Breaking Rules (Delta Force Strong #2) - Elle James Page 0,40

a relationship work?

Assuming he wanted this to continue past Afghanistan.

For all Sunny knew, Dash was only in it for a quick fling. He’d been upfront with her. He wouldn’t have a long-term relationship, wouldn’t marry or have children, until he could be home to see and help them grow.

“Why are you sad?” he asked, kissing her eye lids.

“Who said I was sad?”

“You have a little frown between your eyebrows. Not enough to be mad, but enough to be sad. Was it not as good for you as it was for me?”

“Oh, sweet heaven,” she exclaimed. “It was great.”

“But?”

“I’m not ready to go back to the States,” she blurted out.

“Who said you were going back? You still have two more stops before your tour is over.”

“I know.” Sunny stared at his chin, instead of his eyes which seemed to see everything. “I’m just getting to know you. I don’t want this to end.”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “I feel the same.”

“Seriously?” she asked, looking up into his eyes. “You feel the same?”

He nodded. “I know I have only two more stops with you, and then you’re on your way back. I don’t know when I’ll be back stateside, but when I do go, I’ll be at Fort Hood, Texas. You’ll be wherever they schedule your next concert.”

Sadness filled her at the thought. “What if I want to see you again? I don’t even know where you live.”

“I live in Killeen, Texas, close to Fort Hood, when I’m not deployed,” he said. “What if I want to see you again? Where do you live?”

She laughed. “I live in Austin, where I grew up with my grandparents.” Her heart already felt lighter, knowing he was only a few miles down the road from her home.

“That’s practically next door.” He gathered her close and rolled them both onto their sides, his staff slipping free of her.

They lay for a long time, touching each other.

“You should go to sleep,” he said.

“I want to stay awake. I’m afraid if I wake up, I’ll realize this was all a dream, and you’ll be gone.” She twirled her finger over the hard brown button of his nipple.

“Sweetheart, I’m not a dream. Some would consider me a nightmare,” he said with a grin. “I’ll be here when you wake.”

She yawned, exhaustion claiming her. “Promise?”

“I promise,” he whispered and kissed her forehead.

Sunny slipped into the darkness of sleep, Dash’s arms wrapped around her. Her last thought as she drifted away was that she could love going to sleep like this every night.

Chapter 10

For the next thirty minutes, Dash held Sunny in his arms, watching her chest rise and fall, her hair splayed across the pillow.

He’d only known this woman a short time, but that instant connection couldn’t be denied. All the years he’d pushed off long-term relationships, he’d rationalized it by saying it was the job that kept him from committing. In reality, he hadn’t found the right woman. The one who made his heart sing and his blood burn with desire.

Now, after only a little more than twenty-four hours, he had the woman of his dreams in his arms, and he wanted the entire package—her, a home, children and a life together.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized it was impossible. But when had he ever given up on the impossible? They’d said it would be too hard for him to make it into Delta Force. He’d met that impossible challenge and had excelled as an operative.

His relationship with Sunny was entirely different. They were from such different worlds, it would be more than a challenge to make the two worlds come together. One of them would have to give up their career or a major portion of their career to make a life together happen.

Dash could get out of Delta Force or take a training position and remain in one location until he retired at twenty years. Hell, being on the team wasn’t something one did forever. But was he ready to give it up? He loved the men he worked with. They were his brothers.

He couldn’t ask Sunny to give up a stellar career as a recording artist. She’d worked hard to get where she was and deserved to shine in the spotlight for as long as her fans kept buying her recordings.

His thoughts churning, he couldn’t sleep. Eventually, he rose from the bed, dressed in his uniform trousers, T-shirt and boots. It wasn’t like he’d go back to sleep. Not with so