My Spy by Christina Skye Read Free Book Online

reappeared, she was waiting, arms crossed. “I agreed to help Sam, but I didn't agree to take on a bodyguard, no matter how helpful. I also don't like having the Navy's mess dumped in my lap.”
    “I've told you everything I know.”
    Oddly, Annie believed him. “What about the leak?”
    “Let the experts handle that.”
    She fingered the sleek cell phone. “All this cloak-and-dagger stuff feels ridiculous.”
    “When you accepted Sam's care, you accepted the whole package,” Izzy said gently. “As far as the Navy's concerned, that's nonnegotiable.”
    “In other words, tough.” Annie's voice was tight. “If I had any sense, I'd back out now.”
    “I don't think so. You care too much.”
    She took a slow breath, trying to gauge his expression in the half-light. “Why is he so important?”
    “He's the Navy's biggest hero,” Izzy said softly. “He's also the man you're going to put back together.”
    “What
else
is Sam Mitchell?”
    “His real name is McKade.” Izzy walked her to the door.
    “Sleep well, Annie. Be sure to lock up after me.”

    S ECOND BY SECOND.
    He drifts, slipping down into dreams.
    Instead of a hospital bed, Sam McKade finds a place where torn ligaments, battered knee, and burning shoulder areforgotten, a place with golden sun and waves slapping on a fiberglass hull. Here are calm seas and wind out of the west as he drifts with sails slack.
    It is good to be in that place, wherever it is, with the smell of the sea in his face.
    His mind clicks, a new image rising. He recognizes her scent even before he sees her face, challenge in her eyes and laughter floating on the steady wind. The teak deck rocks gently as she walks toward him, barefoot, wearing his old 49ers jersey, a copy of the one Montana wore on his run to glory.
    He is on the verge of gruff questions and reckless promises in that moment. He hovers on the brink of emotions too dangerous to explore.
    But she gives him no time, tossing a wet fish at his chest. “There's dinner. Better get going, ace.”
    He catches the fish in one hand, flings it high over his head, back into the blue water, never taking his eyes from her face. “I have a better idea.”
    Stripping off his T-shirt, shucking his sneakers, he comes for her, scooping her up and leaning dangerously over the rail.
    Her eyes are huge. “You wouldn't!”
    “Afraid I would.”
    His mind clicks again, fast forwarding to Annie's body locked against him as he drops over the rail, savoring the cool slap of the sea when they hit.
    Like a precious cargo he carries her back to the surface, already peeling away the red jersey and tonguing the cool skin beneath until she shivers against him, presses hard, wanting what he wants.
    Click-click.
    Images race. Her legs long and bare as she licks warm marshmallows from his fingers, laughing at their mess.
    Click-click.
    Her body bent above him, first tentative, then strong with need that leaves her panting, searching, straining.
    Click-click.
    Their fingers locked in the bright flare of blood and muscle and his sudden knowledge that she is crying. But she never explains and he is too careful to ask questions as they lie spent beneath a world of stars.
    Click-click.
    Again the memories, this time in broken conversation.
    “I have to go back too many guests four meetings tomorrow a new receptionist—
    —stay—
    —interviewing a chef meeting my sister for lunch ordering a dozen chairs for the—
    —stay, Annie—
    I can't no I can't I really can't—”
    Collapsing on the deck, their clothes in a tangle, the sky black silk shot through with hot white stars as he pulls her down, down to meet his body, hard with desire.
    Click-click.
    Click-click.
    The images race by as Sam McKade tosses in his hospital bed far away from Summerwind's quiet cove. The memories burn hot and sharp as stars—Canopus, Vega, and Orion with his belt of fire.
    But like stars at dawn, the images fade and break and he wakes, knowing somehow that in waking he