Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (15 page)

“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 the 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.

Before they reached the table, he whispered, “Keep that secret-keeper shut tight, little lush.” He gave her a wink before sliding back into the booth beside Morgan.

“Wow, I haven’t seen a smile like that on you in quite a while,” Luke said, wrapping an arm around Embry’s shoulders.

She stared across the table, watching Brett nuzzle her best friend’s neck, then place a sweet kiss on her cheek. She felt nothing but genuine happiness for them, and suddenly, she realized she wanted that for herself. No more guessing, no more drama. Just… love.

“No,” she agreed, placing a soft kiss on Luke’s lips. “I guess I haven’t had cause to smile like this in a while.”

“Do I have anything to do with it?” He leaned in, hope in his eyes.

She smiled softly as she met his gaze. “You have a
lot
to do with it.”

For the next hour or so, they drank and ate, did another round of shots, and enjoyed each other’s company. Around eleven, the tables were moved aside and the mariachi band was replaced with a DJ. The chandeliers were dimmed until the lanterns were the only light glowing throughout the restaurant, throwing shadows across the walls.

Dinner guests filled the dance floor, swaying their hips to the Latin beat, the energy of the room turning wild and sensual.

Luke’s eyes narrowed on Embry, tension crackling between them. He stood from the booth, holding out his hand. “Dance with me, gorgeous.”

Embry looked to her best friend, but Morgan was snuggled in the corner, lost in a moment with Brett. Taking Luke’s hand, they found their way onto the dance floor through the mass of writhing bodies.

He spun her around, then pulled her in close, his hips dipping and diving to the Latin music.

Embry looked up at him, blinking. “Where’d you learn to dance like this?”

A sheepish grin crossed his lips. “Ballroom dancing.”

He’d taken dance lessons?
She pressed her lips together, suppressing a chuckle.

“It’s okay, you can laugh. But it taught me to move like this,” he said, winking. “My mom signed up for lessons with my dad, but when he got busy with work she’d drag Cam or I along as her partner.”

“Ah, that explains it. So Caroline’s got moves, huh?”

Luke laughed, his eyes crinkling handsomely. “Yeah, I guess so.” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “My mom’s got moves.”

Just then Enrique Iglesias came through the speakers singing “
Bailando
,” and Luke pressed his hips into Embry, swaying with the music.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he gripped her waist and led her around the dance floor. She was reminded of the last time they’d danced together—really danced. It was the masquerade, last semester.

There’d been so much tension, so much anger between them then; they’d wanted so much from each other but didn’t know how to ask for it. Suddenly, she was back in that moment as she lost herself in the music.

His hands left a trail of fire on her skin as he skimmed her curves, and she rocked her hips from side to side, keeping time with his perfect rhythm. She was suddenly consumed by the thought of his dance floor abilities and how they’d translate in the bedroom. She was desperate to know how good Luke’s body would feel moving above and inside of hers. Embry reached back and hooked her arm around his neck, pulling him closer. His mouth landed on her nape, licking and kissing a path up to her ear.

“You look downright edible tonight, Miss Jacobs,” he rasped as he pushed forward with his hips again, letting her feel just how edible he thought she was
.

Luke’s lips grazed the corner of her mouth, bringing her back to the present. “Where were you just now?”

“Just thinking about the last time we danced together like this.”

He spun her out, then pulled her close, his mouth brushing lightly against hers. “This is better,” he said, a wicked gleam in his eye.

“Oh?” she asked, curious.

“This time,” he said, his hips pushing suggestively into hers, “you’re already mine.”

A genuine smile spread across her face, and she nodded shyly, thinking of all the ways he’d made her his, all the ways she wanted him to do that again.