No, that wasn’t true.
She’d let down her guard when she knew I was there to watch her back. Meaning my place or on those rare occasions I’d ever managed to get her to meet me somewhere off the grid.
And even if she’d never admit it, the reason she hadn’t felt my approach at all revolved around the fact that she knew I posed no danger to her. Her soul knew it, even if her mind warred with the thought.
“How the fuck did you get past the security Dani installed without having your balls fried off?”
“You’re not the only one with skills or the ability to navigate hidden passageways.”
I’d been with her long enough to expect her to have multiple pathways from her apartment without utilizing the front door or lobby exit. Over the years, I’d found every one of them. Also, I’d watched her input her eighteen-digit code for the security elevator enough times to memorize it.
Who the fuck had an eighteen-digit access code?
Devani, that’s who.
“Liar. You came up the security elevator.” She glared over her shoulder, her dark eyes shooting daggers in my direction. “You’re such an asshole.”
“And you’re a manipulative bitch. I never complained about your quirks. So you shouldn’t complain about mine.” I moved toward her, making her sprint up and position herself in a defensive combat stance.
Even though I towered over her by a good foot and outweighed her by eighty pounds, I would never mistake her petite frame as anything but dangerous. She knew every trick in the book to disarm and disable an opponent.
“Sam, I’m not in the mood for any of your shit right now. I’m exhausted and have a busy day tomorrow, including an afternoon event. Go visit your girlfriend if you want to pick a fight.”
“Highness, you’re not the only one who’s exhausted. And I don’t give two shits about your event. Your social schedule is the least of my concerns. And for the record, Jesika is a friend, not my girlfriend. There is a huge distinction.”
Her eyes darkened as she absorbed the last part of my statement, and the hum of energy charged between us.
I never believed I’d see the day anything could push Devani to a human emotion such as jealousy. If I survived tonight, I’d get to tell the tale.
“I’m going to bed. I’m not thinking clearly, and you’re the last person I want to deal with.”
“You’re not going anywhere. Not until we have an in-depth discussion.”
A crease formed between her brows. “The hell I’m not. Try and stop me.”
“Is that a challenge?” I adjusted my stance, readying to block her access to the stairs.
“I don’t need to challenge you. You came into my home. Get the fuck out.” She stalked in the direction of the stairs, and just as she moved to pass me, I shifted to grab her wrist.
She ducked, punching me in the ribs and knocking the wind from my lungs.
“Fuck, that hurt.”
“Good, it was meant to.”
Before she could land a kick, I took hold of the foot she swept out, pulling her to the floor and then rolling on top of her.
“Get off me, you giant, moronic jerk.” She pushed at my shoulders, unable to budge me.
As she struggled, I managed to pin both her legs down and then trap them under mine. I would not risk losing any one of my balls. And in her present state, she’d probably cut them off.
“No.” I grabbed hold of her hands and then planted them above her head.
“Listen, King. I will fuck you up if you don’t move.”
I peered down at her flushed, enraged face.
She was so fucking beautiful. Angry or aroused, the storm in her dark brown irises made me want to fuck her senseless.