Page 42 of Finding Lexie
When she was presented with the list of every Food For All location, there was only one that really appealed.
It was crazy. Was she really going to choose to go to Hawaii because of a man?
Yes. Absolutely.
Lexie couldn’t get the time she’d spent with Midas out of her head. While she one hundred percent wouldn’t wish what she’d been through on anyone, she couldn’t help but remember how attentive Midas had been during her visit to the Galkayo hospital. He’d been concerned enough not to wait for the doctor to put in her IV. She’d felt safe when they were hiding from the men hunting her. She’d never had anyone be so protective of her before. And while she knew part of that was because she was a mission, that wasn’t the only reason.
And his kisses were like nothing she’d ever known. She wasn’t inexperienced, but she’d felt like a virgin when he’d kissed her. Simply because she’d never felt with anyone the way she did when his lips touched hers.
She’d also chosen Honolulu because the giddy feelings inside her hadn’t subsided since she’d said goodbye to Midas on that ship. They’d only gotten more intense. He sent her funny memes, was super sweet in his texts, and sent long, rambling emails about what he did each day. He definitely wasn’t acting like a man who was only interested in sex. She’d met more than her fair share of men like that. And none had tried to get to know her like Midas was.
She wanted, and deserved, a good man. One who went out of his way to make her happy. In return, she’d do the same. And so far, nothing had made her think Midas wasn’t that man.
She’d been super nervous when she’d called to tell him that she had the option of going to Honolulu. If he didn’t think it was a good idea, then she’d choose her second choice, Paris. She’d never been to France, and figured it was a place she needed to experience at least once in her life.
But the second she’d mentioned to Midas that she was considering Hawaii, he’d sounded like a kid on Christmas morning. He was so excited, telling her without hesitation that he would absolutely love it if she came to Honolulu.
So here she was.
Lexie felt like a teenager with her first crush. Every time her phone vibrated or dinged with a message, she smiled like a loon. She’d given Midas her travel schedule but didn’t expect him to meet her at the airport. She’d planned on going to the small studio apartment Food For All had procured for her and sleeping for twelve hours straight. Then she’d clean herself up and see if Midas wanted to meet.
But the second she entered the baggage area of the airport, she saw him.
And he was even more good-looking than she’d remembered.
Midas was standing in the middle of the walkway, not caring that travelers had to steer their luggage around him. He was tall enough to see over most people, and his piercing eyes met hers as she walked toward him.
He wore a pair of jeans that seemed to be molded to his muscular frame. He looked as if he’d been born to wear the Hawaiian shirt he had on, as well. The large blue hibiscus flowers adorning the cotton shirt brought out the color in his eyes. On his feet were a pair of flip-flops. The entire ensemble, along with his tanned skin, made him look like he belonged here in this Hawaiian paradise.
He was also intimidating like this. In the desert, when he was wearing his uniform, a Kevlar vest, night-vision goggles, boots, and covered in dirt like she’d been, she didn’t feel as self-conscious, for some reason. But seeing him now, all six feet, four inches of extremely handsome man, stopped her in her tracks.
He was on the move before Lexie realized that she’d stopped walking, then he was there in front of her. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a huge bear hug.
And just like that, all Lexie’s insecurities vanished.
She fit against him perfectly, just as she had back in Somalia. Sure, they were standing now, and not lying in a tiny little hole in the ground or a small twin-size hospital bed, but the feeling was the same.
“Welcome to Hawaii,” he said as he pulled back, not taking his arms from around her.
“Thanks,” she whispered.
“You look…” His voice trailed off as if he was searching for the right word.
“Tired? Rumpled? Like one of the homeless people I serve?” she asked with a scrunch of her nose. She’d dressed in comfort for the very long flights to Hawaii. The elastic-waisted cotton pants and thin long-sleeve blouse weren’t exactly the height of fashion. But they were comfortable, which was her goal.
“Fucking beautiful,” Midas said as his eyes roamed from the top of her head, all the way down her body. His hand brushed up her arm and he fingered a lock of her out-of-control brown hair. She’d done her best to tame it before she’d left Germany, but after so many hours of traveling, and sleeping in uncomfortable airplane seats, she was sure it was just as crazy looking as it had been when she’d first met him.
Lexie’s belly clenched as he simply stared at her. The look in his eyes told her all she needed to know. That he was just as glad to see her as she was him. Some of the anxiety over whether or not she was doing the right thing in coming here dissipated. If Midas was playing her, he was an absolute master. But she honestly didn’t think so. It was refreshing to know a man so open about his feelings.
Then slowly, as if waiting for her to rebuff him—which definitely wasn’t happening—Midas bent his head toward hers. Lexie went up on her tiptoes and met him halfway. Their kiss was tender and sweet, and way too short for her liking. But all the sparks she’d felt a month ago were still there.
“I got you something,” Midas said, letting go of her reluctantly and bending to pick up the paper bag at his feet. Lexie hadn’t even noticed him holding the bag earlier; she’d been too busy ogling his body.
He pulled out the most amazing-smelling lei and smiled at her. “May I?” he asked.
Lexie didn’t know why she was blushing, but she could feel the heat on her cheeks. She nodded and dipped her chin as he brought the necklace of flowers up and over her head.
The second the flowers settled over her shoulders, she was surrounded by the smell of plumeria.
