Lifeline

I watch as Cooper stops at second base, then he flips me off.

“You have a problem with me protecting you, JJ?” I ask without bothering to look at her.

She comes to stand next to me. “No, but I do have a problem with you wrapping me in cotton wool. It makes me look weak.”

The next ball flies toward Finch, and I take the moment to glance at JJ. “I make you look weak?”

She lets out a sigh. “I get you’re protective, and I appreciate it, but I’d rather be your partner than a little sister. What I lack in the physical department I more than make up for mentally.”

Oh, baby, you lack nothing in the physical department.

She’s right, though. I need to put my personal feelings aside.

Nodding, I turn my attention back to the game. “I’ll work on it.”

“Thanks.”

Moving away from JJ, I roll my shoulders.

“Trouble in paradise, sweetheart?” Cooper calls out from third base. “You should come work with me.”

JJ lets out a burst of laughter. “Last time I checked, you haven’t closed half the amount of cases as O’Brien. There’s nothing you can teach me.”

“Oh, I bet I could teach you a thing or two.” The fucker winks at her, and I cross my arms over my chest while fighting the urge to punch the suggestive smile off his face.

I glance at JJ, just in time to see her scrunch her nose in distaste. “I’m not into the pasty suit-wearing type.” Then she grins at me. “O’Brien’s right up my alley, though.” Her grin turns playful, and it instantly draws a chuckle from me.

JJ shooting Cooper down while defending me has a sense of pride filling my chest.

And fuck, if the innocent flirting doesn’t get my blood all heated up.

Chapter 7

JJ

Dressed in a silver silk cocktail dress and black heels, I freeze when I hear a car pull up to the front of the house.

I still can’t believe O’Brien’s going to Kelvin and Ally’s wedding with me.

“You look stunning,” Lindsay says from where she’s sitting at the kitchen table, studying for an upcoming exam.

“Thanks. It feels weird wearing a dress, though.” I fiddle with the silky straps over my shoulders, making sure they’re not twisted.

There’s a knock, and I quickly open the door to the devastating sight of O’Brien in a black three-piece suit that looks like it’s been tailor-made for his body.

We both stare at each other for a couple of seconds too long, before I clear my throat. “Not bad, O’Brien. I’m going to have to beat all the single women off with a stick.”

The right corner of his mouth curves up in a devilishly sexy smirk, making my heart stutter before scampering off at a way too fast beat.

“I should’ve brought my gun,” he teases, his eyes melting like rich chocolate, and his features softening a little. It only makes my pulse quicken even more. “You look beautiful, JJ.”

A rush of awkwardness floods me, and I start to fiddle with the thin straps over my shoulders. “Thanks… ah… we should go.” I turn my gaze to Lindsay, who’s watching the interaction with an amused expression plastered all over her face.

“Have fun, kids.” Her voice has a teasing tone to it. “I don’t expect JJ back until the early morning hours.”

O’Brien glances around the living room, then pins Lindsay with a look. “Don’t sit and study with your earphones in and lock behind us.”

“Yes, sir.” She rolls her eyes playfully at him.

Stepping out into the balmy afternoon air with O’Brien right next to me, the awkwardness grows. It’s as if our usual work clothes, badges, and guns serve as a solid barrier between us, and now that none of those things are here, I have nothing to hide my overpowering feelings and attraction to O’Brien.

Don’t slip up, JJ. He’ll pick up on the slightest change.

I focus on squashing the nervous fluttering in my stomach and let a smile from around my lips.

I can do this. Just because I’m going to a wedding with O’Brien doesn’t mean anything. He’s probably just going because Kelvin told him I don’t have a plus one.

Ugh. He pities me.

Damn, it feels like I’m going to the prom with my crush, but he just sees me as a friend.

This sucks.

O’Brien opens the passenger door to the Pontiac, then asks, “Everything okay?”

Observant as always.

I widen my smile. “Sure.” I climb inside the cab and adjust my dress before tugging on the seat belt. The vehicle dips under O’Brien’s weight, and I watch as he unbuttons his jacket, exposing more of the vest. The fabric looks expensive as hell.

“You really didn’t have to come with me to the wedding,” I say when I feel the need to make it clear I wasn’t expecting him to accompany me.

O’Brien slants his eyes in my direction as he starts the car, the engine roaring to life. “You don’t want me tagging along?”