Chapter 4
Emersyn stood in her living room two days later, watching in shock as Aaron and his teammates hauled in box after box. It would’ve taken her and Layton all day to get everything inside, and the men had nearly unpacked the U-Haul she’d rented in under an hour. The ease with which they’d accomplished the task reminded her that they weren’t just regular guys either. They were freaking Navy SEALs. Aaron and his teammates probably went all commando and stormed the enemy compound, rescuing hostages all over the world and taking out bad guys along the way. It wasn’t quite as simple as that, but it was. They risked their lives and saved the day. Emersyn analyzed things. Pushed papers. She briefed Special Agents and higher-ups within the government but didn’t directly confront men or women accused of crimes.
Aaron had a very physical job and career. All of the men were in shape, and right now, she felt rather helpless standing around while they did the heavy lifting.
“I’m surprised you don’t have more stuff,” Sawyer quipped, carrying two boxes toward her bedroom. “I thought chicks loved tons of girly shit.”
She rolled her eyes, already used to his antics. “I can’t exactly bring my entire winter wardrobe here to an island, can I? Besides, bikinis and sundresses are tiny. Fewer boxes.”
“Huh. You bring up a good point.”
“Want me to haul him out of here?” Hudson joked. “I can toss Sawyer in the empty truck with the packaging.”
“Yes, please get rid of him,” Layton said. “He was testing out his best pick-up lines on me, and they were God awful.”
Sawyer shrugged. “What can I say? A beautiful woman is a beautiful woman.”
“As long as you don’t chase after mine,” Aaron joked, causing Emersyn to flush. The man loved to flirt, but it was clear his friends all knew not to hit on her. He carried several boxes down the hallway, and Emersyn followed him into her bedroom, noting the bed and dresser were already in position. She sank down onto the unmade bed, bringing her hand up to her head.
“Are you okay?” Aaron asked, looking concerned as he set down the boxes he was holding. Sawyer had already disappeared, and she realized the two of them were alone in her room.
“I’m good. Just a bit tired.”
“And your head hurts.”
“Well, I wasn’t planning on a hospital stay in the middle of my big move to Hawaii,” she said weakly.
Aaron crouched down in front of her, and she felt her heart race. The man barely looked winded after hauling in boxes and furniture with his friends. The scruff across his jaw gave him a sexy, rough-and-tumble vibe. Veins trailed across his muscled hands and up his thick forearms. He looked masculine and virile. And she knew exactly how all those muscles felt moving over her. Emersyn wanted to shiver in delight at how close Aaron was right now. She could smell his clean scent, mixed with a trace of sweat, and feel the heat radiating off his big frame.
She’d been a mess the last time he’d seen her, but even then, she’d felt almost pretty and feminine with the way Aaron looked at her. It made no sense. Whatever was between them felt magnetic, drawing her closer to him. Emersyn had various boyfriends over the years. First dates that went nowhere. Relationships where she thought the guy could possibly be the one.
But this feeling right now? Not even once.
Within seconds of being in Aaron’s presence, she’d felt a complete sense of comfort and peace. Sure, he’d joked about her falling in love with him, but it already felt like she’d known him for years, not mere days. What kind of man helped a woman he didn’t even know move into her apartment? He was chivalrous. Protective. Dangerous, too, because if she fell for Aaron and it didn’t work out, she wasn’t sure she’d be the same. Everything about him felt different.
“There’s ice in the cooler we brought,” Aaron said in a low voice as he watched her. “Do you have any Ziploc bags? We could make a cold compress for your head.”
“I don’t have any plastic bags here,” Emersyn said. “Next on my to-do list is grabbing the essentials. Actually, Layton offered to run out and pick up some groceries and basics for me tonight. We checked out of our hotel and are planning to stay here now that I have furniture.”
“Good. You should rest up this evening if your head is bothering you.”
Emersyn looked him over, still amazed that he was even here. “Did you guys all take the afternoon off?” she asked. “I still can’t believe you’re helping me move in. We just met a few days ago.”
Aaron’s lips quirked. “Yep. I think I remember that. But seriously,” he added, lightly caressing her bare thigh. “We made arrangements with our CO to take the time off. We have training one night later this week, so it balances out. Our schedules aren’t normal nine-to-five type jobs.”
“And you deploy.”
“That we do,” he agreed, moving his hand away. She instantly missed his warm touch. Her leg felt hot where his hand had been, like he’d left his imprint on her bare skin. Briefly, Emersyn imagined those calloused hands of Aaron’s trailing all over her body. He’d been so careful when he’d rescued her, she wondered what it would be like to have all of his attention and focus on her in bed. Emersyn had never once slept with a man she just met, and clearly, nothing was about to happen right now with her sister and his teammates in the other room. She felt safe with Aaron though. She’d just met the man, but they were in her new bedroom together talking like they did it every day of their lives.
“Our deployments are a little different than what you’re probably familiar with,” Aaron said. “Other enlisted men and women may be deployed for nine months or a year at a time. We tend to do quick missions and fly back to Oahu.”
“They’re dangerous operations.”
“They are,” he agreed, reaching out to brush back a strand of her hair. Emersyn found she loved when he did that. Aaron wasn’t inappropriate by any means, but she loved that he seemed to enjoy touching her. They were surrounded by stacks of boxes in a bare room, she was sitting on a bed with nothing more than a mattress, and she realized there was no place she’d rather be.
His hand lingered against her face for a beat, his touch burning against her skin, and Emersyn felt her heart flutter. The way he was looking at her right now made no sense. They’d almost literally just met. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, and she looked away. He’d kiss her one day. She was certain of it. Now wasn’t exactly the right time.
“Are you able to tell me when you leave?” she asked. “I know we just met,” she hastily explained, flushing.
Aaron’s gaze softened. “If we’re dating? Hell. Of course I’d tell you I was leaving. I might not be able to share any details—”
“I understand,” she quickly told him.
He nodded. “You’re here for work but never mentioned what agency you’re with. Are you DOD?”
“DEA actually. I’m an analyst.”
He studied her, seeming to process that information. While he deployed on military missions around the world, Aaron was no doubt familiar with the drug trade on the island. She was sure the military and Coast Guard had to be involved in those type of operations to some extent, even if that didn’t fall under what Aaron and his teammates did. Nevertheless, he’d at least know about Hawaii’s drug problems from living here.
“An analyst, huh? You’re smart,” he said, the corner of his mouth tugging up. His deep brown eyes sparked with interest.
“Sometimes,” she said, staring into his eyes.
“Smart enough to have a safe job,” he countered.
A beat passed as they looked at one another. It felt like Aaron really saw her. They might know next-to-nothing about each other, but she could tell he was genuinely interested in learning more. It was easy to read the expression on his face because she felt the exact same way. They were different in many ways. Aaron was big and strong, no doubt more adventurous, but they’d both come to Hawaii on the government’s dime. They both sought to achieve the greater good in the world.
“I guess there’s some truth to that,” she admitted. “I’m not the one rushing after the bad guys.”
“We’re well-trained, so I don’t want you to worry. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, so to speak. I know you’ve got unpacking to do and want to visit with your sister this week, but I would love to take you out this weekend.”
“I’d like that, too.”
“Awesome. I’ll figure out a place and firm up the details with you later on. Let me go see about that ice for your head,” he said as he stood. “I don’t like that you’re in pain.”
She watched him go, believing what he’d said. Aaron was protective. Hadn’t he told her as much himself? Maybe he was focusing on her like this because he’d saved her life the other day. Or maybe something really was happening between them.
Time would tell.
She had a new apartment, a new job, and goodness. She’d been here such a short time, she hadn’t even adjusted to the time change yet. Hawaiian time was six hours behind Eastern Standard Time. Emersyn had been up early every morning and could barely stay awake at night yet. That didn’t bode well for her future date, but by the weekend, she should hopefully be good.
Emersyn rose from her bed, glancing at the neat stacks of boxes along the wall. Her work attire was in there somewhere. Her purses and shoes. She’d have to unpack, hang clothes in her closet, and do a million other things before Monday morning.
Wandering into her living room, she saw Layton unboxing some of her lamps. Her place looked empty without any pictures on the walls or knickknacks lying around, but that was the least of her concerns at the moment. “They made quick work of your stuff,” Layton said in amazement.
“No kidding. Believe me, I’m thankful. I’m not sure what I was thinking about us being able to do everything ourselves.”
“Well, your building has an elevator. It would’ve taken us a dolly and hours and hours, but we would’ve gotten it done.”
Aaron appeared in the doorway, carrying a tee shirt tied around something. “I improvised,” he said, crossing the room toward them. He lifted the cold compress to her head, his big hands moving hers into position so she could hold it in place.
“You should’ve told me your head hurt,” Layton said with a frown.
Aaron eyed her as he stood in front of Emersyn. “She didn’t tell me either.”
“Guys, I’m right here.”
“Yes, you are,” Aaron said with a smile, his gaze tracking over her. Emersyn had on a tank top, short denim cutoffs, and sneakers. She hadn’t missed the way Aaron’s eyes had heated when he’d arrived to help her move earlier. While she no doubt looked better than when he’d pulled her from the ocean, she wasn’t exactly in her sexiest clothes. Emersyn had brought plenty of strappy sundresses, cute camisoles, and little skirts to wear for her new life on the island. Having Aaron look at her like that anyway in her casual clothes made her pulse pound.
He lightly gripped her hand, his thumb caressing the tender skin on the inside of her wrist, and then he was pulling away as Layton smirked at them. “We’ve got one more load,” Aaron said, jokingly saluting them before he disappeared out her front door.
“Is he for real?” Layton asked, dramatically fanning herself. “That guy is a keeper.”
Emersyn laughed. “He’s sweet and hot, but we barely know each other yet.”
“And?” Layton asked pointedly.
“And nothing. I’ve been in Hawaii for a few days, I’ve got a new job to start Monday, and I’m not going to immediately fall for a man I just met.”
“Uh-huh. And what does Aaron think about that?” Layton teased.
“He’s a flirt. Sure, we’ve had fun in the two point five seconds we’ve known each other, but….”
“But nothing. You’ll get to know him. That’s the beauty of moving here for six months. I’ll have to settle for a vacation fling or something,” she joked.
“Oh stop,” Emersyn protested, rolling her eyes.
The men came back inside just then, several carrying two kitchen chairs each, and two more hauling her kitchen table. “That’s the last of it,” Wyatt said after they’d positioned it beneath the light. “The truck is empty.”
“Wow. Thank you so much,” Emersyn told him. “Seriously. I could never repay you for everything you’ve already done for me so far.”
Wyatt told her it was no trouble, his eyes landing on Aaron as he arranged her chairs. “I know Aaron’s hoping for a date,” he said conspiringly. “Take pity on the guy and go out with him,” he joked.
Emersyn found herself blushing. “We’re planning on dinner this weekend,” she admitted. “But Layton is here this week, too, so I can’t exactly ditch her.”
“We’ll double date,” Hudson said with a grin as he walked over.
“Ohhh, I could be talked into that,” Layton told him, her eyes dancing with amusement.
Emersyn eyed them curiously. While Sawyer had been shamelessly hitting on her sister, Layton hadn’t seemed interested in him at all. Hudson had been flirting with Layton, too, although not as obnoxiously as his teammate. He was a big guy with a great sense of humor, and Emersyn could see why her sister might be drawn to him. Still, Layton was leaving this weekend. While she was an adult who could obviously make her own choices, Emersyn didn’t want her to do something she’d regret. Like Hudson, for instance, she thought wryly.
“What are you laughing at?” Layton asked, not missing a thing.
“I’ll tell you later,” Emersyn promised.
Layton shot her a pointed look but then walked with Hudson to the apartment door to say goodbye.
Goodness. Her sister having a one-night-stand with a Navy SEAL was not something she’d encourage. Layton was the responsible one, but she was also on vacation. Emersyn didn’t want her returning to Virginia with regrets.
After Emersyn thanked everyone profusely for their help, the men made themselves scarce, leaving her alone with Aaron. “So, you’re good with getting food for tonight?” he asked, nodding at her.
“Yes. Layton is going to head to the store as soon as everyone leaves. If she’s too tired, we’ll just order some things to be delivered. In the meantime, I’ll start the glorious job of unpacking a bit,” she joked.
“If you need more stuff moved around, just shoot me a text.”
She looked at him in surprise.
“What?” he said with an easy shrug. “I’m a sucker for punishment,” he joked. “Plus, I’d get to see you again.” He chuckled as she flushed, moving infinitesimally closer. “I’ll text you about this weekend. Let me think about a place that would be good for dinner. I’ve got my favorites, but we definitely want somewhere quiet enough to talk.”
“What kind of places are you usually hanging out at?” she asked with a laugh.
“The guys and I like Coconuts, a bar and restaurant here in Oahu. It’s popular, so it can be loud some nights. Not sure I’d want to take you there for our first date though,” he admitted.
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t let some other sailor steal me away,” she teased.
Aaron’s lips quirked. “Like I’d let that happen,” he joked. “Coconuts is fun, but don’t women like candlelit, romantic dinners?”
“Sure, but I wouldn’t mind seeing where you hang out sometime.”
“All right. It’s a date. Maybe our second one though, okay?”
“Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?” she asked, flushing as Aaron caught one of her hands in his. His thumb rubbed over her knuckles, sending shivers racing down her spine.
“Maybe.” But he was smiling down at her, and so darn close, she could’ve risen to her tiptoes and kissed him if she wanted. Not that Emersyn planned to make the first move.
Aaron lingered for a moment longer as they walked to her door, her hand still in his. The air between them felt almost electric as they stood there. While Emersyn had been around him for the past hour, she noticed how much bigger than her he really was. It didn’t frighten her. Quite the opposite, actually. From the second she’d opened her eyes on the beach, staring into Aaron’s deep eyes, Emersyn had felt safe with him.
“What are you thinking?” he asked quietly.
She shook her head. “Just trying to absorb everything that’s happened over the past few days. It’s a lot to process.”
He ducked down before she even realized he was moving, lightly brushing his lips over her forehead. The gesture was surprisingly tender. “Go put the cold compress back on your head. I know you like to think a lot given you’re an analyst, but give yourself some time to rest.”
“Yes sir,” she joked.
Aaron licked his lips, not able to hide his smile. “Smart, sassy, and gorgeous. I think I’m in trouble. I’ll see you soon, Emersyn.” His eyes were heated as he gazed down at her, but he turned and moved down the hallway, breaking whatever spell he’d cast over her. Aaron’s big shoulders seemed to fill the narrow space as he moved with purpose, and her gaze tracked over his strong back and muscled forearms. He had big hands and feet, and she flushed, wondering if all parts of his anatomy were huge.
Aaron glanced back, and her cheeks flamed as he caught her staring after him. His eyes sparked with heat as he looked at her. “Don’t forget to lock up.” His voice was deep and sure, and she wondered if he was as commanding in bed as in the rest of his life. A part of her was dying to find out.
Instead, she simply nodded. “Send my sister up if you see her.”
“Will do, honey. I’ll make sure Hudson didn’t steal her away.”
“My hero,” she teased. “Bye,” she added with a little wave.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend,” he said, flashing her another heated look before he disappeared into the stairwell, not bothering to wait for the elevator. She stood in her doorway for another heartbeat, somehow feeling dumbstruck as she heard him jogging down the stairs. Emersyn had moved to Oahu for an adventure and to advance her career, but it felt like her entire life was about to change.