Chapter 16

Aaron chuckled, easily reaching out to grab Emersyn's arm to steady her the following Saturday as they waded out in the shallow water of Hanauma Bay. They were both wearing flippers, life vests, and snorkeling gear, ready to start their adventure. Emersyn clung onto him, regaining her footing, and he flashed her a grin. "Good thing I'm here to keep catching you," he joked.

"Indeed, sailor. How ever would I survive in this foot of water without you?"

She was smirking at him, and Aaron ducked down to steal a quick kiss. She blushed, surprised by his affection, and Aaron let his gaze track over her. Their plans for snorkeling the previous weekend had been postponed thanks to rain that Sunday. While he and his team trained in rough seas, he wasn't about to take Emersyn out in that weather. They'd gone to brunch instead, lingering for hours over coffee as they watched the storm outside. Because both of them had a busy week at work, with Aaron training several nights, this was the first time they'd seen each other since then. He was hella grateful Emersyn was eager to go out with him again. No doubt a beautiful woman like her would attract plenty of male interest, and Aaron was thrilled with the way her entire face lit up around him.

He'd been up bright and early, eager to start the day, and ever since he'd picked her up at her apartment, it was like he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"I'm sure you could survive, but I can at least stop you from face-planting into the bay. Plus, maybe I like holding you close."

"Yeah, yeah," she teased. "My knight in shining armor."

"And you really can't swim?" he questioned, making sure she was steady on her feet once more before releasing her arm.

"Barely. I mean, I can do some doggy-paddling type of stuff," she said, looking embarrassed, "but that hardly counts. I never would've been able to swim to shore after my kayak capsized."

"Damn. I heard your sister shouting that you couldn't swim, but since you'd been knocked unconscious, I didn't give it much thought at the time," Aaron admitted.

"But this is all shallow here," she said, glancing up at him. "We don't need to worry when we can both literally stand in the water. And I'm wearing my life vest this time."

"Yep. I know. Just want to make sure you're safe."

Her gaze briefly tracked over him, lingering on his biceps, and Aaron felt his chest swell with pride. He absolutely loved Emersyn's eyes on him. She was a knockout herself, wearing another sexy bikini this morning. The hot pink material perfectly hugged her breasts and svelte body. She'd twisted up her long, blonde hair into some type of bun, and he could see the tiny earrings gleaming in her ear, as well as a delicate gold chain around her neck.

When he'd lowered his mouth to her ear last weekend, quietly ordering her to come, he'd wanted to suck those tiny studs between his lips, teasing her earlobe and tender flesh. From what he could tell, Emersyn was extremely sensitive. She reacted to his touch in a way that made his blood heat, and she'd easily come on his fingers as he'd held her against the door. It had taken all his restraint not to tug her dress down, baring her breasts so he could feast on them before carrying her straight to the bedroom.

Damn.

He needed to get his mind back on snorkeling before he grew completely hard. He felt his cock twitch and willed himself to calm down. Everything about Emersyn was feminine and sexy, her body so much smaller than his big, muscled frame. He'd seen her in a bikini the first day they met and could certainly keep himself in check now. Remembering their heated kisses wasn't exactly helping matters.

"I told Layton I was snorkeling today," Emersyn said.

Aaron's gaze slanted toward her. "Oh yeah? What'd she think of that?"

"She was worried until I said you'd be with me."

Aaron nodded, a serious look on his face. "You'll always be safe with me, Em. And I'm glad you trusted me to take you snorkeling today. If you enjoy it, we can try something more adventurous out on the water one day. We can take a boat to another spot for some incredible snorkeling. I'll have to give you some swimming lessons before I'm comfortable with that, however."

"I might let you teach me," she agreed.

"Oh yeah?"

She shrugged, the movement drawing his eyes to her breasts. "Sure. I know you wouldn't let me drown."

He growled slightly, not liking the reminder of her near-drowning.

"Down boy," Emersyn joked, patting his chest. "I'm okay."

Aaron's lips quirked, but he didn't comment. He'd always feel the need to watch out for her, ensuring her safety. Part of his need to protect others was bone-deep, the call to serve running through his blood. The rest of it was simply her. Aaron was protective of those he cared about, the woman at his side now among them. He was duty-bound to protect his teammates. He watched out for his own family and friends. His sister. But with Emersyn? She was sky-rocketing to the top of the list of people he'd do anything to keep safe. Her enthusiasm for life was contagious, and while Aaron was a fun-loving guy, she brought a certain lightness he hadn't even realized he was missing in his life. Emersyn would always keep him on his toes, but the ease he felt around her settled something inside him.

Sure, Aaron couldn't wait to make love to her. To explore her gorgeous curves and bury himself so deep inside, he didn't know where he ended and she began. But he wanted more than that. All of her—Emersyn's intelligence and laughter. Her hopes and fears. If she wanted to stay here in Oahu, looking for a new job when her TDY was over, he'd be fully onboard.

And they'd barely even begun to date.

The rightness of the situation surprised him, but some of his buddies had sworn they'd instantly known their girl was the one. Things with Emersyn were happening quickly, but he was happier than he'd been dating any other girl.

Emersyn suddenly squealed in surprise as a fish swam by, brushing against her leg, and clutched onto his forearm, causing Aaron to smile. "We're about to snorkel, Em. Of course there're fish here."

"I know," she said, playfully pouting at him. "I just didn't think they'd get that close."

"Figured you needed to send them an invitation?" he teased.

"Yeah, something like that." She was still clinging to him though, which made Aaron's chest swell with something he couldn't explain.

"I think we're good to start here," he said, his voice deep. Aaron turned, helping Emersyn to adjust her goggles over her eyes. She blinked, and he was dazed for a moment, looking at her pretty eyelashes and bright blue eyes. He was careful to ensure the goggles fit her properly and swore that she inadvertently leaned into his touch. "You remember all the instructions from the orientation video?"

"I think so," she said, looking slightly worried.

"I promise it's easy," he assured her. "And we're wearing life vests, so you'll just float along. Once you get used to the mask and snorkel, you'll be all good."

"You're going to be a lot better at this than me."

"It's not a competition," he promised. "We'll go at your speed."

"Okay." She didn't sound certain at all. Aaron took her hand, pulling her closer, and then crouched down in the water, encouraging her to float beside him. She'd easily stay above water with the life vest on, but he knew the sensation could be hard to get used to once you stuck your head in and breathed through the snorkel.

Emersyn finally lowered herself down and put her face into the water, her body floating in the perfect blue bay, and Aaron kept his hands on her slender waist, making sure she felt secure. He could tell when she began to enjoy herself, her entire body relaxing. His gaze tracked over her a moment, taking in her toned ass and slender legs. Even the flippers looked cute on her, although he figured most grown women wouldn't want to be called cute.

Aaron gently released her and tugged his own mask down, then floated at her side, giving Em a thumbs up under water as he met her gaze. He took her hand and began to kick, propelling forward and towing her along next to him. Even underwater, he could see the awe and excitement on her face. She was having trouble kicking in the big flippers, but he kept her at his side, letting her enjoy the beauty to be found underwater.

They floated over a coral reef, hundreds of colorful fish swimming below them in the water. It truly was another world below the surface, awe-inspiring to see. Aaron trained on the water with his teammates, but it was a nice change of pace to simply float along and relax with his girl. Emersyn seemed so thrilled every time she spotted something new. She squeezed his hand excitedly, pointing at a school of bright yellow fish, and he felt something in his chest clench. He was an affectionate guy, quick to open up to someone new, but it felt like she'd literally stolen his heart.

When they swam past a large coral reef, they eventually surfaced again, Aaron helping her to stand in the water. He carefully lifted her mask off before removing his own. "This is amazing!" she said, practically bouncing up and down and briefly gripping onto his forearms. "I'm so sad Layton didn't get to go snorkeling with me. We were supposed to go when she was here, and I know she would've loved it."

"I hope she visits again so you ladies can still go together," Aaron said. "Selfishly, I'm glad that I got to see your excitement today. I'm out on the water a lot with my buddies, but it's not the same as being here with you." He reached out and affectionately caressed her face, loving how she naturally leaned in to him. Sometimes when he was around Emersyn it felt like they'd been together forever. Other times, he realized how little he knew about her. Was she a morning or a night person? Did she have other siblings? What did she look like when she first woke up? He didn't even know how old she was but assumed it to be a few years younger than him.

Emersyn beamed up at him. "Yeah. I'd rather hang out with you than those other guys, too." Aaron let out a huff of laughter as he drew her close, then ducked down for a kiss. Emersyn immediately threw her arms around his neck, her body pressing against his. They both wore life vests, so he couldn't feel all her curves, and while she was unsteady with the flippers on her feet, he loved having her in his arms. Emersyn was pretty as hell right now, hair soaking wet, in a bikini, and wearing her snorkeling gear. She smelled of coconut sunscreen, sunshine, and the salty ocean air, and Aaron wanted to simply devour her.

He kissed her more deeply, his arms tightening around her slender frame, before finally pulling back. "Do you need any more sunscreen?" he asked. "You're fairer than me."

"Maybe I should put more on."

"We'll lather up and then come out here again. We've got another hour of snorkeling" he said. "After we're done, and we dry off and turn in our rental gear, I'll take you out to lunch."

"Oh yeah?" she teased.

"Of course. I need to make sure you have plenty of stamina for later."

"What happens then?" she said, and Aaron couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"I've got big plans for another make-out session behind your front door. Maybe we'll even make it to the sofa this time," he joked as Emersyn flushed.

She didn't disagree with him though, just flirtatiously batted those pretty eyelashes he loved and clasped his hand with both of her own. "Sounds perfect, sailor. Maybe even more fun than snorkeling with you."

"Maybe?" he exclaimed, holding a hand to his heart. "You're killing me here." Emersyn giggled, and he got that funny feeling in his chest again as he tugged her closer. Aaron kissed her again, slow and sweet, right there in front of all the other snorkelers. She shivered slightly as he finally pulled away, locking her pretty blue eyes on his. "But damn," Aaron said with a grin. "What a way to go."

***

Two hours later, Emersyn was lazily leaning against Aaron, tired and content. She'd put a sundress on over her bikini, and he'd tugged a tee shirt on, still wearing his board shorts. Aaron had driven them in his pickup to a nearby food truck for a quick and easy lunch. They'd sat at a picnic table nearby, talking and laughing as they ate.

She reached out and snatched one of the fries from his basket of food, popping it into her mouth.

"I saw that."

She lifted a shoulder. "They're good."

"Good thing you're cute," he joked, snagging another one and playfully feeding it to her. Emersyn nipped at his finger, watching as his eyes flared with heat. They'd done no more than kiss today, but the sexual tension between them was already off-the-charts.

"I can't believe the weekend went by so quickly," she groaned. "Can't I just play on the beach each day now that I'm living in Hawaii? That sounds so much more fun than the real world."

He snagged her hand, lacing his fingers between hers. "Don't I know it. Sometimes it feels like the guys and I are playing when we're out on the water, the ocean breeze in our face. Of course, usually our training is brutal. We're gearing up to run simulations, or we're doing PT, jogging on the beach, or swimming a couple of miles."

"A couple of miles?" she asked with a groan.

He playfully nudged her. "Yep. But I am going to help you become a stronger swimmer. The Pacific Ocean has a strong current. I want you to be safe."

She let out a sigh. "I'm not opposed to learning. I'm just a bit embarrassed at how terrible of a swimmer I am."

"Nothing to be embarrassed about," he assured her.

She glanced over, studying Aaron's profile. Stubble covered his strong jaw, and his broad nose suited his big frame. Even in his tee shirt, she could see his strong biceps bulging against the sleeves. No doubt about it—he was hot.

"What's so funny?" he asked, catching her smile.

"Nuh-uh. I couldn't say."

Aaron gave her a lazy grin, then leaned in for another kiss.

"I need to shower," she said with a giggle as his hands began to roam. "I'm covered in sunscreen, salt, and sand."

"I'd be happy to assist, ma'am," he joked.

Emersyn cocked her head, pretending to think it over. "And what exactly would that entail, sailor boy?"

His grin widened, his expression full of heat. "You, soapy, naked, and wet under the hot shower spray, my hands everywhere to make sure I do a very thorough job. I'll need to have quality control measures in place to make sure it's done right, so I'll take my sweet time with you."

She bit her lip, flushing, and Aaron leaned down, his lips at her ear. "Are you blushing, Ms. O'Connell?" he teased. "I kind of love the idea of my hands all over you." As if to prove she'd enjoy it, too, one big hand landed on her bare thigh, and Aaron gave it a gentle squeeze. She turned toward him, their faces inches apart, and then his mouth was on hers, light and sensual. His thick fingers teasing her inner thigh began to make her squirm, and Emersyn let out a tiny gasp as they began to trail slightly higher.

"Let's go," she said, her voice slightly breathless.

"At your service, ma'am," he joked, but Aaron's own voice was rougher than before. He took her hand, helping her to rise up from the picnic table, and then quickly gathered their trash, tossing it away. She was giggling again a moment later as Aaron hurried her toward his truck, opening the passenger door and then lifting her inside.

He leaned in for another kiss, his big hand on her bare thigh again. Teasing. Caressing. Making heat coil down from her belly and arousal dampen her folds. He pinned her with a hot look and then he was jogging around the front of his truck, both of them eager to get back to her place ASAP.