She bristled, her dark eyes narrowing with immediate dislike. "Sir, I promise that I can throw a punch like a man, but I would prefer not to have to. If I wanted or needed help, I would say as much. Until then, keep your hands to yourself--" and your horrible, disgusting, putrid breath, she added silently. She might have been slight, but she lifted her chin and stood a little taller, and then gave that glare that a woman perfects that a man should reconsider approaching said woman. "Now, if you will excuse me, darlin'," she used the nickname in frosty sarcasm, "I came to do business."