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“I will. I’ll need you to go as my date to the military ball.”
Something resonated in her chest at the idea of him in a dress uniform. “I would be honored to attend a military ball with you.” She hoped his interest didn’t wane the better he got to know her.
“Good.” His smile drew her in. “That’s not for a few months. I’d start by setting you up to observe a team. I would take you out there so they’d see us together.”
“You’re saying I’d get access to observe a team when?” Her heart beat a little faster.
“Shouldn’t take more than a week or two to get that set up. Would that work for you?”
“Definitely.”
“And I’d be available as a technical advisor for dialogue and action scenes—to a point,” he cautioned.
“I understand you can’t discuss actual missions, but any brainstorming would be fantastic.” She was getting more than she’d dared to hope for. “You’re not worried I’ll dump you after I get what I need?”
“I hope you won’t, but I’m not drawing up a contract or anything. If, for any reason, this isn’t working out, say the word, and we walk away.”
That made her feel better. She hadn’t seen red flags, though, over time, people and things change. “That goes both ways. I’m not ready to make a decision quite yet. You also need to think about the impact this could have on your family and your career if this blows up.”
“I have thought about it.”
“Humor me and think about it some more.”
“Fair enough. Though I should warn you, I don’t typically admit defeat.”
“I’ll remember that.” One particular mission she’d like to assign him made her body temperature soar to dangerous levels.
“I thought about what you said the other night about only being here a few more months. That could work for us. If we had to, we could announce our engagement. Then say doing the relationship long-distance showed us we rushed things and decided we needed more time before getting married. That could buy me enough time for any concerns to die out and my papers for another three-year term to be finalized. This command has been a dream assignment—until this. Megan and Reece are talking about starting their family. If my only options are across the country or overseas, then I’d consider retiring. I missed a lot of time with my kids in the past nearly two decades. They’re adults now, but without Bethann here holding things together . . . I’ve done my time. I need to put them first.”
Erin wanted to help him get what he wanted—which wasn’t a promotion or material things but the ability to stay connected with his children. His priorities amplified the feelings she already had for him.
After their dinner, Graham was unusually quiet as he walked her to her car. His mouth scrunched in a disgruntled manner. “This is the part I don’t like.”
The part where he kissed her goodnight? “Why is that?” She took a half step backward.
“An hour together over dinner isn’t long enough. I’m not ready to say goodnight and watch you drive off.”
“Oh.” She swooned at his declaration but managed to stay on her feet.
“Did you think I would say I didn’t want to kiss you? That’s not the case. Though being in a public parking lot isn’t exactly romantic.”
“I don’t have a problem with a little PDA.” Her upturned face was enough of an invitation for Graham’s mouth to claim hers—without hesitation this time. His hand slid to her lower back, urging her close enough for her to feel the effect she had on his body. Her lips parted to welcome his tongue. Her bones began to melt, and she swayed into him. The increased contact elicited a blissful murmur.
He broke the kiss seconds later and did a quick surveillance glance around the parking lot. “Rather than say goodnight, we can get ice cream, go for a walk, or back to my house for a glass of wine on the patio.”
“Counteroffer. How about we go bowling? That way, we can talk, and I can see how competitive you are.” And she didn’t have to stress that this was technically their third date and he might expect her to have sex with him. Not that the idea of sleeping with him hadn’t crossed her mind. It had—a few times a day since they met and several times in the past hour. But they needed to figure out what they were doing going forward. Sex now could influence their decision-making, and it could go either way. If they agreed to this arrangement, they could address that component of the relationship later. When they were both ready.
Hopefully, she wouldn’t be disappointed or disappoint him—at least not long-term. Rather than keep silent to avoid bruising his ego, she’d be honest and upfront from the beginning to ask for what she needed for sex to be mutually satisfying. She deserved that. Graham was used to being given orders, right?
ChapterTwelve
Bowling with Erinhad been fun and capped off a near-perfect night together. Like any battle, there were risks if they went down this road. Risks he was willing to take.
She’d made good points about the need to plan this through. Military strategy was his specialty, but this fell under unconventional warfare, and she wasn’t one of his soldiers he could give orders to.
After kissing her goodnight in the bowling alley parking lot, he’d thought about her questions, and once he got home, he started his list of responses and expectations for the relationship. It was pretty much all he’d thought about since last night. He wanted to get details ironed out and move forward.
He pulled out his cell to call Erin after Kearns left for lunch.
