Page 51 of Kings Against the World

“You told me, Special Agent,” he teases. “You said you’ve taken down men twice your size.”

“If you think I was joking, I wasn’t. I’m a black belt in Krav Maga.”

“So basically you’re telling me you can kick my ass?”

He laughs and I do too.

“Does that intimidate you?” I ask almost cautiously. It wouldn’t be the first time the answer was ayesfrom a man.

“Nah, why would it? You’re a strong chick. Any guy who would be intimidated by that’s weak. Besides,” he says, cutting his sidelong gaze to me again, prompting another tummy flip, “I’m pretty confident I can handle you.”

The hot flush slowly returns to my complexion, making me feel like I’m burning up. I dab at the scrape on his jaw some more, suddenly aware how hot it is in the room. I’m so distracted that I forget to respond.

Ozzie surprises me, gripping me by the thigh, giving me a firm squeeze. “Earth to Special Agent Strauss… did I just… make you blush?”

“What?” I sputter. I shake my head profusely. “Of course not, Gallagher. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Your skin’s hot… and very, very smooth. I think I did.”

Okay, now he’s definitely fucking with me.

“Remove your hand from my thigh.”

“Is that a command?”

I drop my hand from where it’s dabbing at his jaw and I look him in his gleaming blue eyes. “You’re flirting with me.”

“And if I am?”

I pop to my feet, afraid to answer that question. Distantly aware of what I would do and how I would respond. Instead I put some distance between us, clutching the damp, bloody towelbetween my fingers and striding toward the other side of the room.

“You haven’t told me what happened with Boone.”

“What more is there to say about it? You already guessed it—Boone had his goons jump me. It was six on one and I didn’t stand a chance. But I took the fucking beating like a champ. I didn’t beg and I still won’t do what the fuck he wants?—”

“You have to,” I cut in. “You have to do what he wants. For the investigation.”

Ozzie blows out an aggravated breath, the grin dropping from his face.

“Andfor your safety,” I continue. “Ozzie, you’ve told me this isn’t a game. That I could be putting myself in a situation I can’t get out of. Take your own advice.”

“I’ll play the tournament like I agreed to do. That’s the best you’ll get out of me.”

“And you say I’m difficult. Maybe it’s true what they say. It does take one to know one.”

He pops to his feet, his energy a sudden wave of irritation. “I guess neither of us have room to talk. Then maybe we should back off and do our own thing. We don’t even need to work together anymore. We could tell Boone we broke up. Then you can give him all the lap dances you want.”

“Is that what this is about?” I ask in wide-eyed disbelief. “You’re still pissed about last night?”

“I’m pissed I’ve been dragged into something I didn’t wanna be in!”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have come out into the alley that night. You should’ve minded your own business.”

His expression darkens. “We’ve been over this. You gonna tell me more about how you had it under control?”

“It doesn’t matter if I did or not, it wasn’t your place! In fact, I don’t knowwhatyour problem is!” I say, throwing my arms upinto the air. “One second you’re flirting with me, the next you’re throwing a hissy fit over a fucking lap dance that hasn’t even happened yet! Maybe you’re right—this whole fake relationship thing isn’t working out! You can’t handle it.”

He seems at a loss for words for a second, then takes a step forward, jabbing his thumb into his chest. “You think it’s me?I’mthe problem?”

---