Code Name: Nina's Choice (Warrior's Challenge) Read Free Page B

something happened to you.”
    She slowly slid her
cheek against his five o’clock shadow. “Then protect me.” A challenge, one he
might accept because it was the first step toward his
recovery and the prime mandate of any warrior. Mind first, then his body. Both
needed to find confidence again, and she had no doubt he would. The heat
pooling in her belly squirmed to be given attention. “Remember at the ranch
when we show ered together?”
    He shook his head.
“No, Nina. You don’t understand.”
    “You need my help.
Your bathroom sucks. Until you’re steady on your feet, you’re stuck with me.”
    “I can manage.” A
small smile twitched on the edge of his lips. “I’ll take a shower and th en we’ll eat.”
    She twisted the button
on his cammi jacket until it gave way, and then the next, slow but determined.
With a shove of her hands, she removed it, giving him a little stability when
he had to let go of the cane. His chest expanded with a deep inhale when her hand traced the muscles to his abdomen.
“Dinner for two then,” she whispered on his lips as her finger wandered down to
the button on his pants.
    He swept an unruly red
wisp of hair from her cheek. “I hope with all that’s holy I can be the m an I was before the mission.”
    She shook her head.
“Mace, you are the same man.” She curled her arm
around his waist. “Follow Nurse Hatchet, SEAL.”
    Mace breathed out a
loud gust of air. “Please, God,” he said, more to himself. “Make me whole
again.”
    Nina se t the table while Mace showered. Folding two napkins and
tucking them under each fork she remembered the laundry was still in the
bedroom. Filling her arms with towels, she opened the bathroom door. “Mace—”
    His palms were pinned
against the shower wall. Th e water splashed down his
strong body, magnifying the hollows and swells of his strength. Her breath
stuck in her throat seeing the angry wounds. Two long gashes had been stitched
down his right thigh, and several across the top of his buttocks. Whatever d id this to him had caused severe damage to his hips and
groin area.
    She didn’t know what
to do. Was he having a problem standing, but too prideful to ask for help?
Endurance was not a strong suit for him until his ligaments and muscles healed.
    He crooked h is head at her. “I’m all right.”
    His brilliant eyes
stared at her filled with restraint and pain. She dropped the towels on the
counter and stripped down quickly. Watching him in agony was agony for her.
    “Nina,
Jesus, woman.” His gaze started at her feet a nd climbed her body,
stalling on her breasts. “I can’t.” His head dropped back, and he clamped his
eyes shut in frustration as the droplets rained down his face.
    “I’m not suggesting
that. I just—want to feel you next to me. I need to know all of you came h ome, and if not I’ll remind you that you are home.”
    Naked. Unsure. She removed another floor tile of distance between them.
His head turned, and as long as she lived, she would never forget the look in
his eyes. Everyone saw Mace as the heart of the team; the
nice guy with an uplifting word. For the first time since she’d known him, the
warrior glared at her, and he was angry.
    “Leave me be, Nina.”

 
 
 
    Chapter Two

 
 
    Mace struggled to his
feet with a tight wince. “Stand by!” he barked when another thump landed on the apartment door.
    “Move faster SEAL,
we’re late,” Tony yelled from the other side.
    With only a few feet
to go, Nina shot past him and pulled it open.
    “Morning, kids, looks
like you survived the night together. No bloodshed. Smiles all around.” Tinman
elbowed him in the gut. “Morning, Nurse Hatchet.”
    Nina sauntered into
the kitchen and picked up a knapsack leaning against the cabinet. “Ready,” she
said, slinging it over her shoulder.
    “Let’s roll.” Tony
held the door open.
    “Roll where?” Mace
wonde red out loud. Tony was going to give him a lift
to the physio clinic.