“Okay.” Embry sat up and began packing up the cooler. “Where to now?” She knew where she wanted to go—back to her or Luke’s place—but she didn’t know what else he had planned.
Luke rubbed the back of his neck, something Embry noticed he did out of nervousness or frustration. “I was thinking I could take you back to my place, if that’s okay by you. Maybe watch a movie?”
“I’d like that.”
7
A while later, Luke pulled into a driveway in front of a large townhouse. “This is me.”
They unloaded the car and headed toward the house. Luke unlocked the door and gestured for Embry to go in ahead of him. The door opened into a large foyer.
“Wow, this place is bigger than it looks from the outside, huh?” Embry said.
“Yeah, it’s not bad. You want the grand tour?”
“Yes, please.”
Luke grabbed her hand and led her into the kitchen to the left of the foyer. He dropped the cooler on the counter. “Kitchen.”
The word kitchen didn’t do it justice. Embry stood in the middle of the room admiring the granite countertops, beautiful cabinets, and one-touch stove top. If she was as good a cook as Luke, she’d love a kitchen like his. Hell, she barely cooked and she’d still love a kitchen like his.
“Wow, you must love cooking in here.”
“Truthfully, I haven’t gotten much use out of it yet.”
“Maybe we can change that,” Embry said, nudging Luke.
“Maybe we can.” He smiled. Luke led Embry through the kitchen and into what looked like a formal dining room, but it was empty. “Dining room. Still waiting on the table to be delivered.”
From the dining room, they headed into the living room. A large sectional couch, with what looked almost like a bed at one end, took up most of the room. The couch was a warm brown that matched the entertainment center and other furniture. What had to be at least a fifty-inch flat screen hung on the wall opposite the couch.
“This is really nice, Luke. Did you decorate it?”
“Thanks. Nope, this is a perk of having an interior designer for a sister-in-law. I just gave her an idea of what I wanted, and she picked out and ordered everything.”
“That’s right. I forgot you said Lori was into interior design.”
“Come on, let’s go throw some popcorn in the microwave. It’ll be done by the time I show you the rest of the house. Then we can pick out a movie.”
Embry nodded and followed Luke into the kitchen. He pulled a package of popcorn from the pantry and put it in the microwave, then led Embry through the rest of the lower level. They headed up the stairs that sat off the foyer.
Luke pointed at the three doors to the left. “Those are the guest bedrooms and bathroom.” Then he grabbed Embry’s hand and led her through the door on the right. “My bedroom.”
Embry walked into a huge room with a gorgeous bed. It was so large, it had to be a California king. The bed frame was a rich espresso, the headboard padded in matching leather. Embry looked toward the right of the bed and saw two doors.
“Master bath and walk-in closet,” Luke provided, coming up behind her. He gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. She turned to the left and saw French doors leading out to a balcony.
Embry turned to Luke. “It’s beautiful, Luke. Thanks for the tour.”
“Anytime.” He winked.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. She felt the pressure of being in Luke’s bedroom, the gigantic bed within reach. They stared at each other, the weight of it all freezing them to the spot. Embry chewed on her lip as Luke stood close enough to touch. Just when she couldn’t take a minute more, a loud beeping from the first floor startled them out of their moment.
“Saved by the bell,” Luke said with a sheepish grin. “That’s the popcorn.”
Embry stared at Luke, not sure what to say.
“Come on, beautiful. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” Luke gave her a knowing look.
Taken aback, Embry shook her head. “No, I’m not uncomfortable. I’m never uncomfortable with you. It was just …”
“Intense. I know.”
That was exactly what it was. She thought about the beach and how much she wanted him. Being in Luke’s bedroom somehow made it more real, and suddenly Embry wasn’t sure if she was ready for everything that meant.
Luke dumped the popcorn into a large bowl, and they settled on the couch with it between them. Embry didn’t like that set up, so she picked up the bowl, placed it on her lap, and snuggled into Luke. He slid his arm around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
“So what are you in the mood for?” Luke asked, scrolling through a list of movies on Netflix.
“I don’t know. Something light and funny?”
“Sounds good to me.”
They settled on a movie about a priest and rabbi who were best friends. Luke placed the popcorn on the couch next to him, grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch, and wrapped it around them.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
Embry snuggled closer, resting her head on his chest. “Perfect.”
“Wake up, beautiful,” Luke whispered.
Embry blinked then nuzzled farther into Luke’s arms. “Mmmm, I’m tired.”
“Clearly,” Luke said, his chest vibrating with laughter. “You slept through most of the movie.”
“Oh crap. I did it again.”
“Again?”
“Yeah, sorry, I should have warned you. It’s kind of impossible for me to stay awake when I watch movies at home.” Embry said, stretching. “I don’t know why, but I almost always pass out.”
“I just figured you were exhausted from a long week.”
“Well, that too, I guess.”
Luke yawned, and Embry followed suit. “I should probably get you home.”
“What time is it?” she asked.
“After midnight.”
“I’m too tired. I don’t even want to move.”
Luke stayed quiet for a moment. “You can stay if you like.”
Embry was exhausted, and she saw how tired Luke was. She didn’t want him driving her home and then making the long drive back. She wasn’t ready to examine her other reason for wanting to stay. Embry nodded. “As long as you don’t mind.”
Luke wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her hair. “I don’t mind at all. But are you sure?”
“Yes,” Embry said, looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. “I’d like to stay.”
Luke smiled and dropped the sweetest kiss on Embry’s lips. “Okay, baby.”
Baby.
Just like that, everything changed. That one word sealed the deal. She was falling for Luke Brody.
8
Embry followed Luke upstairs, too tired to be nervous that she was spending the night with him. They walked into his bedroom, and Luke disappeared into the closet.
He reappeared with a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. “Something to sleep in?” he offered, holding the clothes out to her.
“Thanks.”
Luke grabbed Embry’s shoulders and gently nudged her toward the bathroom. “You can change in there. There are extra toothbrushes in the bottom right drawer, and the toothpaste is behind the mirror on your right.”
“Okay.”
Luke disappeared back into the closet, and Embry walked into the master bath. It was a huge, open area with double sinks, a large stall shower with multiple shower heads, and a separate Jacuzzi tub. Embry slipped out of her clothes. Picking up Luke’s T-shirt, she brought it to her nose. It smelled like him. She was in heaven as she pulled it over her head and was surrounded by his scent. The shirt was big enough that it hit her mid-thigh, so she decided to forgo the boxers.