Breathe

"I have never said sorry before." 

"You just did." 

"Well, that was in a sentence." 

"Say it!" Stella demanded. 

"Don't come close to me." Valeric began to back away from her and eventually fell on his butt, but he didn't stop. "Stay where you are." 

She narrowly smiled at him and got on all fours. "Say it, Valeric. Tell me you're sorry for tossing me to the floor." It didn't even hurt, but who cares? Tossing her like that was already a crime. And look at his face all so red. That was new, she'd never seen that on him and it was satisfying. 

The man didn't realize he'd panicked. For her to call his name in this situation, who knew what she was going to do to him? Paint him pink? Or exchange his black outfits for purple ones?

"I'm sorry!" he apologized immediately before she could climb onto him, and Stella came to an immediate halt.