He held her tighter, laughing at his own rude comment as he plunged them through the sand and into the water. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you clean up.”
Melene had to wrap her arms around his neck to stabilize herself. She tried not to breathe on him and have him smell her rotten breath. How she longed for a toothbrush. Hopefully the resort provided basic toiletries.
All of those worries were pushed aside as Aiden plunged them into the ocean until he was chest deep. “Hold your breath,” he cautioned.
She took a breath and he ducked under, tugging her with him. The warm water embraced her, but Aiden’s arms around her was a better embrace than the ocean or anything she’d experienced.
They surfaced and water glistened off his handsome face and dripped from his short hair. “Better?” he asked.
She laughed and pushed away from him, though it was the last thing she wanted to do. She swam deeper into the ocean and he followed her with easy strokes. He was obviously a natural in the water.
“You love the water?” she asked.
“It’s my home. My favorite place on earth.”
She smiled, wishing she was his home and his favorite place on earth, which was a little weird to even think. She wasn’t a place and had no home to offer anyone. She was a simple woman who had never and might never settle down.
Rolling over, she floated on her back and looked up at the deep-blue sky. She relaxed and felt more comfortable and at peace than she had since she’d run from General Phillip. No, that wasn’t accurate. This was more peaceful than she’d felt in years.
Aiden’s hand wrapped around hers and she startled before settling back into the water. She turned her head slightly so she could see him. His profile was striking. To see his well-built chest floating so close by, and have his hand wrapped around hers, was comforting and stimulating.
Her ears started feeling the pressure of floating for too long, and she righted herself. Aiden released her hand and they treaded water next to each other. “Thanks,” she said.
“Of course. I’m always up for float therapy.”
She smiled. The water had revitalized her as it always did, and being close to Aiden was like a caffeine shot, but the exhaustion of not sleeping well, being so ill, hardly eating, and danger chasing them was overwhelming her. She yawned.
“Let’s go find you a shower, clean clothes, a bed, and maybe that toothbrush.”
“Thank you.” She splashed water at him. “But the toothbrush comment was pushing it.” Though she agreed, she hated the thought of him thinking her breath was disgusting.
He laughed. “You were the one who said you needed one.”
“You’ve been around a bunch of men for too long, Aiden my friend. Here’s a tip—never tell a woman she stinks.”
He tilted his chin up and smiled. “Thanks. I’ll try to remember that.”
She looked over his broad shoulders with his T-shirt clinging to his shoulders and chest and then she let her eyes feast on his handsome, sculpted face. Even in the dim light, his blue eyes got to her. “You probably don’t need any help where women are concerned.”
He shrugged. “Historically, no.”
That made jealousy dart through her gut. “What about currently?”
“I seem to be flubbing this one up.”
He grinned and she laughed, but then they both went serious far too quickly. Melene thought he was irresistible, but she had to resist him. She could only imagine how quickly women succumbed to his charms. This time with her Aquaman would be here and gone soon. She didn’t need her heart tangled up and broken with Aiden as they went their separate ways, back to the lives they both felt called to. He’d told her in the stories he’d used to entertain her on the ship how the SEALs was his calling and purpose in life. She felt the same about her own work.
She didn’t want to hurt him, either. He was a fabulous guy.
“Ready for bed?” he asked in a husky voice that sent a tremor through her.
“Ready to sleep in my own bed,” she clarified.
“Of course.” His teasing tone was back. “What do you think my mama taught me?”
She laughed but didn’t comment. His mom was amazing and the Deltas were all strong Christians. She could imagine his “mama” taught him a lot of important lessons.
They swam toward the shore and sloshed up onto the sand, water dripping from their clothes and hair. He still had socks and shoes on, and she noticed he’d forgotten to take off the pistol strapped to his waist. What about his phone?