You turned to leave the room, frustration boiling beneath your skin, but Roman stepped in front of you, blocking the doorway. His towering frame filled the space, and the smug look on his face made your blood run hotter.

"Get out of my way, Roman," you said, your voice steady but sharp as a blade.

He didn’t move, the smirk on his lips deepening. "Make me," he challenged, his tone dripping with mockery.

Without thinking, your hand shot out, the sharp sound of the slap echoing through the room. His head turned with the force, a red mark blooming on his cheek. But to your disbelief, that damn smirk didn’t falter. He slowly turned back to face you, his hand brushing the spot you’d struck.

"That’s it?" he said, his voice low and taunting. "Hit me again."

You blinked, thrown off by his audacity. "What?"

"You heard me. Is that really all you’ve got?" He leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with something dark and unreadable. "Prove to me you’re not as weak as they all say you are."

Your hand clenched into a fist, anger flaring at his words. Without hesitation, you swung, landing a punch square on his jaw. His head snapped back, and when he turned to you again, a thin trickle of blood ran from the corner of his lip.

He swiped it away with his thumb, his grin widening. "Go on," he urged, his voice laced with challenge. "Do it again."

"Why are you doing this?" you demanded, your voice trembling slightly. The confusion in your chest now matched the anger in your veins.

He stepped closer, his breath warm against your face. "What do you think?" His words were a low growl, but before you could reply, his lips crashed onto yours, rough and unyielding. The kiss was angry, hungry, and when he finally pulled back, you were left breathless.

His mouth hovered near your ear, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "It turns me on, princess."