The Protector — Merline Lovelace

Danger. Max Brody's body tingles with it when he meets Cassandra Jones, the mission specialist with whom he'll jump back to seventh-century China. Petite and guarded, Cassie may look like someone who needs Max's protection, but her essence whispers to him of untamed talents that could destroy as easily as seduce. Yet Cassie's powers and passion, if properly awakened, might be their only safeguard. For amid the splendor and intrigue of the Imperial Court of Empress Wu Jao, they will confront a formidable enemy -- and an unstoppable force of nature that's beyond their control....