Page 6 of Scorned Queen

I blanch at this announcement Damion and I have not yet confirmed, then blanch again as Noah says, “I’m aware.My sister is unemployed and watches it all the damn time.”

I’m taken aback by Noah’s admission, aware now that look in his eyes was about my show, not me moving in with Damion, and his reference to his sister in the mix manages to drag a laugh out of me.“I take it you don’t like my show?”

“I’d like your show a whole lot more if she were employed and out of my house.”

I laugh again, finding him remarkably likable considering the hardness he oozes.“I understand.We’ll be in reruns soon.Maybe that will help.”

“She’ll just watch the Hallmark Channel,” he mutters and then adds, “but welcome to the building, Alana.It’s not your fault my sister is lazy.”He eyes Damion and then me.“It’s nice to see him settling down.”

This remark flutters about in my belly like butterflies, and then nose dives into anger at the pure manipulation of the moment.“I’ve known him a very long time.”

His brow lifts.“Really?And I’ve never seen you before, why?”

I twist out of Damion’s grip and point a finger at him that is an accusation in all kinds of ways even if my tone is not.“I think he struggled with the idea that I’d seen him in diapers,” I say, because giving Damion a hard time is something I’ve practiced most of my life.

Damion laughs now.“As I have you, Alana.”

I’m not happy with him right now, but it’s impossible not to feel the connection between us and the heat of his body without a bit of an internal sigh.“We’re going to call it a night, Noah,” Damion says, capturing my hand with his and then tugging me closer, his arm sliding back around me, even as he adds, “If you need me, you know how to reach me.”

“Indeed,” Noah agrees and gives me a nod.“Goodnight and nice to meet you, Alana.”

“Nice to meet you, Noah.”

Damion rotates us away from Noah and toward the elevator, and that’s when my anger really begins to truly ignite.In an effort to calm myself and remain logical, I mentally replay what just happened.My conclusion is that while I want this man to want me, and yes,I wanthim, everything about what just happened speaks of the layers of complication between us.

We halt at the elevator, and I can feel my body vibrating with my hyped-up emotions.Damion punches the button, and the doors open instantly.I twist out of his arms and step into the car, and I hate the way his touch has left me smoldering in the aftermath.I just want him to touch me again, but isn’t that the problem?He has seduced me far too easily all my life.

I can feel him at my back, his energy, his body heat, and my mind is already muddled with his nearness.I rotate to face him, trying to regain my control, of which, I have little with Damion.He punches the key to his floor, and itishisfloor, not mine, contrary, of course, to what he just told Noah.I haven’t made the decision to move in with him and he doesn’t get to make it for me.The doors shut and now Damion and I are facing each other, the energy between us cracking and snapping.

“Why are you over there?”he demands, and proceeds to move my direction.

I hold up a hand, then a finger.“Wait.I’m pissed at you, and we both know there are cameras in these elevators.I don’t want either of us to be fodder for the press.”

His chin lowers, eyes burning into mine.“Alana,” he says softly.

“Don’t say my name like you’re scolding me, Damion.I’m not your employee.Or maybe I am.”I lift my hand with the ring.

“Employee,” he repeats, his tone sharp with anger.“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“That’s what I want to say to you right now, but since this video could be played on TMZ, minus volume, and our body language analyzed, I’m not.”

“You think they can’t read us right now?Come over here and make nice for the camera.”

“I’ll stand next to you but do not touch me or I will not be responsible for my actions.”

His lips hint at amusement, I dare him to make more obvious, but he gives me a nod.We move at the same time, stepping close and rotating to face the front of the elevator.I wait for him to touch me, to push me, like he did with Noah, and if he does, if he disrespects my wishes, it will be the end of this night.But he doesn’t.Really, he doesn’t get the chance.The doors open almost instantly, and I step into the hallway, pausing to wait on him.

He joins, six foot two inches of sexy, arrogant man, and for a moment we just stand there and stare at each other, a push and pull between us that is blazing physical attraction pumped up by a punch of white lightning anger.He draws in a breath, and motions with his head toward his apartment.I give a barely-there nod and in unison, we walk toward his door, the air charged around us.There’s an explosion coming of epic proportions, and the only chance I have of winning this battle is by keeping my clothes on.Because if we end up naked, he is absolutely on top.

And we both know it.

Chapter seven

Damionunlockshisdoorbut doesn’t open it, and before I know his intention, he pulls me in front of him, forcing me to catch my weight on my hands, and the door.I’m officially caged between it and the man who’d I’d call my biggest temptation, and at present, the source of my ire.Not exactly the way to maintain my control, especially when his powerful thighs and hips frame my backside, one of his palms pressed to my waist, the other over my head, on the wooden surface.

“I’m crazy about you,” he murmurs, his lips near my ear, his breath tantalizingly warm, lips brushing my neck.

My knees are weak, and my body is one big nerve ending that is alive and charged.

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