Chapter Text
The moment she walked into his office he should’ve known.
The moment her hand outstretched to shake his, her delicate and hesitant fingers - that smelt like her cherry hand cream - were hanging in the air just waiting to be encapsulated by his own.
She was nervous - excited, but tried to mask it under a rehearsed smile as she introduced herself.
Emily Prentiss.
Her name rang something familiar in the back of his mind, dancing between his thoughts as he tried to recall its significance; attempting to ignore the way the smell of vanilla and citrus invaded his senses.
Her hands were cold, his own skin burning hot against hers. The connection of flesh was broken only a few seconds later, a reasonable time for a handshake, but he watched as her hand fell limply by her side - fingers twitching against the fabric of her clothes.
His face gave nothing away, his words cold and clipped. He knew nothing of a transfer, hadn’t been informed of Elle's hasty replacement being picked without his knowledge.
Aaron had a job to do. He had no time to delay himself with the foolishness of the bureau and their lack of ability to inform him about what was happening right under his feet.
He had dismissed her. His apology carried no weight, no sincerity as he watched as the excitement slip from her face in a moment of weakness before her mask raised once again. It was impressive, how fast she covered it up. Caught herself before too much was revealed - it only made him wonder what else could possibly be hiding behind the facade.
It was nothing more than a professional curiosity. The thought of her leaving his mind the moment he set foot on the jet.
Emily was sitting on the couch in his office when he returned.
He smelt her perfume before he saw her, knowing on instinct what was awaiting him in the dim light of his office.
Wordlessly he watched as she stood up, placing aside the papers she had propped on her lap when he walked in. She argued her case, something simmering just beneath the surface of her firm and calculated words. She rebutted all of his hesitance, carrying herself with a confidence and determination that was unexpected from her previous greeting. She met him at a level not many dared to, challenged him in a way that caught him off guard.
As Aaron watched her leave his eyes raked over her body, assessing her from a perspective previously hindered by his desk. Guilt bubbled under his skin as his eyes lingered on the way her skirt clung to her hips, the way they swayed as she walked out the door until she was out of view - unknowing freeing herself from his predatory gaze.
She was too much. Too much yet not enough, just teetering on the edge of revealing that was enough to inch him closer and closer to the edge, plunging him into the oblivion that was Emily Prentiss.
Aaron gave her a week tops before he assumed she would throw in the towel.