Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (4 page)

The creaking of the bedroom door pulled Embry from a deep slumber. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to focus in the dark of the room. A silhouette moved toward her and she froze, her pulse beating wildly in her ears. Fear and anticipation held her hostage. She couldn’t have moved if she tried.

But as quickly as her panic surfaced, it melted away, expectation taking its place as he drew nearer. Her head swam, filling with that intoxicating smell she’d be dreaming of—a mix of spice and fresh that was so essentially him.

“Luke?” she questioned in a breathy whisper, tipping her chin to search his face in the dim light.

“It’s me.” The sweet, southern rasp of his voice sent her reeling.

“Wh-what are you—”

He bent down, his hands cupping her face and his mouth crushing hers, effectively ending her question. The electricity that shot through her at that moment annihilated any rational thought. She was nothing more than sensation, everything else floating away as her body took over. Reaching up, she grabbed Luke’s neck and pulled him closer. He eased onto the bed above her, never allowing their connection to break.

The feel of his tongue tangling with hers, and the weight of his body braced above her, filled every empty space in her hollow, aching heart. She felt whole for the first time since she’d driven away, sobbing into Jeremy’s arms as Luke stared after her. She’d seen it all over his face, he was broken too. But at the time, a small part of her had taken pleasure in seeing the same pain she’d felt written all over his face. Now, she wished she could take it back—rewind the last week and experience every second she’d missed with him.

A million thoughts threatened to form in the back of her mind—
How? Why?
But she could only focus on the warmth spreading through her body as his lips moved against hers. Had she breathed since he’d walked in? She couldn’t remember. But somehow, she knew she could survive on just his kiss, oxygen becoming utterly unnecessary if she could just continue to breathe him in.

Suddenly her breath was stolen as he pulled away. Panting, she rested her forehead against his. “I missed you,” she whispered.

Luke lifted his head slowly until his eyes were level with hers. The room was dark, but she could still see the spark in his piercing blues, feel his gaze like a caress. “I missed you. So much.”

He brought his mouth to hers once more. The kiss was filled with longing and urgency. His tongue assaulted hers, licking into her mouth as Embry reached down, tugging at the hem of his shirt. It was as if she had no control over her actions, her body making the decisions for her. The hurt she’d felt so starkly just hours before was now nowhere within reach, her only concern was getting closer to Luke. His lips left hers momentarily as he sat up and tore his shirt over his head. He took the opportunity to slide the straps of her camisole down her arms, exposing her bare breasts. Her nipples tightened in anticipation as he took her in, hunger in his eyes.

Reaching out, he dug his fingers through her hair, gently holding the back of her head as he laid her on the bed, covering her body with his. She was lost to him, to her own feelings. Nothing had felt more right. She felt his breath on her neck and a shiver of pleasure shot up her spine as his mouth made contact, his tongue sweeping against her skin. He lingered there, feathering kisses up and down the column of her neck before torturously trailing his tongue across her collarbone and down her chest. He bent his head, finally finding her breast, and she let out a deep moan as his mouth closed around her nipple.

He took his time, teasing her relentlessly with his mouth, hot and wet, against her sensitive skin. When she thought she couldn’t take a second more, he was gone, moving lower as he kissed a path down her abdomen. When he reached her panties, he hooked his thumbs into the elastic, and the thin scrap of lace disappeared. She hadn’t even felt them rip as he’d torn them from her body. He looked up from between her legs, his eyes hungry and intense.

Gripping her gently, he eased her legs apart, his hot breath against her sensitive flesh sending a wave of longing straight to her core.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since you left, baby,” he groaned.

He nipped and licked, dropping tantalizing kisses along her inner thighs as she squirmed beneath him, silently begging for his attention. He ignored her, spreading his palm across her mid-section, and held her still as he continued to tease her. Just when she thought she could take no more, he flicked his tongue across her clit and sucked it into his mouth. Embry cried out as her core tightened and her body began to tremble. He continued his assault on her as he reached down, fumbling with his belt. He pulled open his pants and shoved them down his hips.

“Luke.” She reached for him, finished with his mouth and needing him inside of her.

He looked up, his eyes full of promises yet to come, as he crawled up her body. Seating himself between her legs, his erection rested thick and heavy against her. But that wasn’t where she needed him.

She writhed beneath him, a strangled plea escaping her lips as he fisted his cock, dragging it through her wetness.

His eyes were penetrating as he took her in. “So. Fucking. Beautiful.”

Emotion rose in her throat. She’d missed those words. Missed the dirty things he’d whisper in her ear as he lost himself inside of her. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and dug her heels into his ass in encouragement.

Cradling his face in her hands, she forced his eyes to hers. “Take me, please.”

Slowly, he sunk into her, groaning in pleasure. He filled her, stretched her, as he pushed even deeper. Then he dragged himself out inch by inch before slamming back into her, causing her to cry out. He owned her, claimed her, his hips bucking wildly, as she rocked back against him, meeting him thrust for thrust. It was passion, pleasure, nothing but feeling. All of her hurt—her uncertainty—floated away, nowhere to be found as she let go, losing herself in Luke.

Embry woke with a start, shooting up from her mattress. Her skin was damp, her breasts heaving with every sharp intake of breath as she tried to recover. Glancing around her empty room, the realization hit her all at once—it was a dream.

But it was so intense, so real. Every whispered word, every sultry touch, had set her body on fire. She could still smell his cologne, feel the trace of his fingers on her skin. A chill swept through her at the thought of Luke’s hands on her. She’d never come in her sleep before, but the delicious ache in her stomach told her that her body had experienced everything she’d felt in the dream.

Falling back on her pillow, she fought the images running through her head as she caught her breath. The good feeling she’d awoken with began to fade as disappointment and dread washed over her. Was this what she had to look forward to? Heartbreaking dreams and waking up alone to the reminder of what she’d lost?

Glancing at the alarm clock, she rolled her eyes and let out a frustrated huff. It was the first day of her second semester of law school, and she didn’t have to be up for another three hours.
Off to a great start
. Swearing under her breath, she kicked off the covers and got out of bed. She pushed up on her tiptoes, stretching, but as the cool air hit her skin, she contemplated climbing right back under the warmth of her comforter. A bit more sleep would’ve been good, but there was no hope now. Not after that. Even if she could, she was scared of sinking back into the comfort of her dreams and having to wake up again to the reminder that she was alone.

There was no escaping Luke Brody; it was maddening. He was everywhere—in her sleep, when she woke. He invaded every aspect of her life. It made her angry—at herself, at him.

He’d hidden something huge from her, monumental, and she still had no idea why. Had Sydney been a fling, a relationship? Had he loved her? Her stomach lurched at the thought. She couldn’t picture Luke with anyone else. Loving anyone else.

Shaking her head, she tried to dislodge the destructive thought. She was sick of being sad, sick of feeling sorry for herself, sick of running. It was time to handle things head on, like an adult.

She’d be in the same building with him in a few short hours. Her heart fluttered at the thought, though she still wasn’t really ready to talk. The pull was too strong between them and she didn’t trust herself. But if she had to see him, she could at least do it with her head held high and a damn cute outfit.

Sitting in the school parking lot, Embry tried desperately to work up her resolve. She tapped a brown riding boot rapidly against the floor of her car and stared out at the law school looming in front of her. Memories sliced through her as she recalled the last time she’d been in the building.

She’d gone in facing the uncertainty of her legal career because of her involvement with Luke, and she’d left shattered and broken, their relationship in shambles. A familiar emptiness crept into the pit of her stomach as she took it in now. She’d fooled herself into thinking she was okay, but she was a nervous wreck. Could she walk back in there and pretend everything was fine? Could she even see Luke without having a complete breakdown?

She nearly leapt through the roof when a knock on the window interrupted her freak out. Heart pounding, she lowered the window. “You scared the shit out of me, Jer!”

“Don’t change the subject, get out of the car.” He shot her a stern look.

Embry’s eyebrows bunched together in confusion. “I—what?” She closed her window and opened the door.

Jeremy held out his hand, helping her out. “You were about to make a break for it. I could see it all over your face.”

She had to think about it. Was she about to run again? “I was just having a moment.”

“Call it whatever you want, Blondie.”

Embry crossed her arms. “Hey, meanie. Who pissed in your cheerios this morning?”

A smile tickled his lips. “No one. I just know you. You can’t run from this. He’s not even our professor anymore. So” —he offered his elbow— “we’re going to go in there and face this together.”

Embry took a breath before slipping her hand into the crook of Jeremy’s elbow. “Fine, okay. Let’s do this.”

He grinned down at her. “Let’s make this semester our bitch.”

Embry laughed and they walked into the school together. As they passed through the crowd of students in the atrium and made their way through the hallways, she was on high alert. Luke was teaching Professional Responsibility this semester, usually a second year course, but they’d never discussed how many sections he was teaching, or what his schedule was like. Would she run into him? See him throughout the day? Jeremy was chatting about their new class schedule and she nodded along, trying to ignore the loud thumping of her heart in her ears. Her gaze swept back and forth, searching.

Turning the corner to their classroom, Embry paused and her stomach dropped. She’d been so sure she would see Luke, run into him on her way to class. Disappointment washed over her as her eyes roamed the empty hallway. How was she supposed to keep up with her changing emotions? She was terrified of even walking into school just a minute ago, and now sadness overwhelmed her when she didn’t see him.

Letting out a long sigh, she looked up at Jeremy. “Let’s get this over with.”

Jeremy nodded and they both stepped toward the classroom together. She stared blankly ahead, desperate to clear her mind of any and all conflicting thoughts. But when Jeremy pulled open the door, Embry glanced down the hall one last time, her eyes hitting pure blue, and her world stopped.