Chapter 5: The Benefits of Pleasurable Company
Lucifer hoped Maze's reservation had been a soft 5 pm, as it was fifteen after by the time his keys were handed over to the restaurant valet. With a nervous hand, he smooth the front of his jacket while refastening the buttons. Maze could be quite vicious when he was running late for business meetings and he would rather not sit through another lecture on the fiscal responsibility of punctuality. As the hostess led him into the main hall, his eyes were drawn to the two women he came here to meet.
Across from a smiling Maze, long dark hair spilled over the satin black dress that seemed practically painted onto Natalie's skin. As he was brought to his seat at the table, the hostess' longing glances were lost to him as twin storms enveloped him once again. The slightest sense of panic crossed his mind, but he held little desire to focus on the sensation.
"Miss. Varquez, Maze, wonderful to see you both."
"Oh well, see, I told you he'd show. Late, but here." Maze commented, hardly acknowledging his greeting.
"Better late than never, I believe the saying goes?" The storms flickered with amusement.
"Quite. Am I too late to order dinner? Rough day at the office and all." He responded with a chuckle as he settled into his chair at the tall, intimate table.
"Don't worry, Lucy, I ordered for you." Maze said from behind her wine glass, his family nick-name grating his nerves. It seemed Maze intended to annoy him as punishment for his late appearance.
"Thank you, Maze. The Perfect Assistant, as usual." He countered calmly. Maze's twitch of irritation nearly ended with a shattered glass.
"Well, now that everyone is here, shall we go over the details of the new contract?" Natalie asked, eyes lit with humor as she watched their exchange.
"Uh, Yeah." Maze said as she cleared her throat. A small stack of papers appeared from the case on the floor beside her. A quick flip through assured her that all the pages were present as she placed it on the table.
Before Lucifer could finish reading the first page, Natalie scooped the pile up and began flipping through. "Looks ok, except for one detail. I need Tuesdays guaranteed off."
"Done." Maze said quickly as she snatched back the contract. A bright red pen made a quick edit and the contract and pen were handed back to Natalie.
With a chuckle for Maze's enthusiasm, Natalie's signature graced the final page of the contract. As she handed it to Lucifer, time paused for just a moment.
"Is that all you desire?" He asked in a low voice as he took the papers to also sign them. As an unspoken emotion flickered across her face, he was sure this time would bear an answer.
"With business out of the way, dinner would be fabulous as well."
Maze snorted with laughter as she added her signature and returned the papers to her case. A wave of a hand altered the staff that they were ready for food. Lucifer's look of irritation was overshadowed by the parade of plates that descended on them.
By the end of their meal, Maze and Natalie had become obvious friends at Lucifer's expense. Even worse, none of his questions ever achieved straight answers from Natalie. As Maze's after dinner story of her latest bounty came to a close, the check made its way to the table. While Lucifer handled signing for the company card, Maze and Natalie shared a parting hug before Maze left to file her newest investment contract.
As the valet returned with Lucifer's convertible, Lucifer turned to Natalie. Since she was watching Maze's car leave, he had the chance to truly see her without losing himself to the odd storm in her eyes. On a more empirical examination, the apparent softness in her face gave way to harder angles. As she turned back to him, he watched as her skin shifted over the light muscles of her neck. In the light of the setting sun, Natalie appeared to be made of molten copper.
"Could I offer you a ride home?" He asked, motioning to the convertible.
Those enveloping storms chuckled for the millionth time, "Thank you, but I'm afraid my ride is already here."
His attention stayed with her as she stepped back and turned to enter a blue sedan. Once the valet closed the door, the sedan – and his newest mystery – sped off. Questions bubbled through his mind as Lucifer began his return to Lux.
Within the pulsing heart of Lux, Lucifer thanked Patrick for the drink and turned to survey the room. As he expected, Mr. "I want commitment" Tyler Lorns had made good on Lucifer's offer. With a grin, Lucifer slammed the rest of his whiskey and made his way to the table Tyler was sitting at.
"Enjoying the party?" He asked as he approached.
Tyler jumped slightly, but smiled in return, "I never thought I'd ever be in a club like this."
"Nonsense," Lucfier boomed, "You are very attractive young man, who knows what he wants. It was only a matter of time till you found your way to me. Now, lets work on those introductions."
With a wide grin, Lucifer led Tyler toward the dance floor.