Drake looked shaken for the first time in a long, long time. So shaken, it forced Polly to fight back tears. “I—we knew. Kevin and I, after five minutes in her company, that we would have to stand back and watch her life unfold. That we couldn’t unfold it for her. So I know better than to interfere with what she deems her life’s mission. I trust her. Which is why you are in my house right now.” He picked up a mug and set it back down with a click. “I can feel something coming. Tell me my daughter won’t be hurt.”
Austin was silent for long moments, void of all sound save the flame roaring beneath the kettle. “Polly is the most capable woman I’ve ever met. I never wanted to be the macho asshole that steps in and plays the hero, because she’s her own hero. And even knowing that, knowing I’d go side-by-side with her into any battle, I would accept my own death before I allowed her injury. Protecting her is something that gives me purpose, and it doesn’t listen to logic.” His penetrating stare hit her with the force of a cannonball. “She’s untouchable as long as I’m breathing.”
The teakettle started whistling, continuing until her father flipped off the burner, although Polly was only semi-aware of the action. Because Austin. He captivated her so completely, movement was impossible. Love him. I love him. I love him. I love him.
Her father cleared his throat. “Tea, anyone?”
…
Polly woke to the sound of heavy breathing. Hers? Between her legs, a thrumming beat echoed with delicious persistence. Her palms sweated, even though the air conditioner bathed her body. The passenger-side window of the car vibrated beneath her head, signaling the car’s movement, but it was nothing compared to the rasping intakes of breath picked up by her left ear. Not her breaths.
Cracking an eyelid open, she saw that evening had fallen and they’d exited the interstate, now winding their way through the streets of Polly’s neighborhood, Logan Square. Attempting to get her bearings, she rolled her neck and sat up, muffling a gasp in the sleeve of her borrowed jacket when the seat belt rubbed over her stiff nipples.
The sound of labored breathing once again filtered through the residual exhaustion fogging up her head, bringing her attention to Austin where he sat in the driver’s seat. Her spine snapped straight at what she saw. His upper lip was beaded with perspiration, his jaw tight enough to shatter. He stared straight ahead, navigating the streets with a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel.
“You were moaning in your sleep,” Austin said, so low she could barely hear him over the car’s engine. “Moaning my name…rubbing your legs together. For me. I called you mine in your father’s house, and you’ve accepted me. You…want me back.”
They slowed to a stop at a red light and he turned eyes that blazed on Polly. Sleep fled as they tracked a path over her exposed thighs, telling her without looking that the dress had ridden up in her sleep, or perhaps she’d lifted it herself, tempting him even in an unconscious state. “I should have pulled over, hiked up that meet-the-parents dress, and fucked you against the side of the car. But I liked hearing you need me. No, I…I love it. I love it. Your needs are my needs. And I won’t breathe or think or sleep until I’ve satisfied them. Twice.”
Polly had grown damp during Austin’s speech, the seat’s leather upholstery pressing against the underside of her mound. Her own breathing matched the tempo of his now, their urgency in sync as he gunned the car through the green light. Polly was thankful for the encroaching darkness because in her current state, she would feel indecent in the light of day. The dream she’d been having came back to her in graphic snippets, turning her nipples to tight peaks inside her dress. “Nothing looks familiar,” she breathed, watching her neighborhood speed by. “Nothing looks the same anymore when I feel like this.”
She wasn’t making any sense, but Austin’s hand left the steering wheel to squeeze her knee, telling her without words that he understood. And that was all that mattered. Finally, they turned down her block, bringing her building into view. Employing the same precision with which he did everything, Austin parallel parked alongside the curb and exited the vehicle to open her door. She studied his offered hand in fascination for a moment, amazed that it appeared to be an ordinary hand when she knew how he could use it.
“Help me breathe, Polly,” he grated.
Polly shook herself and slid her fingers onto his palm, gasping when he yanked her out of the car, into his side. He hastily locked the doors and led her to the building’s entrance, his footsteps brisk and familiar. But different. Because everything was different now. The way he’d been watching her ever since his declaration in her father’s kitchen…it wasn’t simply lust and fascination anymore. At first, Austin had appeared a little unsettled by his own vehemence, but it hadn’t been long before his demeanor had begun to own the words. Grow more powerful within them. Primal possessiveness had been present in every mannerism, every flare of emotion in his eyes.
As soon as they were off the street and ascending the stairs, Austin’s touch was beneath her dress, one strong hand molding her bottom.