Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(107)

Summer felt a dangerous stab of desire and realized the mistake she’d just made. “But you’re not interested. Not in me. Back in San Diego you said—”

“I know what I said in San Diego, but I’ve changed my mind,” he said grimly.

“Too bad. I’ve changed my mind, too. I’m not in the mood for sex after all.”

“Sure about that?” He traced her lips slowly, and Summer fought not to betray her slamming pulse.

“I’m sure.”

He stared at her, his face unreadable. “If it’s sex you want, I’m your man, honey.”

“Do us both a favor.” Summer tilted her chin, summoning every bit of cold, angry willpower. “Go take a long hike in the snowstorm—right up to the top of the nearest mountain. And don’t come back.”



Summer headed out of the department store lot into a solid curtain of white flakes. She was still a little shaky and some of the blur in her windshield was from tears, but in spite of that she felt surprisingly good. She had seen Gabe and survived. He was just as rugged and handsome as she remembered, with the same dark intensity that made women turn their heads and stare in avid appreciation.

But Summer hadn’t caved. She’d kicked him out of her life, which was just where he belonged.

Feeling calmer, she peered through the snow and flipped on the radio. Dear God, no more advertisements for Viagra or used truck parts, she prayed.

A hand touched her shoulder. Gasping, she almost shot through the roof. Her hand was on her service revolver when she saw Gabe leaning over from the backseat of the big SUV.

“Get out,” she snapped.

His hand curved, cupping her cheek. “I was a fool, Summer.”

“Damned straight you were. Are,” she added fiercely.

“Let me make it up to you.”

“Not interested, Navy. And how did you get into my car?” she demanded.

Gabe waved a key. “Izzy has connections you wouldn’t believe.”

Summer spotted an abandoned gas station down the road and pulled beneath the overhang. “If you’re not out of here in two minutes, I’m calling the local FBI field office.”

As she clutched the wheel, she saw her arm, pale in the moonlight cast off the snow. The scars were small now, barely visible, but to Summer they were just as glaring as ever.

You didn’t see yourself the way the world saw you. The truth in your head was always different from the truth everyone else saw.

Only with Gabe had she managed to forget her scars and bad memories. But she wasn’t going to risk being stupid and na?ve like that again.

Teeth caught her ear gently. Callused fingers eased down, opening her coat and tracing the collar of her blouse. “How about I explain? Then we can have that amazing sex you wanted. Hell, with this storm moving in, you can punish me for hours.”

“Dream on, Morgan.” But his fingers were doing something unforgettable, and her body was remembering Mexico, coming alive in hot, reckless ways. She moved out of reach. “For the record, I’d rather cough up fur balls.”

“No, you wouldn’t.”

On the radio, a man’s voice droned on, announcing plays from a baseball game recorded earlier on the East Coast. “Line drive to center field.”

Gabe’s tongue brushed her ear. “I love you,” he muttered. “I was afraid to tell you that when I had no future, Summer. The woman in my apartment in San Diego was a friend helping me with my rehab. Call me stupid or call me a coward, but the surgery on my knee took weeks, and it might have failed. Hell, it still might. You need to know that up front.”

Something softened in Summer’s heart. “You’ll pull through.”

“Will I? Look at me, Summer. I’ve been rough with you, partly because I lost someone I loved once and I was afraid to go through it again. If I left you first, the problem would never arise. I regret how that hurt you, and I hope you’ll give me another chance. Even if I am a big, stupid, overbearing—”

Summer turned around. “I never said you were stupid,” she said shakily as Gabe’s arms wrapped around her. “All the rest will depend on you.” Her lips curved. “On how amazing the sex is.”

Gabe studied her with a look of sheer, focused wickedness. “Snow’s getting pretty bad. I think we’d better stay here for a bit.” He was already tugging at her coat and freeing her blouse.

Summer took a shaky breath and reached for the wheel—then yelped when she felt her blouse go flying. His fingers freed one breast and teased her already aroused nipple to a tight, hard point. “Stop that.”

Laughing softly, Gabe kissed his way along her jaw and bit gently on her lower lip. “Afraid I can’t. You’re just too damned—juicy.” He leaned closer, and his hand slid to her waist and below, cupping her through too many layers of cloth. “God, you feel good. This is definitely going to take all night.”

Snow dusted the windshield as her bra fell and she attacked his sweater, desperate to feel the heat of his skin. “Incredible sex, remember? Nothing less counts.” She refused to think about tomorrow. Tonight she was going to trust her heart and believe it hadn’t steered her wrong.

Gabe pulled her down onto the seat beside him, his eyes very dark. “I’ll do my damnedest, honey.” He frowned. “It’s been a while, though, and my knee—”