Irene Gallier felt her stomach turn to a thousand knots when she heard the plane was ready to land in Los Anglos, California. She had no idea where yet but, there was a feeling of dread of where she might be going. The man sitting next to her was going to lead her to this place of dread. This man looked awfully like her brother, Paul but this man wasn't her brother, he was the Devil. "Don't be scared, dear. You'll be fine," he said, his hand over her hand. Her body went hot and cold all over from the simple gesture, ever since she first slept with him that one time she hadn't felt the same.
"Will this really help me…Lu?" she asked, feeling uncertain. Irene's life had been filled with too many uncertainties from her appearance to her new discovery as a shifter. Lucifer took her hand and kissed it, her skin went into goosebumps at the sensation. "I'm pretty sure, Irene. I wouldn't have asked you if it wouldn't," he said, his voice sounded warm and smooth like melting chocolate. Irene took her hand back, blushing from ear to ear. She didn't know weather to feel fear or lust as the plane descended further to the ground.
"So where's it at?" asked Irene, feeling a little confused on were this mansion would be. In her mind she thought it would actually be in LA or in Hollywood but as of now they were driving down a highway in the desert. "Be patient, darling. We're getting there," said Lucifer, calmly. Through the rest of the drive Irene remained quite with certain memories going through her mind: Paul, Female, the Caesars, Raphael….the thought of what he did was enough to make her sick. Oh better the Devil then with that monster any day. Just as she thought about that they finally came to a stop in Death Valley. Once Irene got out of the car it felt like her skin was about to melt off. While sweat formed on her flesh just by standing outside, Lucifer showed no trace of perspiration. Well, what a lucky Devil, thought Irene.
"So where's it at?" asked Irene, she felt like she was going to faint by simply standing in this hot desert. Lucifer remained silent, he put two hands over her eyes for a few seconds then lifted them away from her vision. A few seconds ago she saw nothing but desert, now she was staring at a beautifully crafted gold and ivory mansion. Irene may have looked at it forever if Lucifer hadn't helped her back into the icy cool car.
"So what do you think?" he asked, driving the car around the back of the mansion.
"It's really pretty, why is it in the desert?"
"For privacy sake and I'm not meaning me either."
"What else lives here?"
"You'll see eventually," he said, once he parked his car in the garage Irene was just about to get out before he stopped her.
"Before we proceed I want you to be informed," said Lucifer, Irene was beginning to feel the knots in her stomach again. Already she was imagining the scenarios of intense sadomasochism gave her more fear then arousal. Oh God, I'm going to get punished for killing people, thought Irene with her heart pounding in her chest. "I can hear your heart beating really fast, are you afraid of something?" he asked, putting a gentle hand on hers. Wonderfully soft hands.
"I'm not into rough sex, even though I might have…..killed some men."
"Oh, I see, you think I'm going to be like Christian Grey, right?"
"Well…" Irene began, "You are called the Devil so I can't help but imagine us in s dungeon full of fire and brim stone." For a moment it was silent, Irene was about to apologize for offending him until he began laughing.
"Oh Irene, I will admit I do act upon rough sex when it's asked for, otherwise my interest is in other things."
"Like what?"
"You'll eventually see but, I just wanted to let you know that love is used differently here then what it's viewed in mortal society. I am going to give you a little advice, it is alright to love someone but don't get too attached to anyone here. This place is meant to know your desires and act upon them with no judgment. The day you want a monogamous relationship is the day you leave Paradiso. Do we understand each other?" Irene nodded, she still felt the knots in her stomach but they were less intense as before. Once she closed the door behind her Lucifer forced a kiss on her lips. The kiss lasted a few seconds but, it left Irene wanting more. Ever since that one moment together she's always been wanting more.
"That's just a sample of what's to come," he said, his thump grazing her lips. For a moment she was tempted to kiss him again but controlled herself. She didn't want to look desperate. Lucifer took her hand and led her inside Paradiso where her life was going to change entirely.