The pieces of my puzzle.

Forty two

(Bradly's POV)

The soothing sound of crashing waves reached my ears as I peeled my eyes open, taking a breath, smelling the salty spray from the ocean as I woke fully.

I looked over to my left to see Azara still asleep, her short brown locks cascading against the pillow, her lips twisted in a light smile as her breaths came in deep, even, and steady.

She's beautiful. No. That word isn't deserving of her, it felt like I had to come up with a whole new word because not one in my vocabulary could come close to describing the essence of her.

Not just her physical beauty; her personality, her passion, her strength that encourages her to wake up and face each day no matter what struggles have dragged her down in the past and will in the future.

And she's mine. All mine.

I shift closer as subtly as I can, not wanting to wake her, and reached out to brush a stray stand of hair from her face.

She stirred softly, the sheets slipping slightly to reveal her bare shoulder and the soft curve of her collarbone, the reminder of the night before making my cheeks warm.

I honestly can't believe we got here.
When I talked to her that first day of training I had thought I lost her for good, that the person I remember was too lost in the walls of protection that this wouldn't work out. That I would have to find a way to stop loving her. Because the truth is;

I never did. I always loved her and always will.

She stirred slightly beside me again, her lips parting in a soft sigh. The sheets slipping further, and I caught a glimpse of the soft curve of her back before gently pulling the sheets back over her shoulder. A protective gesture, even though she was the last person in need of protection, it was still an instinct.

I lay there studying her for another while before her eyelids fluttered open and her brown gaze met mine. A sleepy smile crossed her lips as she shifted closer, letting out a content sigh.

"Morning gorgeous." I greeted, casually resting a hand on the curve of her waist.

"Morning dumbass." She replied, her lips twisted in a smirk as she peeled one eye open to peek at my reaction to her comment.

To anyone else, that would be offensive, but I had honestly been waiting for that little nickname to be used. That's what happens when you marry a woman whose second language is English and the first being Sarcasm.

I playfully rolled my eyes, pretending to be unamused, but I couldn't stop the smile that tilted my lips at the comment that was so her. "Wow. I never thought you to be a romantic but that comment just completely swept me off my feet."

Azara raised a brow in surprise, propping herself up with her elbow. "Aww." She said in a fake gushing tone. "And the student becomes the master. I've taught you well lieutenant-Commander, I've taught you well."

I chuckled at her, shaking my head as I playfully saluted. "Well, I aim to please Captain."

***

After enjoying the peaceful moment for a few hours longer, we decided to get dressed and head down to breakfast and then see what Bora Bora had to offer.

After a hearty breakfast Azara had practically dragged me down to the beach, insisting we should explore and take a swim later. We walked along the beach hand in hand.

After a while of strolling and taking in the scenery, she stopped and decided this was the perfect spot to swim, prompting me to remove my shirt as she pulled her sky blue sundress over head so she was left with her bikini and sprinted towards the ocean.

I joined her a few minutes later only going in for a dip before deciding to stand in the shallow water where the waves gently lapped at my feet, watching her splash around and dive under waves.

I laughed as she popped up after diving one, her hair covering her eyes like a wet veil, she sputtered and swept her hair out of her face, glaring in my direction at the sound of my laughter.

After recovering from swallowing sea water, she suddenly locked eyes with me, slowly rising out of the water and making her way towards me. Water dripping from her hair and rolling down her body, the droplets tracing the pathways much like my hands had the night before.

My heart raced as she bit her lip and dragged her gaze up my form, her hips swaying teasingly as she came closer, her firm fitting dark green bikini drawing my eyes attention.

She eventually stopped millimeters from me, her chest almost touching mine. My breath hitched as she dragged a finger up my bare chest, probably feeling my pulse pounding beneath her touch at the tantalizingly slow motion.

She leaned up, her brown eyes still locked on mine, her lips a breath away from my own as she whispered. "Not so funny now, is it?" Her signature smirk lacing her words as her finger that was trailing up my abdomen reached my sternum.

I gulped, not able to answer with the slightest tickling sensation of her touch, sending electric currents through my skin.
She leaned impossibly closer, her gaze flicking down to my lips as she came closer and closer. And then her eyes flicked back up to mine, laced with mischief.

"Thought so." She lilted, pulling away and running back to the water but not before throwing a wink over her shoulder.

I blinked, as if coming out of a trance as I registered what had just happened before a smile stretched across my face.

This woman is something else.
What had I gotten myself into?

I shook my head, chuckling lightly as I ran after her, tackling her into the water, earning a squeal in response.

(Azara's POV)

After splashing each other and all round just attempting to goodheartedly drown each other, it was late afternoon and we decided to head back.

After taking a rather.......steamy...shower, we relaxed on the porch, winding down with a drink in hand.

I sighed in content, the light sea breeze sweeping by and swishing my hair. I looked over at Bradly, my heart doing a little flip at the sight of him staring out at the horizon; the sun was setting behind him, making his sandy blonde hair look like gold.

Damn I'm lucky. I get to spend the rest of my life with this man by my side.

At that moment, he turned and our gazes locked, his eyes reflecting an amount of love I never thought I deserved.

I reached over and laced his hand with mine, his larger hand almost covering mine, he held my gaze.

And for the first time since the mission, I felt another piece of the puzzle click into place.