Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (44 page)

He held himself above her, his arms shaking with effort as he eased himself inside of her, stretching and filling her, completing her.

“Luke,” she sighed, breathing his name as she breathed him in, relishing the feel of him inside of her, all over her.

He looked down at her adoringly, his blue eyes burning with lust and love. “I’m right here, baby. Always.”

They lay together on the dock after completely exhausting each other, wrapped in blankets and in each other’s arms.

Embry wiggled her fingers on Luke’s chest, admiring the light reflecting off of her beautiful engagement ring, and smiled up at her fiancé. “It’s so beautiful, Luke.”

He smoothed a hand over her hair and placed his soft lips to her forehead. “I’m glad you like it. It was my grandmother’s.”

She sat up, looking at him with eyes wide. “Your grandmother’s?”

He nodded. “My mom gave it to me when we visited in April.”

Embry’s jaw hung open. “You knew… then?”

He chuckled and pulled her back down into his arms. “I’ve known since the second I saw you, beautiful.”

Luke hung back and watched as his beautiful girl, glowing with happiness and his ring shining on her finger, walked back into their home to find all of the people who loved her there to celebrate with her. He’d arranged for them to head over a few hours after he’d proposed, knowing that she’d want to share the moment with those closest to her.

She glanced back over her shoulder, green eyes shining as she mouthed, “I love you.”

His heart leapt in his chest as he thought about all that they had to look forward to, and for just a second, he saw their lives stretched before him—a wedding, little green-eyed babies with blonde hair, summers in their cottage on the beach. A wide grin spread across his face.

Following her through the back door, he wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a gentle kiss above her ear, where, covered by her thick hair, was a small, white scar that reminded him every day of what they’d been through and what they could overcome. How strong they were—together.

He held her tight and whispered in her ear, “I love you, beautiful.”

She was his universe, his everything, and now she was his forever.

Luke stepped up onto the porch of their cottage and pulled in a deep, calming breath of ocean air. He’d never expected to spend any significant amount of time here, maybe a few weeks out of the year. He’d honestly believed it would lose its appeal, whatever it was that made it so special, if he lived here full time. But after selling the townhome in New York and making the move with Embry six months ago, neither of them could imagine calling another place home now.

When she’d finished up law school, they’d left New York as soon as possible. As much as they’d found peace there together, they wanted a fresh start, somewhere new to build their life together. And what a life it had become.

She’d passed the New York bar before the move and was now studying to become licensed in Georgia. Luke had resumed his practice in Savannah, many of his previous clients giving him business as soon as they heard he was back. Embry had taken a different route, wanting to work in family law and help families who’d fallen victim to domestic violence. It may not have been the highest paying job, but she had flexible hours and seeing her come home with a fulfilled smile on her face every day made it all worth it.

Pushing his way through the front door, he dropped his briefcase, pulled off his suit jacket and went in search of his wife.

“Baby, I’m home.”

No answer.

“Embry?”

“In here,” he heard a frustrated mumble coming from the kitchen.

Rounding the corner, he found her sitting in the middle of the wooden floor, surrounded by what looked to be an explosion of flour.
Not again.
Her blonde hair was tinged white, and powder dusted her pink cheeks.

She looked up at him, green eyes blazing, narrowing in challenge as if daring him to say something.

He kicked off his shoes and socks and padded into the kitchen, leaving dusty footprints in his wake.

“It’s eight o’clock at night, baby. Were you trying to make pancakes again?”

She glared at him, and then her face fell, her eyes welling with tears.

“Hey,” he said softly, cupping her chin and searching her upturned face. “What’s wrong?”

He dragged his thumb across her plump bottom lip, removing the powder to reveal the dusky pink beneath. Sucking his finger into his mouth, he was left with sugary sweetness on his tongue.

“Mmm,” he groaned as he leaned in to taste her lips. “So sweet.”

She continued to pout. “It’s confectioners sugar.”

He placed kisses all over her face, his lips coming away frosted with the sweet substance. “What were you making?”

A single tear slipped down her cheek before her face crumpled. “I was trying to make you a cake,” she said in a tiny voice.

Just then he noticed the smudge of pink across her left cheek. Dragging his finger through the thick substance, he sucked it into his mouth. “Mmm, frosting?”

She nodded dejectedly.

“What’s wrong, baby?” He suppressed a chuckle, not wanting to upset her more. But it was just a damn cake.

She threw her hands up in frustration, sending a shower of powdered sugar raining down around them. “I suck is what’s wrong. This was supposed to be special.”

Gently cupping her face, he swiped at the tear that had left a streak down her powdery cheek. “What was supposed to be special, love?” He quickly ran over their important dates in his head, hoping he hadn’t forgotten one… nope. He was in the clear.

He surveyed their kitchen as he waited for an answer. Glazed sugar covered most surfaces, and it looked as though a violent crime had taken place on their counter. He hoped it was nothing more than a few broken eggs and some red food coloring, but with Embry baking… you never knew.

“This,” she said, waving her hands.

“What?” He tried hard to maintain a serious expression. She was clearly upset, but she looked so fucking adorable with her pouty lips, bright eyes shining, hair a mess and covered in powdered sugar and frosting.

She looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope. Then she turned and reached for a small gift bag that had been hidden behind her.

He took the bag, a wide grin spreading across his lips. “What’s this?”

She shrugged, nervously biting her bottom lip. “Open it.”

He leaned in, tugging it from between her teeth and planting a demanding kiss on her sweet lips. She opened for him, her body responding automatically as she let out a low moan.

He broke the kiss, his eyes burning into hers as he licked his lips. “Mmm, you taste so good. I’m pretty sure I know exactly how we’re going to get all of this sugar off of you.”

The beginnings of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth, but her eyes anxiously darted to the bag in Luke’s hand. “Open it, baby, please?”

He smiled. “Okay, okay.” He had no idea what it could possibly be.

Pulling out the strategically crumpled pieces of silver and white tissue paper, he reached into the bag, his fingers brushing against a soft piece of fabric at the bottom. Had she gotten new underwear? More lace, he hoped.

But his sexy thoughts vanished, his pulse pounding wildly in his ears and his heart swelling in his chest as he pulled out the tiniest piece of clothing he’d ever seen. Two football helmets, one for the Gators, one for the Dawgs, decorated the front, with the words “baby divided.”

He held out the onesie, his eyes wide and filled with love and wonder. “You… I… We?” He swallowed with effort, his voice thick with emotion.

She nodded, an infectious grin spreading across her face as her eyes filled with tears.

“We’re going to be parents?”
Holy fuck.
They’d just started talking about it a few months ago, he never imagined it’d be happening, and so soon.

Embry nodded enthusiastically again. “We are.”

Setting the onesie carefully aside, he tackled his wife to the floor, lowering her gently onto her back in a dusty cloud of sugar. He peppered her face with kisses as she squirmed beneath him, the sound of her laughter egging him on.

With every kiss, every tangle of limbs, he managed to remove another piece of clothing until they were both naked and covered in a sugary glaze, making perfect use of the mess she’d made.

She climbed on top of him, straddling his legs and licked a wet trail down his chest. coming away with a fine coat of sugar across her lips. He stared up at his beautiful wife, green eyes shining down, a blonde curtain of hair falling around them. She was his universe, his everything, his forever. And now she was giving him even more—a child that represented all of the love between them.

He rolled her gently onto her back, easing inside of her as he whispered against her lips, “I love you more than all the stars in the sky.”

I think I’d have to write another book to thank all of the people who have inspired and encouraged me along this journey. I could not have done it without the love and support of all of those close to me. If I missed you, please, please, forgive me. You all mean the world to me.