if things had been different and his demon didn’t ache to gut her open.
“Wait here while I do a walk-through of the place.” He stalked off before she could respond, fully expecting her to do as he’d told her.
Devon snorted and headed into the kitchen/dining area. It was too late for coffee, so she’d settle for hot chocolate. Preparing the drink would give her something to do and distract her from the annoying fact that Tanner was in her apartment.
It made her antsy to have him there. For years she’d made a point of keeping him out of her world as much of possible. Which hadn’t been easy, given that he was not only her friend’s bodyguard, he was ridiculously nosy and seemed to orbit around her … as if testing her defenses or something. And now he was in her private sanctuary, searching every room, probably touching her things. She didn’t like it.
Having added toppings to her drink, she propped herself on the counter and picked up her mug. It wasn’t long before he entered. She didn’t hear him—Tanner rarely made a sound as he moved. But she smelled him, felt his energy charge the air around her. Her inner demon swished its tail at him in a put-out gesture. It didn’t like having people in its territory.
Devon spooned some marshmallows and whipped cream. “I take it you didn’t find any intruders hiding in my wardrobe or anything.”
“The place is clear.” Propping his hip against the counter, Tanner felt his cock twitch as her tongue lapped the cream from her spoon. He could think of far better things she could do with that tongue, but he kept that thought to himself. He just settled in and enjoyed the show as she ate the marshmallows and cream, not even caring that she was pointedly ignoring him. Tanner was just content to have finally made his way into her home.
The apartment had a completely different tone to that of the rest of the building, which didn’t surprise him—Devon would never live in filth. Although the rooms were small, they were also cozy and warm. No grime on the windows or dubious stains on the walls. Her furnishings weren’t top-notch, but they were quirky and clean.
She’d made the best of what space she had, and she’d managed to give the place a surprisingly welcoming feel. There were pictures here, there, and everywhere. Most featured her parents, Harper, Raini, Khloë, and adoptive brother who also happened to be her cousin. It was as if the hellcat liked to surround herself with memories of the people important to her.
Devon Clarke had bags of attitude, but she was also sweet as she smelled—though she hid that soft underbelly from the people outside of her little circle—and never too busy for those she loved. Always made time for them and rushed to their side if they needed her. In his opinion, she didn’t put herself first often enough, which he didn’t like.
He also didn’t like that she lived in this shitty building. Every instinct he possessed urged him to get her out of that hellhole; to put her in a place that didn’t need mouse traps, heavy metal locks, or magickal wards. A place where she wouldn’t be surrounded by what must seem like paper-thin walls to a hellcat’s enhanced hearing.
If he thought for a second that trying to order her out of here would achieve anything, he’d go for it. But Devon wasn’t a person who’d appreciate or allow that kind of interference in her life—something he respected, even as it sometimes annoyed him.
Tanner made a mental note to ask Knox if there were any empty apartments in any of the buildings the Prime owned. Devon didn’t have to be part of their lair to rent one—anyone could. He didn’t say that to her, though. Making disparaging remarks about her home would only poke at her pride.
“You can go now,” she said.
Lips twitching, he heaved a mock sigh. “Always so eager to get rid of me. I’d be offended if I didn’t know you are violently in love with me.”
She gave him a pitying smile. “Being delusional doesn’t help anyone now, does it?”
“Delusional?”
“Sorry, was that too big a word for you? How about ‘pathetic’? Have you heard that one?”
He put a hand to his heart. “That hurt. You should make it up to me. Naked. In bed.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t even fuck you for practice.”
He laughed. “God, kitten, you can be such a bitch.”