Embry shook her head. “Just you.”
Luke gave her a shy smile and headed into the bathroom. Embry stretched out in his large bed, feeling spent and satisfied. A few minutes later, Luke climbed back into bed, pulled Embry toward him, and tucked her into his side. She settled her head on his bare chest, laying her arm across him.
“I like you in my bed,” he whispered as he swept his fingers over her skin.
“I like being here.”
Luke lifted his head and brushed a sweet kiss on her forehead. “Sleep, beautiful.”
Embry lay for a while listening to his heart beat out a steady rhythm. Thinking back on the past month or so that they had spent together, it all seemed so surreal. She had moved back to New York to be close to her family and Morgan. She didn’t plan on meeting anyone, hadn’t even considered it, but Luke had brought so much to her life. She was still as motivated as ever to do well in school, but she also had someone who made her feel cherished and safe. Someone she could maybe see a future with.
“Luke?” Embry asked, her voice thick with emotion.
“Yeah, baby?” he said sleepily.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
“I was just starting to doze off.” He turned and nuzzled into her. “What’s on your mind?”
“I just wanted to say thank you for today, for everything.”
Luke planted a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. “You’re more than welcome, it was my pleasure.” He stopped to yawn. “Now close those pretty green eyes.”
Embry snuggled into Luke’s chest, tucking her head beneath his chin. “Night, baby.”
Embry was awakened by sunlight shining in her eyes and what felt like a cool breeze across her skin. Groaning, she grabbed a pillow and tugged it over her face, blocking out the light. She heard a low, throaty chuckle. Slowly peeking out from beneath the pillow, she found Luke grinning at her from across the room.
“Morning, sleepyhead.”
Embry threw the pillow aside and pushed up onto her elbows, taking in her southern sexy. The French doors were open, and Luke stood shirtless, pajama pants low on his hips, leaning against the edge of the balcony. His arms were crossed, biceps bulging, and he held a cup of coffee. The sun shone on his tan skin, making it look even more golden than usual. A days worth of stubble shadowed his jaw and his eyes burned bright as he smiled at Embry.
She sat all the way up, taking the sheet with her. “Morning,” she said. Dragging herself out of bed, sheet still wrapped around her, she turned toward Luke. “Be right back.”
Embry shuffled into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, she was surprised she didn’t look as terrible as she expected. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her hair messy with big, crazy waves, and since she hadn’t worn much makeup, she didn’t have raccoon eyes. She splashed some cold water on her face and brushed her teeth before heading back out to Luke. Leaving the bathroom, she found the discarded shirt Luke had given her on the floor beside the bed. That didn’t stay on for long.
Dropping the sheet, she pulled on the T-shirt and walked toward the balcony. Luke stood with his back to her, and Embry took a second to appreciate the view. His pants hung so low that the perfect, round globes of his ass peeked out over the top. His waist was lean and his back well-muscled, leading up to big, broad shoulders. She walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around his narrow waist, and placed a kiss between his shoulder blades.
Luke angled his head to look over his shoulder. “Hey there.” He lifted his arm so Embry could shift around to his front.
“Hey, handsome.” Embry stood on her tiptoes to give him a good morning kiss. She loved that even with her height, he made her feel small.
Luke’s arms wrapped around her, his hands settling on her lower back. Letting his hands wander lower, he caressed Embry’s curves until he reached the bare skin of her legs. He pulled back just enough to look at her then raised his eyes to the sky and groaned. “Do you have something against pants?”
Embry looked down at her bare legs then back up at Luke. She did her best to appear coy, batting her eyelashes and chewing on her bottom lip. “No, why?”
Luke grabbed her bare ass and pulled her against him as he nibbled on her neck. “Because you refuse to wear the boxers I gave you, and I can’t think straight when you walk around with nothing on but my T-shirt and that tiny scrap of lace you call a thong. Go put something on, please.”
“What if I don’t want to?” Embry teased.
“You have to.”
“Why?”
“Because if you don’t, we won’t leave the bedroom, and I want to make you breakfast.”
“Mmm, breakfast?” Embry’s stomach growled as if on cue. She laughed. “I guess I can do that.”
“Thank Christ,” he joked. He spun her toward the bedroom and nudged her forward, but not before landing a light slap on her backside as she pranced away. “Get dressed and meet me downstairs, sweetheart,” he called as he headed out of the bedroom.
Embry decided to slip into her dress from the night before. She laughed when she realized she still wouldn’t have any pants on. Luke would just have to deal. She walked into the kitchen to the sexiest sight she had ever seen: Luke Brody, shirtless and cooking.
“Coffee’s on the table, baby,” he said without turning around.
Embry grabbed the warm mug, took a sip, and groaned in delight. “Just how I like it. Thank you.”
“I pay attention,” he tossed over his shoulder.
“What can I help with?”
“Nothing. Just sit there and look pretty. I’m making French toast. That sound okay?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Embry enjoyed her coffee as Luke finished making breakfast.
“This is delicious!” she said around a bite of French toast.
Luke raised his eyebrows, laughing at her enthusiasm. “Glad you like it.”
“I do.” Embry took another bite. “Sooooo good,” she crooned.
“So what’s on the agenda for today? I know you have a lot of studying to do,” Luke asked.
Embry nodded. “Yep, I have a study date with Jeremy and—” Embry’s jaw dropped open. Then she snapped it shut, and her expression fell. “Shit.”
“Shit?”
“Yes, shit. What time is it?” she asked, her voice flat.
Luke checked his watch. “Ten thirty. Why? What’s wrong?”
Embry placed her fork and knife on the plate, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and pushed back her chair. “I have to go.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“Okay. I’ll take you wherever you need to go. Just tell me what’s going on.”
Embry ran both hands through her hair, exasperated. “I just have to go, Luke. I’m going to grab my stuff.” She turned and headed toward the stairway.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Embry made her way into Luke’s bedroom and gathered her things. On her way back downstairs, she checked her phone and found a text and a few missed calls from Jeremy. She typed out a quick response and tucked her phone back into her purse. Before walking back into the kitchen, she took a deep breath. Don’t ruin this, Embry.
She walked into the kitchen to see Luke scraping the remainder of his breakfast in the garbage. She felt guilt settle heavy on her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot about my study date, and when you said what time it was, I realized I totally missed it. I just freaked.”
Luke turned, a smile appearing on his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s no biggie. Let’s get you home.”
Embry lost herself in her thoughts as Luke drove. She couldn’t believe she had completely missed her study date. She’d been so wrapped up in Luke that she hadn’t given school a second thought. Her first real writing assignment was due on Tuesday, and they were quickly approaching the mid-point of the semester. She couldn’t afford to lose sight of what was important. She couldn’t allow herself to be consumed by Luke. But when she thought about it, Luke had done nothing but encourage her. He never wanted to get in the way of her studying, and he’d offered to help time and time again. He made time for her when it worked for her schedule and never complained when she turned him down to study.