Back in the Soldier's Bed

This was ridiculous. He was here for an outing, nothing more. He’d made it perfectly clear during their coffee date that more wasn’t possible. No matter what he truly felt. Protecting her was more important than his attraction.

“I didn’t realize you’d take the festivities quite this seriously,” he joked, looking down at Emma. Despite their similar dress of white shorts and red T-shirts, he realized again how much Em

ma resembled him and it filled him with paternal joy. He remembered seeing pictures of himself as a small boy. The eyes, the curls, the shape of the lips…there was no doubt Emma was his daughter and he warmed at the shaft of pride he felt knowing it.

Spending today with Shannyn, too, was probably not the smartest move, but he was determined to enjoy this one last indulgence. Soon she’d see that Emma could spend time with him alone and these family scenes would come to an end. It would be the smart thing to do.

“You look great. I didn’t realize you’d dress up, so I brought something for you to put on before we go.” He held out a small bag, handed it to Emma. She reached inside and pulled out a flat package covered in plastic.

“Tattoos!”

He smiled. He hadn’t been able to resist the temporary tattoos at the store where he’d stopped for snacks on his way to the house.

“Should we put them on?”

“Mama?”

Jonas smiled at the indulgent way Shannyn looked at Emma. When she turned her warm gaze back to him, his grin broadened. It would be a different sort day than they’d spent together before, but he was no less happy with it. Maybe there wouldn’t be swimming followed by fireworks on a blanket…but he could see she hadn’t lost her sense of fun. He had worried about there being atmosphere between them today. So much had happened since his last visit with Emma. Perhaps Shannyn had taken his admonition to stay friends for Emma’s sake to heart.

Shannyn held open the door. “Why not? Come on in.”

Emma went first, choosing to have a flower tattooed on her cheek. “Very cool,” Jonas complimented. Emma spun to rush to the bathroom and check the mirror. When Jonas looked back, Shannyn was waiting for him with tattoo and sponge at the ready.

“Where do you want it?”

“Oh, I don’t need one.”

Emma came running back. “Yes you do, Daddy! You need a tattoo!”

The tattoos were a mixture of butterflies, bees, and flowers. He hadn’t planned on having one himself, but who could resist Emma’s hopeful eyes?

“How about these flowers?” Shannyn asked, her eyes sparkling.

“No thanks.” A quick glance at Emma showed disappointment on her features. “Maybe a bumblebee?”

“Yay, Daddy!”

He met Shannyn’s gaze. “On my cheek too, I guess. I didn’t have time to change after working this morning, so it won’t be visible anywhere else.”

Shannyn took the tattoo from the packet, a nice, fat bumblebee. Suddenly his combat jacket seemed tight, constricting. When her cool fingers touched his skin, he held his breath. She was so gentle. Standing so close, the tip of her tongue between her teeth as she concentrated, she rubbed the temporary sticker with the damp sponge.

He wondered what it would be like to kiss her again. Stop thinking about it, you fool, he fretted to himself. Two kisses had been more than enough to tell him he was in dangerous territory. He’d been the one to put on the brakes, and he’d do well to remember it. It had been the right decision. No matter how she made him feel, he knew it was better all around this way. He wasn’t capable of more. There could be no kisses or meaningful touches.

Before he could think about it further, she stepped away. “There you go. All done.”

Shannyn put the sponge down on the counter. What had started out as a fun game had suddenly changed. As soon as she’d touched the smooth skin of his cheek, she’d been reminded of the way he’d kissed her at his apartment. Without prelude, without apology. Like the years between them hadn’t happened. The way he’d cupped her neck and she’d crawled into his lap on Thursday.

“What about you?” he asked hoarsely.

She swallowed. The last thing she needed right now was him touching her, in any way. She took the last tattoo, pressed it against her arm. “I can do my own. Why don’t you take Emma out and buckle her in?”

“Shannyn, I…”

Shannyn looked up from her arm, holding the paper against the skin, nerves skittering after touching him so innocently. “I know. I get it. Friends, Jonas.”

He paused, his eyes unsure. Shannyn made herself hold her ground. It was tempting to want to know what he’d meant to say, but the boundaries had been set and the more she thought about it, the more she realized it was the right approach.

“I’m glad you’re coming,” he finished, looking away.