Chapter 15

"That dessert was incredible," Emersyn said later that night as Aaron took her up to her apartment, his hand firmly wrapped around hers. After a romantic walk on the beach, they'd gotten shave ice from a little place Aaron raved about, enjoying the adult versions spiked with alcohol. Aaron had lifted her up into the bed of his truck, then hefted himself up beside her. They'd sat there watching the sunset while they enjoyed their treat, legs dangling down, the gentle Hawaiian breeze blowing around them.

While Aaron had said he didn't have much of a sweet tooth, he promised her those were the best on the island. Plus, she'd mentioned in one of their text exchanges that shave ice was something she couldn't wait to try while in Hawaii. It was sweet that he'd remembered and wanted to take her there. Somehow the simple gesture had made her fall for him all that much more.

She couldn't let herself get too distracted by a guy though. Emersyn had a busy week ahead of her, with a mountain of work to do regarding the recent actions of the Sinaloa Cartel. There'd been another incident of tourists being approached by a cartel member. This time they'd been waiting in the airport near the baggage claim as a flight arrived from Dulles Airport. While Dulles was approximately forty-five minutes west of DC, it stood to reason that there'd be some vacationing federal employees on the flight. It seemed ridiculous for the cartel to assume they were somehow affiliated with DEA or would have any counternarcotics knowledge. The cartel seemed to be blindly aiming for new targets in hopes they could somehow glean information.

Aside from that, a DEA contractor was still missing down in Mexico.

Emersyn shoved all further thoughts of work aside. Whatever happened with Aaron would happen. She could continue to see him and still focus on her new job. She felt almost giddy with excitement now. It was one of those perfect evenings you never wanted to end.

And maybe it wouldn't end until morning.

The quiet elevator ride up to her apartment almost felt like the promise of more to come. They'd been flirting all night, and she couldn't wait until they were alone. Emersyn caught their reflections in the mirror, Aaron tall and dark beside her. He was tanned from his days in Oahu, with dark hair and deep brown eyes. She'd always been fair, and having just arrived here, she barely had any hint of sun-kissed skin yet. Her long, blonde hair cascaded over her bare shoulders, and the sundress she wore made her feel feminine.

She hadn't missed Aaron's gaze on her either throughout the night. His eyes had grown heated as he looked at her, and she was having trouble thinking of a single reason to end their date now.

Emersyn wanted him.

Maybe she was feeling more carefree than usual given she'd only just arrived in this tropical paradise, but it was more than that. She felt safe with Aaron. No doubt he'd protect her from harm, but he was also watchful. Aware of her. He seemed attuned to her mood as well. His gaze had tracked her movements tonight, making sure she was safe, but his eyes had lit up at her reaction to trying the shave ice. He enjoyed making her laugh, and when she'd blushed a few times as he'd flirted with her, she'd seen the arousal in his eyes. His big, muscled body sitting beside hers in the back of his truck had felt like the most natural thing in the world. Every time their arms brushed, she felt a shiver racing down her spine and goosebumps coursing over her skin. And when he'd reach out and playfully caress her bare arm or leg as they'd had their boozy dessert?

Whew.

Thank goodness they'd been eating something cold, otherwise she might've just gone up in flames right then and there.

Aaron drew her closer to him in the elevator, smiling. "I had a great time, tonight," he said huskily. He kept hold of her hand, but his other landed on her waist, turning her toward him.

"Me too," she said, beaming up at him.

His thumb lightly caressed her waist through the silky material of her dress, and her breath caught. She wanted his hands on her everywhere. Even now the air between them grew thicker, the moment electric, and her gaze landed on his mouth.

The elevator doors dinged, breaking whatever spell they'd been under, and Aaron guided her out and down the hall. He hovered behind her as she unlocked the door, close enough that she could feel the heat from his body against her back. And then Emersyn was pushing open the front door, striding into her apartment with Aaron right behind like they'd done it a million times before.

She turned to smile coyly up at him as the door swung shut, and he grinned, backing her against it. His muscled arms landed on either side of her head, caging her in, and she fisted his shirt, tugging him even closer.

"Is this the part where I get to feel your lips on mine?" she asked, her voice slightly breathy.

Aaron pinned her with a look, his eyes hot, and he gave her a sexy grin. "Umm-hmm."

Her gaze tracked over him, taking in his dark eyes, broad nose, and the stubble across his strong jaw. His broad shoulders almost made him look like a football player, and his strong arms trapped her in front of him—exactly where she wanted to be.

He moved in slowly, drawing out the moment, and Emersyn felt her heart racing. Aaron smelled slightly of the salty ocean breeze and tropical island, with something darker and purely male beneath it. Her breath caught as he hovered mere inches away, the heat from his body seeping into her, and then his mouth was on hers. Emersyn whimpered and yielded to him, Aaron's mouth both sensual and commanding. He took what he wanted, and her entire body alighted from his heated kiss. Her nipples pebbled, pressing against her silky sundress as her breasts swelled. Her core throbbed, heat coiling down from her belly, and arousal slickened her folds.

One of Aaron's big hands shifted to her head, holding her as he wanted, and the other lightly caressed her throat. She was gasping, helpless to his control over her body. Aaron's tongue teased the seam of her lips, urging her to let him in, and she opened. He slid his tongue sensually against hers, showing her without words what it would be like when they eventually made love.

They were both breathing heavily when they came up for air, and she could feel his erection pressing against her stomach. Aaron pulled back slightly, the hand at her throat now lightly skimming down one side of her body. His fingers whispering over the side of one breast made her shiver, but his hand landed at her waist, cupping around the curve. "You're gorgeous," he said, his voice thick with arousal. "Sexy and sweet enough to completely devour."

She moaned as he pressed closer once again, kissing her more softly this time, and then Aaron was lifting her into his arms. Emersyn's arms wound round his neck as she clung to him, and Aaron's big hands cupped her bottom as her legs wrapped around his waist. Their kisses grew even hotter, Aaron's slight stubble rubbing over her skin. She felt consumed by him, her body on fire for this man.

"Aaron," she panted, as he bucked lightly against her.

"Not yet. I can't wait to be buried deep inside you, to feel you squeezing around me, but not tonight. I'm not taking you to bed on our very first date."

She gasped as he shifted, his erection rubbing against her core. Emersyn felt helpless pinned against the door in Aaron's strong arms. Her breasts were rising up and down, her pussy slick. Her entire body felt hot and flushed.

He kissed her again, the heat from it betraying his words about wanting to wait.

"I want—I need—" She whimpered, and then he was sliding a big hand between them, her silky floral dress bunching as he pushed it up her bare thighs. He stilled as he glanced down at her pink lacy panties, and then his strong fingers rubbed her sex, her folds already slick with arousal. "I got you," he said, his voice gravel. He kissed her again, harder, his thumb landing right at her clit. He circled her swollen bud, capturing her cries with his mouth as he drove her wild.

Aaron didn't let up, just brought her higher and higher. The lace from her panties was dragging over her clit with his every movement, somehow spiking her arousal even more. It was erotic having Aaron's muscled forearm pushing up her pretty, feminine dress, his big hand at her core. He was big and broad, easily holding her up, and gruffly masculine in a way that made her blood heat. Emersyn was clinging to his broad shoulders, desperate, somehow at his complete mercy.

His mouth dropped to her ear, his breath dancing across her skin. She could feel the stubble from his jaw, and his deep voice made her shiver. "Come for me like a good girl," Aaron ordered.

He rubbed her clit more firmly, and as heat spiraled down from her belly at Aaron's relentless touch, she exploded, crying out again and again in his arms. Emersyn gasped for breath as his head dropped, Aaron seemingly trying to restrain himself. She knew he wanted her, but he seemed to have more control than she did, holding himself back as he ravished her. His cock was thick and hard, but he was making tonight all about her, focused only on giving Emersyn pure pleasure.

After a moment, he kissed her again, more softly. Aaron's gaze briefly dropped to her cleavage as he slowly eased her down, and she knew her entire body was flushed. Emersyn felt shaky as she stood on her own two feet, and he held her in place against the door, his hands gripping both her hips. Aaron leaned in, pressing his lips to her forehead. It was shockingly tender after such an erotic moment. He hadn't even undressed her, just shifted her dress aside and made her come for him.

"Are you busy tomorrow?" he asked, pinning her in place with his deep brown eyes. He lifted one hand to cup her face, his thumb lightly brushing over her lower lip. She could smell her arousal on his hand, which made her flush. The moment felt intimate. Quiet. And the way he was looking at her right now? Emersyn felt like the only other person in the entire world.

"No," she said, lightly licking her lips. "I'm not busy."

His gaze tracked to them before meeting her eyes once more. "I'd love to see you again."

"Me too," she said, not quite trusting her own voice yet.

A beat passed, something settling between them. "Do you think you'd be up for snorkeling tomorrow? I'd take you somewhere it's shallow, and I'll make sure that you're safe."

"Can you rent snorkeling gear? I don't have anything. And I've never snorkeled before."

"I know. We can rent everything you need, and I'll show you what to do. It's easy once you get the hang of it. And you'd be safe since you're with a Navy SEAL," he teased, his lips quirking.

"I don't know if I'm safe or in so much trouble with you," she admitted.

Aaron's gaze softened. "We'll take things slowly. You just moved here and are still settling in." He swallowed. "I've got a crazy schedule with my career, but I would like to keep seeing you. I know I was teasing you about dating for six months, but damn. I don't know if I've ever been so into a woman before. You're smart and funny, gorgeous," he added, his eyes heating. "I can't seem to keep away."

Emersyn reached out, lightly resting her hand against his hard chest. "I don't want you to stay away. In case you couldn't tell, I liked all of tonight."

He licked his lips, smirking, and she didn't miss the flash of male pride across his face. "Yep. Figured that one out, Em. I liked it, too," he said, his dark eyes glinting. "We'll take it slow, but I can't wait to have all of you one day. To make you mine."

Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, and she swallowed. Aaron was forward. Some men weren't eager to commit and wanted nothing but a quick, easy lay. She wouldn't have pushed Aaron out of her bed, but the fact that he wanted to take it slowly made her respect for him grow.

"I'll come by in the morning," he said. "There're less tourists around then, so it'll be a bit easier to learn how to snorkel than if we're in the middle of a crowd."

"Okay."

He ducked down for one more slow, seductive kiss. "Sleep well," he told her. "I'll be dreaming about your sweet little whimpers and cries as you came for me," he said, his voice husky.

"You will not," she said, heat washing over her.

"Wanna bet? That was pretty hot." He flashed her another wicked grin, but then gave her one last soft kiss. He was assertive and commanding yet gentle with her, and she loved that dichotomy.

Emersyn drew in a breath, letting him take her hand to ease her away from the front door. They'd barely stepped foot in her apartment and yet had made out like teenagers. She was partly embarrassed and party too enthralled with him to care. "Okay, sailor," she joked. "Snorkeling tomorrow. What do I need to bring?"

"I'll bring water and snacks. Extra sunscreen. I have the kind that's safe for coral reefs."

"That's a thing?"

"Yep. It is here. I guess if you want to pull your hair back, bring some girly hair stuff. And obviously wear a bikini. I'm not opposed to skinny dipping, but not around other people," he joked.

"No?" she teased.

"Hell no," he growled. "I don't want anyone else to see what's mine."

Emersyn bit her lip, trying to stifle her laughter. Aaron looked so outraged at the idea, like she'd really be snorkeling naked. "It'll be fine," she said, lightly patting his chest again. "I'll wear a bikini that covers all my girly bits."

He jokingly growled again, pulling her into his arms for an embrace. His hard body against hers made her heartbeat speed up, but once again, she just felt safe. Aaron kissed the top of her head before pulling back. "I'll see you in the morning, Em. Sweet dreams."

This time he waited for her to close and lock her apartment door before moving down the hallway to the elevator. Emersyn swore she could still taste his lips on hers. Feel his hands moving over her skin. Touching her. She turned away, practically floating into her kitchen for a glass of water before bed. Tomorrow couldn't get here soon enough.