“Unfortunately for us, we won’t be using any of the resort’s many fun amenities, but you get the pleasure of being stuck in this little villa with yours truly, your ‘charming’ Navy SEAL in your ‘charming’ cottage.” He winked and set his bag on the porch. Melene feared he had mind-reading powers.
“I prefer Aquaman,” she teased, finally feeling a little more like herself.
“That settles it. I was leaning that direction anyway, but there’s the push I needed to grow my hair out and get a few … dozen more tattoos.”
They both laughed.
“Wait … more?” she asked. “Where are you hiding these tattoos?” That was probably a too-probing question.
His eyes glinted as he lifted the sleeve covering his right bicep. He had a tattoo of what she recognized as the Navy SEAL symbol in black ink: the eagle with a pistol, trident, and anchor in its talons.
She looked it over, her gaze lingering on the striated muscle of his shoulder and upper arm. “I like it,” she declared. She wanted to reach out and trail her fingers over it, but she refrained. “You already have the trident. I guess you are Aquaman.”
He lifted his eyebrows and grinned. “There you go.”
“Do you have … other tattoos?” She had a feeling she should stop asking.
“A couple.” He put a hand to his heart. “I’ll show you this one soon.” He winked.
Melene’s pulse was racing out of control. She probably shouldn’t have asked. She really shouldn’t want him to whip off his shirt and show her whatever he’d tattooed over his heart.
Oh, boy. She needed some sleep, and she needed distance from her Aquaman.
ChapterFive
Melene turned from staring into Aiden’s impossibly blue eyes and looked at the chairs on the front patio. “This entire patio is so welcoming. If I ever have a house someday …” She broke off. Would she ever have a house? When she’d felt her calling so deeply at eighteen to care for children around the world, she’d been too young and idealistic to stop and think about a future home and family. She missed home and she loved her family, but a family of her own still seemed out of reach.
Aiden didn’t say anything, and she wondered if he related to the feeling of not having a home.
Thankfully, he turned and typed in a code on the door rather than delving into it.
The door beeped, and he pressed down the lever and swung it wide, gesturing Melene through first. She stepped inside and gasped, staring around at the most beautiful resort suite she’d ever seen.
Aiden came in after her, set his bag down, and dead bolted the door behind him. He whistled. “Wow. That beats a rack on a sub.”
“Beats the tent I usually call home.”
He glanced at her. “Please stay right here for a moment.”
She nodded and he strode off, checking every nook and cranny and going into what she assumed were the bedrooms.
She took in the details of their villa when he disappeared into a bedroom. Low lighting was on, making everything look even more beautiful and far too romantic for the intimacy of being here alone with the likes of Aiden Delta. When was he going to show her that tattoo and how was she going to resist staring at his chest or reaching out to touch it? Where was tattoo number three? She hoped she could see and touch it as well. She bit at her lip and focused on their surroundings.
The main area was open, with a beautiful kitchen on the right-hand side. It had bright white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and white and gray swirled granite countertops. There were treats displayed on one countertop, and the four-person table was set with china and crystal with a gorgeous tropical floral arrangement in the center. The rest of the room was spacious and open with a couple leather couches, recliners, and a huge screen television on the wall next to the dining area. The entire back wall was glass. The blinds were open and a sparkling blue infinity pool was lit up with some plush patio furniture and an outdoor dining space next to it.
“I’m told that trail leads down to our own private beach,” Aiden said.
“I can’t even imagine the views in the daytime.” She tried to avoid the images of a private beach. With Aiden shirtless and showing her his other tattoos. Oh boy. Maybe the tattoo over his heart was of some other woman’s name. That would definitely help Melene’s suddenly too-active imagination.
Lush greenery and flowers were visible around the pool, and deep blue stretched beyond that. Sky or water or both. She couldn’t distinguish the separation in the dark.
“I can’t wait for daytime.” Aiden gave her a grin that made her feel like they were on an adventure, not running for their lives. She couldn’t imagine what they’d do holed up for days. Even in this beautiful villa with the pool and beach access, she would get bored, and she could only imagine how restless Aiden would get.
She pushed away all the drama and questions and focused on the adventure part. “Can we go explore the beach quick?”
He laughed. “Sure.”
Melene grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the rear patio doors. She suddenly felt more carefree than she had in years. She still needed a shower, toothbrush, and bed, but the idea of exploring a hidden beach through this beautiful jungle made her happy, and made her forget her worries and stress.