Hot Shot (A Hostile Operations Team Novel)(#5)

by Lynn Raye Harris

  The girls stopped, eyes wide. “Is it you? Are you really her?” one of them said, peering around Jack.

  “I am,” Gina said. “But you have to be calm about this, okay?”

  The girls hugged each other and jumped up and down. The rest of the crowd had moved over to stand behind them. Everyone looked expectant.

  “Hey, y’all,” Gina said. “We were just out here enjoying your beautiful town today. But it’s getting late and my baby is tired, so we need to get going.”

  “Will you sign my shirt?” someone asked.

  “Do you have a pen?” When the girl nodded, Gina looked at Jack. He’d gone into protector mode, and he looked utterly cool and frightening. “Will you take Eli so I can do this?”

  He came to stand behind the stroller while she walked out in front. She knew he didn’t like it, but she wasn’t about to start being rude to fans.

  She signed autographs and posed for phone pics for twenty minutes before Jack called a halt to the impromptu session. The crowd stepped back as he took her and Eli to the car and put them inside. She smiled and waved at everyone while Jack strapped Eli into his car seat and put the stroller in the trunk.

  Then he was inside at the wheel, face tight as he turned the key and the engine roared to life. He backed out of the parking lot, then gunned the engine, and they shot down the road.

  Gina let out her breath and sank into the seat.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes,” she said, lifting her hands in front of her face. They shook, and that wasn’t like her. She wasn’t afraid of her fans. But since Stavros had orchestrated a kidnapping and made her terrified for her baby’s life—and then hers and Jack’s—she’d been on edge.

  “Goddamn, Gina, you’re shaking.”

  “I’ll be fine. I will.” She gulped down her fear and looked at him. “They got you on their cell phones, you know. We’ll be on Twitter by now.”

  He reached out and took one of her hands, threaded his fingers through hers and drew it into his lap. “It was bound to happen sometime.”

  “But you weren’t ready for that yet.” A different kind of panic flared to life inside her. He wasn’t even accustomed to her life yet, and already he was about to be a news story. What if he freaked out and decided it was too much hassle to be with her?

  He squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about it.”

  She didn’t let go again until they reached the city.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  WHEN THEY GOT BACK to the city, the nanny was at the hotel. Jack had a visceral reaction to the idea of handing Eli over to anyone else, but he told himself he was overreacting. She’d seemed a little spooked at meeting him, but thankfully Gina hadn’t told her the truth of his relationship to Eli. He was glad, because after their trip to Waterman’s Cove he was convinced it was something that was going to need to be handled delicately.

  The media would mob her if they found out. And him. He didn’t think Mendez would appreciate that at all. It was bad enough they’d gotten pictures of him, but he’d been wearing sunglasses at least. He wasn’t anyone famous, so he wasn’t immediately identifiable. The girls would tweet pictures of Gina, and he might appear in the background. He’d told Gina not to worry and he meant it.

  But that didn’t mean he thought the issue would go away. If he stayed with her, it would only get worse.

  Though Eli knew the nanny well, he still cried for a few minutes while she soothed him and rocked him. Jack wanted to take him back, but Gina gave him a look that said to give it a second. He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, but he followed her lead, even though it twisted him up inside to listen to Eli cry. But finally Eli settled down and Cassie took him to his room for a nap.

  “How long has she worked for you?”

  Gina looked up from where she’d been checking her messages, her eyes a little wide. “About ten months. She came highly recommended from the firm, and I needed someone to help with Eli when I was recording or touring. The previous nanny got married and she wanted to concentrate on starting her own family, so I had to find someone new. Why?”

  Jack shook his head. “I just wondered.”

  Gina smiled as if to reassure him. “Eli loves her. He’s just tired after a day in the sun and fresh air. It’s past his nap time, and he gets cranky.”

  He frowned. “I don’t know anything about kids.”

  Gina stood and came over to put a hand on his cheek. His skin tingled at her touch and instant desire leapt to life in his groin.

  “You’ll learn. I like that you care about him so much.”

  He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I do care. About both of you.”

  She was a good woman, and a good mom to their son. Watching her today had only cemented that opinion of her. She did what she thought best for her son, and he knew that included bringing him into their lives too. She hadn’t called him a year ago, but not out of spite. He knew that.

  Her eyes softened. “I’m glad. I care about you, too.”

  She hadn’t said she loved him again. He told himself it wasn’t fair to expect her to say it when he didn’t know what to say back. But he found that he still wanted to hear it.

  “I need to go home,” he said quietly.

  Her expression fell. “I thought you might stay with us tonight.”

  “I need to get some clothes, babe.” He let his gaze wander over their luxurious surroundings. “Not sure I have anything that fits the decor though, I gotta say.”

  Watching those fans go insane over her earlier had really highlighted the differences in their lives. She was a superstar. He was a grunt. How did you deal with something like that on a regular basis?

  “That’s okay. I like you best when you wear nothing anyway.”

  He laughed. “That might be a little more difficult with the nanny around.”

  “Just stay in the bedroom. And don’t wear anything at all while you’re in there. In fact, if you could sprawl on the bed and look decadent, that would be just fine.”

  He was starting to get hard. “I’ll do my best.” He kissed her until she went limp in his arms. He was no longer starting to get hard; he was all the way there. He looked at the door to Eli’s room, but there was something about taking Gina to bed with the nanny here that didn’t inspire him. “Why don’t you come with me for a couple of hours?”

  She turned her head toward the bedroom where Eli and Cassie had disappeared. “I want to, but I don’t think I should leave them.”

  “We’ll be back before he wakes up, I promise.” He frowned. “Wait, how long do kids nap?”

  She laughed. “It depends, but he’ll be out for about two hours.”

  “See? Perfect. He’ll never know you’re gone. Besides, I’d love to do a famous pop star in my own bed.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “And I’d love to do a hotshot sniper in his secret lair.”

  He ran his hands up her arms. He definitely wanted to be with her, but he didn’t want her to be worried about Eli. “It’s fine if you don’t want to go with me, Gina.”

  She looked conflicted. “I have to get back to normal. Eli is safe. There’s no threat anymore and Cassie’s with him. Darren is also here—I don’t think he’s as good a shot as you, but you have to admit he’s bigger and meaner-looking.”

  Jack snorted. “He looks like a frigging Abrams tank. Wonder what he eats for breakfast?”

  “Whatever it is, I definitely don’t want any.”

  Jack let his gaze drop to her breasts. “No, probably don’t need any growth here.”

  “And I thought you’d say the bigger, the better.”

  “I’ve got something that’s better when it’s bigger. Want to see it?”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I definitely do.”

  “Then come with me and I’ll show you the minute we arrive.”

  She lifted one eyebrow. “The minute?”

  “The second minute. Don’t want to scandalize the neighbors.”

  She looked
torn. And then she nodded. “All right, I’ll come.”

  *

  Jack’s apartment was tucked away in a suburb of Maryland, close to the base where his job was. It was still daylight when they got there, but Gina wore her sunglasses and hat and wasn’t taking them off for anyone. Until they got into his apartment and he pulled the hat and glasses off while crushing his mouth down on hers.

  Gina moaned as his tongue slid into her mouth. They started ripping at each other’s clothing as soon as the door closed, discarding garments as he walked her to some unknown destination. When she was completely naked, he picked her up and sat her down on what turned out to be a breakfast bar.

  Gina gripped the edges tight, arching her back as he devoured her breasts, licked a trail down her belly, and thrust his tongue into her pussy.

  “Jack!” Her voice was a high-pitched squeak as he spread her wide and teased her clitoris with his tongue. Then he thrust two fingers inside her and worked them slowly in and out.

  She came much too quickly, his name a harsh cry as her orgasm ripped through her. Then he picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him. He lowered her onto his cock, supporting her with both hands. When she was fully impaled on him, he lifted her up and then plunged into her again.

  Gina cried out at the intensity of the feelings roaring through her. Her body was on fire. Her nipples were tight little points that ached for his mouth, and her pussy gripped him tight as he lifted her and thrust into her again and again.

  “So fucking hot, babe,” he said. “Can’t get enough of you.”

  “You can have me, Jack,” she gasped. “As much as you want.”

  He carried her over to the couch, still impaled deep inside her, and then lowered her to the cushions. Their mouths met and he put a hand under her ass, lifting her so he could pump deep inside her over and over. She came again, her vision going black for a moment as her body detonated.

  He was there with her, following her over the edge of the precipice, his groans mingling with hers as they came. When it was over, she wrapped her arms around him and held him tight while he tongued the hollow of her throat.

  “That was nuclear,” he said after a long minute, shifting so his full weight wasn’t crushing her into the cushions.

  She toyed with the damp hair at his brow. “I love when you do those things to me. It’s never felt like this with anyone but you.”

  Her heart beat hard saying that to him, but she wouldn’t hide her feelings or be careful what she said anymore. She couldn’t. She wanted him in her life.

  “That’s sweet of you to say,” he told her before tonguing her nipple.

  “It’s not sweet,” she said. “I love you, Jack.”

  His head lifted, his eyes so hot and blue. “I care about you, Gina. More than I’m comfortable with, if I’m being honest. But I need to figure out what that means.”

  She traced his lips with her finger. “I know.”

  His brows arrowed down as he studied her. “You’re pretty remarkable, and not because you’re Gina fucking Domenico. I want you to know that.”

  His praise filled her with warmth. “When I’m with you, I’m just Gina Robertson from Nowheresville, USA. I don’t even know who Gina Domenico is at times like this.”

  “Yeah, but the rest of the world won’t forget.”

  He was still buried inside her, still hard. And her body zinged with sparks whenever he moved. “I don’t want to think about that life when you’re inside me, okay? I just want to think about you.”

  “Guess I should give you something else to think about then.”

  “Maybe you should.”

  This time he drew it out between them, making love to her leisurely and thoroughly. Gina was spent when they finished, her body boneless and so relaxed she didn’t think she could move from this couch for the rest of the night.

  But they had to, and when he stood and pulled her up with him, she followed. He led her into the bathroom and started the shower. It was a small room, but sparse and neat. They showered together, but they were too satiated to actually have sex again. He dried her off and went to collect her clothes for her as she followed him into the living room wearing nothing but a towel.

  For the first time, she paid attention to the apartment. It was small but neat and almost bare. There was a couch, a chair, a table, and a television in the living room. In the dining room, there was a small table and four chairs. Every surface was clean. There were no dishes in the sink, no garbage on the counters. Nothing that even indicated he lived here.

  He was still naked as he came back with her clothing and laid it on the couch for her to sort through and put on.

  “Are you a neat freak, Jack?”

  He followed her gaze, and then he laughed softly. “Yeah, I guess maybe I am. I don’t like clutter.”

  “Mmm, guess we’ll need to look for a modern-contemporary house then. With lots of closets, because I definitely have clothes.”

  He frowned a little but didn’t comment, and her heart skipped. Dammit. She sighed and spread her hands in apology.

  “You already know how I feel. And, yes, I want you to move in with us. But I won’t push it.”

  He raked a hand through his wet hair. “It’s complicated, babe.”

  “Which part?”

  “All of it.”

  She wrapped her arms around herself. She knew he had to be thinking about the mob of fans earlier, among other things. “I know that, but are you going to stay out of our lives because I can’t change who I am? Walk away from your son because his mother lives in a spotlight?”

  His lips tightened. “I didn’t say that.”

  She reached for her pile of clothing and found her panties. She knew she needed to be patient, but after everything they’d just done, after the way he made her feel, it hurt that he was still so noncommittal. “Forget I said anything. It was a mistake. I’ll buy a house with gothic touches and gold-leafed toilets and you’ll just have to live with it if you decide we’re worth the trouble.”

  He caught her arms and gripped them tight, forcing her to look at him. “You’re worth a lot of trouble, Gina.”

  She searched his gaze, her throat closing up. And then he spoke again, and her stomach fell to the floor.

  “But I’m not sure I am.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” she gasped. “Without you, I wouldn’t be here. Eli wouldn’t be here. You’re worth a lot of trouble to me.”

  His grip on her tightened for a second. And then his hands slid down her arms as he shook his head. “Is that all it is? The fact I saved you? Anyone would have done it. It just happened to be me.”

  “Do you really think that’s the only reason?”

  “What else could it be?”

  “Why did Hayley love you?”

  He stared at her for a long minute. “I don’t know. Because we grew up together, maybe. Because I was her first.”

  “You aren’t giving either of us enough credit.” She stepped into his space, put her hands on his cheeks. “We can make this work, Jack. You just have to be willing to try.”

  He gave her a quick kiss and then set her away from him to grab his jeans. “We won’t solve this tonight so let’s stop talking about it.”

  “We have to talk about it sometime.”

  He straightened and her mouth went dry at the sight of his hipbones. He hadn’t zipped his jeans yet and the fly hung open, exposing his flat belly and the taut line of muscle there.

  “Yeah, but not tonight. Let’s just enjoy each other, all right?”

  She nodded stupidly. But her heart hurt when he turned away and shrugged into his shirt. She had everything she could ever want because she’d worked hard to make it happen. But you couldn’t make a man love you, no matter what you did. He had to do that on his own.

  And she was very afraid he might decide she wasn’t worth the trouble after all.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  THE RIDE BACK TO the hotel was silent. Jack turned int
o the drive and stopped before he reached the valet stand and the uniformed man standing there. He’d been thinking the whole way back, the words building inside him until he thought he might burst. He didn’t know why he’d said that to her about not being worth the trouble, but the truth was he’d been thinking about her life, about how she had everything, and he’d wondered what in the hell a woman like her could see in him.

  Hell, he’d often wondered what Hayley saw in him that made her willing to put up with the life they shared. God knows he hadn’t been there when she’d needed him most. Maybe because he was so used to not having anyone be there for him when he’d been growing up that he hadn’t thought it was a problem to be gone so much. He’d just assumed she would be there whenever he was home.

  “I’ve never had anyone in my life I could trust to be there for me, except for Hayley,” he said, not looking at her. “My own parents couldn’t even be bothered to go to my shooting tournaments. When Hayley died, they were on a cruise. Do you think they cut their vacation short to come back for her funeral? No, they didn’t.”

  “Oh, Jack—”

  “Hayley was the only one I could count on, and look what happened to her.” And there it was, that fear that he’d lose his way again if he opened himself up.

  “There’s your team.”

  He squeezed the wheel. “Yes, and I trust them with my life. But if I got reassigned tomorrow, I’d learn to trust my new team just as much. It’s not the same thing.”

  She unclipped her seat belt and moved as close to him as she could get with the hump between the seats. Her arms went around his neck, one hand on his cheek until she turned him to face her. “I’m not leaving you, Jack. Not on purpose anyway. You think this isn’t scary for me? Everyone I’ve ever cared about has either left or been using me for money. And since I live in this bubble created by fame and fortune, I can never be sure that anyone who gets close to me is interested in the real me or in the money.”

  His heart squeezed tight. “I’m not interested in your money, Gina.”

  “You think I don’t know that? You haven’t asked me for anything, and you yelled at Barry.”