ed out of the bathroom, carrying

to the doorway.

mirror, his broad, muscular back to the door. Water droplets clu

door opening, his en

aded gray towel from the rack and spun around,

r. His jaw clenched so hard

gerous rumble. It carried the absol

e. Her eyes drop

ally across his left pectoral muscle. In her past life, sh

ould barely breathe. She wanted to

forward. Her bare foot crossed the thr

bconscious half-step back. His bare shoulder

is voice rising in volume. "This isn'

wn at the floor. A puddle of soa

nted her right foot directly o

er ankle

her center of gravity vanished. She pitc

is military reflexes

ht her by the upper arms just bef

impact knocked the breath out of her. His skin smelle

of her dress and the heat of her skin, he tried to

idn't l

to the thick, corded muscles of his biceps. Sh

es shut and contorting her face in

, unsure where to put them. Suspicion warred with d

hands gripping his a

rest against his chest, forcing him to bear her load. T

. She tilted her head ba

ly devoid of the venom he was expecting.

roat. He looked trapped. He forced his gaze away from her fac

irst aid kit,"

ack, to peel her f

rip. Her nails dug sl

d smoothly. "I can't walk. Yo

at her, his jaw set like granite. He clearly didn't believe h

he slid one massive

against the thin lace of her dres

me," he

hroom. He kept his body as rigid as a board,

shoulder as they walked. She burie

en smile tou