Page 60 of Protect My Heart

“Why?” She cocked her head.

Tigger pushed by his leg, wiggling, and wagging his tail. Doc reached down and gave the dog kisses and hugs. Jim looked at man’s best friend. Traitor.

When he didn’t answer, she cocked her hip to the side and tipped her head to look at him through her long thick eyelashes. “If I’d known we’d be having this conversation in the doorway I’d have worn warmer clothes.”

His heart picked up its pace. The look she gave him could melt the toughest bastard into a pool of goo. He should know, he was the biggest bastard of them all. With more willpower than he thought he possessed, he crossed his arms over his chest. “What did you want to talk about, Doc?”

“What do you think we should talk about?” She shivered once then focused her gaze on him with new intensity.

A sigh escaped him, and he dropped his arms. Stepping back, he waved an arm to usher her in. “Well, come in before you freeze to death.”

She didn’t smile, but he could tell she was pleased that he caved so fast. Sucker.

Jim grabbed his shirt from the floor and pulled it over his head. Better to have armor if they were having the conversation. Jim hadn’t had a relationship talk with a woman since Kari. He didn’t expect this one would go any better than the last one did.

Doc surveyed the interior of the ice house before sitting on the end of the cot. She didn’t remove her coat. Jim envisioned a lacy bra and panty set. His mouth went dry at the thought. He cleared his throat.

“Listen, Doc, I know I kinda told your parents we were together, but...” But what? He didn’t know what to say. Yes, they had been together for what? A few days. A week. Tonight proved he didn’t know her as well as he thought.

“Oh, you did more than that. You gave my mother the opening she’d been praying for. For the last five years, she’s been pushing me to find a nice boy and settle down, give her grand babies to cuddle before she needs a knee replacement and can’t bounce them.” She let out a long sigh. “Don’t get me wrong. I want a houseful of kids someday. While I love my mother, I’m not living my life on her schedule. That’s why I stayed away for so long. The meddling.”

She most likely will leave again.

“I get it. This is moving too fast.” She shifted and crossed her legs, revealing that long line of tan thigh.

He swallowed. Crap, she was still talking and he missed it.

Her lips tipped up and she cocked her head. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, uh, maybe. Could you repeat the last part?”

“I said, it’s only been a short while that we have known each other and maybe we should spend some time getting to know one another.”

Jim grinned. “I think we know quite a lot about one another. Like I know all about that cute mole on your—”

“Outside of bed.”

The flush on her cheeks made Jim’s smile widen. Oh yeah, he could think of a few alternatives to the bedroom. He’d love to hear those sweet noises she made echoing off the shower walls when he pushed her over the top.

She straightened and closed the coattails over her legs.

Crap, what was he thinking? He’d decided they were better to end it now and here he was fantasizing about Doc covered in suds, all slippery and wet. “I, uh, was thinking that we should probably keep our relationship on a more professional level.”

Her brow shot up. “Really. Isn’t it a little late for that?”

“Probably.” He had to give her that. “But with your parents here and you moving out east—”

“Did I say I was moving? Because I don’t remember saying that. Actually, I vividly recall telling you I moved here.”

“Yes, but—”

“But what? When are you going to tell me about her?”

Jim’s head whipped up. “Who?”

“The girl who moved and broke your heart.” She put up a hand when he sputtered. “Let’s see how much I got right. You were young, probably in high school. First love often leaves the largest impression on our soul.”

Jim closed his arms over his chest. Closing himself off to Doc. He knew she had been analyzing him even if she never said a word.