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Miranda

We walked along the boardwalk that skirted the beach road, and listened to the sound of the surf in the distance He held my hand and we breathed in deeply the cool salty air It was a relief after the heat of the day

We stopped at a narroay that led to the beach and he pulled me towards it

“Want to go wet our feet?” he asked

I laughed and kicked off e Usually, I’d be afraid to be out in the darkness with a strange man, but I felt safe with Beckett Besides, the li beside us

Beckett removed his jacket and tie, then unbuttoned his shirt before rolling up his sleeves He res, and we ran down the beach towards the surf There was a fullthe beach road ensured we could see pretty clearly

I reached the edge of the surf and squealed when the water surrounded my feet and went up to my ankles

“Holy cow,” I said with a laugh “That’s cold”

Beckett ran into the surf, laughing out loud when he was soaked up to his knees He whooped and ran around, then splashed et away Finally, we held hands once ainst him, his other arm around me I nestled into his elittered on the waves and the surf roared

Then he kissed me, one hand on my c

heek When he pulled back, I saw the scar from the corner of my eye and couldn’t help but look at it At first, it sent a jolt of adrenaline through me but then I looked up into his eyes, so blue and honest I knew that I wanted him, no matter what The scar just made him more real to me Human Vulnerable

He could have died in Afghanistan He was brave

He was a hero

“Come back to my hotel,” he said, his voice warm and deep

I said nothing in reply Instead, I leaned up on ain When he kissed me back, I heard his sharp intake of breath, as if he didn’t think I’d agree and was surprised