Aiden slid open the patio door and they walked past the gorgeous pool area, breathing in the scent of jasmine, plumeria, lime, and eucalyptus trees. The Navy higher-up guy had said they were going to the Caribbean. Melene had worked on various Caribbean islands.
“What island are we even on?” she asked, her energy renewed as they found the trail to the beach off to the left. She released his hand and led the way down the wooden plat staircase.
“Jamaica, mon,” he said from behind her.
She laughed. “That fits.”
“Somebody is feeling a lot better,” Aiden said.
Melene reached the last step and walked through the shadowy trees to a soft sand beach. The ocean was so calm it gently lapped against the sand. She couldn’t see much as the moon was covered by clouds, but she inhaled the salt, sand, and wonderful tropical scents.
“Get me on land that doesn’t rock and I’m usually happy, low-maintenance, and I often stop projectile vomiting.”
Aiden laughed. “You never hit me, at least.”
“Small blessings.” Leaning down, she slid off her Chacos and plunged her feet into the sand. She closed her eyes and moaned happily. “Ah, I can already feel myself being connected to the earth and my stress melting away.”
Aiden said nothing, and she opened her eyes to look at his face. His blue eyes were twinkling at her as if he found her amusing. “I didn’t know you were a ‘grounding’ kind of girl.”
“You don’t know much at all about me, Aiden Delta.”
“I know you’re really good at throwing up.”
“Ah! Take it back, or I’ll …” She looked around for something to threaten him with. As if she could threaten a man twice her size with muscles prettier than Aquaman’s.
He chuckled and folded his arms across his broad chest. He should’ve looked intimidating, but instead he looked impressive, protective, and awe-inspiring. She glanced away.
“What are you going to threaten me with?” he asked.
“I’ll … push you into the ocean.”
He laughed louder. “No, please don’t throw me in the ocean. You know I’m terrified of the salty sea.”
She shook her head at his silliness, grabbed his arm, and started tugging him toward the water’s edge. “Then that is where you’re going for making fun of a sickly, frail old woman.”
He looked her over, and she wished her eyes hadn’t adjusted to the darkness. That look was so full of heat it made her quiver. He planted his feet and she couldn’t pull him anywhere. “Sickly, frail, and old?” His smile was a charming smirk that she wanted to kiss right off his face. “Somehow none of those descriptors fit.”
She was in such trouble thinking she could withstand Aiden Delta while being alone with him like this, and in a beautiful tropical setting to boot. Why had she suggested they explore the beach? She had to cool the heat singeing the air between them. They’d just gotten here and already she wanted to fling herself against that beautiful chest of his—after he showed her his covered tattoos.
“How about covered in puke, stringy hair, sweaty, in need of a good meal, a toothbrush, a shower, clean clothes, and a little makeup and perfume?” She tilted her head and gave him a challenging look. “How are those descriptors?”
His smirk turned to a full-on grin. “Yep, those fit pretty well.”
Though she’d given him the descriptors, she still gasped in outrage, but then she couldn’t help but laugh. She’d forgotten how fun it was to tease with a man, especially a man as irresistible as Aiden.
“Let me help you change those descriptors.” His voice was full of teasing, but also a delicious promise. How was he going to help her?
Aiden closed the distance between them and swooped her off her feet before she could protest or dodge away. He pulled her in tight to that well-muscled chest of his and her breath left her lungs in a rush. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she prayed she didn’t stink. He smelled like he’d showered recently and brushed his teeth.
Dang him. He had. When she was trying to get herself off the bed on the last ship as they told them they were putting down anchor to disembark. He’d gone and showered quick.
“You’re not supposed to smell good,” she hurled at him.
He grinned and his cheek crinkled irresistibly. His blue eyes were so bright and alluring. She hadn’t been around many handsome, blue-eyed men the past few years. Come to think of it, she hadn’t been around many men, period. Mostly women and children were who she worked with and helped. The men were either off working to secure the necessities of life, in the military, or sadly had been killed and left their families alone in the aftermath of some of the war-torn areas she’d served in.
“You don’t smell good,” he teased her.
Melene gasped again and tried to pull away from him.