Author's Note: I cannot thank you all enough for the outpouring of feedback for the previous chapter. Y'all are amazing! Just for that, the beginning part of this chapter is (slightly!) rated M as well; not for anything too graphic, but I'll let your imaginations fill in the blanks. ;) As always, thank you so much for reading! I sure hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer in Chapter One!

Emily woke to the exhilarating feel of Hotch's lips on her breasts. She giggled a little as his tongue flirted out to play with a nipple, then let out a contented sigh as she raked her fingers through his hair. "Good morning," she drawled, her voice husky from disuse.

Hotch grinned naughtily, before moving into a sitting position and pulling Emily up with him. He watched amusedly as she held the sheet tightly to her chest. "'Morning," he murmured in response, still kissing her supple skin. "Did you sleep well?"

She stretched out her body like a cat, then moved so that she was lying fully on top of him. "I did," she said coyly. "As a matter of a fact, I had this really amazing dream that I had the best sex of my life with some devilishly handsome man named Aaron Hotchner…you might know him," she teased.

"No, I don't think I do," Hotch returned, his lips now resting against her collarbone and sucking lightly. "Tell me about him. "

"Well…" she danced her fingers up and down his bare chest. "He's sexy as hell, sweet, chivalrous, funny, completely badass…" Her lips found the corner of his mouth. "And he's a beast in bed." She kissed him hard. "Sound familiar?"

He growled against her lips, his hands moving to her sides. "Vaguely. Though I bet I could add another description to that list."

"Go for it." Her voice was breathy, seductive.

"Aaron Hotchner is also the luckiest man alive." He gazed deep into her eyes, his heart flipping as her sultry smile morphed into one gentler. With one last kiss, he returned her smile then made to move off the bed.

"Wait, where are you going?"

Hotch chuckled quietly. "Babe, I'm thirsty." The endearment slipped out of its own volition; neither of them minded. "I was going to get a glass of water and maybe start a pot of coffee."

"Now?" Emily pouted. "You're always so eager to get out of bed," she accused teasingly.

"I am not," Hotch insisted. He nodded over to the alarm clock on her bedside table. "It's almost eight; I don't want you to be late again, not because of me."

"Sean won't care," Emily argued. "He's a big boy; he can take care of the restaurant without me. And as for you…" Slowly, the sheet covering her chest pooled around her waist. She shot him a vixen-like smile. "Surely you could take a day off, just this once." She licked her lips, noticing victoriously as his eyes intently followed her tongue's path. "Please?" she purred. "For me, Aaron?"

He took one step closer, his eyes black as night. "Well…I guess I could make an exception; just this once."

Emily crooked her finger at him, beckoning him forward. "Besides…I still have yet to give you a certain special treat."

Hotch laid back on the bed, dark desire coursing through his body as he watched Emily crawl towards him. "And that would be?"

"Oh, I think you know."

"Maybe I need a hint."

Keeping her eyes on him, Emily lowered her lips to his once again hard-as-steel erection. She licked him from base to tip, humming delightedly as Hotch groaned loudly and jerked forward uncontrollably.

She released him with a 'pop'. A sinful twinkle danced in her eyes. "Was that a good enough hint?"

~.~.~

"Close your eyes."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Emily asked, climbing out of the car and leaning against it. "People might stare," she whispered dramatically, biting back her laughter.

"Then let them stare. You've put this off for long enough," Hotch chided playfully. "Now close your eyes."

"Yes, sir," she replied cheekily. But nonetheless, she obeyed.

Carefully, Hotch pulled her birthday gift from his pocket. He didn't care that they were in the middle of the restaurant's parking lot; he didn't care that he could practically feel Sean watching them. All he cared about was how Emily would react.

Slowly, he placed the necklace around her neck, its cool pendant resting at the base of her throat.

"You can open your eyes."

Once again, Emily did as she was told; though, this time, she gasped in surprise as well. "Oh, Aaron…"

"I thought you'd like it," he explained softly, watching as she ran her fingers over the large stone, tracing its curves and carvings.

"It is smooth," Emily mused, her smile sweet and slightly awed. "And red…"

"Red jade," Hotch supplied. "I was window shopping the other day when I saw it. I immediately thought of you."

"What does it mean?"

"It's the Chinese character for independence," Hotch said, gazing at her intently. "I, uh, thought it was fitting; you're a creative, expressive, free-spirited, and strong-willed woman. You're unique in the best of ways, and proud of it. Beautifully unique, just like red jade. Do you…" he bit his lip, "do you like it?"

Emily looked at him, her eyes soft and sparkling. "I love it," she corrected. Rising on her tiptoes, she let her lips flirt with his. "Thank you," she said sincerely.

"Don't mention it. And…I believe I owe you dinner tonight?" Hotch asked, smiling.

"If you absolutely insist…"

"I do."

"Then who am I to say no?" Smiling as well, Emily took Hotch's hand, and together, they walked into the restaurant. For the middle of the day, it wasn't terribly bust; only comfortably so.

Almost immediately, they were approached by Sean, who was smiling his mischievous smile. "Good of you to drop by, Emily," he teased.

"Hey now," Emily warned playfully. "I don't need your sarcasm, Sean."

The younger Hotchner raised his arms in defeat. "I'm kidding, of course. Now come here." He pulled her into a bear hug. "Happy birthday, you."

She indulged him with a kiss to his cheek. "Thank you."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home…celebrating?" He shot a pathetically obvious wink over to Hotch, who snorted at his brother's behavior.

"That's for later," Emily brushed off coyly, glancing back at Hotch. "For now, I just wanted to show Aaron around."

"Go right on ahead," Sean said, speaking, this time, to Hotch. "Though…" he moved so that he could whisper into Hotch's ear without Emily hearing, "when you get a chance, you are telling me everything. Do you understand me?"

Hotch laughed. "Since when did you become such a gossip-mongering old woman?"

Sean huffed. "Aaron…"

"What more do you have to know other than the fact that it was amazing and that she was amazing?" Hotch paused. "And how did you even know that we –"

The look on Sean's face was one that clearly said, I know everything.

Hotch rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll call you later."

~.~.~

"We've just begun expanding to other cities," Emily explained. "New York, Miami, Austin, Fairfield…it's exciting."

"I can imagine. You always look so…passionate when you're in the kitchen," Hotch said, still holding her hand as they weaved through the back of the restaurant.

"You've noticed that?" He nodded. "I guess…when I cook, I feel at home." She laughed a little. "Is that weird?"

"Not at all," Hotch assured. "You like cooking; you enjoy it, and it obviously means a lot to you."

"It does," Emily agreed, her voice quieter now. "I mean, I obviously want to be able to travel around the world like I used to when I was younger, and I'd like to get a degree in something other than culinary arts and psychology. Like…neuroscience, or forensics, or linguistics…or behavioral science, in general. Something I'd be able to apply in my dream job."

"Of course." Then, an idea struck. "Well, one of these days, when you're free, I…could always take you on a tour of the BAU. If you'd like to, that is."

Emily looked up at him gleefully. "Really? You would?"

"Definitely." I'd do anything for you, Emily.

She bit her lip cutely, then nodded. "I'd like that. Very much."

Smiling once more, Hotch snuck in one more kiss. "Then it's a date."

Author's Note: Reviews are love. Please tell me what you think! There's nothing I love more than hearing from you guys, so please don't be shy. No account needed!