Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(87)

He was all set to reach for her when sanity returned.

Everything that had happened was an illusion fueled by risk and adrenaline. It was time to put the emotions away and finish the mission.

He sat down and buttoned his shirt. “Sleep well?” Thank God, his voice sounded steady.

“Fine. You?”

“Well enough.” Not for one damned second. Her body had been too warm, rubbing against him and denying him any rest. “You finished in there?”

“Gabe, we need to talk.” Her voice wavered. “About last night.” Before he could speak, she dug her hands into her pockets and turned away. “I just want you to know that I appreciate what you did and why you did it.”

“You do?”

“Of course. And I understand how a man like you would feel about what happened last night.”

Gabe felt a spark of irritation. “A man like me?”

“Someone who’s confident and handsome, with an amazing body. You probably have to beat women off with a stick, while I—” She stared out at the bright red bougainvillaeas lining the patio. “That part doesn’t matter. What matters is that I won’t turn last night into a mushy melodrama. We had sex, okay? It was just hormones. Adrenaline gone amuck.” She ran a hand through her damp hair, frowning. “Just because we had simple, sweaty sex, don’t think you owe me anything, because you don’t.”

“I see.” Hell if he did. Who was she to call what had happened between them simple?

“I knew you would. And you’re right, it’s better this way. The work has to come first and we’ve still got Underhill’s disk to squire back to safety.” She dropped her robe, revealing a sheer lace bra and panties that hit Gabe like a body blow. “I’ll dress and get out of your way, then we can both focus.”

Focus. Gabe drew a hard breath.

Right. Just as soon as she pulled some clothes over those long legs and the pouty nipples he’d savored thoroughly in the night.

Summer pulled on dark slacks and a dark sweater. “I’ll order breakfast for us while you shower and dress. Be careful with your knee.”

“My damned knee is fine,” he said irritably.

“You don’t have to lie about it,” she said calmly, slipping on her shoes. “I’m just glad we’re both taking this in stride. Last night was . . . a nice illusion, but now it’s time to get back to reality. So what can I order you for breakfast?”

Her eyes were guileless, her smile soft. The combination nearly knocked him off his feet. “I’m not hungry.”

“You need to eat.” She swept a swift, almost unwilling glance over his body. Her cheeks were the color of crushed raspberries as she studied his chest. Gabe knew he had welts where her nails had scratched him.

“Don’t worry, the scratches don’t hurt.”

Her cheeks turned even brighter red. “I-I don’t know what came over me.”

“Great sex came over you,” he said roughly. “Not simple sex, great sex. That’s two different things. And I’ll have huevos rancheros, along with coffee black enough to make my hair stand up. Toss in anything else that looks interesting.”

She smiled faintly. “Anything else I can do?”

“Yeah. You can leave before I pull that lace underwear off and see if you can put more welts on my chest.”

She frowned slightly. “There’s no need to pretend this is . . . important, Gabe. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

The woman truly didn’t have a clue, Gabe realized. And to his dismay, his body was responding vigorously to all this talk about sex and lace underwear. Gabe wanted her again, hard and deep, right against the bedroom wall.

And she was worried about ordering him the right food for breakfast.

Men were from Mars, all right, but women were from the Horsehead Nebula. Gabe realized she was waiting for his answer, a frown on her forehead. He wished they had time for explanations, but they didn’t.

“Forget about what I said.” His voice was rough. “You’re right, the work is all that counts.” He turned away, gathering his clothes in a nylon travel bag. “Let’s wrap this up and go meet Izzy.”

“No problem. I’m packed already. My bag’s on the bed.”

“Too bad we didn’t get the clinic tour after all,” Gabe muttered. She was taking this whole thing far too calmly. For some reason he wanted to shake her up. He leaned closer, wrapping a strand of hair around his finger. “But we probably wouldn’t have convinced anyone that we were passionately in love and trying to have a baby.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re distracted, and I’m trying to ignore the fact that you’re distracted.”

She bit her bottom lip, leaving Gabe in a sudden state of arousal. “You think I can’t focus?”

“Yeah.”

“I can do whatever’s necessary.”

“There’s no need to shout, Summer.”

“I’m not shouting.” Rising to her toes, Summer slid her hands around his neck. “I’m not distracted now. I’m thinking about having more sex with you.”

“Great sex,” Gabe said hoarsely, pretty sure the top of his head lifted free when she pulled him down and bit his lip hungrily. Her hand slid around his back, settling possessively on his butt.