by Kaylea Cross
Luke shook his head. “No thanks needed. You’re all family.” Before he could say anything else, his cell rang. He pulled it out, his pulse jumping when he saw Jamie’s number. “Got news?” he asked his friend.
“Yeah.”
“Hold on, I’m gonna put you on speaker. Got Dec and Rhys here with me.” He hit the button and held the phone out. “Go.”
“The Feds raided the storage unit a few hours ago. It was full of heroin, opium, cash and weapons. Six-million-dollars’ worth.”
Dec gave a low whistle and folded his arms to lean against the side of the bookcase on the far wall. Rhys’s expression remained unreadable.
“Anything else?” Luke asked.
“Yeah, Kader left his laptop in there as well. Techs found enough evidence against Hanes to add over a dozen international crimes to his tally. Including blackmail, murder, and human trafficking.”
Asshole. Luke made a sound of disgust. “So that’s it?”
“What, you wanted more?”
Luke’s mouth twisted into a half-smile. “Nope. Glad the fucker’s dead.” The Feds had dragged his body from the harbor the morning after the firefight at the fort.
“I am too. I wanted to update you as soon as I got the news.”
“I appreciate it.”
“Merry Christmas, Hutch.”
“Yeah. Merry Christmas.” He ended the call and looked at the others. “It’s over.”
It was over, yet he couldn’t let it go.
Couldn’t get past that this had happened here, where everyone should have been safe. Couldn’t get past the thought that Em might have been the one taken if she hadn’t gone into the bathroom with Nev. Or the very real threat that he might lose her yet, to an enemy he couldn’t see.
When the others had gone upstairs, he entered their bedroom and locked the door. Em was still in the bath. He could smell the vanilla scent of the bath gel she used.
The bathroom door was partly open. He pushed it aside and found her in the tub, a layer of bubbles resting just below her collarbones.
She gave him a tentative smile. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s fine.” But it wasn’t. And he couldn’t make it fine.
A wave of protectiveness and need crashed through him. He could protect her from all kinds of threats, but not the one happening in her body right now, and that ripped him to shreds inside.
She stilled in the water, held his gaze as he strode toward the tub. “Luke?”
He was past talking, the need to claim her eclipsing everything else. He snagged a towel from the rack, then reached down and plucked her from the water.
She made a startled sound and grabbed his shoulders as he pulled her out of the tub. Wrapping the towel around her, he scooped her back up and strode out of the bathroom to their bed.
Em sat up as he placed her on the comforter, her face worried as she cupped the side of his cheek. “Luke, what’s wrong?”
Everything. Everything was wrong except this.
He needed her. And he desperately craved the reassurance and oblivion only she could give him.
He plunged a hand into her hair and kissed her, absorbing her tiny jolt of surprise. He was too worked up to explain himself, his heart racing, his whole body strung taut.
But she understood. As always, Em understood without him saying anything. She cradled his head in her hands and kissed him back with equal passion, pulling him down on top of her.
Luke groaned into her mouth and reached for the bottom of his shirt, breaking the kiss only long enough to peel it over his head. He stripped everything else off, then turned back to her, pausing to drink her in.
The bathroom light was still on, spilling out the door in a trail across the floor and over their bed. Em lay on her back, totally naked, and she didn’t cover herself to hide her scars.
Letting him see her fully, only a trace of uncertainty in her gaze. So fucking beautiful and brave it made his heart clench.
He stretched out on top of her, giving her his weight and warmth, then stroked her hair back from her forehead and bent to fuse their mouths together. She welcomed him with a soft hum and wound her limbs around him, drawing him closer.
He rocked into her, the rigid length of his cock cradled against her softness. Wanting inside her. But not until she was as hungry for him as he was for her.
He kissed his way down her neck, his hands moving lower, paving the way for the path of his lips until they caressed the scar she hated so much on the right side of her chest.
Her muscles tensed a little but he kissed every inch of her scar while his fingers played with her taut nipple. She gasped, lifting into his touch, asking for more.
He rewarded her by taking the point into his mouth, sucking while his fingers caressed her velvety skin, following the line of her ribs to her abdomen, then down to feather along the inside of her thighs.
She held her head to him and parted her legs, her breathing speeding up. He released her nipple to nuzzle the slight curve of her belly, trailing his fingertips up to the soft folds between her legs. She moaned when he touched her there, but he would make her even wetter.
He needed his mouth on her. His tongue on her and inside her.
His hands curled around her hips, holding her still while he settled his mouth over her. Em gave a soft, keening cry and gripped his hair. He held her steady, keeping her in place while he stroked and caressed.
Gentle and slow, doing all the things he knew she loved. When her breathing turned erratic and her thighs started trembling, he shifted lower and eased his tongue into her.
“Luke,” she breathed, her hips lifting, eyes closed, her face awash in pleasure.
He loved seeing her like this. Got off on the sensual tension thrumming through her body, and knowing he was making her feel good.
With one last decadent caress over her clit, he eased back and turned her onto her knees. He was hard and throbbing, the need to bury himself inside her tearing through him.
Guiding her upper body down to the bedding with a hand on her upper back, he gripped her hips and settled the head of his cock against her core. She shifted restlessly, her cheek on the comforter as she angled her head to watch him with heavy-lidded eyes.
Luke leaned over her, kissed her shoulder, her cheek, the edge of her lips while he reached beneath her to cup her mound. Instantly she grabbed his hand and began rubbing her clit against his fingers, holding him right where she needed him.
“Need you,” he said in a rough voice.
She nodded, rocking her hips in a sexy rhythm. “Need you too.”
He leaned over to open the drawer of her nightstand and pulled out her favorite toy. Positioning it between her legs, he turned it on low and moved it over her clit, knowing he had the right spot when she gasped.
He tightened his free hand on her hip, turned up the speed and eased forward, seating himself with a slow, deep thrust that made them both moan.
Luke paused, shuddering as her warmth closed around him. She whimpered and kept moving, each tiny motion of her hips massaging his cock.
There were no words now, only the gentle hum of the toy and the sound of their bodies as they moved together. He fine-tuned the placement of the toy, finding just the right spot on her clit.
Em moaned, the look on her face and the way she clenched around him telling him she was close. He kept his thrusts smooth and steady, even as he wanted to plunge deep and hard. His restraint was rewarded by her erotic whimpers while he stroked in and out of her slick heat.
Pleasure drenched him, dragging him closer and closer to the edge. She went over with a muffled sob. Luke wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close, savoring the way she writhed through her release.
Finally, she reached down to turn off the toy. He set it aside, breathing fast, the need to come making him shake.
But he needed more. Needed to be face to face with her.
Easing out of her warmth, he rolled her to her back. E
m smiled drowsily up at him and drew him close, reaching down to close her fingers around his rigid length. He closed his eyes and shuddered, shifting closer.
Em guided him into her, wrapped her arms and legs around him. Holding her gaze, he thrust deep, a low growl coming from him.
He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed closer, burying his face in her hair. Her silken arms gathered him closer. Enveloping him with her warmth and love.
Luke slid both arms around her, clutching her to him. Wanting closer. To stay locked in her forever.
“Em,” he choked out, driving faster. Nearing the edge of oblivion and never wanting it to end.
Em murmured something and kissed the side of his face, holding him tight. “Let go,” she whispered. “I’ve got you.”
His arms tightened around her as the pleasure crested. Release punched through him, along with a savage sense of possessiveness and satisfaction. She was his, and nothing or no one was taking her from him.
Breathing hard, heart racing, Luke groaned and sagged into her embrace. She held him, those soft, magical hands running slowly up and down his damp back. Stroking his hair, his shoulders.
He couldn’t let go. Couldn’t bear to tear himself away from her.
“Love you, Luke,” she murmured drowsily.
He kissed the side of her neck and held her tight. “Love you too.”
Holding her in the darkness, he wished he could freeze time. Because they were supposed to get a call about the test results tomorrow.
And he’d never been more afraid of anything in his life.
Chapter Seventeen
Emily bustled around the kitchen the next morning, humming along to the old-fashioned Christmas carols playing softly in the background. She’d slept in until seven and woken rested and refreshed in Luke’s arms.
That was one of her favorite things about having him back. Waking up with him wrapped around her, just lying there in the quiet listening to his even breathing and soaking up the warmth and sense of safety at being close to him.
Last night had been intense, him desperate to connect and her desperate to soothe him. Because of the call that could come at any moment.
She swept the thought aside, refusing to get stuck on it. It was Christmas Eve, her favorite day of the year, and they all had so much to be grateful for.
Sam and Ben were still at the hospital, but Ben’s fever was gone and his vitals were strong. If he kept improving the way he had, he was supposed to be discharged late in the afternoon—as long as he did as she and Nev told him. Otherwise he’d find himself back in the hospital in short order.
While on lockdown at the rental safehouse with the others she’d lost the better part of two days in her holiday preparations. She had to make up for lost time and wanted everything ready by the time Sam and Ben got here. Even if he might not have much of an appetite to begin with, she planned to have all kinds of things to tempt him with, just in case.
“Holy, how much butter did you guys buy?”
She looked up as Christa and Bryn entered the kitchen, then glanced at the countertop beside her. They were right. There was a lot of butter. “I dunno. A lot.”
“I’ll say,” Christa said, laughing as she took in all the blocks Emily had set out to soften on the island. “What are you making?”
“Looks like she’s making a little of everything,” Bryn remarked, staring at it all.
“What can we help with?” Christa asked, already pushing up the sleeves of her sweater.
“Pie filling or cookie dough would be great.” Emily pushed a lock of hair back from her forehead with the back of one flour-covered hand and resumed rolling the pastry for the pies. She had three different kinds going: apple, pecan and pumpkin, and three different kinds of homemade cookies as well.
She passed Christa a package of pecans to chop, and Bryn a bowl of shortbread dough. “I asked Ben’s mother what his favorite Christmas treats were so I could have some ready when he gets here,” she said. “So, an apple pie for Ben, coming up. And when they arrive, Sam can take a break and let the rest of us take over the nursing duties.”
“Aww.” Christa stepped up to put an arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “This is why everyone loves you, Em. You and your big, squishy heart.”
That made her smile. “I do have a squishy heart.” It had caused her a lot of pain over the years, but she wouldn’t have changed it for anything.
Even her situation with Luke she wouldn’t have changed. As devastating as it had been for him to walk out on her and Rayne all those years ago, it made having him now a thousand times sweeter. “Where’s Nev?”
“Right here.” She walked in looking sleepy but content, her hair loose around her shoulders. “Had a late night last night at the hospital. Let’s just say we’re gonna have our hands full making Ben stay in bed. When I left, he was trying to walk himself to the bathroom, after having pulled out his catheter.”
“Well, if he doesn’t behave, we’ll put it back in for him,” Emily said, making the others laugh. But she was serious. Squishy heart or no, she was a firm nurse. Ben wasn’t getting away with anything here that he wouldn’t on her ward.
The murmur of voices reached her from the back porch, then the French door opened. Luke strode through with Rayne, Dec and Rhys.
Luke caught her gaze and gave her a slow smile that set her pulse pounding. Last night had been so damn good. She’d only ever been able to let go like that with him, maybe because he made her feel safe even on a subconscious level.
“You didn’t waste any time,” he remarked, sauntering over to her.
“You know me. Gotta keep busy.”
He hummed in agreement and wrapped his arms around her from behind, his lips on the side of her neck. “Need a nap?”
It was ten in the morning. “No,” she said on a laugh, knowing sleeping was the last thing on his mind. “But you can help me decorate the cookies.” She looked around at the others. “Do you mind?”
She got uncertain looks from Dec and Rhys, but in the end, everyone pitched in. It was adorable to see a huge, hard man like Rhys piping royal icing onto the gingerbread people, and Dec adding chocolate candies for the eyes and buttons. Bryn took a break in chopping the pecans to take lots of pictures of them.
Luke rolled out the sugar cookie dough, then cut them with her great-grandmother’s cutters while Christa and Nev worked on the shortbreads. “I can feel my pancreas giving out already,” he said, eyeing all the treats being made, and Emily chuckled.
After finishing the icing outline around the edge of one gingerbread cookie, Rhys paused, frowning as he looked at the spices set out on the counter. “What’s this?”
Emily glanced up and smiled. “Your brother.” She’d put them on the counter because they reminded her of him and made her smile.
Rhys smirked and went back to his piping. “Figures.” A ring tone went off. He set down the bag of icing and pulled out his phone, then answered. “Hey, what’s up?” He paused, straightening. “Really? Yeah, absolutely. I’ll be there in fifteen.”
“What?” Emily asked as he ended the call. Everyone was watching him.
“Ben’s being discharged now.”
“Now?” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion, wondering how he’d managed to get them to release him hours ahead of schedule. “I won’t ask how or why.”
“Probably for the best,” he answered, one side of his mouth tugging upward. He wiped his hands on a kitchen towel. “I’d better get going.”
“We’d better get going too,” she said to the others, untying her apron. “Christa, can you throw the shortbreads and sugar cookies into the wall oven? It’s already preheated. Start watching them at eleven minutes.” She gestured to Luke. “Help me get the bed ready.”
She hurried upstairs to get fresh linens. They’d decided to put a bed in Luke’s study for Ben, so he wouldn’t have to worry about stairs until he was stronger. And there was a shower in the downstairs bathroom two doors down.
Just as they were finishing dressing the bed together, her cell phone rang on Luke’s desk. He grabbed it and seemed to freeze for an instant before his gaze shot to hers. Just as quickly he looked away and answered it. “Luke Hutchinson.”
Emily’s heart started to pound. Oh, lord. Was it…
He turned away from her as he listened, and dread tightened her insides like a fist. The oncologist. Had to be. Calling to give them the results of the tests.
She straightened, stood there staring at Luke’s broad back while the tension drew tighter and tighter in her gut. All the fear she’d buried these last few days and managed to forget about due to everything that had happened came rushing back in a terrifying wave.
“Yeah, she’s right here.” He turned to face her, the same dread she was feeling reflected in his face.
And that frightened her more. Luke didn’t get scared. And he never let it show. Oh shit, no…
“It’s the oncologist,” he said, watching her. “He has the results.”
She swallowed, suddenly cold and feeling shaky as hell. But she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. She’d fought this battle before and won, at least temporarily. She would fight it again.
“Put him on speaker so we can both hear.” She wanted him to hear it firsthand, so she wouldn’t have to repeat anything. Luke did.
“Hi, Mark,” she said, every muscle in her body tight.
“Emily, hi.”
“Hi,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. She wanted to be brave, especially in front of Luke, but inside she was terrified. When he stepped over to wrap a steadying arm around her shoulders, she leaned into him gratefully. Okay. She was ready. Whatever the doctor was about to say, they would face it together. “You have the test results?”
“Yes.” He paused.
Emily shut her eyes, bracing herself.
“Merry Christmas, Emily. You’re cancer free.”