Covertly Strong (The Strong Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

endearing kind of way.
    He stretched his arm out and laced his fingers with hers, tenderly rubbing his thumb across the top of her hand. “You want a nickname, baby?”
    “I want a nickname—a Hawaiian nickname.” Her young, naïveté apparent in her voice.
    Nix stared down at her, his blue eyes caressing her face. He pondered for a few moments and finally whispered “ Meli ,” towards her.
    “Meli?” she asked in confusion.
    Nix nodded his head with two determined movements. “Yes. It’s perfect for you. Perfect for my favorite girl.”
    She smiled broadly. “What does it mean?”
    “I’m not telling. All you need to know is that it’s the only nickname sweet enough for you,” he answered with a playful smile.
    He would eventually tell her that meli means honey in Hawaiian, but on that day, he kept its meaning his little secret. It was the perfect nickname for the sweet, kind girl with the big, brown eyes that always held a fiery edge. His Sloan. His Meli.
    A few seconds later, he swooped down, tossing her petite form over his shoulder with little effort. He grinned widely as he gripped her ass with the palms of his hands.
    “Put me down!” she squealed in delight.
    Her girlish giggle passed her lips and the soft sound filled his ears.
    God, I love that sound. It was his favorite sound in the entire world.
    He made long strides towards the water, and she continued to laugh the entire way. Once he reached the lukewarm sea, he slid her body down the front of his, grasping her hips with strong hands.
    Chocolate to sapphire, they gazed at each other for an endless moment.
    His hands cupped her face as he stared intently into her eyes. “I love you, Meli,” he whispered.
    It was the first time he had said those three words out loud.
    The first time he’d let his heart speak its true feelings.
    He took in her surprised expression, anxiety prickling his skin. “I’ve known that I’m in love with you since the day you walked out of your house completely naked and ready to throw down with me and the guys,” he added with a hint of humor in his eyes and obvious nervousness lacing his voice.
    “You only want me for my body,” her quick mouth threw back.
    Nix chuckled in response. “Of course, I love these sexy little hips,” he began to explain as he tightly gripped her waist. “And I love those endlessly long legs and the adorable little freckles on your right shoulder, but…” He paused as he stared at her with a serious, determined expression.
    He ignored the nerves, the anxiety, and the fear that she didn’t feel the same and laid everything on the line.
    “But I also love you for this smart mouth.” His thumb brushed across her full lips. “And your gorgeous eyes, and your wickedly intelligent brain,” he continued as he ran his fingers through her hair, softly brushing strands out of her eyes. “But I love you most for what’s in here.” His large palm pressed against her chest. “I love your beautiful heart,” he spoke quietly with a reverent tone.
    Her bottom lip trembled as a soft gasp escaped her throat.
    Nix pulled her body close to his, staring down at her affectionately. “I am in love with you, Meli. I love you more than I could ever put into words.”
    Her breath hitched and her eyes filled with glistening tears as she peered up at him from underneath her dark lashes. “I love you too, Nix. So much .”
    His eyes closed involuntarily as relief consumed him. He let her words caress his soul. They seared him—stealing every last bit that was left of his heart.
    She loves me. She fucking loves me.
    “I’ll love you forever… I’ll love you for always , baby,” he whispered.
    Overwhelmed with emotion at the poignant sentiment that passed between them, she felt as if she were having an out-of-body experience. Her body begged to take flight, every cell inside her desperate to soar through the air in undeniable elation at the love that filled her heart.
    And Nix didn’t give her