“We have to be vigilant and keep anyone from seeing your beautiful face,” he said, feeling a little chagrined but still concerned. If she would’ve been feisty or angry at him, it would’ve been easier to reprimand her about being safe.
“They thought I was an actress,” she said. “I’ve never seen Mission Impossible, but I remember Thandie Newton from Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith. She’s a beautiful lady.”
Aiden wanted to tell Melene she was more beautiful, but this wasn’t the time to flirt.
“The boys didn’t recognizeme,” she insisted.
“Who knows?” Aiden’s mind was spinning. They walked past the pool and into the house. He released her arm, secured the patio door, and checked to make sure all the alarms were armed. “I’ve got to call Papa and see what he thinks. We’re going to have to relocate.”
Melene’s eyes registered alarm. “I apologize, Aiden. I didn’t realize talking to children could compromise us.”
He looked her over. The main area was dimly lit, and she was gorgeous. To him, she was prettier than any famous actress. “It’s all right. It’s probably fine, but I’m not risking it. Please get some sleep and I’ll wake you as soon as I’m ready to move.”
She nodded, but instead of turning to her bedroom, she strode to him, stood on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for watching over me,” she whispered against his cheek. “I’m sorry if I made it harder.”
Aiden closed his eyes so he couldn’t be taken in by her incredible beauty, but there was no way to shut off his other senses. She smelled like heaven and her soft lips on his cheek messed with his mind.
“It’s okay,” he managed, meeting her gaze because his mom didn’t raise any wimps. “Get some rest. I’ll wake you up when I’m ready to relocate.”
“Thanks.” She smiled up at him, but her dark eyes seemed … disappointed. Had she wanted that kiss on the beach as much as he had?
She turned and walked slowly into her bedroom. Aiden watched her go. She gave him one last look over her shoulder and he almost rushed after her and gathered her to him. He stood still and as soon as she disappeared, he pulled out his phone.
Distancing himself was the best idea right now. It was good the boys had interrupted that kiss, but he felt achy and like he had the flu. He wanted to kiss her far too much. What had happened to all his supposed self-control?
He pushed a number and barked out, “Papa, we’ve got a situation.”
As he outlined what had happened and he and Papa discussed every possibility and different ideas for what to do, he paced the living area. He had to focus on protecting Melene. If he let his mind wander back to kissing her, he’d make a mess of everything and worst of all, probably endanger her.
Her safety was all that mattered.
Maybe someday, after all of this was over, they could …
He couldn’t let his mind go there. The answer to a future with Melene was still no.
ChapterTen
Melene could not sleep. She stretched out in the comfortable bed in a tank top and shorts and listened to Aiden’s low rumbling voice in the other room. She couldn’t make out all the words clearly—it depended which way he was pacing at that moment—but he was obviously concerned about her interaction with the boys and trying to figure out the safest and quickest way to relocate.
She felt awful that she’d caused him stress because of a simple exchange with two cuties. Her head had been a muddled mess before the boys arrived. She’d been so close to Aiden kissing her and then suddenly he spun away and moved to protect her.
When she saw those two adorable little boys, relief had rushed through her that there was no danger and it felt like coming home. A close second to the comfort of being in Aiden’s arms, but none of the tingles. Interacting with children from around the world was what she did, and she couldn’t believe those sweet, undersized boys who’d been willing to stand up to the likes of the tough Aiden to protect her could pose any danger to her. Aiden obviously thought they did.
She realized he wasn’t talking anymore, and then she heard the fridge open and close. Seconds later, his footsteps came past her bedroom door and she heard movement in his room.
Sliding out of bed, she wondered if it was smart to approach him. She justified she needed to know if they were moving so she could pack, but she didn’t care about even having a toothbrush compared to her need to be in Aiden’s arms.
They’d been so close to that kiss, and she’d wanted nothing more. Yet she sensed nothing had changed regarding their future. Once the mission was done, Aiden would go back to his life and she’d go back to hers. That was how it was supposed to be and how it should be. They both knew it wasn’t smart to get emotionally invested. They both had their purposes and paths in life. They both couldn’t afford to fall in love.
It was too late. She clenched her hands and gave a grunt of frustration. She’d like to meet a woman strong enough to not fall for the likes of Aiden Delta. It was going to crush her when they parted. It was going to rip her apart and she would never be the same. She was too far gone to care or focus on future fears and pain right now. She wanted to kiss him and forget about all the other worries. She chose to have faith in so many areas of her life. Why couldn’t she have faith that the Lord would help them be together if it was His will? Yet she wasn’t sure if her need to kiss and be close to Aiden was motivated by heaven’s nudges or her own selfish desires.
She crept out of her room and into the doorway of his. The light from his bathroom illuminated him. He shoved a few more things into his large bag and then strapped it shut.
“Aiden.” His name came out as a breathy sigh.
He spun and she could see how taut his body was, the angst radiating from him.
Melene was done being strong, done fighting the need for him. She ran into his room and collided with him.