Fractured Affections (The Affections Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

can’t expect him to take care of our boys. I don’t think I want him to. The idea of my kids getting close to Striker is scary. He is my past. Who knows what would have happened, if he had never left for the military. Life could have turned out differently. I can’t risk the kids finding out about the relationship that I had with Striker. It would be too confusing for them to understand.
    I begin to cry silently, while thinking about him being away. I pull in a staggered breath and whisper, “Dalt, I can’t be without you. I need you here with me. ”
    “Reagan, baby, I will call you all the time. Now we can even still see each other with Facetime. We will be okay. You will be okay. I know my leaving brings back old memories of abandonment, and that was my biggest fear. But you are so much stronger now than you were then. I have faith in you and your strength. I need you to have faith in yourself. This may be good for you, just so you can see how well you can do on your own.”
    How can he have so much faith in me? This is so much more than he’s making it out to be. He knows my past with Striker, and how bad things were at the end. It took me a long time to really trust again. Now he wants to leave me to live with Striker, while he is out of town. The idea sounds crazy. I love that he trusts me completely, but what if I don’t trust myself? I had a complete melt down today, when Striker tried to sit and have a conversation, but it sounds like I have no choice. Dalton has his mind made up. He wants to go. How can I take that from him, when he’s has given me so much?
    I move out of his grasp and grab my cutting board and knife. I begin to slice the peppers and onions for dinner to distract myself, so I can calmly respond. “Okay, D, go ahead and go. I will do whatever you need me to. This job sounds very important to you, and I want to support you in it. I want you to go and concentrate solely on this job, though. No going there and taking on too much. I need you to take care of yourself, so when you come back; we can have you back and ready to spend some good quality time with us. Maybe we can arrange a vacation or something for the five of us. “
    “Once I know when I will be home that can be arranged. I’m gonna miss you guys so much, while I’m gone. A nice trip together, when this is all done, will give us all something to look forward to.” He leans against the counter and gives me a sad smile.
    “Dalt, I don’t understand needing Striker to stay here, but if it makes you more comfortable, I will set the spare room up for him. I’ll adjust I guess, but I need you to call me every morning and every night. No more lies though. I’ll do what you ask, but don’t keep things from me.”
    Dalton takes the knife from my hand and places it on the counter. I can’t even look at him, because I know I will break down. He grabs my chin and turns my face up to look directly into his eyes. We stand there for a moment, sharing the sadness, and then he leans in and presses a firm kiss to my lips. He moves his hands and places them on each side of my face. I feel his tongue sweep past my lips, and I’m more than willing to allow him in. I run my tongue along his, savoring every second of this kiss.
    When he pulls away, he presses his forehead to mine. He takes my left hand in his and places it against his chest right over his heart. I notice a tear roll down his cheek, causing my own tears to form.
    “You are my heart, Rea. It will kill me to be away from you. I just feel like this is the best move for our family. Thank you for always supporting me and my job. It just makes me love you more.” He reaches up and wipes the tears from my face. I feel soft lips against my cheek, and then he swiftly walks out of the kitchen and begins up the steps.
    Slowly I turn and start cutting the peppers and onions for dinner. I need to understand why this is happening. I can’t be angry with him for wanting something good for