605. Mauve's Choice

"Listen to me for a second," she muttered, clutching the book to her chest.

"No," he replied and stretched out his hand. "Hand it over!"

"Just listen to me," she said, pressing it to her chest so he wouldn't be able to pull the book out of her grip.

"Mauve," he dragged out her name, urging her to hand over the book.

"Come on, I have a good reason for this," she explained.

"I doubt it," he responded.

"Only because you haven't listened."

He narrowed his eyes at her. "If your reason makes no sense, as I suspect it would, you will hand over the book."

She glared at him. "Fine," she replied.

"Okay then, I am listening." He sat down on the other side of the desk with his arms folded as he stared her down.