Page 54 of Protect My Heart

He moved into her space and dropped his voice. “Not by a long shot.”

Her eyes darkened and dropped to his mouth. They definitely were not done.

He took her hand and led her to a small conference room, and closed the door. The tension whirled around them. “You’re overthinking this.”

“Me? You’re the one who didn’t want to bring me to your parent’s house in the first place, then yes, I freaked out. So I get it. Not the best first impression, but we aren’t dating so it wasn’t a big deal. Then you disappeared without a word this morning.” Her hands flew to her hips. “I get the thought of a real relationship scares the ever-loving shit out of you. But I thought of all the men I know, you would be able to discuss it like an adult, not slink off in the dark.”

“Okay.” He put his hands up. “First of all, I didn’t slink off in the dark. It was light out when I left. And secondly, I may not like it, but we are in a relationship. We are for all intents and purposes living together. And three, your freak-out had nothing to do with it, if anything, I think it made my mom like you even more.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and three, you were asleep when I got upstairs. Okay, maybe I did have a tiny freak-out of my own but I have my reasons.”

“You said three twice.” Her lips tipped up into a smile. “But who’s counting.”

Jim shook his head, then pulled her in for a hug. “I’m sorry I don’t communicate well. I’m a guy.”

She leaned in and kissed him. “Men are missing that gene.”

“Is that a proven fact, Doctor?” His hands ran up and down her back.

“Yup.” The cutest laugh slipped from her mouth.

Jim wanted that mouth on him, but it wasn’t the place. So, he settled for one chaste kiss before stepping back.

“Will you tell me about your reasons for the freak-out someday?” Her face open. No judgment, only caring.

What could he tell her? He hadn’t ever been close enough to another woman to tell them about Kari and the baby. He looked into her dark eyes, and something shifted inside him. “Yes, someday.”

Chapter 17

The psychologist in her told her to leave it alone, but the woman in her had her pulling her car into the grocery store. A nice meal would relax him. It wasn’t pushing, was it? No. Sofrito pork chops and a quiet night was being a good roommate.

She touched her nose. Had it grown from the little white lie she’d just told herself?

Her mind couldn’t stop thinking about their conversation today. He didn’t say anything about long-term, only that they were in a relationship. This was good. She could handle this. As long as she didn’t get too attached. Making dinner and probing his personal wounds weren’t attachments. She should know––she was a psychologist.

Liar, liar, pants on fire. She closed her eyes and let her feelings bombard her. Not only had she started forming attachments to Jim, hell, those attachments had wound their way into her chest and were working away at the shell around her heart.

Her eyes flew open at the realization. This relationship felt… real. She ran a hand over her neck and down to rub at the ache in her chest. It was real. Real and scary, but temporary.

Her head dropped to the steering wheel. Nerves sped through her body. Not tonight. This wasn’t about her tonight. She inhaled and counted to three, then exhaled. Short or long. Scary or not. Tonight wasn’t about her.

Pushing her hair from her face, she straightened. Tonight was about now and Jim. Not the fact she was a nosey person, but that she could help him. She gave a decisive head nod and got out of the car.

With list in hand, she strolled down the aisles, stopping to inspect the lettuce and berries. She added them to her cart. Rounding the corner, the case of lobsters drew her eye. Her mouth watered, “Umm, no, that might be trying too hard.”

With a jerk, she came to an abrupt stop when she grazed another cart. “Oh, I’m so sorry, are you alright?”

The man looked up from his cart. “Doctor Garcia?”

“Warden Finden? Hello, call me Liz.”

“How are you doing? I’m sure it’s been a tough time with the grief and all.” His eyes softened.

“It’s... challenging. I’m learning so much since his death. It’s a lot to process.” A weight settled on her chest as she thought of her father. “You served with him, didn’t you?”

He nodded. A small frown appeared on his face.