Page 16 of Protect My Heart

She leaned against the wall and faked nonchalance. Before she could think of a convincing lie, Jim reached out, pulled her hand from her pocket, and held it out.

“Then tell me why you’re trembling? I know I’m irresistible, but I doubt it’s my animal magnetism that has you shaking.”

His thumb caressed her hand as his eyes searched hers for an answer she didn’t want to give.

She snorted a laugh at his comment but he waited. Still caressing, still waiting.

No way could she lie convincingly. Damn. “I received a strange call on my way home. That’s all.”

“What kind of a call?” His grip on her fingers tightened. Not bruising but firm.

Of course he would ask questions. He was a cop, a dang good one from what she could tell. “Just a crank call. Someone’s idea of a bad joke. It must have rattled me more than I thought if you noticed.”

His brow raised. Aw shit, he didn’t believe her.

She slipped her hand from his and folded her arms across her chest. “Really, it was nothing.”

“Nothing?” His intense dark eyes searched hers before slowly traversing the length of her body and back up again. “If you say so. You won’t mind me telling CJ about your crank call, will you?”

“You can’t!” She dropped her arms and lunged forward, catching herself before she grabbed his button-down shirt. “I mean... We don’t need to bother him. He’s so busy with work and his daughter, Callie, and Lorna. You know.”

Jim closed the distance between them, taking the precious inch of space she used as a buffer. He bent down until his face loomed inches from hers. He probably meant it to be intimidating but it wasn’t. She wanted to stretch the last few inches and touch his lips with her. Her body swayed. Her blinks slowed to the point of her eyes closing. Just one more inch—

“You’re so full of shit.”

“What?” Her eyes flew open.

The smirk on his face was too damn sexy. She wanted to slap it off.

“It wasn’t a crank call. You know it and I know it. Your body is wound up so tight right now I could bounce a quarter off you.” His hand feathered over her hair before coming to rest on her shoulder. “If you don’t want CJ to know you better start talking.”

“That’s blackmail.”

“No, that’s being a good cop. CJ’s my partner and you’re his cousin. I’d be remiss if I didn’t take care of you.”

She scrunched her eyes as she contemplated his reply. “I think you’re sticking that big nose of yours in where it doesn’t belong. I’m fine and there is no reason to worry my cousin.”

“Well, maybe I’ll hang around and make sure everything really is fine.”

Liz started to slip beside him but he bracketed her in.

“Or maybe I just like hanging around you.” His eyes bore into hers and his words stopped her retreat.

“You are just—”

The feel of his warm breath on her face halted her words. Inhaling, she caught the faint woodsy smell. Rich and tangy. Her eyes focused on those tantalizing lips inches from hers. Before she could register a conscious thought, he pulled away. The rush of cool air jolted her back to reality.

“So, what’s it going to be? You tell me what’s going on or you just got yourself a new shadow?”

Damn, the cocky look he wore was justified—the jerk hadn’t even kissed her, just his close proximity had all logic leaving her brain.

No way had she wanted to tell him about her father. But while she would love to see what would happen if his lips actually touched hers, the last thing she needed was to get involved with the detective in charge of her case. Luis must come first.

Maybe she could tell him. He already knew her father was in prison. She glanced over his shoulder to make sure the others weren’t close then grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hall to the study. Liz slipped her purse off the entry table as she passed.

Inside the beautifully appointed room, she dropped her purse on the leather sofa and crossed to the side table. She uncorked the decanter, letting the rich aroma of the barrel-aged whiskey fill her nose. She raised the bottle and offered to pour him a drink. When he declined, she replaced the stopper and turned to face him.

He stood in the middle of the elegant room, all raw masculine beauty. His scent lingered in the air. The urge to bury her nose in his neck and inhale his intoxicating smell was strong. He smelled way better than the twelve-year-old liquor.