Miguel nodded.

“Where is he?”

“Right here,” the man himself claimed as the door opened, revealing him carrying a tray with two domes and a vase with a single wilted flower. “I thought you might be hungry when you woke.”

“Was I out long?”

“About an hour.”

“Sorry. It must have been the heat.” Look at her lying again. She totally belonged here.

“Meeting the devil for the first time can have that effect.”

“Thanks for loaning me your bed.”

“Um. Yeah. It’s kind of the only nice one around. You can keep using it if you want.”

“Oh. Where will you sleep?”

Only as his cheeks turned a ruddy color did she grasp his intent and matched his blush.

Before he could stammer a polite reply that would see him sleeping elsewhere she hastily said, “I don’t mind sharing.”

Relief eased his face, and his smile was something to melt her heart. Miguel ruined it by climbing over her to get to Marduke, who swung him into his arms. Miguel appeared to have done a bit of an about-face when it came to the big guy.

“I see you two are getting along better.”

“We came to an understanding. Little man here was worried when you fainted. You okay?”

“I’m good. I think. If confused. I didn’t imagine it. We are in Hell.”

“Yes.”

“How? I don’t remember dying.”

“Because you didn’t. I brought you through a portal.”

She digested that bit. “A portal implies a doorway.”

“Yes, only in this case it opens up between dimensions.”

“So I went from Earth to Hell without dying and I met the devil.” She lay back down. “I think I need another moment.” Because her head was spinning.

“Don’t you dare. You’re stronger than this.”

“Am I?” she mused aloud.

“You better be since Lucifer is in the living area determined to finish his welcome.”

She bolted upright. “The devil is waiting for me?” She might have squeaked.

His grin widened enough that even with his bristly cheeks, she saw a dimple.

A dimple. Could the man be any hotter? And he wanted to share his bed with her.

“You’ll be fine. He just wants to boast a bit. Probably shock you cause that’s what he does.”

“Why me?”

“You want answers? Go talk to him yourself.”

“Can I eat first?” Because in the rush that morning she’d not had anything.

“And make him wait longer?” he asked with an arched brow.

“I’m hungry.” And nervous.

“Tardiness is a sin,” said the man with the most sinful grin. He revealed the plates under the dome, the pastry unrecognizable, as was the fruit. Or was it a vegetable? She wouldn’t know until she ate.