Wrapped In My Commando: An Island Holiday Romance

By Aaliyah Rose

A big-city girl. A foreign land. An unexpected Passion.

 

She travels miles to follow her passion, from chilly America to the heat of the land Down Under. 

 

Ciara, an intelligent woman, is determined to do her bit to help the endangered creatures of the sea.

 

The island has other plans however and she finds herself unexpectedly hindered by a domineering, yet irresistible stranger.

 

He remains a mystery to her, but their desirous magnetism is undeniable.

 

Her work is important, so is his. Will she let the distractions of the island get the better of her?

 

Wrapped in my Commando is a standalone hater to lovers romance set on a beautiful Australian Island.  If you like funny, feel-good romances made from unexpected circumstances, then you will love reading the desire, angst and passion in this novella by Melody Rose.

 

Get this contemporary romance filled with steamy heat today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aaliyah Rose
• Release date: Jan 15, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393698432

Book preview

Chapter 1  ~  Ciara

The hot air hits me in the face as soon as I step outside the terminal doors. The humidity instantly makes me perspire and my clothes stick to my body uncomfortably. So this is Australia. A stark difference from New York that was getting chilly and ready to snow, unusual for this time of year in early December.  I pull the satin scarf from around my neck and stuff it into my handbag as I make my way across the tarmac, lugging my heavy bags behind me.

I look around the small airport of Cairns, my eyes squinting against the bright sunlight and cloudless sky. Palm trees were swaying lazily in the breeze and the air held a hint of the salty ocean that was nearby.

I felt grateful as I looked up at the small propeller plane that waited to take me to my final destination and sighed. In truth, I was exhausted. Three flights, three layovers and 27 hours later, I was finally on the last leg of the trip. A small one hour flight out to the islands and I couldn’t wait to just flop onto the bed and drift into the deepest sleep of my life. Handing over my large bag to the baggage handler, I grab my small but insanely heavy carry on with both hands and start up the few steps to the plane cabin.

Grunting, I heave the small bag up the steps one step at a time until I reach the top where a stewardess was waiting to check my ticket. I smiled and fished around in my bag to find my ticket that was nowhere to be found. I smiled anxiously at the stewardess who just smiled back and patiently waited for me to find my ticket. Where did I put it? I turn to rest my bag on top of my carry-on to see better, accidentally stubbing my toe in the process and watch in horror as my carry-on starts to topple down the stairs.

Oh Dammit! horrified, I lunge for my bag to catch it. The expensive laptop, digital cameras and equipment inside were worth a small fortune. I step forward quickly, stumbling and hear a snap as my heel gives way beneath me and sends me flying down the steps.  

Before I know what’s happening, I slam into the passenger who is waiting at the bottom of the stairs, who quickly catches me just moments before my head hits the pavement. Oh Shit, that was close! Grabbing their arms in shock, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and regain my balance.

Oh my gosh. Tha... I stop mid-sentence, my apology hanging in the air as I find myself mesmerized in the dark blue eyes staring back at me. Before me was a man, a huge man, with dark brown almost black hair, tanned skin and a chiseled jaw that framed a perfect set of pearly whites that were grinning back at me.

Oh that smile! And those blue eyes! I bite my lip subconsciously, smiling back like a schoolgirl as I take in what is before me.

He is tall, wearing a plain white tee-shirt and a pair of blue shorts. His broad chest was just inches from my face and I could smell the heady scent of a sweet musk on his body. His huge arms were holding me steady and it was then that I realized I was holding onto him, clutching at his very, very firm biceps. Wow! What godly arms. Without thinking I give them a quick squeeze before registering what I had done. Gasping, I hastily let go and look up at him embarrassed. I could feel my cheeks reddening and my mouth going dry as I catch his eyes.

I, um, I... I croak.

He laughs heartily. Are you okay?

I clear my throat and try again. Yes, I’m so sorry I ran into you... um, thank you for catching me. He held up his other hand, holding my bag aloft. I smile, And thank you for saving my bag.

He grins warmly. Not a problem. He turns, still carrying my bag and walks up the steps handing his ticket to the stewardess.

My face is beet red and I realize that everyone in the rest of the line is staring at me, some snickering, others glaring and impatient to get on the plane. I quickly mutter an apology and practically run up the steps of the plane, hobbling lopsidedly because of my missing heel. The sooner I can get my bag back, the sooner I can take my seat, curl up and hide in embarrassment. At the door, I bend to pick up my handbag that had fallen and retrieve my mascara, phone, tissues and pens that lay strewn across the floor of the plane. Finding my ticket, I flash it at the stewardess and head down the aisle to where Mr. Blue Eyes is waiting, watching me.

Where can I put this for you? he smiles. I look at my ticket, 7B. Great! An aisle seat, just the kind I hate. I sigh and point to my seat, where he easily lifts my bag and slides it into the overhead compartment. 

Thank you, I smile and hastily duck my head, sitting down in my seat and wishing I could melt right into the chair so no one could see me. Staring at the floor it took me a moment to realize there was a pair of blue and black sneakers standing right beside me and I look up to realize he’s still standing there, watching me with a big grin on his face.

Uh, can I help you?

Yeah, that’s me. He said pointing to the window seat beside me.

Oh No! You’ve got to be joking!

I get up silently so he can squeeze in to take his seat. I’m mortified but I decide then and there that I can’t let this situation get the better of me. I smile at him as I sit down, suddenly feeling nervous at having him so close to me. Why is he still staring at me? I can feel my cheeks reddening more if that was even possible. 

What’s his deal?

I’m Jack, he says, holding out his hand. And you are...? he smiles, waiting for a response.

Ciara. Ciara Harley. I smile back, shaking his hand, my heart fluttering in my chest. Why does he make me so nervous?

He laughs. Nice to meet you, Ciara. He lies back in his seat, making