was doing her makeup.
Not long after, the water cut off, and Sunny emerged from the bathroom with a towel turban on her head and wearing a slick, pink silk robe.
Dash groaned.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing a cold shower might cure.” He rummaged in his duffel bag he’d left on the floor earlier and pulled out a fresh T-shirt, clean trousers and boxer briefs. “I’ll only be a moment.”
“Take your time. I’ll be here for a minute, applying my usual stage makeup and blowing my hair dry.”
Dash entered the tiny bathroom, still steamy from Sunny’s shower and smelling like her shampoo.
God, he wished he’d taken her up on the shower with her. Then again, he knew the few minutes she had to get ready wouldn’t be long enough.
Setting the temperature to cool, Dash removed the bandage Sunny had applied so expertly, stepped beneath the spray and washed away the dust and dirt from the mission and the day of travel. His wound stung but the water washed away the dried blood and dirt.
He didn’t take too long as he knew the tanks in motorhomes didn’t contain a whole lot of water. She’d need it for the next couple of days, if they didn’t refill it at each stop.
Once he was done, he dried off, dressed in his underwear, camouflage trousers, a T-shirt and a fresh uniform jacket. When he stepped out of the bathroom, Sunny was blowing her hair dry, using a round brush. When she was done, she used a curling iron to put waves back into her hair. She’d applied makeup to her face and eyes.
The whole process of hair and makeup made Dash glad he wasn’t a woman, and even happier that Sunny was.
When she was finished with her hair, she entered her bedroom to change into the sequined royal blue dress she’d had hanging on a hook.
Dash walked to the front of the motorhome and glanced out the window.
The road crew had completed the stage setup, and the band was working the kinks out of the speakers and their instruments. The troops were already crowding into the area in front of the stage.
A sound behind him made him turn.
Sunny stood in the royal-blue, sequined dress and a pair of glittery silver high heels. “What do you think?”
“Wow.” Dash crossed to her and gathered her in his arms. “You look amazing.”
Her cheeks reddened beneath the stage makeup. “Thank you,” she said.
A knock on her door made her back out of Dash’s arms.
Dash opened the door to Lloyd Pendleton. The USO tour director smiled up at her. “Thank goodness. You’re on in ten.”
She nodded. “I was just about to leave.”
“Good. Good,” Lloyd said. “Everything’s ready. We had a lot of unexpected assistance from a building contractor in the area. He was able to get his crew in to help ours get the stage up and running in record time.” He turned and headed toward the stage, talking to himself about things that still needed to be done.
Dash captured Sunny once more and kissed her forehead. “What’s it they say in showbiz?”
“Break a leg?” Sunny said with a mischievous smile.
“Yeah. That’s it. Only I’m afraid to say it for fear it will happen in those shoes.”
She laughed. “I’ll be fine. I wear these shoes a lot. I can handle it.”
Nevertheless, Dash scooped her up in his arms and carried her all the way to the back of the stage, across uneven gravel.
Already, he could hear the roar of the crowd of soldiers waiting for Sunny Daye to boost their spirits and give them a great show.
“I could’ve gotten here without the lift,” she said, her arm draped across his shoulders.
“And ruin those sparkly shoes in the gravel?” Dash shook his head. “I couldn’t disappoint your fans.”
She laughed and kissed his cheek. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get in trouble for too many public displays of affection.”
He snorted. “Anyone who hit me up with those kinds of charges would only do so because they were jealous.”
“Jealous because you’re with a celebrity?” she asked.
“Jealous because I’m with a kind, caring and beautiful woman, who just so happens to be a celebrity.” He kissed her full on the lips before he set her on her feet near the stage. “Now, where do you want me? I don’t mind standing in front of you with my bulletproof vest, deflecting bullets, but your fans might protest.” He frowned. “Actually, shouldn’t you be wearing the vest and helmet you had on earlier?”
She frowned. “You think anyone will take a