Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(8)

Gabe pulled a ladder across the room and rested it against one wall, looking unconvinced. “Are you sure you want to do this, ma’am?”

“I’ll be fine. Just make sure that this ladder doesn’t tilt and dump me.”

The roof was higher than it looked, Summer discovered. After climbing to the top rung, she had to stretch onto her toes to find a footing near the skylight. Carefully resting one elbow on the ledge, she prodded the heavy top panel.

“You need any help?”

“I’ve got it.” With a dry creaking and a sprinkling of dead leaves, the skylight panel opened. Now Summer had to get outside without bringing the whole shed down on top of them. It was hot with the sun beating down and no breeze, so she stripped off her dark suit jacket, dropping it on the potting bench beneath her. Then she unbuttoned the top buttons of her shirt and rolled up her sleeves.

When she looked down, she swallowed hard. Gabe was pulling off his sweat-dotted tee shirt, revealing a tanned torso dusted with dark hair. Summer saw a scar she hadn’t seen before, just at the center of his chest. “Landscape work must be dangerous.”

“I don’t follow you.”

“Your chest and your shoulder.” Summer pointed down. “Scars.”

Gabe wiped his damp shirt across his face. “Any job can be dangerous. It depends on how you do it.”

Summer felt the ladder move. “Hey, hold on, will you?”

Gabe moved closer, one hand on the ladder. The other closed around Summer’s hip.

He saw her glare and shrugged. “Just making sure you’re safe, Ms. Mulvaney. Give it a shot before we sweat to death in here.”

Ignoring the hard fit of his fingers across her rear, Summer probed the ledge. When nothing felt shaky, she lifted herself up, balancing on one leg.

A big gull landed on the roof inches from her head, shrieking loudly, and Summer recoiled without thinking.

“Easy there.” Gabe’s fingers dug into her hips.

“Damned bloody bird.” Summer waved a hand. “Shoo. Get away.”

The big white mass didn’t move.

“Get going already!”

After a little squawk, the bird flapped its long wings and sailed back into the air, headed toward the beach. “Crisis averted.” Summer caught a breath and looked down.

Gabe was behind her, on the ladder now, his body pressed against her. Summer felt the damp brush of his chest on her arm and the flex of his thighs. She’d had some X-rated daydreams before, but this was better than any of them. “All clear. I’m going out.”

“Be careful. Ms. O’Connor will murder me if anything happens to you.”

Ignoring the beads of sweat skimming down his gorgeous abs, Summer swung around on the ladder and carefully braced one elbow in the skylight’s ledge. When nothing shook or caved in, she slowly put her whole weight on the roof beam.

Nothing toppled, always a good sign.

“That’s the way. Nice and easy.”

When she pulled herself up and wedged her arms inside the skylight, Summer could see all the way to the house. No one was in sight. “I’m going,” she said tensely.

“Go. I’ve got you.”

Summer took a breath and wriggled through the ledge. The process was slow since she had mere inches to spare, and her breasts rubbed against the metal lip of the skylight with every movement.

“Take it slow,” Gabe muttered.

Summer was aware of his warm breath somewhere near her stomach. Her shirt had pulled free and when she looked down Gabe’s face was inches from her navel, his eyes hard as he looked up at her.

Something warm shot down through her body, but she refused to pay any attention. “I’ve got to turn sideways,” she said hoarsely. “There’s a metal ledge outside that I need to reach.”

The strong fingers tightened at her waist. “Bon voyage.”

Summer wriggled back and forth, wincing as her breasts caught, wedging her in the tight opening. “Damn.”

“What’s wrong? Did you see something?”

“No one’s out there. It’s—I’m caught.”

“Your shirt? Take it off. I won’t tell.”

“Not my shirt.” Summer grimaced in pain. “My—chest. This opening is a lot smaller than I thought.”

“I see.” Gabe cleared his throat. “In that case, it’s your call. If you can’t fit through, we’ll just wait. Imelda’s bound to wonder when you don’t turn up for Sophy’s class.”

But Summer didn’t take failure kindly. Life had taught her there was always a solution when you looked long and hard enough—and were willing to put up with a little pain.

“I’m trying again.”

“Ready down here.”

Grimly, Summer shoved her shoulder through the narrow opening and turned awkwardly. Her head and neck were through, and then her other shoulder angled up. Next came the hard part as her breasts scraped the metal lip of the panel. Gritting her teeth, she reached over her head, flattened every inch she could, then pulled up until she was halfway out on the roof.

“You okay up there?”

“I’m fine.” Except for her shoulder, which was aching, and her breasts, which would probably have a few bruises tomorrow.

“Don’t press it. I want to be sure that roof will hold you, so give it a few seconds before you go any higher.”