Page 50 of Protect My Heart

Liz watched her internal debate before she continued.

“Let’s face it. You have a body and face most women will hate you for.”

Liz’s cheeks heated.

“You even blush like damn royalty. You have that gorgeous perennial tan. Hell, if I were a lesbian, I’d go for you.”

Now, Liz laughed. “You know what? I think you and I could become best friends. You’d do wonders for my self-esteem.”

Amy sat back in her chair and gave Liz one of those assessing looks. “I think you might be right.”

They toasted to friendship with their cop-saying mugs and spent the rest of the afternoon drinking coffee and talking.

Jim checked his phone for the eighth time since leaving Doc. Was she alright? Amy’s text was short and cryptic. All’s good. What the hell does that mean? Was it not good at one point? Or worse, were they bonding? Braiding each other’s hair and talking about boys?

Jesus, Jim. Pull it together.

“Would you text her already?” CJ kept his eyes on the road as he spoke. “She set the alarm, and you sent Larson to check on her.”

Jim glanced at his partner who seemed totally relaxed, but if he gripped the steering wheel any tighter it would snap. Deciding to test his theory about CJ’s nonchalant attitude, Jim pulled out his phone and tapped a few buttons. He jerked and let out a gasp.

The car swerved to the right before CJ corrected. “What?”

“I got the Powerball number right on my ticket this week. Four bucks. Score.” Jim pumped his fist.

“You’re a prick, you know that, right?” CJ flexed his fingers and stretched out his neck. “We could have crashed.”

Jim laughed. “Just checking to see what happened to Doc’s overprotective cousin. I thought he might have left.”

“Funny, but I’m not the one checking my phone every five seconds. Besides, I promised Liz I would step back and not interfere with her life.”

“How’s that working for you?”

CJ turned and gave Jim a deadpan stare. “Not for shit. I may not be staking out the house, but that doesn’t mean I’m not worried about her. Hell, I even have you living there to keep her safe.”

Jim glanced at his phone, complete silence.

“Shit.” CJ shook his head and signaled to change lanes. “I asked you to protect her not sleep with her.”

“What we do is none of your business. She’s an adult.” He hoped for a little more time before his partner figured out Jim and Doc had a more involved relationship than just cop and advocate. If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want CJ to find out at all. That way when it ended, they wouldn’t have this tension at work.

“If you break her heart, you’re a dead man.” CJ didn’t make idle threats. The low timbre in his voice left no room for misinterpreting his seriousness.

“What if she breaks mine?” A fear he hadn’t voiced until now.

CJ rolled his eyes. “Liz has a heart of gold. Just make sure you protect it. I don’t want this thing to end badly with you two.”

Jim thought about his partner’s comments as they drove across town in silence. It was as clear as glass that CJ didn’t think Jim had a future with Doc. Jim had to admit a relationship between him and Doc was as likely as the Vikings winning the Super Bowl. But it chaffed him that CJ thought he would willingly break her heart.

The image of her straddling him was seared on his brain. Her long hair falling in waves over her bare breasts. Her dark soulful eyes locked with his.

He rubbed the center of his chest. Who would protect his heart?

Jim’s phone buzzed and both men jumped. A glance at the screen had him shaking his head. “Hello, Mom.”

“Are you coming to dinner on Sunday?”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”