Page 40 of Quinlan

He doesn’t know about Blake. Can’t know.

“Happens to me all the time.” The harsh, cold look returns to his face.

It’s insane, what this stormy night of a person does to me. I’m longing. Yearning.

Whatever it is, I’m hooked.

My fingers flex at my sides, itching to rise and grab his forearms for comfort.

I won’t do it. Won’t let him see it in my eyes, either. I cut my gaze down, and, oh man, big mistake. The sleeves of his black running jacket are rolled up. Veins cross his toned arms. Then there are the red lacerations that haven’t fully healed on his knuckles.

He bled, not too long ago.

Why was he bleeding? Who did he beat up?

Why did I turn into his captive and why the hell am I still obsessed with putting my hands on him? Why is watching him bleed so hot?

“Are you okay?”

“After what happened?” I fix my gaze on his stormy eyes. Suck in a breath and come up with something funny to say. Otherwise, I’ll do something reckless like…touch him. “Well, I guess, considering I just bumped into a, uhm”—not that word, Quinlan, not that word—“really big man. But I survived.”

Holy shit. I just said he’sreally big. What the hell is wrong with me?

He takes a step back and rubs the scruff on his jaw. His hand slides slowly over his mouth. Oh God. He likes it that I called him that.

He’s hiding a genuine smile that reaches his eyes.

Then he shakes his head, and his hand isn’t on his mouth anymore. It’s at his side and his lips are once more pressed together in a severe scowl.

Our silence is loud, even in the crowded street. As loud as it is, it offers me a moment to think. A moment tofeel. And what I feel is that I’m no longer being watched.

Could it have been him watching me? Do I have not one but two stalkers?

“Yes, you did.” The man slices through my thoughts. “Survival looks good on you.”

Before my silly heart can soar at the sweet words coming from ice man, he adds, “You should thank me, though.”

I should run, that’s what I should do.

“How come?” He’s freed me from his hold. I could do it.

I don’t.

“Well, because...” His head tilts, and his fingers brush an errant strand of hair behind my ear. “This wall saved you from the floor. This wall could’ve done more than help you settle in place.”

I shudder at his touch. At what he’s implicating. I really ought to start practicing self-preservation.

The street is bursting with people this time of the day. I could scream for help. Get the fuck out of here. Sprint past him and hope to get to Rex before this man makes his knuckles bleed again when he charges at me.

But no, he won’t hit me. I’m positive he won’t.

He could, though. Could crush me under his weight.

I wonder if he’d lose sleep over it.

Probably not.

“You have the proof to back it up.” My attention and his slide to his knuckles.

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