His head popped up, his eyebrow raised. “What’s that?”
“You,” she answered, eyes bright. “Southern sexy turns dirty south when you’re riled up.”
Luke rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Did you really just refer to me as dirty south?”
“I did. Dirrrrrty,” she said, mocking his accent.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?” He laughed.
“I can’t.”
“You’re a nut.” He gazed down at her adoringly.
“But you love me.” She wiggled beneath him.
“I do.”
Embry was curled into Luke’s solid chest, his warmth wrapped around her like a blanket as he ran his fingers through her hair. She loved having him in her home, in her bed. Pillow talk with Luke.
“You know, I don’t think I ever asked you. What class are you teaching next semester?” she asked.
He shook his head and smiled.
“What?”
“Guess.” He offered a sheepish smile before tossing his arm over his eyes.
She was too tired to play a guessing game. “I don’t know, just tell me.”
“Professional Responsibility,” he mumbled and let his arm fall away from his face.
Embry groaned and buried her head in his chest. She peeked up at him, an eyebrow raised in question. “Serious?”
He nodded, his ears turning red.
Embry laughed. “You’re teaching legal ethics. And you’re …”
“Yeah,” he said. He traced a finger along her jaw and smiled. “I see the irony in the situation, thanks, baby.”
She propped herself up, her eyes never leaving his. She lay on his chest, lost in his eyes and in her thoughts. Going to Luke’s—finally giving in—had been a simple decision. Her feelings had reached a breaking point, and loving Luke was no longer something she was willing to deny. But it was easy to get lost in those feelings and not consider all that they were risking, all that they were potentially giving up by being together. She’d thought about the risk of dating a professor as she fought her feelings, but she hadn’t thought about how much Luke was putting on the line as well. As she lay in his arms, letting his words sink in, anxiety coursed through her veins. He was an ethics professor having an affair with a student. He was risking his future as much as she was hers.
Luke bent his head, kissed her hair, and smoothed his finger over the crest of her eyebrows, easing the tension in her face. “What’s going on in that brain of yours, baby? You look so worried.”
Embry shook the thoughts away, attempting a smile.
Luke’s eyes turned sad. “Talk to me.”
“It’s just, this—you and me—is easy. But the rest of it …”
“We keep it professional, Bree, keep to our rules.” He winked. “We keep ourselves in check. I know it’s easier said than done, but that’s what it takes for us to be together.”
“You make it sound so simple. Have you done this before?” she joked.
Luke’s eyes turned fierce. “Why would you say that?”
That wasn’t the reaction she was expecting.
He ran a hand through his hair, and his eyes softened. “I’m sorry. It’s not simple. It’s complicated, and it’s risking your entire future.”
“What about yours? I’m worried for you, too. I know I’m taking a huge risk, but you always seemed so willing … I guess I just didn’t consider all that you’re putting on the line for me. You have as much to lose as I do.”
Luke shook his head. He pulled her up so their noses nearly touched. “The only thing I care about losing is you, Embry.”
“But what about your career? Everything you’ve worked for?”
“I don’t figure into this equation. Please don’t worry about me. I hate myself for putting you in this position. But I can’t …” His head fell back against the headboard, and he stared blankly at the ceiling. “I can’t stay away.”
She reached out, running a hand across his chest. “Well, that makes two of us.”
“I won’t let anything happen to you. You know that, right?” He rolled to face her, his head resting on his hand. His eyes found hers, intense and serious. “To us. We just have to make it through this semester. I’d resign before I let anything affect your future.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head adamantly. “We’re in this together. We’re both adults. We’re both making the decision to be together.”
“I can’t be responsible for your future falling apart, Embry. I may not be strong enough—good enough—to stay away from you, but I won’t let anything hurt you or jeopardize your future. I promise.” His words were strong, confident.
“I believe you.” She leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips.
He let out a small noise of approval and rolled her beneath him. “I like this.”
“What?” she asked.
“Being in your bed,” he said, smiling at her.
“I like it too.” she said, returning his smile. Glancing over his arm toward her nightstand, she realized she needed to get some sleep if she wanted to stay awake through her classes the next day. She pushed at his chest to roll him off of her. Dropping a kiss on his lips, she hopped out of bed. “Be right back. I forgot my phone in the living room.”
“Okay, baby.”
Embry found her phone on the living room floor under the coffee table and made her way back into the bedroom after a stop in the bathroom. Luke’s eyes were closed, his breathing even. She sat on the edge of the bed and swiped her finger across the screen to check her missed call. Blocked.
A pit formed in her stomach. Oh no, no, no. There was no voicemail from the missed call, but when she exited to her home screen, she saw the small red circle indicating a new text. She opened it, hoping it was just Morgan or Jeremy. Instead, it was from the blocked number. Jack.
Ignore my calls all you want. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not going away.
Tension shot up her spine as she stared at the screen. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to erase the words, but they were burned into the backs of her eyelids. I’m not going away. The pit in her stomach turned to a weight, sinking quickly and pulling her under. She felt panic coming on, but suddenly she was swept into a warm embrace. Luke’s arms wrapped around her stomach, and he dragged her back onto the bed.
“Come here, baby,” he said.
She snuggled into his arms, letting his nearness comfort her.
“You feel tense. Everything okay?”
She nodded against his neck. She was afraid if she spoke, her voice would give her away. His breathing soon became deep and even again. Lying awake in his arms, Embry couldn’t help but think that Luke may have to protect her sooner than he thought.
24
Embry dug through her closet, throwing clothes everywhere as she searched for something to wear. Luke was picking her up in an hour to take her to dinner, and she wasn’t even close to ready. Flicking through the clothes on hangers, she found a long-sleeved knit dress. She pulled it over her head, grabbed a pair of tights, found a belt and scarf to match, and stepped into a cute pair of suede booties. She was spending the weekend at his place and still had to pack.
As she pulled clothes from her drawers, she came across her Gator jersey and stuffed it into her overnight bag. The following day was a big one for Florida and Georgia football fans. Each year around Halloween, the two teams met on neutral turf in Jacksonville to play. It was the first time in almost five years that Embry wouldn’t be at the game in person. She’d watch it at Luke’s instead. She still couldn’t believe she was dating a Georgia fan, but she had an idea or two for that jersey.