Boiling Point (Crossing the Line #3)(17)

Some of her confidence returned in the form of a chin lift. Jesus, he would’ve liked to see that chin pointed toward the ceiling as she wailed for more tongue. “You should know by now that nothing is impossible for me.” Intelligence glimmered in her eyes. “I know you asked Derek to pay you by money order. I tracked the last several serial numbers to four different check-cashing places in the neighborhood.” Her shrug appeared grudging. “That was smart, not using the same place consistently. But I was able to pinpoint your general location down to a three-block radius, nonetheless. This building is the only one not run by a professional management company, and the most likely to rent without a proper credit check and accept cash deposits.”

It took an effort, but Austin managed to hide the chest-expanding awe she’d inspired. “And my apartment number? How did you manage to glean that information, my hot little sleuth?”

“I’m not your anything, Shaw.” She narrowed her gaze. “And your buzzer has the name I.M. TheTits on it.”

One corner of his mouth lifted. “Thank you for saying so.”

Polly flattened her palms on his chest and pushed, but he refused to budge. Austin knew what was coming next, and they were having this conversation face-to-face, where he could witness her reactions. And f*ck the nonsense, he loved being pressed up against her, loved being close enough to see the pulse dancing at the base of her neck, loved inhaling the comforting smell of lemonade. When she left, how long would the scent linger?

Austin frowned, not wanting to think about her departing just yet. Odd, when he’d never brought anyone to his apartment before. Not in Chicago. Not anywhere. He should be worried about making sure his location was secure after her breaching it, but instead, he only wanted to hash out what was sure to be an explosive discussion. Good thing he’d stowed his manhood securely away in preparation for battle.

She pushed up on her toes, and even though she was still at a ten-inch height disadvantage, her fury was formidable. “What do you have to frown about? Did someone drug and take advantage of you last night?”

Remorse swarmed in his rib cage like bees. His first time kissing Polly and she believed it had been the drug’s influence that caused her to wrap around him like ivy. Brilliant. Once he cleared up her misconception, they could continue. Austin leaned in and watched her pulse go wonky. “It was only meant to be a dance. Not even a full song. But you’re too stubborn to pass out when you’re bloody well supposed to.” His attention fell to her parted lips. “Us making a meal of each other was independent of my mission.”

Fireworks lit up her eyes like New Year’s Eve. “I apologize for not adjusting to your plan. Mind telling me what it was?” Polly’s tits heaved at her neckline, but Austin valued his hide, so he didn’t give them more than a swift, appreciative glance. Okay, two appreciative glances. One for each sweet little globe. “Notice I referred to your plan in the past tense. Your interference is not welcome.”

“You’re getting it nonetheless, I’m afraid.”

“Why?”

He blew out a breath, ruffling her hair. “You won’t like the answer.”

“It’s safe to say you’re right,” she said on a burst of laughter. “Tell me anyway.”

His balls had grown tight at the sound of her laughter, so he took a moment to center himself. Polly didn’t laugh at his jokes, but he’d heard her laugh with Erin on occasion. The sound was musical, so at odds with her no-nonsense personality, it always caught him off guard. It aroused him while giving him an odd, incomplete feeling in his chest because he never brought it out of her. Not the happy kind, anyway. And today would be no different. “Whatever crusade you’ve chosen here, you’re well out of your league, Banks.” He cursed when she flinched. “If one of those men found you in their bathroom with a weapon, there wouldn’t be a subsequent conversation.”

“You’re such a saint,” she whispered, her lips barely moving.

“I’m well aware I’m much closer to Satan.” He rolled his right shoulder. “Just not close enough to stand by while you get pulled into something you don’t understand and can’t control.”

“Maybe it’s worth the risk.”

Frustration walloped him between the shoulder blades. “The risk being your life, Polly? Are you mad?”

“I came to Chicago to achieve something. Am I risking my life? Could I lose my spot on the team and gain one in the prison yard? Yes and yes. It doesn’t change my mind.”

They squared off a moment, wherein Austin reeled from her casual revelation that she would risk her very well-being for some cause.

“How do you know Slim?” she finally asked.

“Who?” Austin shouted.

An impatient noise sounded in her throat. “The man you dropped at the diner the night before last. Do you leave a lot of men unconscious on the floors of public restrooms?”

“It’s been an age.” When Polly sputtered, he laid a finger over her mouth, satisfied when her luscious body stilled against him, softened a few degrees. Yes. She wasn’t immune to him, much as she tried to portray it. It would have been perfect to kiss her then, but if he used her attraction to his advantage before, what came next? It might be the last time she allowed his mouth in the same room with hers, let alone allowed him to gain more access to it. “Did Erin tell you I took the bollocks out of commission or was that a lucky guess?”