Chapter One
Damon walked out ofthe terminal with his duffel over his shoulder and looked for the man, Trent, with whom he’d been friends most of his life.
It was good to be home in Madison County.He’d dreamed of it and certain people the whole time he was away and had missed it ...missedhermore than he could say or even thought possible.
He smiled for the first time in months when he saw his name on a piece of cardboard held up over everyone and headed that way.Damon dropped his bag before the two men came together, hugged, and pounded each other on the back.
“It’s good to have you home,” Trent said.
“It’s good to be home.”Hell, that was an understatement.Last year, he had been fighting his way back to life after being in the wrong place at the wrong time, when a missile hit.He’d been one of the lucky ones.He had scars all over his body and not a full range of movement, but he had all his limbs, and most importantly, his life.
He’d lost three good friends and teammates that day.The rest of the team had spent months in Germany recuperating before they were discharged.Their conditions prevented them from ever going back into action, which was fine by him.He’d lost his drive for fighting a few years before, but he didn’t want to mess up the team he’d been with since the beginning.
“How are you doing?”Trent asked.
“I’m mobile and not in pain like I was, but I’m just thankful to be here.”
Trent nodded.“Everyone has been waiting for your arrival.”
Damon glanced at him as they walked out of the airport.“Everyone?”
Trent sighed.“Well, just about everyone.”
Damon nodded.He hadn’t expected Trent’s little sister, Emma, to be waiting for him after what he’d done to her on her nineteenth birthday.
He’ll never forget the look of defeat, embarrassment, and devastation on her face that he had caused.He’d been twenty-three and on leave from the Navy.They’d been in the back of Trent and her parents’ house, celebrating Emma’s birthday.
He’d never forget his first look at her that day.It had been four years since he’d been home, and she’d filled out and gotten the curves that made his mouth water.Her braces were gone, and she’d started wearing contacts so he could see her beautiful blue eyes.Her hair was back in a ponytail like it had always been.The color had been rich dark chocolate, and it looked so soft, he fought to keep his fingers from running through it.
He knew once he touched her, he’d never let her go.He fought himself constantly when he was around her, to keep from reaching for her.He kept telling himself it was for her own good, that he couldn’t be selfish because he cared about her so much.
Damon had nightmares about making Emma his woman and then getting himself killed overseas.The pain she would feel if she lost him would haunt her, and he didn’t want her to grieve for years.He wanted her to have the husband and family she always wanted.
As often as he told himself that, his stomach would cramp with crushing pain when he thought of her with another man, but the chances of him not making it home were high.
That night in her backyard had been hot and humid with a cool breeze.He’d walked off toward the side of the huge yard.He needed some quiet time to go over everything he’d need for his trip back to base the next day.It was crucial for him to get into the headspace.
He needed to do the job.If he wasn’t prepared, it might just mean his life or his team.
“Hey.”
He turned his head to see Emma standing beside him with a soft smile on her beautiful face.Fuck, his whole body tightened, and his cock hardened painfully.
“Hey,” he said.
“I wish you didn’t have to go back,” she said.
“I don’t have a choice,” Damon said, shrugging like it was no big deal.Looking at her and being unable to touch her was physically painful for him, making him angry, not at her but at the situation.
“Is there anywhere we can go to talk right now?”she asked.
Fuck.He wanted to yell, “Yes!”but he was leaving in the morning.He had to remind himself he cared enough about her not to string her along.
“For what?”he asked.
She shrugged.“Just to be alone.”
“For what purpose, Emma?”He hated how she cringed at the harsh tone of his voice.