Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) (7 page)

Without another word, he crushed his lips to hers. She let out a small sigh of protest before opening for him, his tongue sweeping in to tangle with hers. Warmth flooded his body as she responded to his kiss. She gripped his shirt, pulling him closer, quiet noises of satisfaction escaping her lips. Digging his hands into her hair, he tilted her head, deepening the kiss. He tried so hard to maintain control, but his body ruled him as he pushed her hard against the wall.

“No,” she cried, tearing herself away. Her hands, gripping his shirt just a minute ago, were now fisted and pounding into his chest. “No! You don’t get to do this!” she yelled as she shoved him off. “You don’t get to come in here and charm your way back into my broken heart with your—your—your
stupid
good looks and seductive southern whatever!”

Luke stepped back, his eyes wide and blinking. He wasn’t sure whether to be amused or upset. Before he had time to make up his mind, Embry pulled him in again, this time wrapping her arms around his neck as she slammed her mouth against his. He followed her lead, folding her in his arms as she nipped at his lip and slid her tongue into his mouth. She was all he’d wanted—no, needed—over the past week. The lies, his fucked up past, it all seemed to vanish when she was in his arms.

But then she was pulling away again.

Slowly, her hands fell to his chest. “No,” she whimpered. Her face was flush, she was beautiful as ever, but when she looked up at him, the pain he saw made him want to fall to his knees and beg her forgiveness. She trailed her fingers down the front of his shirt before pushing away. “Just… no.”

“Embry.” He couldn’t bear to watch her leave again.

She shook her head, and a single tear slid down her cheek as she picked up her bag, straightened her sweater and walked out the door.

Embry swiped at her cheek, removing any evidence of her emotions as she made a hasty escape, bursting through the doors of the school. Thoughts of Luke plagued her on the drive home as she replayed their encounter in her head.

Her fingertips moved of their own volition, ghosting over her bruised lips.
That kiss.
The sweet taste of his mouth on hers, his woodsy scent surrounding her, she could’ve stayed in that moment forever. She wanted to. Wanted to forget the reason they weren’t together in the first place, forget the fact that the
reason
was here now, in town, and Luke had seen her.

That reality slapped Embry in the face, and the picture of his arms around someone else made her stomach lurch.
She was torn in two. If Sydney was back, then why was he kissing Embry? More importantly, why had she kissed him back? Though the answer to that was easier to come by than she cared to admit. Because being with Luke felt like coming home. Being wrapped in his arms was the first time she’d felt normal in over a week.

But now she was more of a mess than she’d been when the day had started. She’d known that would happen. Of course the minute she saw him she’d be ruled by her hormones, all rational thought erased by her desire and his stupid blue eyes. His stupid, beautiful, piercing, intense blue eyes filled with nothing but longing for her.

She sighed. When he was in her space like that, she couldn’t think straight—couldn’t think at all. There was only need. Her brain was mush. And now she was left with more to think about than she wanted.

Sydney’s here.
What did that even mean? Didn’t she live in Georgia? Had she come for Luke? Followed him to New York? Her bipolar thoughts were giving her whiplash. Angry one minute, missing Luke the next, she was driving herself crazy.

Digging her phone from her bag, she dialed Morgan.

“I’ve got wine,” her best friend chirped into the phone.

Embry let out a long sigh. “I think I need more than wine for this.”

“More than wine?” Morgan asked, her words clouded in confusion. “What more is there?”

Embry shook her head and chuckled. “I need to clear my head. Find my center and all that.”

“Oh no,” she started to argue. “I’m your best friend. I will provide you with wine and a shoulder to cry on—it’s in the job description—but I draw the line at yoga.”

“Come
on
,” she begged, stretching the word. “Please, Morgan.”

“I get that you need to get your mind off of Luke, but is twisting your body into a human pretzel really the answer?” Embry could practically hear Morgan’s face twisting in displeasure.

“Yes. It’s a distraction and it’ll help me think clearly. Wine equals bad decisions.”

“And fun ones!” Morgan added.

“Pleeeeeeease, M,” she did her best to goad her friend over the phone.

“Ugh. Fine,” Morgan relented with a grunt. “Brett likes my ass in yoga pants anyway.”

“Yes! Thank you!” This was just what she needed. She was feeling better already.

“You owe me, Jacobs,” Morgan muttered. “And I
will
call in this favor in the most obnoxious way possible.”

Embry didn’t care. “Deal.”

An hour later, Embry was concentrating on the soothing sound of the instructor’s voice, letting her body flow into the poses as Morgan flopped around on her mat, huffing and puffing.

“I don’t understand how anyone does this voluntarily,” she whined.

Embry shook her head as she breathed out and pushed up into
downward dog
.

Morgan threw her ass into the air, elbows bending awkwardly under her weight. “I’m serious. This is unnatural.”

Glancing past her outstretched arms, Embry shot her friend a reproachful look. “That’s because you’re doing it wrong. Pay attention.”

“And you’re doing it right?” Morgan scrunched her face up. “It doesn’t look too good from over here.”

Embry ignored her, focusing on her balance.

“Down into plank,” the instructor chimed as she strode quietly around the room. Embry moved into position. “Back into downward dog. Now, I want you to challenge yourself here. Lift your right leg, with your toe pointing down, and come into a one-legged down dog.”

Embry maneuvered her body into position, her arms shaking as she focused on keeping her balance. Her concentration was shot to hell when a distressed noise sounded beside her. Peeking over, she saw Morgan wide-eyed and mouthing
help me
as the instructor cupped her hip in one hand and held her raised leg in the other, while calmly whispering, “Align your body, and focus on keeping your shoulders squared.”

The look on Morgan’s face was priceless as the instructor contorted her form. Embry couldn’t hold her pose any longer. Losing her balance, she crashed to her mat in a fit of laughter as Morgan fell beside her. A murderous stare from the instructor caused a blush to rise on Embry’s cheeks.
Busted.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled as Morgan continued to roll around on her mat, snickering uncontrollably. “I’m so sorry. We’ll just go.”

Embry grabbed her mat and water, and dragged her obnoxious best friend from the studio, but not before Morgan could shout “Namaste!” from the top of her lungs.

The girls grabbed their coats and keys in the locker room and burst from the building, laughing hysterically. “I cannot believe you just did that!” Embry stared at her friend at a complete loss for words.

“That’s what happens when you mix Morgan with yoga.” She bent at the hips, hands on her knees. “Give me a minute,” she groaned as her laughter slowed. “My sides hurt.”

Embry rolled her eyes and tugged her coat against her. “From laughing, maybe. It sure as hell wasn’t from the yoga. You lasted a whopping twenty minutes. I should’ve known better.”

Morgan’s shoulders lifted innocently. “You knew the risks going in.”

“Come on, let’s go.” Embry led them toward her car.

“Wait a minute.” Morgan stuck her hands in her pockets, hunching against the cold. “You still have to catch me up.”

“Hot chocolate?” Embry suggested.

Morgan grinned. “Perfection.”

The girls veered away from the car and strolled down the block to the corner coffee shop. A few minutes later, they were settled on a worn leather couch with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

“So…” Morgan prompted.

“We kissed,” Embry blurted out.

Morgan gasped and swatted Embry playfully. “You whore! At school?”

Embry confirmed with a rueful nod.

“Why do you get to have sexy school encounters?” Morgan complained good-naturedly. “I want one!”

Embry narrowed her eyes. “Be serious.”

“Have you met me?” Morgan shot back.

Crossing her arms over her chest, Embry gave Morgan her best glare. “Unfortunately.”

“Okay, okay. Details.”

Embry told her how she’d gone to Coleman’s office for a meeting to find Luke there, and filled her in on the events leading up to their kiss. “Things got intense, fast.”

“They always do when it comes to you two,” Morgan observed.

“I pushed him away,” Embry offered.

Morgan held out her hand for a high five. “Good job!”

Embry left her hanging. “And then I pulled him right back in again,” she groaned.

Her friend started chuckling. “You’re fighting against the tide, Bree, and you’re gonna get pulled under.”

“Stop trying to be philosophical.” Embry rolled her eyes.

Morgan’s hands shot up in surrender. “What? You two are like magnets. Or better yet, like peanut butter and jelly, bagel and cream cheese, bread and—”

Embry palmed her forehead. “Please stop.”

“Sorry, I got carried away.” Morgan smirked. “But in all seriousness, you can’t deprive yourself of the southern sexy. That’s why this is happening. It’s the reason diets don’t work. Deny yourself chocolate cake and all you want is that moist, chocolaty dessert. Refuse Luke and all you can think about… want… desire… is that sweet, southern goodness.”

Embry raised an eyebrow. “Are you finished?”

Morgan cocked her head, contemplating. “I think so.”

“Great, thanks.” Embry let out a sigh.

“Happy to help.” Morgan quipped, then smiled sincerely. “Really, Bree, you know what you’ve gotta do. Your love is bigger than this. I know it’s hard, you’re avoiding the truth because it’s gonna hurt. You’ll get past it, though. I hate him for lying, but I love him for loving you. Anyone can see what you mean to him.”

Anyone can see…
Was Morgan right? Still, it didn’t change what he’d done. “It’s hard to feel that way when he seems to lie so easily,” Embry said bitterly.

“I’m sure it wasn’t easy for him,” Morgan defended Luke. “He’s not Jack. And we’ve gone over this. Men are morons. Especially when the ‘L’ word is involved.”

Embry nodded, considering Morgan’s words. It made sense. And she wouldn’t be able to make a decision either way if she didn’t at least hear what Luke had to say. She was sick of her conflicting emotions. One way or the other, maybe it was time to get it over with. “I think you’re right.”

A smug smile split Morgan’s lips. “Wait, can you please repeat that?”

“Shut up.” Embry chuckled. “You’re right. I have to talk to him. I’m gonna call him tonight.”

Embry stood outside her apartment, juggling her yoga mat and water bottle in one hand as she dug through her bag for her keys. Just as she pulled them out, her phone began to ring. She rolled her eyes, assuming it was Morgan calling to check up on her. Not bothering with the caller ID, she accepted the call and balanced the phone between her shoulder and ear as she opened the door. “Can’t go twenty minutes?” she quipped.