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

by Drake, Aspen

  As I open the door to my room, a slight twinge of embarrassment fills me. I haven’t moved out of my childhood bedroom because there hasn’t been any need to. This room is large with a beautiful view of the grounds and an en suite bathroom. I let Emma take a quick look around before pulling her to my chest and closing my mouth on hers. A deep need to claim her is like an ember smoldering in my belly, just about to catch fire.

  I slip my hand underneath her shirt and pull it off, bringing her sports bra off with it at the same time. As soon as her breasts are exposed, I dive between them, nuzzling the warm skin between her perfect tits before paving a trail with my tongue up to the very tip of her left nipple. Sucking her tight skin between my lips causes Emma to buck into me, feeding me more of her tender flesh.

  “Yes, Hunter, like that.”

  As I trace over her tit, flicking it between licks, I work her yoga pants and panties down her thighs. I’m still fully dressed, but I don’t want to stop long enough to take off my clothes. Not yet anyway. I slip my middle and ring fingers inside Emma’s wet opening and circle her clit with my thumb. She whimpers and presses harder against both my mouth and my hand, riding me vigorously.

  “Oh god. I’m going to come already.”

  I pull off long enough to drag my tongue across her chest to her other breast. “Come for me, baby. I know you need this. And then, I need you.” I gently bite the tip of her nipple as she comes on my hand, humping me as soft curses escape her lips.

  A few moments later, I drop kisses down her belly to her center and gently lick her still pulsing opening before swiping my tongue across her nub and standing up.

  “Now that we’ve got that out of the way…” My comment forces her eyes open, and with a sleepy smile, she watches as I take off my clothes. I pull a condom out of my nightstand before climbing back on top of Emma and slowly making love to her.

  When she comes again, it’s with my thick cock buried deep inside her and my own release pouring into the condom as if trying to escape into her womb.

  Maybe someday, baby. Maybe someday.

  * * *

  “I should go.” Emma stretches across my bed, and the sheet slips to her belly, giving me a view of her perfect tits.

  “Why?” I flatten my hand across her stomach and gently caress her silky skin. “I want you to stay.”

  She smiles. “I can’t stay here forever.”

  I pull her against my chest, not at all wanting to let her leave. “I’ll be lonely.”

  She chuckles. “Don’t you have to go to work?”

  I shrug. “We just solved a case. I can take a few days off.”

  Emma pushes out of my arm then stands up, displaying her perfect body to me in the process. “Well, as we’ve already established, I’m not just the face. I need to work. I’ve taken too many days off, so I’ve got to get to it.”

  “Baby.” I grab her hand and gently pull her down into my arms. “I told you, you don’t need to work so hard. I’ll take care of whatever you need.”

  “And I told you, I’m not gonna let you spend your money on my problems. After my old debts are paid off and I’ve got a little nest egg to fall back on, then I’ll consider cutting back my hours. God knows I’d love to work a regular eight-hour day instead of ten to twelve.”

  I kiss her hard then let her slip away to get dressed. “I’m gonna hold you to that.”

  Emma quickly gets dressed, and Gentry takes her home. As soon as I’m alone, I make the call that she should have anticipated. But I know she’s not going to like it.

  Oh, well, she’ll get over it.

  Tim picks up on the second ring. “What up, Hunt?”

  “I need a copy of Emma’s credit report with all her account numbers.”

  Tim chuckles. “Um, okay. Are you moving into the lucrative world of identity theft?”

  “Not exactly.” I clear my throat, bracing myself for whatever ribbing I’m setting myself up for once I make this declaration out loud. “I’m paying off her debt so she has no excuse not to spend more time with me.”

  “No shit?” Tim is silent for a few seconds then he barks out a laugh. “Abbott owes me a hundred bucks.”

  I hold back a groan. “Why?”

  “I told him you were serious about this girl, but he didn’t think you’d go for it. I’m happy to be right, yet again.”

  “We all get lucky sometimes.” I’m not sure I want my friends betting about my sex life, but I’m too happy right now to worry about it.

  “Yeah, some of us more often than others,” he says suggestively. “Right, bro.”

  “Just get me her accounts, please.” I hang up the call before having to listen to any more of his annoying taunts.

  Twenty-Five

  Emma (Two months later)

  I’m just about to make some toast when my phone buzzes. Meet me in the lobby.

  He’s here? What? Why?

  Just get down here. Please.

  I have no idea what’s going on, but I head straight out my front door, barefoot and makeup-free, and into the elevator.

  When I get to the lobby, Hunter is standing at the front door with a bouquet of roses and a wrapped box. It’s not my birthday so I don’t know what he’s doing, but I let him inside, happy to see him after a long day apart. “Hey, babe. What’s this for?”

  Hunter hands me the roses then wraps his arm around my back. “Just wanted to give you something beautiful, like you.”

  “Aww, thank you.” I hold the roses out so he can press me close to his chest and kiss me like I love being kissed. Hard and needy and with so much promise of what he plans to do to me when we’re alone. “I love them.”

  “I also have this for you.” He steps back and holds the present in front of his chest.

  “Yay, a present. Let’s go upstairs, and I’ll open it.”

  He holds the box as I try to take it from him. “Actually, can you open it here?”

  I look around the empty lobby, confused as to why he’d want me to open a gift here. But I indulge him and pull the lid off the box. Buried under some teal blue tissue paper is a four-inch rose gold key. “Oh, this is pretty.”

  “It’s a key,” he says proudly, carefully watching my face.

  “I can see that.” I turn it upside down and look at the front and back. “It’s heavy.”

  “It’s symbolic.” He seems to think I know what he’s talking about. I don’t.

  “Um, okay.” I look at the key again, noticing the small Tiffany & Co. imprint on the back. “Symbolic of what? Like, is it the key to your heart?”

  Hunter’s grin grows, and his eyes light up. “Well, yes, but that’s not what it’s for.”

  I sigh and hold the key out in front of me. “It’s pretty, babe, but you need to just spit it out. You know I’m not good with these riddles.”

  He laughs and finally decides to put me out of my misery. “It’s a key to my place. Well, not exactly since my house is all electronic, but it’s a symbolic key to my place. I want you to move in with me.”

  “Oh.” I inspect the key more carefully now, taking the time to let his statement sink in. “Like, soon?”

  He shakes his head then motions to the moving truck parked in front of the lobby. “Like now. I’ve been patient for months, but I can’t wait any longer. I want your skin to be the last thing I touch every night and your face to be the first thing I see every morning. Will you move in with me? We can have you packed up within the hour.”

  “Hunter…” I’m not sure what to say. Of course I want to move in with him, but I can’t just leave my apartment…in an hour. “What about my lease?”

  “Your lease is paid off. If you want to do this, there are no excuses to stop you.”

  I look at the key one more time then lean into Hunter for a soft kiss. “I want to.”

  “I’m glad.” Hunter wraps his arms around me and pulls me off the ground, giving me a little twirl as he kisses me hard, smiling against my mouth. “Because if you said no,
I’d have to send these guys to my place to move my shit in here.”

  * * *

  When I first saw that Hunter had paid off my bills, I was mad. Like fire coming out of my nostrils mad. But Jenna both talked me off the ledge and reminded me that Hunter wasn’t trying to buy my affection or control me by helping me out. He already had my affection. He just didn’t have much of my time. And when I thought about it logically, I realized that time with him was what I wanted most out of life too. So I didn’t try to return the money or pay him back.

  For once in my life, I let it go.

  And by letting go of my past mistakes, I’ve opened myself up to a future I never dreamed could exist for me. It’s surreal, but I can see it with perfect clarity in my mind.

  A future in which the man I love loves me back just as fiercely.

  A future with Hunter James is the dream I never thought would come true.

  A future where I can have everything I want and everything I need…and I never have to choose Oreos over tampons again.

  Next in the Finding Shelter series…

  She knows better than to trust him.

  Just because he's got a handsome face and has saved her in the past, does not mean he's the man for her.

  In fact, every instinct in her gut is telling her to run away and protect herself from heartache.

  But then he whispers in her ear or crooks a finger in her direction and she forgets why she's erected a wall between.

  He may be perfect for her on paper, but if he wants to convince Jenna that he will never hurt her, he's got some convincing to do.

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  About the Author

  Born and raised in the California Silicon Valley, Aspen Drake has never ventured far from home. She loves to read, so much so that her husband has often lamented that he wishes he was a sentence so he could get more of her attention. She's working on a more balanced life...but until then, you can find her curled around her iPad or laptop for many hours per day. When she isn't writing the stories that come to her while sitting in traffic, she's hawking techy wares as a corporate marketing manager. Reach out to her at aspendrakebooks@gmail.com.

  Also by Aspen Drake

  Check out the bestselling Fierce Salon series.

  When Nate Edwards left his drug addicted ex and his modeling career, he followed his other passion and opened up Fierce Salon. He's a player in every sense of the word but never steps over the line of professionalism when it comes to his staff. They are the only women off limits to him.

  Amy loses her job and her boyfriend on the same morning when her salon shuts down unexpectedly and she catches her boyfriend cyber cheating. When she runs into an old friend working at an upscale salon, Amy’s desperate situation begins to look up.

  It takes some convincing, but she lands her dream job and gets to spend her days looking at the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. If only he was willing to break his golden rule and see her as more than just an employee.

  Written as a short sitcom, each episode provides glimpses into the different characters at Fierce and the daily drama they face as young, attractive millennials in Menlo Park, California. Each episode creates as many new questions as it answers. Read as they are released or wait for the entire season to be published as one book.

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  There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com

  You can also visit our Amazon page at:

  http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha

  Special Forces: Operation Alpha World

  Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold

  Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey

  Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle

  Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah

  Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett

  Shauna Allen: Saving Grace

  Brynne Asher: Blackburn

  Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine

  Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei

  Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy

  Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage

  Victoria Bright: Going Ghost

  Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker

  Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast

  Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie

  Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth

  Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley

  Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven

  Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil

  Sue Coletta: Hacked

  Melissa Combs: Gallant

  KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina

  Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah

  Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery

  Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation

  Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia

  Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet

  Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy

  Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie

  Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie

  Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair

  Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah

  Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie

  Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor

  Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze

  Silver James: Rescue Moon

  Silver James: SEAL Moon

  Silver James: Assassin’s Moon

  Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon

  Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia

  Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava

  Heather Long: Securing Arizona

  Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude

  Heather Long: Protecting Pilar

  Heather Long: Covering Coco

  Gennita Low: No Protection

  Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse

  Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck

  Margaret Madigan: Buck the System

  Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck

  Margaret Madigan: December Chill

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride

  Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin

  KD Michaels: Saving Laura

  KD Michaels: Protecting Shane

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound

  Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2

  Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt

  Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate

  Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart

  Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi

  Mary B Moore: Force Protection

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen

  LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty

  MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny

  MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets

  Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty

  Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa

  Lainey Reese: Protecting New York

  Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily

  Jen Talty: Burning Desire

  Jen Talty: Burning Kiss

  Jen Talty: Burning Skies

  Jen Talty: Burning Lies

  Jen Talty: Burning Heart

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Us

  Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth

  Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World

  KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen

  As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.

  Delta Force Heroes Series

  Rescuing Rayne (FREE!) />
  Rescuing Aimee (novella)

  Rescuing Emily

  Rescuing Harley

  Marrying Emily

  Rescuing Kassie

  Rescuing Bryn

  Rescuing Casey

  Rescuing Sadie

  Rescuing Wendy

  Rescuing Mary (Oct 2018)

  Rescuing Macie (April 2019)

  Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series

  Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)

  Justice for Mickie

  Justice for Corrie

  Justice for Laine (novella)

  Shelter for Elizabeth

  Justice for Boone

  Shelter for Adeline

  Shelter for Sophie

  Justice for Erin

  Justice for Milena

  Shelter for Blythe

  Justice for Hope (Sept 2018)

  Shelter for Quinn (Feb 2019)

  Shelter for Koren (June 2019)

  Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)

  SEAL of Protection Series

  Protecting Caroline (FREE!)

  Protecting Alabama

  Protecting Fiona

  Marrying Caroline (novella)

  Protecting Summer

  Protecting Cheyenne

  Protecting Jessyka

  Protecting Julie (novella)

  Protecting Melody

  Protecting the Future

  Protecting Kiera (novella)

  Protecting Dakota

  SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series

  Securing Caite (Jan 2019)

  Securing Sidney (May 2019)

  Securing Piper (Sept 2019)

  Securing Zoey (TBA)

  Securing Avery (TBA)

  Securing Kalee (TBA)

  New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.