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He exhaled. “I apologize, Nadia. I was out of line.”
“You’re an attractive man on the outside but you are ugly, cold, and bitter inside. Don’t take your frustrations out on me. I understand you are helping me. And I am truly thankful.”
“You are right. I am bitter. I am bitter at myself for being a warrior. A person the Navy needs and calls on at the drop of a dime.”
He placed a mug on a saucer on the wooden coffee table. “Would you like cream and sugar?”
“Cream please.” I sat up, straightening my spine.
He walked into the kitchen then returned with powder creamer.
He sat at my side hunched over the coffee mug.
“I enlisted in the Navy at eighteen, a year after my brother Valen enlisted. My job is dangerous. I fought for seven years. What if I’d gotten married and was killed in the line of duty? It was better I never had that worry on my shoulder. So many of my friends died over the years. Staring into my buddy’s wife tearful eyes three years ago crushed me. She was devastated she lost him.”
I placed my hand on his bicep. “Aiden, his wife knew what she signed up for. My aunt loved my uncle with all her heart. There were plenty of days she didn’t know if he’d come home. But she didn’t stop loving him for one moment. She cherished every moment they had together like it was their last.”
“Your aunt sounds like a special kind of woman.”
I smiled, retracting my hand. “She is.” Scooping up the piping hot mug, I pressed my lips against the brim and blew. The strong coffee bean dangled under my nose. Aiden sipped the black coffee and strolled over to the window. Staring into the distance. “There are women who aren’t cut out to be military wives.”
“I see. That’s what you’re worried about. If you would marry the wrong woman. Don’t you trust your instincts?”
“I’ve never had a woman so no.”
“Aiden, I think you should be honest with whoever you date. Ask the woman a litany of questions.” My eyebrows rose as I snapped my fingers. “Or you could date a female Sailor. I bet the thought never crossed your mind?”
“No,” he sighed. “Soon Admiral Cutner will send me on a new mission. Not sure how long I’d be away this time. Three years was the longest time I’d been off duty.”
Now I understood why he was defensive. He was afraid to fall in love. He didn’t want to break a woman’s heart, and he surely didn’t want his heart broken. Maybe I gave him hope to open his heart to love. Too bad he’d never allow me into his heart. He was the kind of man I’d cherish but would share with the world. Because he was a hero.
