"Leave me alone," Seraphina muttered, her voice low and flustered. "I'm not talking to you."
She had only slightly risen from his lap, but Vlad tightened his grip around her abdomen, holding her firmly.
"Now, what have I done to deserve this?" Vlad asked with a sigh.
She didn't answer, instead trying to pry his hand away from her stomach with both hands. Despite using all her strength, she couldn't even budge it.
"You brute! Stupidly strong! All muscles!" she muttered, squirming. "Why won't you leave me alone?"
"I don't want to."
"I will hit you," Seraphina growled, pinching his hand but not putting any strength behind it. She cared too much for this brute to actually hurt him.
"I will hit you back," Vlad replied with a shrug.
Her head snapped back as she gave him a sharp glare over her shoulder. "Do you dare?"
"Try hitting me and find out."
Seraphina tightened her fists, her knuckles turning white. She shoved her elbow back into his abdomen.
