Winking, he said, “You can make that my nickname.”
“I think I already have.”
They stood there smiling at each other, and she had no idea how either of them was going to keep boundaries and remember this was temporary.
“You said you have one more tattoo. Can I see it?”
He slowly turned. Her hand was on his chest and she didn’t lift it, so her fingers and palm dragged along the side of his shoulder and then to his back. As his back came into full view, she was as impressed as she’d been with his chest. Obviously he had to be fit to be a SEAL, but did he have to be so attractive she could only stare at him?
His broad back was defined with muscle and smooth, tanned skin. He obviously spent most of his time outside.
On his right shoulder blade were tattooed the wordsFear Not,and below themIsaiah 41:10.
She touched this tattoo like she had the last one, but the fact that it was scripture helped her keep her wanton thoughts in line better. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed …” she quoted.
He turned and caught her hand in his, pulling it to his heart. His blue eyes seared into her, her thoughts scattered, and she completely forgot the scripture. All she could see was Aiden Delta staring deeply at her with those blue eyes she could never get enough of. She felt his strong and accelerated heartbeat under their joined hands.
“… for I am thy God;” he picked up where she’d left off. “I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Melene was completely caught up in this moment and this man. She could easily fall for him. If only they had that chance. He seemed near perfect to her.
“I love that scripture,” she admitted. “I used to repeat it when I was on my first missions and I felt so alone, missing home and my family and scared of … far too many things.”
“I don’t like that you are scared.” His blue gaze was far too penetrating.
She licked her lips and glanced away. What was there to say? She put herself in situations that most people wouldn’t so she could serve and try to inspire and lift children and families to overcome hardship and get themselves out of their deprived circumstances. The Lord had protected her more times than she could count, most dramatically when this beautiful man rose out of the ocean a few days ago. She had faith and knew all things would come together for the good of those that loved God, but she still let fear overtake her at times.
He squeezed her hand, bringing her attention back to his handsome face. “I can relate to being afraid. There have been times during battles that I was sure I would be killed.” His eyes darkened, but then they filled with light again as he admitted, “This scripture would be on repeat through my brain, and I’d just turn it all over to the Lord and fight to the very best of my abilities. If it was His will that I survived to fight another day, then I would.”
Her chest was warm and she was so impressed by him. “That’s a lot of faith.” She realized it was true, though. Either one of them could be killed, no matter that they were trying to serve God and others. They had to go forward with faith and trust in His will.
He shrugged, his beautiful shoulders flexing. “I sometimes think this entire life is just a test of faith. When I can keep my faith strong, even if things aren’t going the way I want at the moment, it all turns out the way it should. I’ve been able to let go of the fear, stress, and pain and turn it over to Him. He will always strengthen me, if I’ll let him.”
“I love that and you’re right. Faith is a choice I have to make over and over again as well.” She hadn’t been in the extreme danger he’d been in, but she’d been in scary and heartbreaking situations and felt despair, fear, and heartache that only God could heal. It strengthened her own faith that the tough Navy SEAL could admit to the same feelings she’d experienced.
“As long as we keep making that choice,” he said, “I think we’ll be okay.”
She nodded her agreement, but they both fell silent. The moment was sweet, tender, and far too intimate for her susceptible heart. Aiden Delta was the exact replica of the man she’d always dreamed would someday appear in her life … and he’d already told her this was only temporary and made himself off limits.
Looking away, she had to find some way to distance herself or she’d be on her knees begging him to choose her like he chose faith. To not be afraid of where their relationship would go, but to trust it would all work out. She didn’t know if she had that much faith and had no idea how to ask it of him.
She pulled her hand away and murmured, “Swimming first?”
“Yep.”
He checked some things on his phone and she waited, unable to avoid staring at him. Then he secured his phone in his pocket, gave her an irresistible grin, picked her up off her feet, slid her over his shoulder, and ran for the ocean.
“Stop!” Melene cried out, laughing more in surprise than anything.
He only laughed at her. She bounced on his firm shoulder, and she was grateful all the nausea from being on ships was gone or she would’ve been in trouble.
His hands on her legs and back felt far too good, but her abdomen digging into his shoulder wasn’t comfortable. Thank heavens for the discomfort so she could stop being so sappily drawn to him.
He pushed through until he was waist deep in the calm ocean, and then he lifted her off his shoulder and tossed her into the air.
Melene cried out in surprise again. She hit the water and luckily closed her mouth so she didn’t swallow the salty ocean.
She came up sputtering and laughing. Aiden was right there, grinning at her. “Again?” he asked.