Page 41 of Protect My Heart

“I already reset it when I checked the house.”

Doc swayed to the left and Jim scooped her up in a fireman’s carry.

She squealed.

He hoisted her up higher, eliciting another squeak from her. “Relax, I’m not going to drop you.”

Jim pulled back the cream comforter with one hand and laid Doc in the sheets. Seconds later, Tigger joined her. Smart dog. Jim wanted to curl up by her on the bed. But if he couldn’t, he’d be damned if he’d let his dog do it. He snapped his fingers, “Get off.”

Tig gave him the most pitiful look but rose. Doc put her hand on his furry head. “He can stay.”

His dog’s tongue rolled out and he panted. Lucky son of a bitch. Huffing out a breath, Jim said, “Fine, but don’t get used to it. I’ll be in the next room.”

His feet dragged across the floor. Exiled to the cold lonely bed a room away.

“Jim.” Her voice, the barest whisper.

He put his hands in his front pockets, turned, and waited for her to continue. She visibly swallowed before she continued. “Would you please stay? I’d feel... safer if you were here.”

He raised a brow. Safe was the last thing she would feel if she knew what he wanted to do with her. “Are you sure?”

A shy smile crossed her lips and she nodded.

“Doc, you know if I get in that bed with you there’s a ninety-five percent chance we won’t sleep. You need sleep.”

“Have you ever considered that I might know the odds, and am betting on them?”

“Really? If your blinks were any longer, I could count the veins in your eyelids.”

She patted the bed between her and the dog.

His hand ran over the back of his neck. She wasn’t one of his usual badge bunnies. “Doc, I’m, uh... not the commitment kind. I can’t promise you forever.”

Her smile changed and she looked up at him from under her eyelashes. “Who said I wanted forever? I just want you tonight. Whatever that entails.”

“Fine, but I’m pretty tired too, so no promises on the odds.” She was still dressed, so he slipped off his shoes, set his sidearm on the nightstand, and crawled under the covers fully dressed. Her words may claim she’s up for a rousing game of bed Twister, but the yawn she tried to hide told another story.

Tigger moved to the foot of the bed, and Doc curled her sweet body around Jim. She stretched up and gave him a soft lingering kiss before resting her head on his chest.

“If you say so. Thank you for staying.” Within seconds her breathing evened out, and the hand clenched in his shirt went slack.

As if under its own power, his hand stroked the length of her back. He listened to the creaks of the house, the snore of his dog, and the soft exhales from Doc.

It had been a long ass day. He lay there counting her breaths. It should have lulled him to sleep. It didn’t. One, two hours later and he was still awake. No matter what he tried he couldn’t force his body to relax.

With as much stealth as he possessed, he adjusted the bulge behind his fly and shifted her leg that was coiled like a python around his body. It was so much worse than a wet dream. This was real and he couldn’t act on it. He wouldn’t. She needed sleep, let her sleep. The words a mantra in his head.

Not the end to the night he hoped for. His muscles started to relax. Finally, but then she slid her hand down his body. Her fingers coming to rest under the edge of his waistband. No amount of chanting would tame the beast pulsing inches from her fingertips.

Shit. He wouldn’t take advantage of a sleeping woman, but he couldn’t take the torture much longer. Screw it. One hand grasped the covers. He was out of here, but when he glanced at her face. Brown eyes stared back. Awake and very alert eyes.

“Please stay.” She tipped her chin up and pressed a kiss at the dip in the base of his neck. While at the same moment, her hand moved south.

Jim rolled to pull her close and as his lips met hers, only one thought entered his mind. Hallelujah.

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips. If this was any other woman, Jim would have sworn it was a calculated move, but not Doc. Her lashes fluttered, soft and quick. He’d bet by the strum of her pulse at her neck that nerves ran under that cool facade.

He reached out. One finger stroked the loose strand of hair at her temple. Dark chocolate eyes blinked up at him.