Chapter 16: It's a Technicality, Really.
In his determination to distract himself from the implication he was obsessed with the detective, Lucifer spent the entire day chasing skirts, shorts, and shots. By the time the sun had set, his jacket had been entrusted to Patrick. He had spent enough time distracting himself from the women that haunt his mind, that he forgot one of them still worked in his club. Miss. Varquez looked unimpressed by the larger numbers for Monday night. She only smiled at him and winked on her way to the back room.
Instantly his Brittney squad lost part of its interest in him as the first show of two for the evening began. With a growl, Lucifer made his way to the bar for another drink. He stared at the shelving behind the bar. When a soft hand touch his shoulder, before sliding across his back to the other side in time to the music, he smirked. He rounded to tease Miss. Varquez about being forward when dancing at work, but had a tinge of disappointment when it was one of the other dancers.
Each from the squad had found a group or table for a more intimate display of dancing. A quick sweep of the room placed the target of his ire with a group of businessmen. One of the suits leaned on the table to say something to her over the music. A grimace came to Lucifer's lips as she smiled and laughed back. Without a glance at the dancer flirting with him, he downed the rest of the glass of scotch and paced across the floor.
In the low light, the playful currents in those stormy eyes captured him again. Part of his annoyance drowned in those storm as he muttered, "A word?"
"Of course, Mr. Morningstar." Natalie responded in the same light tone she had used earlier during their disagreement.
The two moved to the corner of the club near the door to the backroom. Lucifer stood close to her to be able to talk without competing with the music. One small part of his mind took note of the fact that this was the closest he had ever been to her, making his blood warm. Another told him to leave, run, and never come near her again. Again, he brushed both sensations aside as he focused again on those encompassing storms.
"I wanted to apologize for this morning," He started, "I shouldn't ask you to spy on the detective for me. That's more Maze's job anyway." He rambled off.
The space between them shrunk as she leaned closer to respond. "I get it, worrying about your ex is part of the process of getting over them. You'll be fine in the long run."
His eyes narrowed and his annoyance returned in full. "The detective is not, and has never been, my 'girlfriend'. I am attempting to apologize." He said harshly.
"And I said I get it. My bad about the ex comment, but you didn't deny it earlier, in my defense."
Tired of her needling him, Lucifer decided to turn the tables on the woman who was vexing him. "Miss. Varquez, is there a particular reason for your interest in my 'getting over' an ex?" He asked, in the same gruff tone he had just lectured her with.
The playfulness of the storm gave way to something darker and harder to read. "Just your stability. The boss of my boss is still my boss. So, as long as you don't run the business into the ground for some reason..."
Lucifer gave a low chuckle into the scant space between them. "Oh, I'm not your employer. Maze is very clear about my complete lack of authority over you. You're hers, as she puts it."
Natalie bit her lip as she debated out the technicality of what he said. The twisting bundle of nerves in her stomach screamed out at her. Before she could over-think the consequences of what she was about to do, she smirked and reached up a hand. She playfully fiddled with the unbuttoned collar of his shirt.
"Well, that saves me some ethical trouble." She started, eyes darting down to his lips for a moment. "I have a personal rule concerning employer-employee behavior."
Lucifer smirked and darted his tongue across said lips. He nearly chuckled again when Miss. Varquez's eyes followed the brief movement before returning to his. "Most understandable given Maze's usual behaviors and the amount of time she spends at your home." He said to prompt her to keep talking.
"Yeah, adorable pain in the ass. Not the point, off track." She momentarily rambled. Her eyes rose to meet his again. "Kiss me?" She asked barely above a whisper.
Lucifer felt his own breathing pause for a second. He wished he could call down his brother Amenadiel, just to stop that moment in time so he could enjoy it a little longer. Instead, he committed her face to memory. Her copper cheeks were flush, as desire and hesitation wound together through the storming world in her eyes. His hands came up to her face under their own power, summoned by the desperation in her question.
The part of his mind that said to run came screaming to the surface the moment his palm brushed against her skin. Unwilling to be deterred at this point, he mentally shoved the feeling aside again as he pressed his lips against hers. In that moment, the rest of Lux faded as he focused on the soft pliant forms pressed against his. It had been barely a couple seconds before she recovered from the internal shock that he was actually kissing her, and she was returning his attentions. Lucifer couldn't stop the chuckle that came when she nibbled on his lower lip to encourage him to deep the kiss.
Removing his hands from her face, he carefully unwound her hands from his shirt. They were both short of breath. A lazy heat continued to sit between them as Lucifer stepped around her. He leaned down over her shoulder to whisper into her ear, "I believe you said 'the first taste is always free'. I look forward to your second performance later."