Chapter 29: Attempted Returns to Normality
The comb would not sit correctly. Nothing Natalie attempted would force the device to settle to her satisfaction. With a huff of frustration, she removed it from her hair and let the bun fall. Using the well-polished breastplate of a decorative plate-mail suit as a mirror, she twisted a bit of hair from each side of her face and used the jeweled comb to hold the pieces back. She gave the rest of her appearance one last check-over when her hair was secured.
The gown had turned out amazing. The near-imperial-purple sash over her arm brought a smile every time she looked at it. The main body of the dress felt like a silken glove against her skin. The gentle cream tone and flowing skirt that flared from the narrow of her waist made her feel red-carpet bound. Comfortable, red-bottom heels finished her outfit. Other than a very light splash of makeup and a simple gold hoop earring set, there was nothing to take away from the sultry halter top of the dress.
In the reflection of the breastplate, she could see an approaching figure clad in black. She stood upright again and turned to face her date for the evening. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't find a fault with Morningstar's tuxedo. He even wore an adorable bowtie, to her pleasant surprise. 'Must have taken the term "black-tie" event literally.'
Before she could stop it, a soft smile made its way across her lips. She basked in the sensation his eyes drink in the dress. Morningstar slipped an arm around her waist and gently pulled her against him.
"An extraordinary final product." He said with a hushed tone. The deepened tone caused her to squirm back and forth to try to relieve the pressure that he built within her. The arm around her tightened, to bring her closer, while he trailed the back of his fingers from behind her ear and along her jawline.
Her hand reached up to intentionally skew his tie and drag his lips down to her own. Half of a chuckle escaped before her kiss silenced him. She relished in the force behind the hand that pressed her against him. His other hand slid back along its path to gently bury into her hair, cautious to leave her comb undisturbed. However, he pulled back before she was finished with him. She would never admit the pout that followed was related to that detail.
She was met with a grin, and he reached into the jacket pocket. He removed a small rectangular jewelry box.
"A gift." Came his soft utterance, "If I may?"
Out of the small box came a delicate golden bracelet with tiny dark amethyst stones set into it. Purples that were deep enough to complement her sash. His touch was feather-light as he offered a hand to hold her wrist. Once she had lain her right wrist in his hand, he gently guided the piece around until he could close it. He held on to her hand for a moment longer and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.
He folded her hand into the crease of his arm and gently led her toward the sound of music. The individual stationed at the door to the main ballroom maintained a constant stoic face and opened the doors leading to the dance floor. The room had been decorated in rich, draping fabrics. Tall tables provided small spaces for conversations. Not that any of it mattered. Only he really did.
The glow of his smile when he saw the sign for the dance contest put the sun to shame. 'He could light up the whole world with that smile.' She couldn't stop the thought or the following eye roll.
When the master of ceremonies declared the start of the contest, Morningstar downed his drink and gleefully pulled her to the floor. She, in return, huffed a small laugh as she slid her hand up to his shoulder. In truth, she didn't give a damn about the contest, but she would never turn down a chance to dance with him. The clamor of the ballroom became a background static. When he turned and twirled her back and forth, she felt a string of giggles force their way from her chest.
As the music shifted them from a waltz to a salsa, his arms tightened around her. Natalie took the moment to bask in the lopsided turn his smile took when she pressed herself closer still. The contest had been long forgotten. What little of her mind that still worked, through their dance-induced haze, was focused only on how wonderful being so close to him felt. A terrifying, blooming warmth filled her chest at the slightly dazed look he gave her.
She remember the contest just long enough to wonder if he had forgotten about it too.
Forgotten or not, they still won. When a photographer asked for a photo for their tabloid, Morningstar was quick to draw her into a heated kiss. A movement out of the corner of her eye took her attention away from her show-boating date. With a gentle pat, she muttered an excuse about the restroom and slipped away.
Once she stepped past the door to the ladies room, she spotted the matron of the Ger family. The lock turned without a sound. The two women were left encased in silence. With a casual stroll, Natalie made her way to the large mirror. From the small hidden pocket, she withdrew a lipstick tube and a small, thin envelope.
The envelope was placed on the counter beside her as she reapplied her lipstick. The initials "S.M." were clearly stamped on the offending paper. When she had finished and looked at the Madam, she was on the receiving end of a stern expression.
"Are you the newest minion sent by that sadist?" The Madam asked in her thickly accented voice.
Natalie dropped her eyes to the small envelope. "I guess. Truth be told, I don't give a damn."
"Have you looked inside?"
"No. Again, I don't care. I did what was required."
With a smack of her lips, Natalie returned the lipstick to the pocket and began to leave the restroom.
"While I appreciate your discretion, please inform your employer that I am not a dog to be summoned." The Madam stated coldly, letting her implication hang between them.
Rather than lash out, Natalie turned back to give the matron a cold stare. "I'll pass that along."
Natalie finally returned to the floor of the ballroom and began her search for her date. Morningstar found her rather than the other way around. The warm embrace that looped around her from behind was comforting. She let her head fall back against his shoulder and gazed up at him.
"How do you feel about ice cream?" She asked softly.
He gave a thoughtful expression and said, "While I'm quite found of the dessert, I do have to say it is a bit of a soft limit for me in bedroom play."
The guests near to them gave her concerned looks as a torrent of laughter exploded from Natalie. Once she regained herself, she began directing him to the door.
"I was asking because I know a great little place with the best chocolate chip ice cream on this side of the Hudson."
"You do realize that includes most of this country?"
"I know what I said."
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When Miss Varquez had said a little place, Lucifer hadn't realized the descriptor was literal. The ice cream store's front room wouldn't have fit his convertible in it, let alone a crowd of more than ten people. His date was busy chatting up the owner while he inspected the quaint store. The small round table was well-maintained and obviously an antique. Although, he imagined it was probably new when it had been purchased.
The kindly older woman who ran the store spoke in hushed tones that Lucifer knew meant that she was inquiring about him.
"He is certainly a tall glass of water. If I was twenty years younger..."
"Maria! It's not like tha-"
"Oh child, please! I recognize the look you two were wearing when you came in. Take the ice cream and go kiss him for me."
"You're terrible after the sunset. What would your granddaughter say if she heard you talking like that?"
"She'd ask if she could kiss him next. You only live once, child. And heaven knows you never bring men around. Go live."
With two ice cream cones firmly in hand, the elderly woman pushed his date back toward him. When she stated loudly that she had dishes to clean in the back, Lucifer gave the older woman a grateful tip of his head.
As Miss Varquez handed him the second cone, she mumbled an apology.
"She just a randy old woman. Don't mind her." She finished with.
Lucifer chuckled, and undid his tie with one hand. "She seems rather fond of you."
"It's a mutual feeling."
They made quite the spectacle. Fine, designer clothing that began to wrinkle in the small chairs as they shared ice cream cones and made small talk. Neither noticed that a certain photographer had followed them.
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Maze hated lines at the store. The stupid tiny space you had to squeeze through, the long lines, the nonsense magazines that only exist to feed stupid gossip. However, she refused to listen to one more lecture from Chloe on way she can't just take whatever she wanted. With an agitated sigh, she rolled her eyes.
That's when she saw it. The cover of a local tabloid had the photos blown up to fill the cover-space. The headline in large bold letters: "L.A.'s most eligible bachelor off the market?" A second magazine read, "Playboy Tamed?!" Both sported photos was a smiling Natalie and Lucifer, in evening wear, dancing or eating ice cream. A pure fury filled Maze's veins.