Page 29 of A Fierce Princess

He tries to curtail the smile that is creeping on his face.

“Hey,” I say, slapping his arm. “It’s not funny. I can kick ass. Hell, I can kick your ass, and I will if you don’t wipe that grin off your face.”

He laughs at that and stands up to his full height. “I’d like to see you try,” he says with a smirk.

I cock my head to one side. “Are you serious?” I ask.

“As a heart attack,” he answers.

“OK, pretty boy. Prepare for an ass whooping,” I say.

“Pretty boy? Ass whooping? Did they teach you that in princess school?” he teases.

“Oh, that’s it. You’re dead,” I say, standing up and getting in a fighting stance.

I fake a right hook and duck, waiting for him to take my bait, and he does. He whips me around and locks his arms around me. I use the standard kick and hand drop motion to get out of it.

“Impressive,” he says.

“Child’s play,” I say.

He reaches for my arm, and I twist up as he grabs me. I kick off the wall and flip over him, landing on the bed on my knees. I am thankful I’m small and can tuck my bottom half or that would have hurt considering the low ceiling in here.

“Jesus, you aren’t kidding,” he says.

I stand and beckon him forward with my hand. He attempts to get me, but I duck and roll through his legs. He manages to grab my right ankle, and I twist my body, pushing into his right leg and causing him to fall to the ground. He pins me down with both hands and stares into my eyes.

“Now what?” he says.

“You should stop,” I warn him.

“I need you to show me what you got,” he says.

“You’re not gonna like it,” I say. He leans forward until our noses are almost touching.

“Try me,” he says. I shrug and lean up to plant my lips on his. It’s just enough distraction that I can knee him in the balls. He groans and rolls off me.

I grab an umbrella and stand, pressing it into his throat as he curls into a moaning ball on my floor. I hear movement in the hallway, and I clamp my hand over his mouth. There’s a knock at my door.

“Anna?” I hear Pete’s voice. “Everything OK in there?”

I put my finger over Logan’s lips, and he nods with a grimace on his face. I actually feel a little bad because it looks like he’s going to be sick. I stand and walk over to the door, cracking it open so Pete can see me.

“Sorry, Pete. I’m just doing a little tae kwon do practice in here,” I say.

He raises an eyebrow. “At one thirty in the morning?” he asks.

I shrug. “I’m jet-lagged, can’t sleep,” I explain.

“Well, just be careful. The nearest hospital is a good four-hour ride away,” he warns.

I nod. “Will do. Goodnight,” I say as I shut the door and look back down at Logan, who’s still in the fetal position clutching his manhood.

“Are you OK?” I whisper as I bend down. I’m suddenly tossed on my back, and Logan is again hovering over me on all fours.

“Damnit, Logan. That’s the oldest trick in the book,” I curse at him, annoyed with myself for falling victim to such an obvious ploy.

He winks. “You did get me pretty good, but never check on your enemy. That’s like rule number two,” he states.

---