by R. E. Hunter
Embry woke up the next morning to the smell of fresh brewed coffee wafting straight into her bedroom. She let out a soft moan and stretched her arms above her head. There was nothing better than waking up on a winter morning, snow swirling outside the window, wrapped up tight in warm blankets, and sipping on a steaming mug of caffeine. Nothing better—except doing all of that with Luke Brody.
Pulling on an old sweatshirt to fight the morning chill, she snuck into the bathroom to freshen up before making her way into the kitchen. She had to fight back a sigh as she watched Luke in his flannel pants and a tight, worn Georgia T-shirt cooking at the stove. Good morning to me. She’d forgotten how much she had missed mornings with him. There was something about being around him when he was completely relaxed. No sign of the attorney or professor. No suits and ties or reading glasses. Just her sexy southern man.
“Morning, gorgeous,” he called over his shoulder, as if he felt her eyes on him.
She cleared her throat. “Morning.”
Glancing into the living room, she frowned at the folded blanket and pillows on the couch that hadn’t been there last night. “You never came to bed?”
Luke gave a quick shake of his head as he scooped scrambled eggs and bacon onto two plates. “If I had come to bed, babe, there wouldn’t have been any sleeping.”
A thrill of pleasure shot up Embry’s spine.
True to his word, he’d come over after court and spent the night. They ordered sushi and numbed their minds watching old movies while they snuggled on the couch. After falling asleep on his chest for the second half of Goodfellas, she’d gone to bed. He said he’d be right behind her, that he had a few files to go over, but she saw the worry in his eyes and had a feeling his mind was still preoccupied with that afternoon’s events. She hadn’t expected him to sleep on the couch, though. She’d asked to take it slow, and he was respecting her wishes, but they were crawling and it was beginning to get to her.
“That would’ve been okay,” she admitted quietly.
He turned, leaning casually against the counter, his eyebrow raised in question. “What happened to taking it slow?”
Embry shrugged, a half grin on her lips. “Slow-ish?”
Luke moved toward her, a lazy smile spreading across his handsome face. “How slow?”
Embry’s breath came quicker as he reached out, his fingers trailing down the column of her neck. He bent his head, his lips and tongue traveling the same path. She let out a soft moan as he continued to tease. It was deliberate and delicious and torturous as fuck.
“This slow?” he asked, his lips brushing against hers.
Embry closed her eyes and shook her head, then his mouth came down on hers, soft and hard all at once. She opened for him, his tongue stroking hers, gentle and unhurried. He ran his hands through her hair, down her body, everything about his movements careful, controlled, and slow. Gripping her hips, his fingers snaked beneath her sweatshirt, brushing against her bare skin. Heat pooled at her center as she mentally willed his hands to move higher. She wanted to lose herself in him, give herself over completely. No more holding back.
He broke the kiss. “This slow?” he asked again, his voice nothing more than a low rasp.
“No,” Embry sighed.
He grasped her waist, lifting her onto the counter and stepping between her legs. She felt his hard cock straining against his pants, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer. He was right where she needed him.
“Mmm,” he groaned as he ground against her.
He dragged her sweatshirt over her head, leaving her in a thin camisole. Gently sliding the straps down her arms, the gauzy fabric pooled at her waist, and he focused his attention on her breasts. Embry sucked in a breath as he brushed his thumb over the hard peak of her nipple. He kissed her again, his tongue moving in long, languid strokes as he teased her relentlessly. Squirming all over the counter, she wondered how he was maintaining any control whatsoever.
Suddenly his lips were gone, her camisole was back in place, and he was staring at her with a sinful look in his eye. “We’re gonna take it slow, baby. So slow that you’re going to beg me to touch you, to kiss you,” he brushed his lips against hers, “to love you.”
Embry puffed out her cheeks and blew out a long breath, shaking her head. “You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”
A broad grin stretched across his face. He dropped a swift kiss on her lips and helped her down. “You have no idea.”
Embry turned, bending down to pick up her sweatshirt. As she straightened up, she brushed her ass against Luke’s still-hard cock.
He sucked in a sharp breath, and a satisfied smile crossed her lips. “Two can play that game.” She shot him a wink over her shoulder, and he grunted, adjusting himself.
Embry eyed the two plates full of eggs and bacon sitting on the opposite counter. “Breakfast?”
He smirked at her and grabbed a plate.
She poured two mugs of coffee and brought her breakfast to the table. “Mmm, cold eggs and bacon,” she teased.
“It’s your fault,” he shot back. “You distracted me.”
“I distracted you?” Her smile deepened into laughter.
“You did, indeed. You should’ve left well enough alone.”
“If leaving well enough alone means you sleeping on the couch, then I’m glad I didn’t leave it alone.” She stared at him indignantly.
He shrugged. “Just trying to take it slow, baby. It’s what you wanted.”
“You’re infuriating.”
His lips curved into a boyish smile. “But you love me.”
She did. But for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. Something about those three words… as if saying them aloud would give him the power to destroy her all over again.
She went for a change subject. “Why don’t we see if Morgan and Brett can go out tonight? Grab a few drinks?”
Disappointment flashed across his face, but was quickly replaced with a smile. “Out, out?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, out, out. What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, I’m just excited you’re letting me off my leash,” he said, grinning. “I was beginning to think you were ashamed to be out in public with me, and it’s hard to keep my promise when all our plans keep us at home.”
“Not anymore.” She winked. “You’ve got some spoiling to do.”
Embry stepped gingerly out of the back of Brett’s SUV, careful not to slip on the icy parking lot. Luke came around the car, offering his arm, which she gladly accepted. Compared to her sensible heels in court yesterday, these six- inch Michael Kors booties were perfect for a night out. Not so perfect on ice, though.
Brett held the door open, but as Embry moved to walk through, Luke tugged her into his chest and nodded at Brett to go on without them.
He looked down at her, grinning widely. “Hey.” His breath floated away in a cloud of moisture on the frigid air.
Mesmerized by his cobalt eyes, she stared back up at him. “Hey, yourself.”
Cupping her face, he tilted her head, his lips moving softly against hers.
“Mmm,” she sighed against his mouth. “What was that for?”
He shrugged. “Because I can.”
“Really?” she asked, shaking slightly from the cold.
“Yes, really.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her toward the door. In the restaurant, the maître de greeted them, offering to take their jackets. As Luke stood behind Embry, helping her out of her coat, he bent his head and placed a sweet kiss on her bare shoulder. “I thought I’d lost you, Embry,” he whispered, his voice full of emotion. “I thought I’d never get the chance to kiss you again, just because I wanted to or because I could. So, if you don’t mind,” he turned her to face him, his lips hovering just out of reach, “I plan to take advantage of it now.”
“I don’t mind,” she said softly. She was transfixed—captivated. Trapped in his gaze, she was his until he
let her go.
The maître de cleared her throat, breaking their spell. “Would you like to be seated?”
Luke beamed at the hostess, causing a soft pink to rise on her cheeks. “Actually, our friends will most likely be waiting for us at the bar, thank you.” Circling his arm around Embry’s waist, they made their way through the crowd, looking for Brett and Morgan.
The restaurant itself was a sight. It didn’t look like much from the outside; only a small, worn, wooden sign reading Bésame marked its existence. But the inside was intimate, cozy and alive. Dim pendant lights hung from the ceiling above the bar, while large antique chandeliers and lanterns lit up the packed dining room.
Morgan had picked the restaurant. She’d raved about their delicious Mexican food and list of over a hundred tequilas. But her favorite part, she’d said, was that after the dinner crowd cleared out, the tables and chairs were pushed aside, opening up the space for a dance floor.
Luke, having the advantage of height, found Brett and Morgan near the bar.
Brett waved them over, and Morgan stood beside him, grinning like the Cheshire cat. “Hey, lovebirds.”
Embry swatted her playfully.
“We got a little something to start the night off right,” Morgan said enthusiastically.
Lined up on the bar were four shots of tequila, a slice of lime balancing on each rim. Brett grabbed a saltshaker from the bartender, and he and Morgan both licked and salted their wrists, ready for the shot. Luke was next. He reached for the shaker, but Embry was quicker. Snatching the salt from Morgan’s hand, she approached Luke, a wicked smile tipping her lips. She was feeling particularly bold. Given the events of that morning and all of the teasing that had followed, not to mention her Southern Sexy’s affectionate mood, she figured she’d return the favor.
Pushing aside the collar of his shirt, she reached up onto her toes, the tips of her breasts brushing against his chest as she leaned in and dragged her tongue across his neck eliciting a sharp intake of breath. She pulled back, sprinkling salt over the area where she’d just licked, her eyes trained on his.
“Because I can,” she whispered his earlier words back to him.
The heat in his eyes and his fingers digging into her hips were the only indication that she’d affected him. Shooting him a brilliant smile, she ran her tongue across the inside of her own wrist, shaking salt onto her skin.
“Well!” Morgan crowed, her eyebrows nearly reaching her hairline. “I’m pretty sure we’re all ready for a drink after that!”
Grabbing their glasses from the bar, Brett and Morgan downed their shots. As Embry brought her wrist to her mouth, Luke stopped her progress, gripping her arm and shaking his head disapprovingly.
“Uh uh,” he said. He bent his head, keeping his smoldering gaze locked on hers as he slowly licked the salt from her skin, sucking gently at the inside of her wrist until it was gone. Eyes on fire, he tipped the shot into his mouth, then sucked slowly on the lime. “Your turn.”
She pressed her thighs together, hoping to ease the throbbing that still hadn’t eased from this morning. If the teasing between them escalated any further, they might find themselves working it out in the restroom. Not that they hadn’t done it before. She shook her head and laughed internally. They were failing miserably at taking it slow.
Embry grabbed her tequila and lime, and pushed up onto her toes once more. She licked the salt from Luke’s neck, gently nibbling his sensitive skin. She loved his scent, the taste of him mixing with the salt on her tongue. When a low growl rumbled in his chest, she stepped back, startled. His eyes were wild, burning with desire; she knew he’d reached his limit.
But before she could drag him down the nearest empty hallway, Morgan held up a flashing pager, interrupting the moment. “Hey, our table’s ready.”
With a mixture of disappointment and relief, Embry downed the tequila and sucked the lime into her mouth.
“I still have to settle up.” Brett slapped Luke on the shoulder. “You girls go ahead.”
Embry nodded and smiled ruefully at Luke. Bending his head, he placed a sweet kiss on her cheek.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, feeling a tad guilty for her teasing.
He gave her hand a squeeze and flashed her a gorgeous smile. “Never be sorry for making me want you, beautiful.”
Smiling to herself, she hooked her arm in Morgan’s and headed toward their table.
They slid into a rounded booth in the corner and waited for the guys, who looked as if they were ordering a pitcher of something at the bar.
“You two are out of control,” Morgan observed.
Embry felt heat rising up her neck and staining her cheeks. “What?” she asked innocently.
“Oh, please,” Morgan scoffed. “The two of you are oozing sex, it’s ridiculous—and hot as hell.”
“Probably because we haven’t had it yet,” Embry mumbled.
Morgan’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. “Come again?”
Embry chuckled. “I haven’t come at all.”
“It’s been almost a month, what’ve you been doing?” Her friend seemed genuinely distressed.
“Taking things slow,” Embry said defensively. But even she knew how ridiculous it sounded. They were driving each other insane.
“Sex can be slow,” Morgan teased.
Embry rolled her eyes, but she agreed. Taking it slow had taken its toll, and she couldn’t hold out much longer.
Morgan sighed. “Poor Southern Sexy and his southern blue balls.”
Embry smiled knowingly. “If you only knew.”
Luke and Brett made their way back to the table, a pitcher of margaritas for the girls and two beers in hand. “What’re you ladies laughing about?” Brett asked as he slid into the booth next to Morgan.
“Oh nothing,” she responded in her singsong way.
“Something funny?” Luke asked, sliding in next to Embry and nuzzling her neck.
“Oh, yes.” Embry let her hand drift into his lap. “Morgan’s concerned I’m giving you blue balls,” she whispered in his ear.
“Morgan is concerned about my balls?” he asked quietly, amused.
“Very.” Embry walked her fingers slowly up his thigh, her eyes locked on his. “I might have to pay them some attention.”
His hand clamped tightly on hers, picking it up and placing it back in her own lap. “Unless you want to be bent over the bathroom sink,” he said discreetly, nodding his head toward the bathrooms, “you might want to ease up.”
She leaned in, nipping his ear before whispering, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
The tension building between them was almost more than either could handle. Now they were out in public and forced to behave themselves. Embry didn’t want her first time back with Luke to be face down in a porcelain sink as he pounded into her from behind. But at the moment, she wasn’t exactly thinking with her brain.
Her dirty thoughts scattered to the wind as the waiter approached their table. After ordering tableside guac and a few appetizers, they caught up on the past few weeks. Morgan and Embry had opposite schedules this semester and rarely saw each other on campus.
Embry had already filled Morgan in on the Jeremy situation. He’d been giving her the cold shoulder for over a week now, but she hadn’t yet told Morgan about the court conference yesterday.
Luke brought them up to speed on the case, explaining the finer legal details. “If y’all don’t mind,” he reached down to squeeze Embry’s leg in support, “I’d like to call you as witnesses at the hearing, since you saw Jack attack Embry at The Dock.”
“Whatever you need,” Brett promised, and Morgan nodded in agreement.
Luke nodded thankfully. “Thank you.”
Then the conversation turned toward lighter topics, and soon the margarita pitcher was empty. Too impatient to wait for the server, Embry grabbed the jug and headed to the bar. “Who’s coming with me?”
Brett shot Luke a smile and slid out of t
he booth. “I’ve got her.”
He cupped her shoulders with his large hands and steered Embry through the crowd, back toward the bar. “I was hoping I’d have a second with you alone.”
“For what?” she asked curiously, resting her chin in her hand and leaning on the bar.
His eyebrows lifted conspiratorially as he pulled a velvet box from his pocket.
Embry’s eyes widened. Oh. My. God.
He pulled back the lid, revealing the most gorgeous emerald cut engagement ring she’d ever seen. “I need your help.”
“Oh, Brett!” Her hands came up to cover her mouth as her eyes filled with tears. “Anything! I’ll help however I can. I can’t believe this!” She threw her arms around his neck, ecstatic at the thought of her best friends getting engaged.
When the bartender came over, Brett ordered another pitcher of margaritas, then turned back to Embry and began telling her his plan.
“I want to surprise her for her birthday in a few weeks.” His eyes gleamed with excitement. “Get all her close friends and family together. I’ve already picked the place, I just need your help getting her there.”
Embry nodded, still shocked.
“You’re her best friend in the world” —he looked at her affectionately— “and you’re like family to me. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have help me with this.”
She choked back tears and smiled brightly. Brett had always been like a big brother to her. She couldn’t be happier. “I’m honored. I’m so happy for you both! She’s going to lose her mind!”
Brett returned her smile. “I know it may be a bit much, trying to plan a wedding during law school, but we’ve been together long enough. I don’t want to wait anymore. I have to make her mine.”
Embry’s cheeks hurt from smiling. “She’s yours already, Brett,” she placed a gentle hand on his arm, “but it’ll be perfect, I just know it. I’m here for whatever you need.”
“I’ll text you and we’ll iron out the details, but I really wanted to ask you in person.”
She wrapped Brett in another hug and they grabbed the pitcher, heading back through the dining room.