“What, no applause?” he asked, his voice blessed with a rolling Irish accentjustthis side of cruel.
He was my own personal brand of catnip. Pretty and mean. Exactly my type.
“That’s it?” I deadpanned.
“What was that, darlin’? Surely you’re not speaking to me in that tone.” He cocked his head as he assessed me, acid-green irises pulling me in.
I had to tear my focus from him before I took a step closer. Then I realized what the handsome fuck was doing.
“Don’t try and use your charm and magic on me, Sloth. I’m not your target.”
“You could be.”
“Never gonna happen, hot stuff.”
His shoulders dropped. “At least you admit I’m hot,” he eventually said with a shrug, sauntering over to me. “You really should afford me the respect I deserve, though.”
“For what? Walking into a room?” I offered him a slow, sarcastic clap. “Great job. Well done. I’m soooo impressed.”
Eyes widening, he took a beat before closing the distance between us and leaning in until his mouth was inches from mine. “Give me five minutes and I’ll leave you so impressed you’ll be begging me to stop.”
“You know, you Princes talk a big game, but so far, all I’ve seen is a bunch of pompous asses who show up, make a mess, and then wait around to be told what to do.” I met his dominance with my own, bringing my lips a breath away from his like I was going to kiss him. Then I snapped my teeth, nipping his full bottom lip with my petite fangs. A bead of blood blossomed on each side, and he hissed. “Careful, Slothy. I bite.”
He leaned back, wiping away the blood with a sneer. “Bitch.”
“Aw, that’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me.” I gestured down the hallway with my head. “Come on, I’ve got a present for you.”
He didn’t follow when I started walking. I stopped with a sigh and slowly spun back around to face him. “What?”
“Do you have a death wish?”
“News flash. I can’t die.”
“Perhaps not, but I can make it so you wish you could.”
“Promises, promises.”
“Are you really that stupid?”
“What am I supposed to be afraid of, Sloth? Maybe you’re the one who isn’t showing enough respect. Do you know who I am?”
His brow furrowed as he stood, arms crossed over his chest, posture all masculine bravado. God save me from toxic masculinity.
“I couldn’t care less who you are. I fear no one. My arrival was heralded by a tidal wave so massive it wiped out the entirety of South America. In one fell swoop, I claimed millions of souls.”
I gave him a doe-eyed stare, my hair tossed over my shoulder as I mocked, “What? Like it’s hard?”
He growled, and a little shiver raced up my spine. If I weren’t in such a hurry to get this show on the road, he and I could have so much fun together.
“Are you always like this, darlin’?”
“Like what? Perfect? Amazing? Beautiful? Intense? You’ll need to be more specific.”
His lips twitched. “Challenging.”
“Oh, yes.” I turned on my heel and added an extra sway to my hips. “Come along now, handsome. Your services are required. Perhaps when this is all over, I’ll find another use for you that will be... mutually enjoyable.”
His laugh was a sexy rumble. “I don’t fuck crazy.”
