Текст книги "Undone"

Автор книги: R. E. Hunter

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Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

33

Embry shoved her hands in her pockets and huddled against Luke, the cold wind whipping against her face. Snow had fallen the night before, adding to the feel of Christmas. His arm came around her, tucking her against him.

“How high are your ceilings again?” she asked.

Luke chuckled. “High enough, baby. Pick whichever one you like.”

Embry stared at the row of Christmas trees before her and chewed on her lip. Christmas music echoed in the background, and Luke waited patiently as she made her decision. She picked the largest one of the bunch, a fifteen-footer, and watched as it was wrapped up and tied to the top of Luke’s Rover.

After their little tryst in the bathroom the night before, Luke and Embry had managed to stay away from each other and socialize for the remainder of the evening. She left with Morgan in the limousine and met Luke at his house. He’d kept his promise, and they had made very good use of his bed. They were ready to enjoy their Christmas-filled weekend, just the two of them, before his family flew into town.

Luke came up behind her and kissed her cheek. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Yes, it was. They’re all so pretty,” she said, pouting.

“Well, I think you did good.” He squeezed her tight. “Where to next, Mrs. Claus?”

“Hahaha, very funny.”

“Don’t you mean ho-ho-ho?” he teased.

Embry rolled her eyes, and the salesman walked up interrupting Luke’s comedy routine. Luke followed the man inside to pay for the tree, and Embry took the opportunity to scoop up a handful of fresh snow and pack it into a perfectly round and lethal snowball.

Luke walked out of the shop and headed toward the car. He stopped and looked back at Embry, who was hiding her new weapon behind her back and smiling innocently. “You coming, Bree?”

“Yep, right behind you.” She waited for Luke to turn around before she launched the snowball into the air and right at the back of his head. Her aim was a little off, so the snowball hit his right shoulder and exploded in a shower of cold and wet all over his back. He stood frozen to the spot, shoulders tense, facing away from her.

Oh, shit. Embry walked toward Luke, the snow crunching beneath her feet as she waited for him to react, but he didn’t. “Luke?” she asked, hesitantly.

He wouldn’t answer her, wouldn’t turn around. She watched him slowly bend down, but she couldn’t see what he was doing. Did I piss him off that much? She was so engrossed by his change in mood that she missed the fact that he had turned around with a large ball of snow in his gloved hand.

A devilish smile spread across his lips as he faced Embry and yelled, “Run!”

Embry squealed and took off for the other side of the Rover, her boots slipping and sliding on the snow-covered ground. She ducked down beside the front bumper at the same time Luke launched the snowball in her direction. It hit the hood of the car and exploded in a mist of wet snow in her face.

“Shit! That’s cold!” She popped up and scrambled around the SUV as Luke chased after her. Hitting a particularly icy patch, Embry’s feet slid out from under her and she landed on her ass in the snow, laughing hysterically.

Luke stood over her, fighting back a smile. “You all right?” he asked, offering his hand.

“Yep.”

“You sure?”

Embry nodded and took his hand. He pulled her up and bent his head, bringing his mouth down on hers. She lifted up on her toes and dug her fingers into his hair as he pushed her against the back of the car and kissed her senseless.

Luke pulled back, rubbing his nose against hers. “Time to warm up by the fire?” he asked.

“Affirmative.” She grabbed his face with her cold hands and planted a wet kiss on his lips.

* * *

Embry carried in bags of decorations while Luke pulled the tree into the house and set it up in the living room. Bing Crosby sang “White Christmas” in the background as they decorated the tree together.

“Leave it to you to pick the biggest tree on the lot, babe,” he teased.

“Hey! You said to pick any one I wanted,” she said, stringing tinsel across the tree.

“I did. I’m just glad I have high ceilings.” He climbed on the step stool and hung ornaments on the higher branches.

They worked on the tree until it was covered in beautiful, white twinkling lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Luke dimmed the overhead lighting, and they stood back to admire their work, the giant tree glowing in front of them.

Embry wrapped her arms around Luke’s waist and laid her head on his chest. “Thank you.”

He tipped his head down, kissing her hair. “For what?”

“This. Everything.” She looked up at him. “I had a really nice day with you.”

“The day’s not over yet, sweetheart.” A mischievous smile crossed his lips.

“No?”

“Hell no, baby. We can’t have our own Christmas weekend without presents.”

Embry perked up. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“What about your family?”

“We can exchange with them on Christmas, but I want this time with you.”

“Okay.” She smiled and dashed upstairs.

Embry came down a few minutes later with her gifts for Luke and found him sitting on the couch, looking like … well, like a kid on Christmas. He had her gifts on his lap, and he looked as eager as she felt.

“Hi,” she said, sitting on the couch and tucking her legs beneath her.

“Hi,” he said, smirking.

Embry held out the first package to Luke. “Well, Merry early Christmas.” Nerves fluttered in her stomach as he took her gift and handed one to her.

“You first,” he said, nodding to the gift in her hands.

“No, you,” she argued.

“Same time?” he suggested, holding up his gift.

“Okay.”

He smiled and shook the package, making a show of trying to guess what it was. Embry didn’t have his restraint. She tore into the wrapping paper and looked up to see Luke doing the same. She pulled out a pair of barely there red lace panties. They were cute, sexy. He knew she always wore lace, so she figured he was just adding to her collection—since he had ripped a few—until she turned them around.

Embry broke out into peels of laughter as she stared at the large, black G over the crotch. She and Luke were on the exact same page. She looked up to see him beaming at her and holding up a pair of blue and orange flannel pajama pants with a huge Gator on the leg.

“Same brain,” Luke said, smiling and leaning over to brush his lips against Embry’s. “But if you expect me to wear these God-awful pants, I damn well better see you in those later.”

He winked, and she melted. She’d wear whatever the hell he wanted if he kept looking at her like that. “We’ll see,” she teased.

“Next,” Luke said, handing her a long, thin gift.

She pulled the wrapping paper aside to find two envelopes.

“Top one first,” Luke instructed.

Embry opened the envelope and stared down in disbelief at two plane tickets to New Orleans. She looked up at Luke, eyes wide. “New Orleans?”

He nodded. “Ever been?”

“No! But I’ve always wanted to go. This is amazing!”

“There’s more. Open the second envelope.”

Embry slid her finger under the flap and looked into the envelope. Her jaw went slack, and she couldn’t speak. She glanced up at Luke for confirmation and a huge grin was creasing his face, the dimple in his cheek deepening.

“Is this for real, baby?” Embry asked, astonished. Her heart pounded with excitement. Inside the second envelope were two tickets to the Sugar Bowl, where the Gators were playing in a little over a week.

“If you’re up for it.”

“If I’m up for it? Are you kidding me?”

“Not kidding, babe. I booked us tickets for the thirty-first. We can fly down and spend New Year’s in New Orleans since the game is on the second. If you want.”

“Of course I want! Luke, I can’t believe you did this. Thank you so much!” She jumped across the couch and onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, and crushing her lips to his.

Luke smiled against her mouth. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it,” she said, pressing her lips to his again. “I love you.” She returned to her side of the couch, grabbed a large, rectangular present, and placed it in Luke’s hands. “Now your turn.”

“Hmmm … it’s heavy,” he said, inspecting the package.

“Oh, just open it!” she urged, unable to contain her excitement.

Luke paused and raised an eyebrow at Embry. He slowly unwrapped her gift and pulled out a black gift box. He flipped the latch and stared down into the box, his eyes wide. “Embry …” he said, shaking his head.

She smiled, waiting. He pulled the bottle from its box and held it up to the light. Then his eyes found hers.

“Baby,” he said, his face softening, “you shouldn’t have. This had to have cost you a fortune.”

Embry lifted a shoulder and let it fall, unconcerned. She had spent a fortune, but she was able to cover it. She had her research paychecks, and Morgan’s parents hadn’t cashed a single rent check that she’d given them. It left her with extra money for the holidays, and she was happy to spend it on Luke. She’d bought a bottle of his favorite scotch-whiskey, Johnnie Walker Blue, and had it engraved with the words he’d said to her the night Jack showed up at her parents’. I don’t work without you.

“You were worth it,” she said quietly.

Luke carefully put the bottle back in its case and placed it on the end table before pulling her into his lap. He cupped her face, his eyes boring into hers. “I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He reached behind him and pulled out a small box, placing it in Embry’s hand. “I have one more.”

“Okay.” Embry stared at the glossy white box before pulling off the festive green and red ribbons. She lifted the cover to find a … key ring? She pulled it out of the box and turned it over to find a Bulldog hanging from it. “Um, thanks?” Embry straddled his lap. “I love you, but you know I won’t use this right?” she teased.

“Maybe if there was something attached to it,” he hinted.

She tilted her head, a quizzical look crossing her features.

“Ah, there’s something else in the box.” Luke said, his hand automatically going to the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.

“Oh.” Embry peeled back a layer of tissue paper to find a key nestled in the bottom of the box. She stared for a minute before taking it out of the box and rolling it between her fingers. She must have been quiet for too long because Luke wrapped his hand around hers, closing the key in her fist.

“It’s the key to my house,” he said.

Embry’s eyes widened. A million thoughts ran through her mind, making her head spin.

Luke lightly gripped her chin and lifted her eyes to his. “I love you, Embry. I want you in my bed and in my home.” She began to tear up as he continued. “I know it may seem too soon, but I know it’s right. I want you to move in with me.”

“Luke …” Her heart beat fast, excitement warring with anxiety. She had never lived with anyone other than college roommates. She had never had a relationship like theirs either, let alone any relationship since Jack. But she felt more for Luke than she had for anyone else, and a small part of her hoped that he really was it for her.

“I know you may not be ready yet,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Luke—”

“Either way, I want you to have the key and—”

“Luke,” she said more forcefully, grabbing his cheeks in both hands. She couldn’t believe she was about to agree, but he was right. They were right. She stared into his blue depths and believed she could see straight through to his soul. “Yes.” She ghosted her lips against the corner of his mouth. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.” Embry was on her back and his lips were on hers before she finished her sentence.

“I love you so fucking much,” he said between kisses.

“I know,” she replied.

His hands roamed her body, tracing slow, sexy circles over her clothes before slipping under her shirt and pulling it up and over her head. He dropped sweet kisses across her stomach and then made his way up to her breasts. He pulled down the cups of her bra and went to work kissing and teasing her nipples. Embry reached down and tugged at Luke’s shirt until he pulled away to help her get rid of the layer of clothing between them. He tugged the shirt over his head and came back to her, his chest rubbing against her heated skin and causing a moan to rise up her throat.

“I need to be inside you,” he said, joining his mouth with hers.

Embry nodded. Luke stood, removing the rest of his clothes, and set to work undressing her. He swept soft kisses across her body as he pulled off her pants and dragged her panties down her legs. He propped himself up on his elbows, cradled her face in his hands, and tangled his tongue with hers as he slowly slid inside of her.

There was something about two bodies connecting not just for pleasure but for love. Every touch, every feeling was heightened, intense. Luke’s movements weren’t rushed or rough. Although Embry loved that side of him, he was giving her exactly what she needed in that moment. He took his time, slowly dragging himself in and out of her while his hands traveled over her skin and his tongue stroked hers. Before she knew it, she was shouting his name and clenching around him as he let go inside of her.

* * *

Embry and Luke lay tangled together on the couch, the only light in the room coming from the soft glow of the Christmas tree. Luke had pulled on his new Gator pajama pants, and he held Embry against his naked chest. She wore his T-shirt and humored him by wearing the lace Bulldog panties he’d bought her.

The Christmas music had long since stopped playing, and Luke had switched the playlist to blues and jazz. Soft violin strains filled the room as Frank Sinatra’s melodic voice sang about his funny valentine. Embry loved the song and hummed along.

“You like this song?” Luke asked, nuzzling her neck.

“Mmhmmm.”

He sang softly in her ear, and even though his raspy, southern voice singing those words was sexy as hell, Embry started to giggle.

Luke gripped her hips, threatening to tickle. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing really.”

“Tell me,” he commanded, nipping at her ear.

“I’m just surprised to hear Frank Sinatra, that’s all.”

Luke squeezed her hips, causing her to jump. “What? A southern boy like me can’t like Old Blue Eyes?”

Embry turned in his arms so she could see his face. “I just figured you for more of an ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ kind of guy.”

Luke rolled his eyes and looked as if he were fighting a smile. “‘Achy Breaky Heart?’” he asked, incredulous.

Embry nodded, smiling.

“I’ll give you an achy breaky heart,” he teased, his lips trailing along her neck.

She really hoped not.

34

Embry put her key in the lock and walked through Luke’s front door. “Hello?”

After speaking with Morgan’s parents, she had spent the last few days packing up her apartment. She and Luke had decided that it would be better to wait until after the New Year to move in. With his family visiting for Christmas and their trip to New Orleans, the week would be hectic enough. But she had gone home and started the process anyway.

She’d been spending so much time with Luke, her apartment needed some attention. Especially her mailbox. Embry hadn’t checked her mail in over a week and had a stack in her purse that she needed to go through. It was Christmas Eve though, and she was excited and nervous to meet Luke’s family.

“Hey, beautiful.” Luke strode through the foyer with a tow-headed toddler on his shoulders. Her tiny hands were wrapped around his head, pulling on his hair, and he gripped her legs to hold her in place. He bent forward, placing a kiss on Embry’s cheek. “Say hi, Mackalya.”

“Hi, Embee!” The little girl waved from atop Luke’s head.

“Hey, Mackayla,” Embry said, waving back.

“Are you here to have Christmas with us?”

“I am.” Embry smiled and set her keys and purse on the entry table.

“Come on.” Luke grabbed her hand. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Embry’s stomach fluttered with nerves as he walked her through the house and into the living room. Luke’s family was seated casually on the couches, enjoying the warmth of the fire.

“Embee’s here!” Mackayla shouted, announcing her arrival.

His family turned as one to look at them.

“Everyone, this is Embry.” Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and Mackayla took the opportunity to stroke the top of Embry’s head. Luke continued the introduction. “Embry, this is my mother, Caroline, my father, William, my brother, Camden, and my sister-in-law, Lori.”

“Nice to meet you all,” Embry said.

Luke’s family took turns standing to shake Embry’s hand or greet her with a kiss on the cheek. Lori scooted over on the couch to make room, and Embry took a seat. Lori was a tiny thing with blond hair in a pixie cut, a soft face, and green eyes.

“Welcome to the family,” Lori whispered, her eyes kind.

“Thanks,” Embry replied. Everyone seemed so nice, but it was overwhelming meeting Luke’s entire family.

He sat on the opposite couch chatting with his parents. As if he felt her eyes on him, he gave her a wink and a smile before going back to his conversation.

Mackayla ran over and climbed onto Embry’s lap, wrapping her arms around her neck. “Isn’t Embee so pretty, Mommy?”

“She is,” Lori agreed. Then she smiled at Embry. “If you have the seal of approval from this one”—she nodded at her daughter—”then it’s a done deal.”

Embry wrapped her arm around Mackayla’s back and looked down into her big brown eyes. “You’re very pretty too, Mackayla.”

“I know. My mommy and daddy tell me all the time.”

Embry chuckled, and Lori rolled her eyes at her daughter’s lack of modesty.

* * *

They gathered around the table for dinner a while later. Lori and Caroline had prepared a feast.

“This looks wonderful, Mrs. Brody,” Embry said as Luke’s mother set the ham on the table.

“Call me Caroline, please,” she said, as she took a seat at the head of the table, next to Embry. Luke’s mother wore a tweed pantsuit that Embry had instantly recognized as Chanel. Her fading strawberry-blond hair was styled around her shoulders, and it was easy to see where Luke got his baby blues. His mother’s eyes were just as remarkable.

“Okay, Caroline,” Embry said, smiling shyly. Luke reached under the table and squeezed her knee in encouragement. Whether he could tell or not, she was still a nervous wreck, and his touch soothed her.

“So,” Camden said, looking from Luke to Embry. He was tall and broad like Luke. He had lighter hair and hazel eyes, but he had that “Brody” look for sure. He was extremely handsome although, in Embry’s eyes, he didn’t hold a candle to his younger brother. “How did you two crazy kids meet?”

Luke squeezed Embry’s leg again, and she knew to let him do the talking. They wanted to be honest with Luke’s family that Embry was a student, but being that she was no longer his student, they were just going to leave that part out all together.

“Embry was working on a research project with a colleague of mine,” Luke said.

Embry thought that being vague would invite more questions, but he knew his family better than she did. She would follow his lead.

“Anything interesting?” Camden asked.

“Probably not to you,” Luke joked.

Camden shot a glare at Luke before turning and smiling at Embry. “What my baby brother probably failed to mention to you is that I, also, went to law school.”

Hearing Luke referred to as a baby made Embry laugh. “You’re right, he never mentioned it.”

“I thought so,” Camden said. “My brother just loves being the only lawyer in the family.”

Embry eyed Luke. “Is that true?”

Luke smirked. “Cam dropped out after one semester. Law wasn’t his thing.”

“Nope. Turns out running a million-dollar company was,” Camden shot back. Clearly sibling rivalry was alive and well between the Brody boys.

Mr. Brody cleared his throat, interrupting Camden’s gloating. “And whose company would that be that you’re running?” he asked and raised an eyebrow just like Luke would.

That shut Camden right up.

“Thought so,” Mr. Brody said, smiling. He turned his attention to Embry. Other than his hazel eyes, which were identical to Camden’s, looking at Mr. Brody was like seeing Luke thirty years down the road. His dark hair was peppered with gray, but he had the same nose and strong jaw that Luke inherited. “So where did you study law, Embry?”

The question took her by surprise. “Oh, um …”

“She’s studying at Whitman,” Luke jumped in.

“Studying? As in presently?” his father asked.

Embry heard the disapproval in his words, and her cheeks heated as everyone’s attention fell on her.

“Yes, presently,” Luke answered, giving nothing away.

“Lucas,” his mother said, her tone making Embry cringe, “are you her professor?”

“I—”

“No,” Embry cut in. “He’s not.” Technically it wasn’t a lie, but she wasn’t sure where her courage had come from to interrupt like that.

“Embry and I would never have met if she wasn’t working on legal research for one of my colleagues,” Luke added.

His mother nodded and went back to her food. Luke’s entire family became strangely quiet. Embry had expected more of a reaction, but suddenly they all looked very busy with their dinners.

Except Mackayla, who took that opportunity to add to the already awkward situation. “I want Uncle Luke to be my professor one day!”

Dinner continued in silence until Camden started in with a topic that distracted them from the recent conversation. “Where did you do your undergrad, Embry?” he asked, innocently. He had a glint in his eye though, and she had a feeling Luke had already given him the answer to that question.

She looked at Luke, and he grinned at her. “Your funeral,” he whispered.

Embry rolled her eyes at him and looked back to Camden. “I went to the University of Florida.”

Forks dropped around the table as Luke’s family stared at Embry.

“You do realize, sweetheart,” Luke’s father said with a broad smile, “that you’re in a house full of Bulldogs, right?”

“You all went to UGA?” Embry asked.

“Each and every one of us,” Luke’s mother answered. “William and I met there; so did Cam and Lori.”

“I’m gonna be a Dawg someday, too!” Mackayla chirped.

Luke pulled Embry toward him and planted a kiss on the side of her head. “Looks like you’re outnumbered, baby.”

Everyone broke out into laughter. For the next hour, Embry put up with all manner of obnoxious Florida Gator jokes, but she couldn’t be mad about it. It had broken the ice and taken the focus off of her and Luke’s relationship.

* * *

Embry tossed and turned as a loud pounding echoed in her ears. Luke’s arm came around her, pulling her naked body against his.

“Ignore it,” he said in her ear, his voice thick with sleep.

She nuzzled into his chest and did just that, until a too-high voice accompanied the pounding. “Uncle Lukey! Wake up! Wake up! Santa is here!”

Luke groaned and grabbed the comforter, pulling it over their heads. “Make it stop.”

“She’s your niece. You make it stop,” Embry said back, snuggling closer to his warm chest.

Then they heard the door handle jiggle, and Embry shot upright, tearing the covers off of them both. “Did you lock that door?”

He rolled onto his back in all of his naked glory, his erection thick and long against his belly. “Yes, baby. But if I hadn’t, I’m pretty sure that ripping the covers off of us is a surefire way to traumatize my niece.”

Embry glared at him and fell back against the pillows.

“I can hear you talking in there! Santa won’t wait forever!” Mackayla yelled.

Luke ignored the racket outside their bedroom and rolled onto Embry, his warm body covering hers and heating her right up. His hand came up to massage her breast and his fingers teased her nipple as he kissed and nipped at her lips. He groaned against her mouth as his hard cock nudged her entrance.

Embry planted a kiss on his lips and pushed him away. “I am not having sex with you when your niece is on the other side of that door. You know how hard a time I have being quiet.”

“She’ll give up, I promise.”

His lips traveled down her neck and sent a shiver of pleasure up her spine. He made his way down to her breasts, his lips encircling her nipple as he teased her with his teeth. Embry let out a soft moan in response.

“Hear that, baby?” he asked.

“What? I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly,” he said as he went back to work on her breast.

His hand traveled between them, his fingers slipping through her wetness and easily finding their way inside of her. She arched her back, pushing against his hand. And then it was gone. He pulled his fingers from Embry and brought them to his mouth, tasting her.

“Mmm,” he said, his eyes dark with desire. “Santa delivered my Christmas present straight to my bed.”

Pound. Pound. Pound. “Un-cle Luuuuuuke!” Mackayla shouted causing both Luke and Embry to jump.

Luke’s head fell to Embry’s chest as he let out a frustrated huff.

She tugged at his hair, bringing his head up. “Looks like Santa doesn’t want you to open your present just yet,” she said, and pulled him in for a kiss.

“Santa is a sadist.” He pushed out of the bed and walked into his closet. He came out a minute later in the Gator pajama pants and a white T-shirt.

Embry stared in disbelief at his choice of clothing.

He looked down at the pants then back up at her, his lips tipped into a cute smile. “Figured I’d take some of the heat off of you,” he said, bending to kiss her lips. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

She smiled. “Merry Christmas.”

“I’ll go keep the little monster occupied. Why don’t you take a nice hot shower and then come down?”

Embry did exactly as he suggested. After her shower, she slipped into the UGA thong Luke had bought her as a show of good faith—though his family would definitely not be seeing her underwear—threw on a pair of leggings and one of Luke’s sweatshirts, and she started downstairs.

“She’s very nice,” Lori said, her voice traveling up the stairs.

“Yes, she is,” Luke agreed.

Embry stopped halfway down the stairs. She knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help herself. She had a feeling they were talking about her, and she wanted to hear what they had to say. She leaned against the banister and listened.

“Pretty, too,” Camden chimed in.

“Beautiful,” Luke corrected.

Embry wished she could see Luke’s face. Something was off about his voice.

“Spill it. Where are you going with this?” he asked.

“I’m pretty sure you know,” Lori answered.

Luke sighed and Embry could practically see his eyes rolling. “I know.”

“Does she?” Camden asked.

Embry’s stomach dropped. Do I know what?

“Just be careful,” said Lori, her voice pleading. “I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”

Embry heard a door open down the hallway, and Mackayla came barreling down the stairs. Embry barely made out the words, “not like last time,” coming from Luke before Mackayla shouted “Merry Christmas, Embee!” and threw herself into Embry’s arms.

“Merry Christmas, Mackie,” she replied, and wrapped her arms around the little girl. She carried Luke’s niece downstairs and found everyone in the living room.

“Hey, beautiful,” Luke said as she sat next to him.

“Hey,” she said quietly.

Everyone laughed and opened presents around the fire while Embry silently freaked out inside. After all they’d been through, she didn’t want to believe Luke might be hiding something else from her. So when he wrapped her in his strong arms and whispered, “I love you,” she pushed all other thoughts from her mind.