Chapter 13

Emersyn clutched onto the steering wheel of her rental car, her palms beginning to sweat. She wasn't even moving, just sitting there, growing more and more flustered with each second that passed. Cars were honking and driving around her, and there was a huge backup of vehicles from those that couldn't change lanes. She was literally stalled in the middle of the intersection, blocking traffic.

Grabbing her cell, she called the rental car company again, cursing as the automated system routed her through several messages. "Ugh!" she muttered in exasperation. "I want a person, not to press one!"

"One," the automated voice said, and she cursed and disconnected.

"Hey lady! You're blocking the intersection!" a guy in a pickup truck yelled as he swerved around her and sped up.

"Jerk," she muttered under her breath. Of course, he didn't offer to stop and help. A sweet older couple had offered to call the police for her, but it's not like she couldn't do that herself. If the police showed up, they'd still have to call a tow truck. Wearing a badge didn't mean they could magically fix her rental.

She tried the ignition again, turning the key.

A dark pick-up truck pulled up to the corner, double-parking in the loading area for a building. Emersyn watched as the door opened then did a double-take as Aaron climbed out and came jogging over in his camo uniform.

Her breath caught as she took him in. She might've seen Aaron shirtless on the beach, all of his hard muscles on display, but wow. Something about Aaron in uniform really did it for her. He looked hot as hell, strong and virile. There was more stubble on his jaw than usual, and he looked slightly tired, but his dark eyes were intense as he looked at her.

"Hi," she said, opening the door. Aaron reached out, taking hold of her hand, and then she was in his arms moments later. Emersyn wasn't even sure if he'd pulled her close or she'd grabbed onto him. It didn't matter. Somehow Aaron's presence immediately made her feel safe. She buried her head in his chest, breathing in his clean, masculine scent. He was big and broad. Warm and real. She'd been dealing with obnoxious DEA Special Agents all day who thought they knew it all, and Aaron had literally been out risking his life on whatever mission he'd been on, not stuck in an office.

She felt feminine and small in his arms. She'd donned a skirt suit for her first official day, and even in heels, she barely came up to his chin.

"Are you okay?" he asked as she reluctantly pulled back, sniffling slightly.

"Yeah. Just stressed," she said as she met his concerned gaze. "My first day was crazy, which I expected, but yikes. I was dying to get home, have dinner, and talk with you. I'm so happy you're back," she admitted.

"Me too," he said, his smile widening.

She shrugged, glancing over at her car. "Anyway. I left the office, more than ready to call it a day, and then barely made it several blocks."

He frowned, looking at her vehicle. "It just stalled?" he asked.

"Yeah. I don't know if it's the battery? Honestly, I'm not a huge car person. I didn't even bother shipping my own vehicle here. I'll probably lease something, but the rental was supposed to be for the first two weeks while I settled in."

"It makes sense to lease given that you're here for six months—unless I can convince you to stay longer," he said, his eyes twinkling. Emersyn found herself flushing as she looked into Aaron's dark eyes. They were literally in the middle of the intersection, blocking traffic, and he was flirting with her. He reached out and brushed away of wisp of her hair, and she wanted to shiver in delight at his gentleness. "Let me check it out," he said, his voice deep. "We can call a tow. Or the rental place," he added as an afterthought.

"I can't get through to them," she said, feeling frustrated all over again. "It's an annoying, automated system with no human customer service agents."

"If we get it started, we can head over there. They should be able to switch out this car for another one without stalling issues."

"You just got back," she said, feeling overwhelmed. "Have you even been home yet?"

"Nope. Doesn't mean I'll leave you stranded in the intersection, Em." She stood there feeling slightly dumbfounded as Aaron folded his big body into the vehicle, pushing back the seat to accommodate his long legs. He'd literally been deployed for days. Traveled who knew how far. Been stuck in a briefing for hours after landing. And now he'd rushed here—for her. Emersyn almost didn't know what to make of it.

Aaron tried turning the key in the ignition as she'd done, the engine turning over but not starting. "I'll give it some gas," he said. Aaron tried again, pumping on the gas pedal, and she wanted to cry tears of joy as the car finally started.

"Oh my gosh. Thank you," she said, relief washing over her.

Aaron's gaze landed on the packet from the rental car place that she'd left on top of the center console. "Let's head over to the car agency before they close to get a new vehicle for you. I'll follow in my truck."

"Are you sure?" she asked in surprise.

"Of course," he said, leaving the car running as he climbed out. Aaron waited for her to get in, then put his hand on the door, leaning down. "I'll follow you over. I'll be right behind you if you stall out again. Remember to try giving it some gas when you turn the key in the ignition. Put it in park first though," he advised.

"Okay. Yeah. I can do all that."

"I'll be right behind you, Em," he repeated, and the sound of his deep voice soothed something inside her.

He shut the door before she could respond, holding up a hand to move through traffic. She was surprised several cars stopped for him as they tried to get around her stalled vehicle, but then again, Aaron was a big guy in uniform. They'd clearly noticed him helping her.

Emersyn quickly put the car rental place's address in Google Maps and shut off her blinkers. Aaron had already climbed into his big truck, and she changed lanes, watching in her mirror as he pulled up behind her. Aaron flashed his headlights, signaling he was ready, and then she pulled back into traffic, Aaron almost hovering protectively behind her in his own vehicle.

As he followed her through the streets of Honolulu toward their destination, she felt butterflies in her stomach. Driving to the car rental place was far from romantic, but it made her heart beat faster anyway knowing he literally had her back. Aaron was protective. Chivalrous. And given her hopes to stay here longer than six months, she was in so much trouble. Emersyn hadn't moved here to find a man, but wow. He'd found her, and she wasn't sad about it.