Page 53 of Protect My Heart

“You’re only six minutes older.” Jim wanted to tell his brother where he could stuff those six minutes. “And she isn’t my girlfriend.”

Was she? No. Jim didn’t want to define this thing going on with Doc to anyone, let alone his brother. Jordan’s questioning smirk had him grinding his teeth.

“That’s not what I heard. Michelle filled me in on all the ‘sexual tension’ flowing between you and the lovely doctor.” He used air quotes to emphasize the words sexual tension. “When do I get to meet her?”

“Jesus, Jordan. She’s working one of my cases.” Jim rubbed his eyes.

“You caught that guy. Gang member, right?” At Jim’s nod, he continued. “So what’s with the personal bodyguard routine then?”

“It’s just...” Jim could never lie to his twin, but he wanted to. Jordan was the one person that saw how hard Kari’s betrayal hurt him. He would worry. Under his brother’s cockier-than-thou attitude, Jordan had a big heart. Jim didn’t want or need his brother hovering, or lectures. “Doc picked up a stalker and she’s CJ’s cousin. I’m doing him a favor.”

Eyes that looked exactly like his scrunched and his dark brows pulled in. “Why do I think you’re over simplifying the situation.”

“Hello.”

Jim dropped his head into his hands. Crap.

Jordan whirled around at the soft voice, his eyes rounded. “Well, hello.”

“You must be Jordan.” Doc extended her hand.

A wide smile spread across his brother’s face.

Jim’s gut tightened.

“Yes, and you’re Liz. Sorry I didn’t get to meet you last night at dinner. My sister tells me you’re a psychologist and are working a case with Jim.” Jordan leaned in, and crossed his arms over his chest. He listened intently as Doc explained her role as a child advocate.

Jim covered a groan before turning to his brother. “It was good to see you, Jordan, but Doctor Garcia and I have work to do.”

Jordan quirked a brow before he swiftly rose and extended his hand to Doc. “I’m sure we will see each other again.”

Oh, brother, was he hitting on her or threatening her? Jim wasn’t sure, but he knew it was more than a friendly parting.

“And we will talk soon, little brother.” He locked eyes with Jim before shaking his head and walking away. A faint mumble touched Jim’s ears as he went. “Favor my ass.”

“Hope I’m not interrupting.” Doc sat on the visitor’s chair.

“Not at all.” He moved papers around his desk before looking up at her. Her back was ramrod straight, her jaw set in a firm line. This wasn’t looking good for him. Last night when they got back to her parents’ house, he and Tig checked the perimeter and set the security system while Doc headed upstairs. Jim was hoping for a repeat of the other nights but when he got there, she was fast asleep. One look at the soft curve of her face and her lush hips under the blanket and he knew he was getting too attached to the lovely Doc. Her mix of strong woman and vulnerable child sucked him in.

He had slept in the spare room last night and had left before she woke. Cowardly, yes. But he considered it self-preservation.

He cleared his throat. “How are you feeling today?”

“Well rested. And you?”

“Um, good.” Liar. He tossed and turned until he was cocooned so tight in the sheets, he lost feeling in his toes. He wiped the sheen of sweat from his upper lip. This was crazy, and one of the reasons he avoided relationships. “Doc, I’m sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have asked you to come to my parents for dinner.”

She tipped her head to the side and waited.

“I mean, they assumed... we... and then they upset you.” The pen slipped from his fingers, he wiped them on his pants.

“I get it.” She put her index finger to her chin and nodded. “You got scared. We haven’t defined our relationship parameters. Meeting the family was a massive jump ahead, but I didn’t think you had a cowardly bone in your body, Jim Swenson. Until now.”

She rose to leave. “Let me know if anything further is required from my patient. You can move your things out of the house tonight. I won’t be requiring your services any longer.”

“Wait one minute.” Jim jumped up. He couldn’t have this conversation in the middle of the station. He reached for her hand, but when she pulled back—he stopped. “Let’s take this conversation into the conference room.”

“I think we’re done.” Her shoulders stiffened.