by Cathryn Fox
Emery sat next to him and, unable to help himself, he reached for her hand. Sexual chemistry bubbled between them and he wondered if the others could feel it.
He squeezed his fingers around hers, and in no time at all they were all kicking back and enjoying themselves, that is until Sky started telling Emery stories of his childhood antics.
When he saw Emery laugh—at his expense—he buried his face in his hands. She pulled them away, gave him an amused look, and then, without warning, she dropped a soft kiss onto his mouth. As if she realized what she’d done, she looked away sheepishly. He caught Garrett’s raised eyebrow, and was pretty sure he was going to have to beat the crap out of him before the night was over.
By the time the fire had died down, they’d all put back way too much beer. Garrett was the first to call it a night. A mischievous look danced in his eyes as he grabbed his wife. “Dibs on the king-sized bed,” he said as Tallulah snuggled in close.
“That’s my bed,” Caleb announced, jabbing his thumb into his chest.
“Caleb, remember that time in Afghanistan—”
“Fine,” Caleb said, cutting him off. “I’ll sleep on the boat.” He pointed to Garrett. “Then we’re even.”
“Nah, it’s going to take a lot more than that to get us even.”
Caleb shook his head. “What was that Luke said about you being an asshole?”
They all laughed, and Luke looked at Emery, loving the way she was sitting back and enjoying the easy camaraderie between friends. It was easy to see she was soaking it up, and how much she longed to be a part of a group of friends like this.
“Yeah, I’ll join you,” Matt said to Caleb, like he was making it perfectly clear that he wouldn’t be shacking up with Kat, who actually seemed more interested in Josh anyway.
Luke stood and pulled Emery up with him. “Ready to call it a night?” he said as he brushed her hair from her face. She yawned and he smiled. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“It’s been a long week.”
“And hard,” he whispered. “Don’t forget hard.”
She just shook her head at his one-track mind.
They followed the others inside, and took the stairs to the loft—the spot they had claimed for themselves last night and woke up together in this morning—as everyone found a spot to sleep. Matt and Caleb went to the boat, while Garrett and Tallulah took the big room. Kat and Sky claimed the other smaller beds while Josh found himself on the sofa in the main room.
“No privacy tonight,” Luke said as he glanced at the bed they’d made wild love in last night. He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “You could probably use a break anyway,” he teased.
She smiled at him, but he sensed a shift in her. “Everything okay?”
Her hair fell over her shoulders when she nodded, but suddenly everything felt different between them. His heart raced as foreign emotions ambushed him. It was obvious something was happening, something he had no control over.
The place fell quiet and their eyes met as they peeled off their smoky clothes, leaving them on the floor. Emery reached into her bag and pulled on a T-shirt. He stood there looking at her, trying to remember how to breathe as she climbed beneath the sheets. As it grew harder and harder to fill his lungs, Luke stripped naked and settled in next to her. He reached for her hand and their fingers linked, like they needed the contact. They lay there for a moment, electricity crackling between them as they stared at the star-studded night through the skylight, both lost in their own thoughts.
After a while Luke rolled to his side, her nearness making him breathless and his need for her too strong to deny. “Hey,” he whispered, not wanting to disturb the others. “You awake?”
“I’m awake,” she said quietly, turning to face him.
Her scent wrapped around him and he knew he was done for. He put his hand around her head and drew her to him, desperate, so goddamn desperate to take her again. His mouth found hers and he kissed her gently, softly, running his tongue over her lips slowly so he could savor her in her entirety. She moved beside him, her body so warm and welcoming, so responsive to his touch, it did the strangest things to him.
“God, you taste good,” he whispered into her mouth, the hunger he felt for her consuming him.
In the warmth of the loft, the moonlight slanted in through the skylight and fell over their bodies. It created such a cozy, romantic atmosphere, and had him wanting to lose himself in her again. It was impossible to ignore the heat between them. The blankets ruffled as he pulled her beneath him, her small gasp letting him know he’d taken her by surprise.
“Emery,” he whispered into her ear, feeling a strange new pull between them as she relaxed beneath his body. Even though Josh was just below them, and they probably shouldn’t have been having sex with so many within earshot, he murmured, “I need to be inside you, sunshine.”
“We’re in a loft,” she whispered and pointed toward the main level. “And Josh is right there.”
“I know,” he said, but goddammit he needed her in the worst way. “You’re just going to have to try to be quiet this time.”
That pulled a smile from her. She opened her mouth to counter, and he brushed his lips over hers. She melted into his touch and he lifted his head to see her face as he pushed her hair from her forehead. The moonlight fell over her, and as she gazed up at him with those expressive eyes of hers, it made him think about all her hurts. His heart thumped harder, everything inside him reaching out to her, and wanting to take away past pain.
Emotions passed over her eyes as their gazes met and locked, the look so potent, so compelling, it touched something deep inside him. She lightly ran her hands over his back, her fingers caressing gently. This time there was no pulling and pushing, just a soft exploration as she reacquainted herself with his body.
He reached between their bodies and pushed her T-shirt up. Working to keep his breathing regulated and silence his groans of want, he kissed the outer edge of her breast and her body came alive beneath him. She moved against his mouth, and as her body writhed with want, the bed coils squeaked beneath them.
“Shit,” he murmured, and when she giggled, Luke put his hand over her mouth, which made them both laugh a little louder.
“I feel like I’m back in high school doing something I shouldn’t be doing,” he whispered into her ear.
“It does feel kind of inappropriate doesn’t it,” she responded. “Not that I did this kind of thing in high school.”
“Well then, that makes me want to do it all the more. Everyone should have naughty high school memories.”
“You’re a bad influence, Luke Phillips.”
“I know.”
His mouth found hers again, and he kissed her deeply, everything in what they were doing suddenly feeling far more intimate than ever before. His blood pounded hard as he licked a path down her flesh. He swiped his tongue over her belly button, then settled between her legs. She opened for him, and it was crazy how much he wanted to pleasure her, to plant himself between her thighs all night and make her come until sun up.
He licked her lightly and her hips came off the bed. Warmth streaked through him as she responded. Jesus, he’d never tire of tasting her. He touched her thighs to widen them, and his fingers began a slow climb. When he reached her hot core, he pushed two fingers inside and her liquid heat lubricated his hand. Fuck. He loved how she was always so hot and ready for him.
His cock throbbed as he pushed his fingers into her, slowly circling the bundle of nerves he now knew so well. Her hands raced over his shoulders, and for some reason this time her touch felt different. Entirely lost in the moment, in her, his body began thrumming, wanting to be inside her, but wanting more to pleasure her.
She made a whimpering noise, and gripped the bedsheets. He grinned up at her, watching her struggle to be quiet. She was so adorable and his depth of desire for her was pretty damn frightening. He swiped her clit, knowing just how she liked it, and her pussy muscles spa
smed and drew his fingers in deeper. He bit back a curse. Christ, he loved the way she came for him. If he had it his way, he’d spend the rest of his life in bed with her, just making her come over and over again.
When her muscles stopped quivering, he climbed over her and pulled on a condom. His mouth found hers as he pushed in slowly, taking his time to concentrate on each point of pleasure as he gave her inch by inch.
Her body softened, opened and he gave her all of himself, burying himself in her balls deep. The second he entered her, a new, deeper intimacy formed between them, a connection like he’d never felt with another woman. He never knew it could be like this. Not like this.
He stayed still, having no desire to move or ever leave this bed, this position. Yeah, burying himself in her like this forever sounded like a pretty damn good idea.
“Luke,” she whispered breathlessly. “Please…”
He had no idea what she was pleading for, he only knew that whatever it was, he needed it too. With slow, easy strokes, he moved his hips, his cock sliding in and out of her. He briefly pinched his eyes shut and took his time to feel everything as he made love to her.
Flames moved through him and his breath grew shallow. He went up on one elbow and looked at her, took in the warmth in her eyes, the expression on her face. He’d always wanted her, but tonight it felt different. He took a deep breath, rattled by the emotions she brought out in him. Her eyes darkened as she came, and he kissed her, burying her muffled cries as he joined her in orgasm. After a long while he pulled back, and as her lashes fluttered up at him, he knew he hadn’t just crossed a line in the sand with her. He’d jumped on it, mocked it, and kicked it to the curb as he took what he wanted…no…needed.
Ah, Jesus. He was in so much fucking trouble.
Chapter Ten
Emery glanced up from her chair and couldn’t help but smile when she found Luke standing in her doorway. “Hey,” she said, her mind going back to the glorious weekend they’d just had, to when she opened herself up to him emotionally as well as physically. Her heart raced, and even though she was used to people taking and then leaving, as she looked at him now, she knew there was something deeper between them, could feel it in every fiber of her being. They’d connected on another, more meaningful level, and for the first time in her life, she felt important, cherished, like she truly meant something to someone. Then there were his friends. They’d been so kind, and contrary to what Luke had said, she actually felt like she fit into his world. The only things his friends had wanted, were to ensure she was comfortable and had a good time.
“Hey yourself.” He stepped in, and dropped a soft kiss onto her mouth. “I have to take off. I’m meeting a guy about a van, and then I want to stop by the pawnshop.”
“Okay,” she said, thinking about the private errand she wanted to run.
He gave her a wink. “Maybe when I get back we can cut out early.”
“I think I’d like that,” she said, and then he gave her another kiss before he stepped back into the market.
As soon as he left, Emery grabbed her purse and slipped out the back, not wanting Colt or Tanner to see where she was going. She walked quietly through the back streets, then hailed a cab. Ten minutes later, she sat in the backseat and stared up at the building where she’d seen Luke’s sister a few days ago.
Feeling a bit nervous, and knowing full well she was overstepping boundaries, she waited a bit longer. She knew it was a long shot coming here in the hopes of seeing Allison. His sister was likely already up and gone for the day. Emery was about to climb from the cab and try knocking on her door anyway, when up ahead at the corner, she spotted Allison coming from the coffee shop.
“Wait here,” she said to the driver.
With her stomach in knots, she slipped from the backseat and walked toward her. Allison had ear buds in and seemed lost in her thoughts as she walked toward Emery.
Just as she stepped past her, Emery called out to her. “Allison,” she said loud enough to be heard over the music.
Allison spun around and pulled her ear buds out. Her eyes narrowed as if she were trying to place Emery.
Emery held her hand out. “Hi, I’m—”
Just then Allison’s eyes went wide and she took a distancing step back. “I know who you are.”
Okay, that took Emery by surprise. “You do?”
“Of course. How could I ever forget a Taylor, considering your father was responsible for ruining my family?”
As anger radiated off Allison, Emery’s entire body stiffened, and her voice lodged in her throat. Oh God, maybe she was making a big mistake here. She took a small step back.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Why did you come?” Allison asked, staring at her with those same haunted gray eyes she’d become so familiar with.
Emery wrung her fingers together. “I wanted to talk to you about Luke.”
A bevy of emotions moved over Allison’s eyes. “What about him?”
“I think he’d really like to see you.”
Allison went quiet for a very long time, her emotions so close to the surface, then she finally asked, “Did he say that?”
“Not in so many words. But I think he’s afraid to talk to you. He’s afraid you hate him.”
Emery’s heart went out to Allison as tears welled up in the girl’s eyes. Her shoulders sagged, and her backpack slipped off and fell to the ground. “I don’t hate him. How could I ever hate him? He’s my brother.”
“I know where he is if you want to see him.”
Her brow furrowed, but a mixture of worry and love danced in her eyes. “You do?”
She nodded. “He’s probably going to kill me for doing this, but he’s hurting, Allison, and I don’t want him to hurt anymore.”
“Why do you care?”
Because…she loved him.
“He’s working for me.”
Allison’s head came up with a start, her long dark ponytail bouncing around her shoulders. “He’s what?”
“He’s setting up a security system at my market.”
“Oh my God.” Allison gave a low, slow whistle. “I never thought he’d step foot in that place again.” She looked at the ground like she was reliving painful memories. “Something really important must have driven him to do it, otherwise…”
Emery took a moment to think about that. There was no denying that she had spent time wondering why he’d taken the job after all he’d been through with her father.
“If you can go see him, I think you should.” Allison didn’t say anything, she just stared at Emery, her eyes glassy. Emery got the sense that Allison’s thoughts were so far away, she was looking through Emery, not at her. Even though she was overstepping boundaries, Emery couldn’t help but ask, “Why did he push you out of his life?”
She gave a slow shake of her head. “I don’t know. Juvie changed him I guess.” She went quiet and the ghosts returned to her eyes. “He was such a great brother and a great guy. Everyone loved him. Then he got hard, hateful, especially toward me.” Pain moved over her face, and Emery’s eyes filled with tears as she thought about how tough life must have been after Luke had been removed from her life, for all of them. “I believed in him, you know. I knew he didn’t steal anything. Even though he swore to me he did, and told me I was better off without a thief like him in my life.” She tugged on her ponytail. “His best friend Shane supported him too. He used to justify Luke’s actions by saying desperate times make people do desperate things. But my father turned his back on him. It destroyed our family.”
Emery thought back to Trent, and how desperate times drove him to steal for his family. “Maybe he stole to help feed his family.”
Allison gave her an odd look. “I’m guessing you know my brother pretty well if you’re here talking to me.”
“I do.” Or at least she thought she did.
“Well, if you did you wouldn’t be asking me that question.”
Emery’s he
art raced. What the heck? She wanted to ask what Allison meant by that, to get to the bottom of matters, but before she could get her thoughts organized enough to ask, Allison’s friend called out to her. “Hey, Allison.”
Allison looked at Emery, then at her friend. She picked her backpack up from the ground and tossed it over her shoulder. “I have to go.”
“Will you go see Luke?”
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was go see my big brother. He was the one who pushed me away.”
“Here.” Emery grabbed a piece of paper from her purse and scribbled his address down. “I understand if you don’t want to come by the market. He can also be found here.”
Allison took it and after she left, Emery’s thoughts ran a million miles an hour. Her legs felt numb beneath her as she went back to the cab. She stared out the window and tried to make sense of her conversation with Allison. She thought she knew Luke, having spent so much time with him lately, bonding with him on another level, but after talking to Allison, she was wondering if she really knew him at all.
A short while later, she slipped in through the back door of the market. She booted up her computer, looking for information on Luke, and what had actually happened all those years ago. Shuffling noises at her door had her lifting her head.
“Dad,” she said, climbing to her feet to give him a hug.
“Where you been, missy?” he asked, and when she looked at him, she noticed the new lines around his eyes. He looked so tired, so worn out, like he hadn’t slept in days.
“I was away with some friends,” she said, not wanting to upset him.
He scoffed. “Friends? You don’t have any friends.”
Her stomach clenched and she inched away, hating that he would say that to her. She loved her dad dearly but he could be so hard sometimes.
“You were with that guy, weren’t you?”
“I was just at a cottage.”
He scowled. “Yeah with him.” He raised his cane. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay as far away from him as possible.” He gave her a disapproving stare. “Once a thief always a thief.”