“I believe your sports league president is unique in every way possible.”
Devani came into view as if on cue, crossing the threshold of the ballroom on Neil Joshi’s arm.
From the first moment I saw her, she’d had this aura. It was how she gave no fucks or couldn’t have cared less whether anyone loved or hated her.
Though, feeling lay heavier on the latter side of the scale.
Jealous fuckers, all of them.
Growing up, I’d wonder what it would feel like to be the wealthiest person in a room, and then I’d gotten to know Devani. She rarely, if ever, trusted anyone and viewed the world with suspicion.
“Hot damn. Doesn’t look anything like a league president tonight,” Jesika said with a hum of admiration from my side. “She sure knows how to make an entrance.”
“Queens always do.”
I had no doubt she’d planned everything to command attention, to own the room. From the way she precisely applied her makeup to coordinate with the bold blue, body-hugging modern-styled lehenga choli she wore to how the priceless diamonds and sapphires covering her hair, neck, and arms reflected the light to give the correct impact.
She ignored everyone around her except Joshi, who seemed to keep a dialogue of some type going, which she responded to without changing her demeanor.
The fact they made a stunning couple had every instinct I’d spent years schooling down roiling and raging to burst free.
I shouldn’t have expected it to be easier knowing this was an act. As long as she was on another man’s arm, walking with him in public in the light of day, I’d feel this way.
Fuck, maybe I should have gone down to the cage for a sparring match with Kir or Rey. Kicking the shit out of them would calm me down enough to get me back to a manageable level.
All of a sudden, her dark gaze locked with mine.
The familiar energy I associated with her crackled between us.
Her eyes heated, and her lips parted for her to release a tiny breath, then she touched her tongue to her lips. Reminding me so much of that first time she’d walked into the poker club and challenged me to a game.
The night we’d gone from being one of the King brothers who bartered for favors with the Director of Solon North America to us, Sam and Devani.
My body responded as it always had when faced with her hunger and lust. Good thing my tux jacket covered the heavy bulge along the front of my pants. No other woman drew me the way she could with a glance.
I wanted to fuck her, possess her, own her.
Her poised expression faltered, and the arousal clouding her eyes faded and turned ice cold with anger when her focus shifted to Jesika at my side. However, within a millisecond, she reined her emotions back under control, returning her mask solidly in place.
Except for the clenching of her jaw, only someone who knew her body inside and out would notice.
Good to know this jealousy wasn’t just one-sided. It would make things a hell of a lot easier when we had our discussion.
“That was interesting.”
“Care to elaborate?”
“My position in the league is to observe. I catch everything, even when I wish I didn’t.”
“Your point?”
“Whatever just passed between the two of you, let me give you this warning.”
“That is?”
“They don’t call her the Queen of Diamonds for nothing. It will take more than luck or a prince with a billion in the bank to break that rock-hard shell.”
“Good thing I’m not a prince but a King.”