Page 22 of Protect My Heart

“Detective.”

“Being so formal today.” He stepped closer.

Her eyes locked on a drip of sweat as it ran down his chest. Transfixed. Jealous of that single drop as it took the path down his body, past his naval and disappeared into the happy trail above his low riding shorts. God, she wanted to lick that drop from his toned abs.

His face tipped down to hers, separated by the barest inch. Her gaze moved to his sexy grin. His voice came out low and husky.

“Your lips have been on mine—you can call me Jim.”

Her reply clogged in her throat. His body was close enough to touch. Her fingers itched. She curled them into fists.

This wasn’t the longest dry spell she’d ever had, so why was her body so aware of every freakin’ thing about him?

His musky scent filled her lungs. He was dripping with sweat. It should repel her, but it didn’t. How could he smell so good?

Jim took her arm and tugged her away from the others. He leaned in and she held her breath. Would he kiss her? She should resist, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the last time their lips met.

“Have you gone to pick up your father’s effects yet?”

Her brows drew in. His question threw her off guard.

“Um, no.” She didn’t want to tell him she had been stalling. “I need to do that soon.”

“Well, I have to go to the prison tomorrow anyway, so I’ll pick you up.” He leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

“No, it’s okay. I can—”

“No bother.” He pushed off the wall. “I’ll pick you up at ten.”

Liz stood in the walkway with her mouth open. Shell-shocked. The last thing she wanted to do was to pick up her father’s things. Correction, the last thing was picking up her father’s things with Jim at her side. She already felt like an idiot for falling apart in front of him. She was a doctor for goodness sakes, not a bumbling emotional child. This man always saw her at the worst times.

Not again. Her gaze locked with his. Thank you, no, I’m good, was on the tip of her tongue. Really it was, but when his dark eyes bored into hers, her knees melted. “Sounds good.”

No, no, no. Why couldn’t she tell him no? Time to remember who she was now, a strong independent woman. Not who she used to be, a scared panic-prone child.

His hand skated up her arm to her shoulder. Waves of longing followed in its wake. So maybe it wasn’t the child making the decisions after all. Her body definitely wanted him, but it was a bad idea.

His fingers danced at the base of her neck.

Pulling all the strength she could, she stepped back.

His hand fell to his side. He cleared his throat. “Time for me to hit the showers. See you tomorrow, Doc.”

She nodded. He walked past her.

Don’t watch his ass. Don’t watch his ass. She scratched her chin and peeked over her shoulder.

His cocky grin flashed as he swaggered out of the gym.

Damn it, he caught her. She rubbed her palm over her face. Embarrassment heated her cheeks, but it was totally worth it.

Chapter 8

Liz double checked the contents of her purse for the third time. Tissue, lip balm, debit card, her ID, and the letter. She fingered the letter before closing her bag.

“How many more times are you going to look in that thing?” Jim took his eyes off the road for a split second to glance at her. “All you need is your identification.”

“I have it.” She turned to look out the side window. Quaint shops and restaurants with colorful awnings lined Stillwater, Minnesota’s main strip. Glimpses of frozen water flashed between the buildings, the St. Croix River the perfect backdrop to this charming small town.