by Elle James
“In Briana’s case, she doesn’t have to worry about that. Rafe, her fiancé, left the military and took a job with a security company up in Montana. He’s working as an agent for Hank Patterson’s Brotherhood Protectors. His company provides security and assistance using former military special forces men and women.”
“So, he’ll be home more than he’s away.” Sunny smiled. again. “That’ll be better for their relationship.”
Dash nodded. “He still has assignments, but they’re mostly stateside. And my sister loves to work and take care of children placed in the foster system. She knows how to keep busy. It’s good that he gave up the military before committing to my sister. Being Delta Force doesn’t lend itself to marriage.”
Sunny’s brow furrowed. “Or is it just that you don’t want to marry, don’t want a family and don’t want to commit, and Delta Force is just a good excuse to play the field?”
His jaw hardened. “Maybe I don’t want to commit because I don’t want to put a woman through what she’d have to deal with.”
“Or maybe you haven’t found a woman who is strong enough to handle being alone for long stretches of time.”
He dipped his head. “You have a point.”
“What about your sister?” Sunny asked.
Dash laughed. “I’m not marrying my sister.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Sunny frowned. “What about her and the Delta she’s falling in love with? He might not be active Delta, but his work as a security agent might take him away for long stretches of time.”
“My sister is a badass. She can handle it.”
Sunny cocked an eyebrow. “And you think she’s the only woman who’s tough enough to handle it?”
Dash shrugged. He didn’t like being put on the spot like this.
“You know what I think?” she said waggling her eyebrows.
He rolled his eyes. “I’m afraid to ask.”
“I think you’re selling yourself short.” She lifted her chin. “If marriage and a family is what you really want, you should find that woman who could handle it and make it happen.”
“You know what I think?” Dash echoed.
Her eyes narrowed. “What?”
Dash leaned forward and touched the tip of her nose. “That you need to go to sleep.” Then he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, leaned closer and pressed his lips to hers.
It happened so fast he didn’t have time to think. He acted on an urge that was as natural as breathing.
The fact that she kissed him back hit him square in the gut.
Shocked by his action and her reaction, he leaned back, his gaze locking with hers for a long moment.
She raised her hand to touch her lips. “Why did you do that?”
“I don’t know,” he said. “It seemed right at the moment.” His brow descended. “But if you ask me to apologize, I’m afraid I can’t do that?”
“Why?”
His thoughts lightened as the truth shone through. He smiled. “Because I liked it too much to be sorry I did it.”
“Well, you shouldn’t have done it,” she said, her voice breathy.
He chuckled. “It’s too late. I already did.”
She sat up straighter, her eyebrows coming together over the bridge of her nose. “We should probably get a few things straight.”
“Really?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “What things?”
“What I tell all the men who provide security services for me.”
“And what is it you tell them?” he asked.
“Number one,” she said raising her index finger. “Hands off.”
He shook his head. “Broke that rule already. Kinda had to in order to pull you out of that body bag. What else have you got?” He wanted to laugh at her attempt to keep them on neutral footing, when it was obvious she was as attracted to him as he was to her.
“Two.” She held up two fingers, and then touched her lips with them, her eyes glazing over. “No…kissing.”
Dash’s grin grew broader. “Once again, I’ve broken that rule as well. Any more rules I should be aware of?”
She nodded, and her voice dropped to little more than a whisper. “No falling in love with the talent.”
His breath caught in his throat as he stared hard at the woman sitting across from him.
Love?
He’s sworn off love the moment he’d entered Delta Force. Sharing a motorhome with this amazing singer wouldn’t make him rethink his stance on no relationships until he left the force.
She held up her hands, the pillow falling to her lap, exposing her semi-sheer pajama top. Her nipples grew tight in the cool air, forming twin peaks beneath the powder blue flimsy fabric.
Dash’s groin tightened to the point he was uncomfortable sitting. He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Maybe I have a few rules, too.”
Chapter 5
“Rules?” Sunny’s voice squeaked. Then in a more measured tone, she said, “Really? Like what?”
He held up his index finger. “One: never wear those night clothes unless you want me to touch you.”
She shivered at the hot glance he ran over her body and across her exposed knees. Sunny gulped back a rush of desire that stunned her and made her all shivery inside. “That goes against my rule number one of Don’t touch.”
“Yes, and no. If you don’t wear that, I won’t be as tempted to touch. If you wear that, I’ll assume you want me to touch you.”
Her shoulders straightened. Hell, she’d show up naked and see what he had to say about that.
His brow creased. “On second thought, I don’t think it’s the nightclothes. You have a way of making a man want to touch you. I’ll just have to retain focus on the mission and ignore my baser instincts.”
“And that’s possible?” She raised a single eyebrow. “You just kissed me…unprovoked.”
“Yeah, but you kissed me back,” he said with a grin.
She straightened and lifted her chin. “I did not.”
“Want me to do it again to test the theory?” He leaned forward, his face so close it wouldn’t take much for their lips to meet.
She swayed toward him, and her lips touched his. The connection sent a jolt of electricity through her.
He gathered her to him, his arms tightening around her, pressing her breasts to his chest.
Sunny couldn’t fight the heat that overwhelmed her and made her want to be even closer. She surrendered to his mouth, opening to let him sweep past her teeth to caress her tongue.
Sweet heaven, he tasted so good and felt even better. His hands in her hair, her body pressed to his sparked more than desire. It generated a Tsunami of feelings she’d never felt before. Pure, unadulterated lust. She wanted to take him into her, there on the couch. Now.
When he lifted his head, she strained to follow him, only to be left looking up into his dancing eyes.
He brushed his thumb across her cheek. “My point is proven.”
Damn him.
She leaned away from him. “You’ve proven nothing.”
He tightened his arms around her back, bringing her close again. “Want to go for round three?”
“No,” she whispered, her gaze on his lips, her desire swelling again. Yes, she wanted to go for round three with the Delta. No, she couldn’t tell him that. Not and keep the ball in her court.
She almost laughed out loud at herself. Her court? Ha! He had all the advantage with his hunky body, his strong hands and those lips that set her entire being on fire.
She cleared her throat and pushed her hands against his chest. “That was number one. Do you have any more rules?”
He nodded. “Two: If you want to kiss me, all you have to do is ask.”
“That goes against my No Kissing rule.”
“Only if you sneak one in on me.” He winked. “I’m not saying I’ll refuse you, but a guy likes to know when his woman wants him.”
“I don’t—”
Da
sh pressed a finger to her lips. “Shh. Now, don’t lie. It doesn’t look good on an angel.”
She frowned. “I’m not an angel.”
“You look and sound like one.” He brushed his thumb across her cheek again. “Get some sleep.”
She glanced toward the darkened bedroom and back up at him. She didn’t want to return to her nightmares. “Do you mind if I stay here until I go to sleep?”
“Again,” he waved his hand out to the side, “it’s your place.”
Sunny pulled her legs back beneath her, still clutching the pillow to her chest. She curled up in the corner of the couch, taking up less space than most people would and closed her eyes.
Dash headed for the back of the motorhome, grabbed a blanket from the bed and returned to cover Sunny’s legs.
“You can sit on the couch,” she said. “I don’t bite. Not much, anyway.”
“I will when I get tired,” he assured her.
She propped one eye open. “Will it help if I sing a lullaby?”
He shook his head. “I’m not a child.”
“You’re never too old for a lullaby,” she said with a yawn.
“Go to sleep, Sunny.”
Her eyelids drooped and closed, and her breathing became deeper until most thoughts and worries faded into the abyss of sleep. The image of Dash standing in her motor coach was the last one on her mind, calming at the same time as it excited her.
Dash paced the living room and down the hallway to the bedroom and back. What had he gotten himself into?
This woman was more than just a security assignment. She was a reminder of everything he missed in his life.
Dash and his sister, Briana, had experienced the storybook family life with a mother and father to come home to. His reluctance to start a family of his own was based on that exact life. He didn’t want to subject a wife and children to anything less than what he’d had growing up.
His parents had set the bar, and he wanted to live up to it. If he couldn’t provide that now, then he wouldn’t marry and have children until he could. It wouldn’t be fair to a women to get her pregnant and leave her to shoulder the entire burden of raising a child or children.
As a Delta Force operative, he wouldn’t be there to provide his share of parenting. He didn’t blame the women who divorced his teammates. They wanted men who were partners in raising a family. Delta Force soldiers couldn’t always be there. They were married to the military, and that job came first.
Bottom line, he hadn’t married because he couldn’t give a woman and children the storybook family he’d been blessed to have.
When, and if, he decided to marry and have children, he’d have to make that tough decision to give up the military and Delta Force, a team of men he’d grown to love like brothers.
And when he did marry, he wanted a woman as kind and caring as Sunny. Hell, he’d love that woman to be Sunny.
Who was he kidding? Sunny wouldn’t be interested in a man like him. She was a celebrity. She was so far out of his league he couldn’t begin to compete with all the men she had to choose from.
He was there to protect her life, not to become a part of it.
Eventually, he settled on the couch beside her, kicked his feet up on an ottoman and leaned his head back. He’d rest his eyes a little. It wouldn’t be long before the caravan of coaches had to leave for their next stop. He’d need to keep awake and alert on the move.
Dash must have fallen asleep. When he woke, a warm body was snuggled up against him, an arm thrown across his chest. Sometime in the early morning hours, she must have rolled over, seeking comfort.
He liked the way her body felt next to his and the smell of the shampoo she’d used in her hair. He could get used to waking up beside this woman.
It would never happen.
Sunny wasn’t the woman for him. Between their two careers, they’d never see each other. She’d be on tour. He’d be deployed. Children would be out of the question. Who would take care of them? Neither one of them had the time.
He almost laughed out loud at his musings. It wasn’t like Sunny Daye would have any interest in him whatsoever.
Carefully, he extricated himself from beneath her arm and stood. Once Dash was off the couch, Sunny stretched out, taking up the length of the sofa.
Dash tucked the blanket around her and turned.
A soft knock at the door captured his attention. He reached for the handle and opened it a small crack to find one of the bodyguards standing there.
“We’re getting ready to roll,” the guard said.
Dash nodded and whispered, “I’ll inform Miss Daye. Who does the driving?”
“I will,” the guard said.
Dash nodded. “I’ll be sure to secure anything that might fall.”
“Thanks.”
Dash closed the door and turned toward Sunny. He’d rather she was buckled into a seatbelt, but he didn’t have the heart to wake her when she needed the sleep. Still, she’d be better off in bed than on the couch directly behind the driver’s seat.
He reached down and scooped his arms beneath her.
When he straightened, she wrapped an arm around his neck, and her eyes fluttered open. “Hey,” she said.
“I thought you were asleep,” he said, looking down into her clear blue eyes.
“I was, until you woke me.” She looked around. “Where are we going?”
“You’re going back to the bed.”
She shook her head. “Can’t sleep back there when the coach is moving,” she said, her voice slurring slightly. “Bounces too much. I’ve launched into the air over a foot. It’s not much fun, nor conducive to sleep.”
“Then I guess you’ll sleep right here on the couch.” He deposited her back on the sofa.
She nodded and yawned. “I’m getting up.”
“If you have another show tonight, you need rest,” he said, concerned about the dark circles beneath her eyes. “Get some sleep now, while you can.”
She yawned again. “I do have a show, and I will get rest. But for now, I could sure use some coffee and food.” As if on cue, her stomach rumbled. “I haven’t eaten since noon yesterday.”
He frowned. “Why didn’t you say so? You can’t survive on one meal a day.”
Sunny stretched. “I’ve survived on less.”
“You relax and let me see what I can rustle up.” He started to tuck the blanket around her.
She grabbed his wrist. “Really, I’m awake. I can fend for myself. You’re my bodyguard, not my servant.” She swung her legs over the side of the couch and sat up. “At least, let me help.”
He grinned. “What? Don’t you think a Delta Force operative can whip up an egg?”
“Oh, I’m sure you can, but I like my eggs the way I like my eggs.”
“Not at all picky, are you?” He laughed. “We’d better do it quickly before they crank this baby up. It’ll be hard to cook on bumpy roads.”
A knock on the door interrupted Dash as he rummaged through the cabinets searching for a skillet.
Sunny started for the door.
He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I’ll get it.”
She nodded and went back to the little kitchen, taking eggs out of the refrigerator and a skillet out of the cabinet below the counter.
Dash opened the door to find his team leader standing on the ground by the steps.
“I’ll be right back,” he called out to Sunny and joined Rucker outside, closing the door behind him.
“Good news,” Rucker said.
“You found the man in charge of the human trafficking?” Dash asked.
“No,” Rucker said, “but the team is going to escort the USO tour to its next stop.”
Dash grinned, relief washing over him. “Glad to hear it. I wasn’t convinced the USO’s security was strong enough to keep them safe.”
A knowing smile spread across Rucker’s face. “In particular, to keep Miss Daye safe?”
Dash nodded. “Es
pecially.”
“How did it go last night with the pretty singer?” Rucker asked.
Dash was glad of the shadows that hid the heat creeping across his face. “All right.”
“I hear you paid a visit to the refugee camp.”
“We did.”
“I also hear Miss Daye sang for the women and children.”
“She sang a lullaby to a little girl who was distraught.” Dash smiled. “It was amazing. No band, no flashy lights or stage. Just her voice.”
“I’ve heard some of her acapella work.” Rucker shook his head. “She doesn’t need a band. Her voice, alone, is remarkable.”
Dash couldn’t agree more with his team lead.
“The guys are collecting available transport from the motor pool. They’ve commandeered a couple of vehicles with mounted machine guns.”
“What happened to the original escorts?” Dash asked.
Rucker’s lips thinned. “They’re being given the day off.”
“Great,” Dash said. “Instead of adding to the security forces, they’re replacing them with Deltas.”
Rucker pounded Dash on the back. “Got that right.”
“No worries.” Dash sighed. “I trust our guys more than I trust anyone else.”
“Thought you might,” Rucker said. “I almost think it might be better to send the crew with the equipment ahead and fly Miss Daye out to her next gig instead of driving her across country.”
“I thought of that, too,” Dash said. “I suggested it to the tour coordinator. He said they didn’t have money in their coffers to pay for the flight.”
“Yet they have money to pay for a funeral?” Rucker shrugged.
“He seemed to think they had sufficient security.” Dash glanced down the line of vans, trucks and motor coaches. “I’m not convinced.”
“Me either,” Rucker said. “I’m just glad we’ll be part of the convoy. If the traitor who’s negotiating the human trafficking deals decides to make another attempt to capture Miss Daye, we’ll be ready.”
“In the meantime,” Dash nodded toward the refugee tent, “what’s going to happen to the displaced women and children?”
“After intelligence has had their day with them, they’ll be turned over to a local government entity and returned to their homes.” Rucker’s lips pursed. “Sadly, many of them don’t have homes to go to. They’ll end up in some permanent refugee camp until they can be placed.”
