Page 18 of Protect My Heart

Jim flinched as hundreds of drops of saliva exited with the air, right into his face. Lifting his arm, he wiped it away with his sleeve. “Good, but next time try not to spit at me.”

A pink blush spread up her neck, and she dropped her gaze to the ground. “Sorry.”

“Hey.” He lifted her chin. “It’s okay, but next time we swap bodily fluids it will be more fun.”

“What makes you so sure we will be doing any swapping?”

“Oh we will. I have a strong feeling it will happen, and soon.”

She stepped back and her fists rested on the curve of her hips. Flames sparked in her eyes and it didn’t look good for Jim. But, dang if she wasn’t gorgeous with her color up and ready to spit nails at him.

She leaned in and through gritted teeth, she said, “I can assure you that my lips will not be anywhere near...”

A throat clearing broke into his consciousness at the same time as Doc pulled back. His dazed look from their brief encounter was mirrored in her eyes.

He wiped his lips as he turned. The sight of his partner’s scowl doused his attraction.

“You work fast.” CJ’s cop-stare was directed at Jim. “I came to check on Lizzie and find you two nose-to-nose.”

“CJ, I’m fine. Jim and I were just talking.” Liz stepped in front of Jim. Her fingers grabbed the letter as she moved by him, shoved it in the waistband of her pants, and pulled her shirt over to cover it.

“Uh huh.”

Jim held up his hands in a sign of surrender, but the veins popping out in CJ’s neck had any words he might say sliding back down his throat. Doc’s hands landed on her hips again in the most intimidating mom-stance. So why did it make Jim want to laugh and pull her close.

“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a grown woman. I’ve lived on my own for years now and can take care of myself, Cuz.”

“Lizzie.”

“Stop. I’m fine.”

CJ’s gaze shot to Jim. “Yeah, but you don’t know this guy like I do.”

Doc straightened and glared at her cousin. To Jim’s surprise, CJ actually backed up a step, but when his gaze connected with Jim, the man moved closer to Doc. Not a good move, because when CJ’s hand touched her arm and he started to argue, she snapped.

An icy chill rolled off Doc as she straightened her spine. “Carlton, I understand your innate need as the oldest son to protect and assert your male dominance over the situation.”

Jim would have sworn she grew two inches as she dressed down her cousin.

“But, remember dear cousin, I am an independent woman of twenty-nine with a doctorate in psychology. I don’t need your brawn to do my bidding.”

She whirled around, grabbed Jim by the collar and with surprising strength, pulled him to her. He’d barely caught his balance, and she tilted his world by locking her lips to his. This was no gentle tasting or quiet exploration, but a full on, tongues engaged, open mouth kiss. It was hot as hell, and Jim would have taken it a step farther if CJ hadn’t been in the room. She broke the connection. In a move that was pure grace, she pushed him away and spun to face her cousin.

“So you see, Cuz. I can make decisions for myself and I don’t need a bodyguard.” With that closing comment, she strolled from the room.

CJ glared at Jim. “What the hell, Man? I invited you here hoping you could get past this issue you have with rich people. She’s my cousin. I didn’t think you’d treat her like one of your hookups.”

Tearing his eyes from the place where Doc’s cute ass left the room, he locked eyes with his partner. “She kissed me. And by the way, thanks for thinking so low of me.”

Before CJ could reply, Jim stomped out. Yes, he knew it was petty to act like a wounded teenager, but damn it hurt. The man he looked up to. Now he knew, CJ believed he only thought with his dick. Sure, they joked around and gave each other shit, but he thought CJ knew him better than that.

Guess he thought wrong.

Chapter 7

“Will my family ever realize I grew up?” Liz pulled off her sweater and slipped into her Winnie the Pooh pajamas.

Yes, she had a hard time after that night. The night had changed her life, but she went to therapy. Good therapy, that’s the reason she became a psychologist. But in her family’s eyes, she would always be the little girl hiding behind the curtain.