skinny women that I’m completely sure are falling at his feet. Why would he want me?” She slowly shook her head. “If he saw me without clothes on, his getaway would look like a cartoon character smashing through several walls without stopping.”

“I was thinking more on the lines that you two could play cops and robbers with the big chase scene taking place in the bedroom and ends with you tied naked to the bed.” Gracie snorted and laughed.

“I can’t believe you said that!” Angie’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“Or you two could have some fun with his handcuffs. If you know what I mean.” Gracie winked.

“Gracie Hunter, I’m going to tell Quinn you have a dirty mind.”

Gracie shrugged. “Go ahead. You won’t be telling him anything he doesn’t already know. Besides, we are talking about you and the hunky sheriff, not me and my mate.”

Angie shook her head. “Don’t even tease me about him. There are just too many strikes against me and against him.”

“I really think you are protesting too much. Maybe we should just ask Sheriff Lucifer Fitch what he thinks.”

Angie stared at her friend as if she had grown two heads. “I really don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Why not? At least you would know one way or the other and not have to worry with all this speculation and guessing you’re doing.” Gracie picked up her glass and shook it.

“And then he laughs when he finds out the fat girl who turned him down really likes him. I don’t even want to go there. It opens up too many ways for him to hurt me.”

“I really doubt he would laugh at you. In fact, I bet he really likes and wants you just like a starving man wants food.”

“Why would you tease me about that? It’s not funny.”

“I’m not teasing you,” said Gracie. “I meant everything I said because that’s exactly how he is staring at you right this minute.” She nodded her head toward the bar.

“He’s what?” She blinked in disbelief.

“He’s here, and he has been staring at you the whole time,” said Gracie with a smug little grin on her face.

“No. This can’t be happening.” Angie desperately wanted a sinkhole to open up and swallow her. She knew he wasn’t human, and even though he wasn’t a shifter either, he probably had heard everything she had said. “This is so not good.”

“Hello Sheriff. How are you doing today?” Gracie grinned as she looked at the tall man who was now standing behind Angie.

“He’s standing behind me, isn’t he?” Angie frowned and wondered if she could crawl under the table without anyone seeing her do it.

“I’m good. Actually, I’m better now.” He pulled out the chair next to Angie and sat down.

Angie bit her bottom lip. The floor just refused to open up and swallow her. “Sheriff.” She glanced at him only to find Lucifer staring at her.

He looked directly into her blue eyes. “I like strolls in the park. Pizza and a movie at home sounds great to me. I’m not much for crowds in my off time. And yes, I like the idea of playing cops and robbers. It could be interesting for both of us. I wouldn’t have asked you out if I wasn’t interested in you, and it’s not a passing thing. I meant it when I said you were mine. I’m just curious about what you have against cops.”

The pure rush of lust blindsided Angie. She had to get away from the sheriff before she did something totally stupid…like climb into his lap and kiss him. She glanced down at her watch. “I need to get going. I’ve got a lot to do in order to keep our original opening date.” She stood up. “I’ll call you later,” she said to Gracie. “Good day, Sheriff.” Angie turned and made a hasty retreat out of the bar and grill.

Lucifer watched Angie leave the building. He fought the urge to go after her. He needed to know about her issues with police. He turned to Gracie. “Why is she running from me?”

“It’s not you personally.” Gracie slowly shook her head.

“It’s the cop thing, isn’t it?”

Gracie sighed. “It’s not my story to tell. You will have to get Angie to tell you, but I can guarantee it’s not you personally,” she said again.

“It sure feels that way.”

“It’s the uniform and what it represents,” she said.

“My uniform?” he asked.

“That’s all I’m saying about that. If you want to know more, you have to get Angie to tell you.”

“That’s it?” Lucifer’s face didn’t reveal any emotion.

“I’ll give you a piece of advice. Get to know her and give her time to get to know you. I’ve never seen her this emotional about a man. I have a strong feeling it’s more than just liking you or being attracted to you.” Gracie leaned forward. “I don’t care what you are. If you hurt my friend, there won’t be any place you can hide where I won’t find you. Not even in Hell.”

Lucifer smiled at Gracie. “Hurting Angie in any way is not even on my radar. She is my lifemate.” He stood up. “If I do hurt her, you are welcome to follow me into the depths of Hell. But I doubt it will be anything like you’re expecting.”

Gracie looked at Lucifer without cowering. “Then make sure you don’t hurt her. She is my best friend. She hasn’t had the easiest of lives.”

Lucifer tipped his head to Gracie, and then turned and left the bar and grill.