Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (14 page)

“Miss Jacobs?” the clerk prodded.

She looked to Luke for guidance. He pressed his hand to her back, urging her to answer.

“He, um, Mr. Stowe confronted me as I left the restroom and th-threatened me.”

The clerk’s face remained blank. “What did he say, exactly, Miss Jacobs?”

Pride swelled in Luke’s chest as he watched Embry straighten, lift her chin and tell the clerk exactly what Jack had done.

“He told me that he would fight this and he’d have me again.”

Pride gave way to rage and Luke clenched his jaw, attempting to restrain himself. It wasn’t the smartest idea; representing the girl he was in love with against the piece of shit that had abused her. His head filled with visions of the many ways he’d like to take Jack to the pavement and beat the living shit out of him. But the bottom line was, he didn’t trust anyone else to handle Embry’s case, so he took a calming breath and addressed the clerk.

“My client has no reason to make this up. We have plenty of evidence against Mr. Stowe already. We just ask that he adhere to the temporary order of restraint and that the violation be filed.”

The clerk nodded, making a note. “I’ll file the violation. Am I correct to assume, Mr. Stowe, that you don’t intend to consent to the restraining order?”

Mr. Hines answered. “No, sir, we do not consent.”

“Very well. A hearing date will be set, and it may be necessary for you to come in for a conference or two before then.” The clerk continued to scribble notes on the sheet in front of him. “I’ll have the judge sign a new temporary order of protection that’ll extend to your next court date.”

“Thank you, sir.” Shooting a murderous glance at Jack and receiving the same in return, Luke made one last request of the clerk. “It’s clear that my client has been traumatized by her contact with the defendant. I’d like to request that a court officer escort him from the premises to ensure his compliance with the new order.”

Jack scoffed, earning him a glare from his attorney, but the clerk motioned for a bailiff.

Luke grinned.
Fucking right, asshole.

Embry breathed a sigh of relief as she left the courtroom with Luke, renewed protection order in hand. The court officer had escorted Jack and his attorney from the courthouse, making sure there would be no more run-ins. Even still, Luke kept a tight grip on her elbow as he walked her to her car. Though she wasn’t sure if it was for her benefit or his. She’d felt how stiff he was in the courtroom, and she knew he had to be hanging on by a thread.

As she reached for her keys, she was suddenly spun around and pinned against the car, Luke’s lips slamming into hers. His tongue pushed into her mouth, tangling with hers as they consumed each other, breathing each other in, forgetting that they were standing in the middle of a snow-covered parking lot in the middle of January. He tore her apart and put her back together with one kiss.

Pulling away, he rested his forehead against hers, panting, “I’m sorry, I—”

“I know,” she interrupted. “It’s okay.”

He looked down at his watch and cursed under his breath. “I have another conference in five minutes, then I’m done for the day.”

He pressed his lips to hers once more. This time his kiss was slow, searing. “I need you,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I don’t want to be away from you right now.”

Embry nodded weakly. She was shaky at best after her run in with Jack and had no desire to be alone.

“I’m coming over as soon as I’m finished,” he stated, his eyes serious. “And I’m staying.”

Her stomach did a flip as she watched him walk away. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more.

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.”