Author's Note: Hey everyone! I hope the season change is going well for everyone, where-ever they call home. I'm super excited to announce that we passed another milestone – Over 100 Favorites! (I'm going to have to come up with more to do.) Which means a bonus chapter! We're also into summer break in North America, so I am hoping to increase the production schedule till classes start again in autumn. At the latest, the bonus chapter will be posted on the 1st of July with the normally released chapter. Be ready for fireworks, romance, danger, and Maze being right!

Thank you and enjoy,

Mint Tea and Skulls

Chapter 23: One

After a week of car chases, a stray horse, and an accidental walk-in on the detective and Daniel having a "moment", Lucifer was thrilled to have a bit of down time from the station. While Maze tended to take over the mornings of Tuesday, and Miss Varquez's evenings were taken by Evan, Lucifer had a plot to sneak sometime for himself. As his watch hand edged toward midnight on Monday night, Lucifer made his way to the back of Lux.

Idled behind the building was a familiar blue car, with a grinning Evan texting on his phone. Lucifer walked up to the window and tapped it gently. Evan jumped before rolling the window down.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Nat's cuite-pie boss." He chirped.

"I'm not really her boss, that's Maze." He corrected instinctively. "However, I wanted to let you know that I will take Miss Varquez home tonight."

Evan's face looked pensive for a moment before he broke out into the largest grin Lucifer had ever seen the young man sport. "Well-damn-done Nat, alright, just make sure she makes it to practice tomorrow night."

He waved and drove off laughing before Lucifer could remind him that Miss. Varquez didn't work Tuesday nights. He shrugged, and turned back to watch the back door and wait. It was only a couple more minutes before the woman in question stepped out with a wave to the others still in the building. She paused at the sight of him, then she noticed that there was no car to get her.

Before a phone could appear in hand, Lucifer stepped forward with a smile. "If I may, I would be happy to drive you home."

The click of heels on pavement greeted him as she came closer. When she came within an arm's length, he extended a hand to her. Her eyes looked to the hand and he studied her face for the moment. A faint smile graced her lips, before her gaze raised to his. Once again, he pushed aside the sense of warning and concern. Her warm hand slid into his as she took a final step closer. He held her hand loosely, and looped his arm around her waist. On a whim, he returned the smile before stepping back to lead her into a waltz. To his pleasure, she placed her other hand on his shoulder and stepped along to follow him.

He could only describe the sound Miss Varquez made, while they lost themselves in their private dance, as a giggle. Even the thought of the strange woman giggling gave him a silly grin of his own. A daring tug brought her closer and he hummed bits from one of his favorite waltzes.

While this wasn't how Natalie had planned for her night to go, it was a pleasant surprise. She wouldn't normally approve to the goofy look that she failed to control, but thankfully the impromptu dance was away for most prying eyes. Part of her wondered if he could hear her heart pound and if that wasn't why he had started humming. Her head came to rest against his shoulder as he led her round and round the alleyway.

When they finally stopped, Natalie's sense of time was ruined. It was still dark, but it could have been minutes or hours, although she found it remarkably hard to care. Rather than loosen his grip, she flushed when the arm around her waist pulled her closer. Her hand on his shoulder looped around his neck. The suave grin that crossed his face was her only warning before Natalie found herself dipped back. A soft kiss was pressed against her sternum before she was righted, although still held close.

"What would a second taste cost me?" He said softly in her ear.

A warm chuckle escaped Natalie, "Mr. Morningstar. I believe you offered me a ride to my apartment."

"So I did." He said with a hint of sadness, releasing her in order to motion toward his convertible.

The drive was comfortably quiet before Lucifer choose how he wanted to approach the actual matter at hand. He briefly cleared his throat before beginning.

"Miss. Varquez, I wanted you to know that I have not been entirely honest with you. While it is true that I am the owner of Lux, I am also involve in … unusual incidents. Things that might be difficult to explain to others." He paused, considering how to continue.

However, his thoughts were interrupted when Miss Varquez chuckled at him again. "Ya' know, I really don't think Maze would approve of me helping you get into the mob business."

His brows knitted together and before he could question her thinking further they had arrived at a familiar apartment building. With a smile and a wink, the car was suddenly empty. Lucifer's confusion was cut short when a soft hand landed on his shoulder. A familiar sensation of panic and suppression played out in his mind as he focused on the sensation of the moving hand.

Natalie leaned on the door of the convertible, letting her hand climb from shoulder to hold his sharply angled chin as she tasted him once more. The pressure of his lips against hers left a heady tingle. She flicked her tongue along his lip, with a brief nip, before she stood up right again. "Delicious... Thanks for the lift." She said softly, before she made her way into the building.

Dismissed and slightly dazed, Lucifer let habit guide him back to Lux. With a dismissive hand, he passed Maze and took one of the bottles from behind the bar. As he poured himself a drink, he let his mind wonder over what to do about convincing Miss Varquez.