Lifeline

A sputter of laughter bursts from JJ as if the thought of doing either of the two with me is ridiculous. Then she realizes I’m serious, and her eyes widen while her mouth drops open. She’s stunned for a good couple of seconds before she regains her composure and mumbles, “Heated argument it is.”

The fact that she’s clearly opposed to kissing me makes a weird mixture of rejection and annoyance slither beneath my skin. With my eyes burning on hers, I nod. “Shouldn’t be difficult. All I have to do to get you riled up is ask a personal question.”

A slight frown forms between her eyebrows. “I apologized.”

Turning my attention back to the club, my gaze touches on the line of people snaking down the side of the building.

JJ lets out a huff, clearly annoyed as well, then she reaches for the radio and turns it on.

It’s connected to my personal playlist, picking up in the middle of Death Valley. As one song after the other plays, I can feel JJ analyzing every single one, trying to figure me out.

Her eyes drift to my face way too often until the back of my neck is itching. When I reach my limit, I pin her with a look of warning, my voice low and threatening. “You better stop, or this will be the last time I bring you along for a stake-out.”

Again she frowns at me. “Stop what?”

“Analyzing me.”

“God, O’Brien,” she mutters, rolling her eyes at me, and fuck if it doesn’t make me want to pull her over my knee. “Trying to get to know a team member is not analyzing them. You clearly haven’t decompressed from being undercover. Stop treating me like I’m some kind of threat to you.”

My eyebrow darts up, but before I can retaliate, what she said sinks in, then a burst of amused laughter escapes me. Smirking, I shake my head. “The day you’re a threat to me is the day hell freezes over.”

Anger flashes in her eyes, making them sparkle. Instead of lashing out, she takes a deep breath then turns her attention to the club. “Take the testosterone down a notch.”

That will only happen when she stops drowning me in estrogen.

I start to mull over what she said, not liking that she feels I’m treating her like a criminal. That was not my intention.

I can feel the tension building from JJ’s side of the car, then awareness prickles over my skin as she again glances at me. “I really don’t want a strained work relationship. I just want to get to know you better, seeing as we’re on the same team.”

“This is me being professional.”

“What did I do to piss you off?”

Where to fucking begin? She trained her weapon on me while almost getting herself killed. With every passing minute, she’s becoming more and more disarming, and it’s starting to feel like there’s a permanent itch crawling beneath my skin. But if I have to pinpoint why I’m so fucking irritated by her, it’s because of the damn overprotectiveness. It makes me feel responsible for her, and that shit’s just not flying with me.

I grew up an only child, and after losing my parents, Chief Archer became my guardian. We’re both quiet, and he’s always made a point of giving me my privacy. I work alone even though I’m part of the team.

“I’m a loner by nature, and you’re fucking with my peace and quiet,” I answer honestly.

The tension instantly eases from the car as if my admission flipped a magic switch. My eyes dart to JJ’s face only to be met with an understanding smile.

My eyebrows draw together. “What’s the smile for?” Most people get upset when I tell them that.

“You’re an introvert. I get it now.”

It sounds like a weakness, which only makes the expression on my face darken.

“My dad was an introvert and empath. He was able to sense when any of us were upset before we even knew.” JJ lets out a warm chuckle. “You probably felt the tension in me and reacted to that.”

I glance to the club and noticing Berisha standing with two of his men, Idrizi and Troka, staring in our direction, I mutter, “Fuck. You’re the worst person to do surveillance with. We’ve been spotted.” JJ starts to turn her head, and it has me snapping, “Eyes on me. Don’t you fucking dare look at them.”

Her gaze starts to burn into me. “Crap, I can’t think of anything to start a heated argument.”

Idrizi and Troka begin to walk toward us, and an overwhelming need to protect JJ takes over my common sense. Just reacting, I shove the binoculars beneath JJ’s seat while my other arm darts out, grabbing hold of her behind her neck. I yank her to me, then my mouth crushes against hers, and the feel of her luscious lips stuns the fuck out of me.