Testing the Limits. Kira Sinclair

her, Quinn sat up cross-legged next to him. Her knee brushed his hip. She should probably pull it away, but she didn’t want to. She liked touching him. Liked the way any contact made her body buzz with an energy she hadn’t felt in a very, very long time.

      His chest rose and fell on even, measured breaths. And while the towel was draped across the middle of his body, it did nothing to hide the valleys and planes of his abs. Or the massive erection tenting the soft cotton. She’d seen him half naked last night, his shorts covering pretty much exactly the same amount of skin as the towel.

      So why was she reacting like this was more?

      “So, um, thanks for trying to save me?”

      He rolled his head sideways, a single clear blue eye peeking out from behind his arm. “Sure. Any rabid baseballs, murderous footballs or wayward Frisbees attack and I’m your man.”

      Quinn reached for him, running her fingers down the slope of his arm in a gesture meant to soothe his wounded pride.

      “It was sweet. Honestly. I know I haven’t exactly been making this easy, but it means a lot that you’re willing to put yourself in harm’s way to protect me.”

      She had no idea what she’d said, but one moment amusement was lighting his eyes, the next his mouth tightened into a grim line and a cold shield dropped in place to cut her off from seeing anything else.

      “Of course I’d protect you. You don’t have to ask. It’s what Michael would have done. What I’ll do since he can’t.”

      For some reason, a large lump formed in the middle of her throat. It hurt, as though she’d tried to swallow a bite way too big.

      He was wrong. Michael had been a lot of things—and she’d loved him for every one of them. He’d been a good man. But not the kind to charge into a dangerous situation, not caring about his personal safety.

      Michael had been methodical and meticulous. He would have assessed the situation first. Calculated probabilities and then calmly called someone more qualified to tackle the problem.

      Jace...he just went in with both barrels blazing. Damn the consequences. He thought she was in danger and that was all he needed to know in order to act.

      Jace surged to his feet and Quinn watched him walk away. She got another brief glimpse of his delectable rear as he wrapped the towel around his body and secured it at his waist.