Sheltering Emma (Police and Fire: Operation Alpha): Finding Shelter #1

by Drake, Aspen

  I nod into his chest as he carries me from the building.

  Twenty-Two

  Hunter

  I’m not sure what’s going through Emma’s head at this point, but I refuse to let her out of my sight. The thought of never seeing Emma again has instilled a level of fear in me I didn’t think was possible. All I want is to hold her in my arms for the rest of our lives so I know she’ll always be safe from harm. But right now, I’ve got a job to do, so she’s at my side as we head into the office.

  When we get to the station, the Feds are already there, questioning the women as they officially take over jurisdiction of this case. It turns out San Antonio isn’t the city being targeted by the same scheme. Evidently, this human trafficking ring moves up and down the coastline, kidnapping women and selling them.

  Unfortunately, finding out where the women are being taken is proving a bit more difficult to determine. But with the two guys they have in custody now, the good guys should be able hone in on where the major players are located. Especially since they were about to be shipped to the buyers on a boat docked on the pier.

  I stay with Emma during her statement, pissed that someone grabbed her from her own home while I was watching her on a video and not putting two and two together.

  Stunned isn’t the word to describe both how proud and how pissed I am when I realize she risked her own safety for her friend. This woman seems to know no fear, at least not when someone she loves is involved. It’s admiral but that shit will have to be stopped…soon.

  She comes first. Always. No one else.

  Once she’s released, I reach for both her hands and hold them in my palms. “How are you doing? Really?”

  She studies me for a second before taking in a deep breath. “I’m okay, really. I’m just so glad you guys got there when you did.”

  “Me too. You’re safe now. I’m not going to let anything happen to you again.” And I mean it. I don’t know what I was thinking before, but this woman—this incredible, beautiful woman—means more to me than I let myself realize.

  Damn... I guess I do love her.

  “Thanks for everything today. I think I’m going to go home now and get some rest. My head is pounding from all the excitement.”

  “Yeah, sure. Let me just get my keys.”

  “No, you don’t have to do that. I’ll get an Uber.”

  “Like hell you will.” I don’t mean for my voice to come out as stern, especially after what she’s been through today, but I’m not leaving any room for negotiation.

  Her eyebrow raises and her tone changes to match mine. “Excuse me?”

  “Sorry... It’s just.” Fuck, why is this shit always so difficult for me. “I don’t want you to be alone right now. Okay. Please, just let me help you.”

  Realizing that I’m not trying to boss her around, she warms back up to me and gives me a slow smile. “Okay, I guess.”

  “Thank you.”

  Emma’s eyes study mine. “I don’t think I want to be alone right now either.”

  Taking her hand, I tug her from the chair and lead her to my office. As soon as we step inside, Rena rushes around her desk and pulls Emma into a quick hug.

  “Oh, sweetie. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Are you okay? Can I do anything?” Rena rambles on as Emma smiles, assuring her that she’ll be okay.

  I use the time to grab my car keys and my laptop. “I’ll be out the rest of the day, Rena.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll let everyone know you’re indisposed if they come looking for you.” I don’t miss the twinkle in Rena’s eye as she moves back to her chair. “If you need anything, sweet Emma, just let me know, dear.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  As we head toward Emma’s apartment, she pulls out her phone and dials Jenna’s number. I know Jenna is okay because Alex was right by her side the entire time she was being questioned, but Emma needs to hear from her friend herself.

  Once she hangs up, a satisfied sigh comes to her lips.

  “You’re all going to be okay,” I say, making sure she knows I mean Jenna as well. “We’ll catch these guys and keep this from happening to anyone else.”

  “Is it bad that I want them to suffer?”

  “Nope.” I chuckle as I change lanes. “I think it’s what they deserve.”

  After pulling into the parking lot of Emma’s apartment, I escort her upstairs. When she steps up to her door, her breathing becomes rapid for a second and I know she’s reliving her morning. Gently, I place a hand on her waist and nestle her against me. “I’ve got you, baby.”

  She places the key to her apartment in the lock and opens the door. The two of us walk inside, and Emma heads straight to her bedroom. I let her have her moment, listening as she walks into the bathroom and turns on the shower. Taking off my shoes and loosening the top buttons on my shirt, I get more comfortable and then lean back on her bed.

  I’m tempted to join her in the shower, but I don’t want to push her. Emma can set the pace of our day. As much as I want to be with her right now, I know she has to sort out some of what she’s feeling on her own.

  After nearly thirty minutes, the sound of water spraying from the showerhead stops, leaving silence in its wake. A few minutes later, Emma emerges wearing a lacy nightgown. She gives me a tired smile as I pat the bed beside me.

  Once she’s next to me, I pull her into my chest, holding her tightly. Her sniffles are the only indication she’s crying, but I let her... Let her get out all the pain and fear she must have felt today.

  “It’s okay, baby. Just let it out. Emma, you were so brave today.”

  I continue to hold her as she cries onto my chest. Then her neck cranes upward and her lips find my chin.

  She gives me a light peck. “Thank you again for saving me today.”

  Instinctually, I kiss her forehead then move down her face until I find her lips. I pause for only a second, giving Emma the opportunity to stop me.

  She offers her permission through her own kiss, pressing firmly against my skin.

  Her pulse is racing, and her body is hot against my flesh. As she kisses me, I part my lips, letting her tongue dive inside and explore every inch of me. I reciprocate with my tongue, the two of us twisting and licking in a passionate wrestling match.

  Emma hands explore my body, feeling down the cords of my neck and the opening of my shirt. She makes quick work of releasing the remaining buttons, pulling the fabric away and revealing the chiseled muscle I’ve worked hard for. She scrapes her nails down my chest, causing my body to respond with a shiver as a tingling sensation flows from my back to my rock-hard shaft.

  We continue to kiss, neither of us wanting to let the other part. I tug on Emma’s nightgown, lifting the silky fabric away from her skin and over her head. She uses the opportunity to inhale deeply before meeting my lips again. She’s completely exposed now, wearing nothing at all. As her fingers work to undo my pants, I pull away so I can appreciate her gorgeous body.

  Mine.

  Her plump breasts are perky with firm areolas and elongated nipples that are begging to be toyed with. Emma releases my slacks, pulling them down along with my underwear so my massive girth is freed and slapping against my stomach. I continue to study her as she moves toward my cock. Her pink folds are swollen and glistening, making me want to taste her juice while licking at her clit.

  But I’m letting Emma take control today. She needs to own me, and I’m happy to oblige. As she positions herself between my legs, Emma grabs my shaft with both hands and then looks back up at me with those beautiful blue eyes. It’s the look I’ve been dreaming of every night since I met her. Then she dives in, swallowing my shaft until it disappear down her throat.

  Emma’s hands follow the motion her lips have set as she bobs up and down on my cock. Each upward stroke corresponds with her hollowed cheeks, causing the perfect friction. Then she lets go and allows her lips to lubricate my cock again before repeating the process.

  I de
sperately want to reach for her pussy and stroke her body as she pleasures me, but she’s too far away, and I’m too close to my release. Emma works my dick expertly, causing the tingling sensation I felt earlier to build hotter and faster, bringing me even closer to climax.

  “God... Fuck, Emma.” All my words do is encourage her as she sucks harder and faster. At that moment, when I realize how much I love being with this amazing woman, I spill into her. She pulls off slightly, sucking each drop of come I release into her warm mouth. When I’m finally spent, she looks up at me and smiles.

  “Now for you...” I say, flipping on the bed and swapping spots with Emma. She doesn’t protest as I plant my hands on her inner thighs and push her legs open. I only allow myself a moment to admire her before I push myself against her and begin sucking her clit. Now that her legs are apart, I’m able to use one hand to explore her folds, playing with each swollen petal as I nip and lick at her beautiful offering.

  Normally, I don’t let any woman I’m with control me when I’m eating her out, but for Emma, all bets are off. Her hand clasps onto my head, and she pushes it down, grinding my tongue into her folds. She rides my face, and I happily lap at her juices as she works herself into me. With two of my fingers, I enter her, seeking out the spot I know she loves to have rubbed from within.

  I lap and nip and suck and fuck her with my fingers until her body is firing with electricity. Her orgasm comes hard and fast as she pushes me into her. Her body arches off the bed as she screams out my name, riding my fingers as she chases her orgasm.

  Once she’s finally able to open her eyes, I resume my position on the bed next to her and pull her into my arms. I just want to be next to her.

  Forever.

  “I want you to be with me, Emma. Just me. You don’t even have to work. I can take care of you.” I don’t know where the words are coming from... Maybe from that fresh-fucked state of mind that has me crazy happy. But I know the words are true. “Would you like that?”

  “Hmm.” She’s already drifting off to sleep. “Let’s talk later…”

  Twenty-Three

  Emma

  When I wake the next morning, I’m pleasantly surprised to find Hunter awake and laying in the bed next to me. “You’re here.” I make it more of a statement than a question.

  He just smiles at me and kisses my forehead. “How are you feeling?”

  “Mmm.” I stretch out my arms before snuggling back closer to him. “I feel good. I can’t believe you stayed. You never stay.”

  “I know... But I meant what I said last night. I want you... And I can take care of you.”

  I pull back from Hunter’s embrace and sit up in the bed with my legs crossed.

  “I know you’re trying to be sweet or whatever, but I won’t be a kept woman, Hunter. I can’t take your money and be on call for sex. Especially if you’re still sleeping with other women. It’s just not who I am.”

  “What makes you think I want to sleep with other women?”

  I look at him like he’s an idiot. “Why wouldn’t you? Look at you... I’m sure you have plenty of women lined up. Shit, you could have a whole paid harem available to you any day of the week. Why would you give that up for me? For anyone?”

  Hunter blows out a slow breath and gets closer to me on the bed. “I keep asking myself that same thing…”

  I scoff. “And then you realize how ridiculous it sounds?”

  “No, I realize it means something else. Something I don’t want it to mean, but I also don’t want to stop.”

  I rest my bent elbow on the bed and hold my temple against my palm. “I don’t understand these riddles, Hunter. What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that…I’m in love with you, and I don’t want to be with anyone else. I don’t want to control you, but I also don’t want you to see anyone else either.”

  All the air in my lungs is pushed out in a heavy sigh as his words slowly sink in. “Do you really mean that?” I whisper, finding it hard to believe that what he’s saying is true.

  Hunter reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a kiss there. “I’m not sure if I was ever truly in love with any of the women in my past, but I knew I could live without them just fine when it was over. But without you, I can’t breathe. When you won’t talk to me, I can’t function. When I thought I might lose you, I couldn’t imagine going on. Yesterday was the scariest day of my life. I’ve never felt like that. I realize now it was you that made the difference. The fear of losing you caused my whole world to come crashing down.”

  I scoot forward so my mouth is just inches away from Hunter’s, and my eyes lock on his. “So, now what?”

  Hunter smiles, and my insides tingle because it’s directed at me. “Now I kiss you, and you agree to give me a chance.”

  My eyes drift closed just as Hunter’s lips press against mine. For minutes or hours—I don’t know how long—his kisses convey all the words he still struggles to say out loud. And I accept them, giving as well as taking as our tongues explore and our lips close over every bit of skin they can touch.

  I close my teeth over Hunter’s earlobe then gently pull off, leaving a kiss behind to soothe the sting. “I love you too, Hunter James. And for the record, there could never be anybody else. You’ve ruined me for other men. I couldn’t even imagine being with someone else. Not after knowing what you can do to me.”

  Hunter turns his head and captures my lips with his. He smiles against me, his tongue tracing my lower lip before dipping inside across my teeth. “You will never need to think about that. You won’t know what it’s like to be desperate ever again.”

  I kiss the corner of his mouth then rest my forehead against his. “Even for you?”

  His laugh is low and husky and sends a tingle right through my core. “Oh, no. I plan to make you desperate for me every day for as long as you’ll let me.”

  “Challenge accepted,” I reply with a smirk. Then my brain focuses on something I’ve forgotten. “Oh, shit. I need to check on Jenna.” Bouncing from my place on the bed, I throw on a pair of jeans and a shirt. Hunter groans and gets up, putting on his clothes from the day before and following me out into the hall then two doors down to Jenna’s place.

  I knock quietly on the door.

  It opens just a crack as Jenna’s bright eyes meet mine. “Hey, you.”

  She throws open the door and pulls me into a hug. “Oh, god. Emma. I can’t believe that happened to us.” She ushers us in, giving me a side eye when she notices Hunter in the same clothes from yesterday.

  “Are you okay? How’s Ollie?”

  “We’re both fine. I’m still a little shaken up, but you know me. If I can bounce back from some of the dates I’ve had, this is a walk in the park.” I know she’s trying to mask her pain, but she’s tough. She’ll be okay.

  “Did you get Ollie to school okay today?”

  “I let him stay home today. He doesn’t know what happened, but I couldn’t bear for him not to be nearby today.”

  “That’s understandable.” Hunter glances at me. “I feel the same way.”

  Jenna raises an eyebrow between glances at us.

  “Jenna, this is Hunter.” Then looking back at Hunter, I add, “Jenna is my best friend.”

  Hunter extends his hand. “It’s nice to officially meet you, Jenna.”

  Jenna cocks her head toward Hunter. “You’re one of the cops who saved us yesterday, right? Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Hunter nods his head gently. “I’m just glad you’re safe. I hope Alex got you home okay.”

  A bright smile appears on Jenna’s face. “Special Agent Emplan? Oh yes. He made sure Ollie and I both arrived home safely.”

  “Well, I’m just glad you’re home, and from now on, no going on interviews that seem too good to be true. Deal?”

  “Deal,” Jenna responds, crossing her heart with her index finger and laughing. “Now, how about some breakfast?”

  “I’ve got that covered.”
Hunter pulls out his phone and steps into the small hallway that leads to Ollie’s bedroom.

  “So, this is the man you’ve been pretending I didn’t know about?”

  “It’s not like that,” I say, hating the flush that is obviously giving away the truth.

  “Sure, it’s not.” Jenna exaggerates her nod, but she knows as well as I do that it totally is.

  Twenty-Four

  Hunter

  I’ve never brought a woman back to my house. As a teenager, I had friends over but never anyone I wanted to introduce to my family. And since I’ve moved back, there hasn’t been anyone serious. No one I wanted to invite into my life in such an intimate way.

  But things are different now. The hours when I thought I’d lost Emma forever were unbearable. I knew there was no way I could just forget about her. Admitting my feelings to both myself and to her was a big step, but it was one I had to make. Making her believe she was just another hookup wasn’t fair to her. And if that gave her free rein to be with other men, that wouldn’t have worked out.

  At all.

  Honestly, this feels right. I know she isn’t after my money because even when she was in desperate need of it, she never asked for a penny. She didn’t even accept the money when I gave it to her with no strings attached. So, as I open my front door and invite Emma inside, I can appreciate that she is who I’ve been missing.

  She completes the home that I’ve been searching for my entire life. Even in a huge house with lots of staff and access to all the things I could possibly want, having someone who can see past my flaws and love me for me, is priceless.

  I take her hand and guide her through the foyer. “I can give you the tour now or…”

  She shakes her head. “Bedroom first.”

  Who am I to argue? The woman knows what she wants. And for the first time in my life, I’ve found a woman who knows what I want and is freely giving it to me.