Aiden had been trained by his dad, his Papa, his Mama, and the best, and sometimes harshest, instructors the United States Navy had to offer. He was strong mentally, physically, and spiritually. He could instinctively keep Melene and himself safe from whatever this crazy and illogical reaction to holding her was. He’d made it through BUD/S training without ringing the bell. Somehow, he’d survive this.
He moved his hands to her hips and easily lifted her out of the pool and onto the side. She gasped in surprise, bending her legs. He released her and hurried up the steps past her as she straightened. “I’ll get the food. You sit and relax,” he instructed. It came out too harsh and demanding, but he had to be decisive and get some distance from her, or more accurately, from his reaction to her.
She luckily didn’t say anything as he strode to the back door, dripping wet. He stripped off his shirt and dropped it by the back door and grabbed a towel from the rack, wrapping it around his waist and then pushing the patio door open and rushing inside. He didn’t let himself look at Melene or think about how incredible she looked and felt to him. He’d try to convince himself he simply hadn’t held a woman close for a while, but he was lying to himself. Melene was special. She was especially special to him. Which sounded cheesy and not like him at all.
He hurried to grab the food out of the oven. It was warm but not hot. He took the first plate and shoved it in the microwave, hitting the minute button.
Looking down, he realized his chest tattoo was revealed. Dang it. He wanted to show Melene in a special moment.
He hung his head and said a brief prayer for strength and to keep his head on straight so he could protect Melene. Neither of them needed or could afford a romantic entanglement.
Please help, he begged heaven above.
The good Lord had kept him safe on so many missions he could only express gratitude each time. He knew how diligently his family, especially his sweet mom, always prayed for him at home. Right now, he felt like he was in a battlefield and he could only pray for help, strength, and guidance.
He ran his hand through his hair as he turned from the microwave and made the mistake of looking out the back wall of glass.
Melene stood there in her swimsuit. Her body was enticing to him, but it was the longing look in her dark eyes that he had no clue how to resist.
Oh, please help, he begged heaven above for what had to be the dozenth time.
What if the help from heaven was bringing Melene into his life? What if it was time to give up saving the world and focus on loving and saving this incredible woman?
The microwave beeped behind him, preventing him from having to muddle out a question that insane. Melene was his mission for the next few days, not for life. He had to stay strong.
Aiden had always pushed himself hard and been proud of his mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional strength. Who knew a few days with an exotic, smart, and charitable beauty could mess with him on every level?
ChapterSeven
Melene was so confused and stirred up by Aiden. She found it very interesting as he brought the breakfast back out that he’d put on a dry T-shirt and he seemed to have put a mask over his emotions. He was fun and teasing and bright and happy. She knew those were all facets of Aiden’s personality, but he was hiding something right now. Was he as unsettled as she was by the strong emotions and connection that coursed between them? Or was she only hoping he had the same feelings surging through him?
She’d convinced herself last night to keep her distance and be strong. Less than an hour of silly water aerobics with her fun, tough Navy SEAL protector and then him putting his arms around her and pulling her back against his strong body had made everything disappear but him. Her only desire at that moment had been to hold him, be close to him, talk for hours, and kiss for even longer.
Her charitable missions seemed far away. At the moment, it was hard to concentrate on anything but Aiden. She wanted to tease him about covering up the tattoo on his chest again, but found she couldn’t. She hadn’t been able to see it clearly through the window earlier, but was suddenly terrified it was some other woman’s name. Why else would he not just show her?
She was famished, so she ate the delicious food quickly and ate far too much. Leaning back on the soft patio chair with the tropical sun quickly drying her swimsuit and hair, she said, “Whew. We’d better do more jazzercise. I ate way too much.”
Aiden’s incredible blue eyes swept over her and the tropical sun couldn’t be all to blame for how hot she suddenly was. “I don’t think you need to worry about eating too much.”
She straightened and gave him a challenging glare. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He smiled. “It was supposed to be a compliment. You look incredible, but you are very thin. You could gain twenty pounds and still be tiny.”
She bristled. “Listen, Mr. Buff Aquaman.”
He grinned at that.
“I work my tail off every day and it’s hard to keep weight on with the heat and the workload, but I do not starve myself.” This was a very touchy subject with her mom and Gramma Larue. “I still have womanly curves.”
Aiden’s eyes widened. “Oh believe me, Melene, I’m very aware that you have womanly curves.”
More heat filled her, and she leaned back. She was aware this swimming suit showed off her curves to advantage and it made her happy that he’d noticed. “Well, good. Thank you.”
He smirked at her. “My cousin Alivia used to say you were so sweet you’d melt in a rainstorm. Guess you got a little sassy over the years.”
Her mouth dropped open again. “These are like the most backwards compliments I have ever received.”
He laughed. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to twist compliments and Alivia meant it in the most complimentary way possible. You have always been kind and charitable.” His gaze swept over her again. “But I’m coming to see you have some spice in you, too.” His voice got husky. “I like it.”