He'd been surprised by her movement, but it was instinct and dealing with stronger, faster things than her on a day to day basis that had his arm coming up to block the hand going for his throat. Sweeping it to the side, he pushed at her midsection with his other hand, aiming to give them some space. "Whoa, lady. If you don't want to be called 'ma'am', all you have to do is say so."

Because really, that was the only thing he could think of that he'd done that could have set her off. "I don't know who your Barton is, but I'm Dallas. Detective Jake Dallas, LAPD Ghoul squad. I like a little forwardness as much as the next guy, but I don't have any red beads showing," he said, hand going up to check and see if she'd drawn blood.