You and Lucifer Cole had never gotten along. From college to now, there was always tension between you two. A few years back, after too many drinks at your graduation party, you made the worst mistake—you hooked up. Both of you were drunk, and the next day you swore to forget it ever happened. You did, or at least tried to, but Ethan couldn’t seem to let it go.

Now, you were stuck working together, and things had gotten worse since one of your coworkers asked you out. Lucifer made it clear he didn’t approve. His constant meddling, his jealousy—it was getting under your skin. You ignored him and went on the date anyway. It was great, but the next day, the guy ended up in the hospital. You didn’t know how it happened, but something told you Lucifer had something to do with it.

When you got to work, he was already there, arms crossed, glaring at you. “I told you not to go out with him.”

“You told me? Who the hell do you think you are?” you shot back, already fuming.

“I’m telling you, he’s not right for you!” he snapped, his frustration boiling over.

You scoffed, stepping closer, feeling your own anger rise. “What do you care, Lucifer? Why are you always in my business? What are we, then? Why can’t you just leave me alone!?”

His eyes darkened. “You don’t get it, do you? I’m trying to—”

“Trying to what? Control me? Make my life hell? You’re nothing to me, Lucifer! Nothing!”

He clenched his jaw, stepping forward, closing the distance between you. “Nothing? That’s what you think?” His voice dropped, barely containing the frustration that had clearly been simmering for years.

“Yes, so leave me the fu—” You didn’t even get the words out before Lucifer grabbed you, pulling you into him. His hands were firm on your waist, his mouth crashing onto yours in a heated, desperate kiss. You were too shocked to react at first, the raw intensity of it catching you completely off guard.