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slowly, and Gabe shook his head when her skirt dipped a few more inches. Maybe this was some new kind of Navy torture. Maybe she was here to test his reflexes, willpower, and mission readiness.
    If so, God help them both.
    Her legs dangled, twisted sharply, then disappeared through the skylight.
    Gabe breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated by reaching down to adjust his jeans a few inches lower.
    Â 
    Summer inched down the slanting fiberglass roof, her hands slippery with sweat. What if the roof caved in, trapping Gabe? What if she slipped and went flying?
    She forced down the grim possibilities and worked her way to the edge. When one foot was anchored against a wooden eave, she slid down the rest of the way and sat very still, getting her breath.
    She was covered with sweat, but relieved. “Gabe, I’m ready to jump.”
    â€œNice work. Be careful.”
    â€œYou bet.” Summer swung her legs out and dropped into a big bush, landing with knees bent, staying loose and moving with the flow of the fall. She crawled out of the plant, brushing leaves and flowers off her head, then pushed to her feet, racing for the door.
    A big piece of wood was shoved through the handles. No wonder Gabe couldn’t make it budge. Angrily, she pulled the branch free and opened the door. “
This
is why we couldn’t get out.”
    Gabe took the branch, frowning. “I’m definitely going to tan those girls’ hides. Are you okay?”
    â€œJust dirty. I misjudged my fall and landed in some kind of shrub.”
    Gabe pulled a red blossom from her hair. “Dirt looks good on you, Ms. Mulvaney.”
    Summer felt something flutter in her throat as he gently turned the bright flower in his callused fingers. No way, she told herself.
    There wasn’t going to be anything physical between them today or any other day.
    â€œI don’t want Sophy to miss her class, but they’re going to answer for this latest trick.” Summer shook her head. “As soon as I’m in the car I’ll call their mother and—”
    Gabe’s hand closed around her arm. “Stop.”
    â€œStop what? Why should I—”
    â€œBecause I said so.” His voice was low and harsh. “Just do it.”

chapter 4
    H is fingers tightened.
    Â Summer’s instinctive protests died when she saw the muscle flash at his jaw. “Gabe, what’s wrong?” she whispered.
    â€œDon’t move. Not a single muscle.” He was motionless in the quiet room. Dust motes drifted through the filtered sunlight, in air heavy with the pungent smell of damp earth.
    Summer swallowed as he pulled a leather glove out of his back pocket and slipped it on slowly. She forced her body to freeze, her eyes locked on his face, on the single bead of sweat slipping down his forehead.
    His hand rose. In a blur of motion he swept the glove hard across her shoulder and then slapped the wall. When he opened his hand, he blew out a little breath. “Got it.”
    â€œGot what?” Summer’s heart was hammering like a freeway pileup.
    â€œThe brown recluse spider that was crawling up your shoulder.”
    She closed her eyes, shuddering. “I
hate
spiders.”
    â€œThis one won’t bother you or anyone else.” Carefully Gabe pulled off the leather glove and shook it on the grass. “Amazing how something so small can be so damned nasty. A friend of mine got bit a few years back, and it wasn’t pleasant.”
    Summer did a quick search of her arms and legs. “It must have been on the roof. Or maybe in that shrub. Maybe there are more of them on me.”
    Gabe pulled her out into the light and ran a hand over her hair, then down her back and hips. Turning her around, he checked her face and neck, then inspected her skirt down to her legs. “You’re good to go. No more nasties that I can see.”
    Summer smiled hesitantly. “Thanks for being so