Page 45 of Protect My Heart

Inches from his groin, he stopped her. A cold chill rushed over her. Loss of body heat or something deeper. She tried not to think too hard about it, but her brain dissected the implications of his retreat. Was he done? One night of amazing, casual sex?

He rolled to the side and disposed of the condom. When he rolled back, he brushed a lock of her hair from her face. “Do you know what’s worse than a crier? A thinker. Doc, stop thinking and get over here.”

She dropped her gaze. His cock sat at half-mast.

Jim was right, she was overthinking. She ran a finger over the tip. It twitched. Growing with each touch.

A smile crossed her face, and she lowered her head. This was much better than Ben and Jerry’s.

Chapter 14

A sliver of light filtered into the room, just enough for Liz to study Jim’s sleeping form. Her fingers lazily toyed with the dark curls on his chest. He deserved the sleep. She couldn’t believe how sweet and tender of a lover he was. A smile crept to her lips––who would have thought he hid such a soft side. The man didn’t miss a detail. He had total control of her body. Her legs still quivered to prove it. But it was the way this crabby, domineering cop let her take the reins that surprised her. She loved every minute of it.

Taking in his slumbering features, she moved a finger over the light creases around his mouth, careful not to wake him.

Don’t fall for him. The man chased danger for a living. The last thing she needed was to love another guy who would leave her.

“What are you thinking?” His sleepy tone washed over her.

A liquid contentment pumped in her veins. Her hands cascaded across his chest, across his collarbone and back to that impressive mouth.

A quiet voice in her head scolded her. Liz hushed the tiny troll. This might not be permanent, but she could enjoy it for now. She smiled against his chest before turning up to press a lingering kiss to the underside of his jaw.

“Hmm, enjoying the afterglow.” She looked up at him from behind her lashes. “I knew it would be good but... damn.”

He laughed. One loud chuckle, as he ran a hand down her side to rest on her hip. “Is that your professional analysis, Doc?”

“Nothing professional about what we did.” She ran her hand down, circled his belly button before following the trail of soft hair to his now growing erection. “It was all personal.”

“Woman, you trying to kill me? I can’t think of a better way to go, but I’d like more time with you before that happens.” He rolled her over, pinning her beneath him.

His words hit hard. He wanted more time. So did she. But it would be a mistake. Tightness grew in her chest.

Clearing her throat, she planted a quick kiss on his lips then retreated like the smart woman she was. “I should get up anyway. I still need to check the storage room downstairs to see if Mami kept any of my father’s things.”

His hands ran through his hair, down his face, then wiping across his mouth. He shoved the covers aside and sat on the edge of the bed. “Let me grab a quick shower and I’ll help you.”

“I’ll start breakfast.” She admired his impressive male form as he crossed to the en suite. Her core ached, and she clenched her legs together. No man had ever had this instant effect on her.

Once the door closed, she dropped back onto the pillows and blew out a breath. Detective Jim Swenson would be the death of her, but he was right. What a way to go.

Liz sent a longing look to the bathroom door. No, not a good idea. They wouldn’t get anything done today if she indulged in that little fantasy. Slow as a sloth, she dressed in her workout clothes and went downstairs.

“Morning, Tig.” She let him out to do his morning business, and then pulled out eggs and bacon. After the rigorous activity of the night, a man needed protein.

A wicked smirk crossed her face. A woman too.

The smell of bacon filled the room. Tigger perched at her side. His nose twitched and his tongue lolled out as five-inch streams of saliva hung from his jowls. Something slid around her waist.

A squeak escaped her lips. Jim. The sizzle and popping masked his footsteps. “You’re a sneaky bugger.”

“The element of surprise can come in handy in my line of work.” His fingers stroked the underside of her breast before trailing down to rest low on her belly. She melted into his broad chest. Warm lips caressed her neck, and her head automatically tipped to allow him better access.

“I’ll have to get you a bell or something.” Not that she would be with him long enough to need it. Sadness gripped her chest. She could get used to this. Him.

A sharp bark made her jump.

“Tig, stop.” Jim placed a quick kiss on Liz’s neck before he patted the dog’s head and moved to grab a mug, “I see guilty people” written on the front. “Think your mom kept the knife he referred to?”