"First, you get off me."
"First,youpromise to listen."
"I’ll do no such thing."
"In which case..." I place more of my weight on her and her gaze widens.
"You wouldn’t." She scowls.
"Try me." I allow my lips to curve in a smirk. Using my weight to hold her captive while I try to make her... Listen to me? It’s a dick move, but fuck that. We’re in trouble, and the only way out is if I get her to follow my directions.
Her face pales a little, then her lips firm. "Fine," she says in a low voice.
"I didn’t hear you," I drawl.
"A-hole," she murmurs under her breath.
"Heard that, and it’s alphahole to you."
She opens and shuts her mouth. "You have an inflated opinion about yourself, don’t you?"
"Not the only thing that’s inflated, Angel."
"Don’t call me that."
"I’ll call you anything I want." I allow my grin to widen.
Her scowl deepens. "You… you… Dickwaffle!"
I blink, then can’t stop the chuckle that rolls up my throat. I laugh so hard, my whole body shakes, and as a result, she shakes under me. "That’s a creative insult, I’ll give you that."
"I’m just getting started," she shoots back.
"You and I are going to have fun; I can feel it," I tease her.
"Get off of me." She slaps my shoulder, and the vibrations shudder through my brain. The back of my head begins to throb in earnest. I touch the space and my fingers come away wet.
"Is that blood?" She stares at it, then at my face. "Does it hurt?"
"Are you concerned?" I narrow my gaze on her.
"Of course not. But since we are, clearly, having a conversation, can you please get off me now?"
"We are, aren’t we?" I roll off of her, and once on my feet, extend my arm to her. "Luca Sovrano."
She sits up, then pushes off the bed and stands facing me.
"What the hell did you think you were doing earlier?" She scowls.
"Trying to distract you so you wouldn’t scream and make those guys come in here again."
She pales a little, and her gaze flicks to the door. "Did they take you, as well? I mean, obviously, they did take you... But how did they overpower you? You seem—"
"Strong? Virile? Sexy?"
She darts me an annoyed look. "Does everything always have to be about you?"
"Not always… but mostly." I wiggle my fingers. "At least shake my hand, will you?"