by R. E. Hunter
“Just listen, beautiful.”
She recoiled as the endearment slid off his tongue. He pretended not to notice. He couldn’t help it. She was beautiful—the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen—whether dressed up in sequins and pearls, or hair up in a messy ball on her head, wearing neon spandex. And all he wanted to do was remind her of that, every day, until she believed it herself.
“You wanted to hear it all, right?” he asked, searching her face. “Well, this it, starting from the very beginning.”
She gulped, settling further into the couch. “Okay,” she responded in a small voice.
“Cam and I grew up idolizing my father. You’ve met him, I’m sure you understand why. Charming, handsome, charismatic. He’s a good dad, great guy.”
Embry nodded.
“So when word got back to us that he was being investigated for corruption and bribery, you can imagine, I was devastated.” He vividly remembered sitting in his parents’ living room, Camden by his side, as their father told them everything—the deals he’d made, the officials he’d influenced with his money. Luke had felt as if he were drowning in disappointment and grief. He’d lost his role model, had been completely betrayed by the one man he’d respected most in the world.
Embry let out a gasp, her delicate hand lifting to cover her mouth. “Oh, Luke.”
Her reaction brought it all back to him, and he wanted so badly to seek comfort in her, the comfort he’d mistakenly found in Sydney that one night. “I was a new professor at the time, and Sydney was my student.”
Her eyes went from warm pools of green to cold, hard emerald. He secretly enjoyed the territorial response.
“She’d been pursuing me all semester, but I had no interest.” He emphasized that last part, hoping she saw the sincerity in his eyes. “Honestly, even if I had, I never would have acted on it. I steered clear, kept my distance, made sure our interactions never went outside the bounds of anything student-teacher related.”
“Until you found out about your dad?” Embry asked.
He nodded, hating to have to revisit that night, but he’d do it. For her. “The investigation went on for a few months. My father was being accused of giving favor to certain public officials in order to direct government contracts toward his company. In the beginning we were hopeful, so when the indictments came down, it was a huge blow.” His hand went automatically to his neck and he tried to rub away the tension. “I went out for a few drinks with my brother to try to get my head on straight. Everyone was looking to me. My father had a team of attorneys, but he wanted me to be the face of his defense. Cam was putting pressure on me to save the company. It fucked with my head. Anyway, my brother went home to his family, and I stayed and cozied up to a bottle of JW.”
Embry rolled her eyes. “You and your whiskey.”
He smiled a self-deprecating smile. “Me and Johnnie go way back.”
She moved closer to him, as if silently showing her support. He felt the warmth of her body, close enough to touch, and he had to fight the urge to pull her into his lap, end the conversation, and make sure she knew she was still his.
Instead, he continued his fucked up story, knowing it was what Embry needed. “I still don’t remember what happened that night, I was completely fucking inebriated. I remember bits and pieces, that’s all. But I woke up the next morning in Sydney’s bed and nearly lost my shit.” He shook his head, attempting to dislodge the memory. Glancing up at Embry, he saw her cringe slightly, her lips pressing into a flat line, likely a reaction to his night with Sydney. “I apologized profusely, told her it was a mistake, that it could never happen again, and I got the hell out of there.”
“And that was it?” She looked at him expectantly.
The corners of Luke’s mouth pulled down into a frown. “I thought so. Except Sydney didn’t take rejection very well. She came up with some elaborate story about how I’d taken advantage of her and brought it straight to the dean.”
Embry’s mouth hung open in shock. Luke knew the feeling. He’d lived it.
“I had a great reputation as a professor, and Sydney’s story was weak at best. The university had just gotten over some kind of scandal involving a professor, and they didn’t want to risk any more negative media attention, so they made me a deal. If I resigned quietly and all parties involved signed a non-disclosure agreement, all would be forgotten. They’d write me a letter of rec so I could find a job elsewhere, and everyone would move on with their lives. That way they could continue rebuilding their reputation and mine would stay intact.”
“Wow.” She shook her head in disbelief. “What about Sydney, though? Couldn’t she have fought more? Pushed for a lawsuit?”
“I’m sure she would’ve if there was any real truth to me pursuing and taking advantage of her. But in the end, she just wanted to see me hurt. She was happy with my resignation and went on her merry way.”
Embry scowled. “Bitch.”
Luke shrugged indifferently, his lips tipping into a grin as he leaned in. “It got me to you.”
A small, fleeting smile touched her lips. “I don’t think I was worth all that trouble. I’m sure you’d rather be back in Georgia.”
“I’m sure I’d rather be wherever you are,” he said quietly, hoping she saw the truth behind his words.
“Luke…” Her voice was filled with apprehension, and he knew it wouldn’t be that easy.
“Bree, I’ve told you everything. That’s it. That’s all it was. She means nothing to me. Never did.”
The apprehension turned to sadness then, and he watched as her eyes welled with tears once more. She shook her head harshly, as if desperate to fight off her emotions. “I still don’t understand,” she choked out.
“Don’t understand what?”
“Everything,” she answered quietly.
Luke remained silent, waiting for her to compose herself.
She bit down hard on her lip, as if trying to stem the threatening storm, but a hot tear slipped down her cheek as she stared up at him with shining green eyes. “I bared my soul to you. I told you everything. I trusted you. I know you had to find out about Jack in a really fucked up way, but after that, after knowing what I went through with him—the distrust, the lies—I don’t understand why you’d keep this from me. Hurt me…” She trailed off.
He shifted awkwardly on the couch, fighting the urge to wrap her in his arms. “Embry, I fucked up. I didn’t want to cause you more pain. After seeing what Jack did to you, the toll he took on you, I didn’t want you to ever doubt how I felt about you.” And selfishly, he hadn’t wanted to lose her. He’d never felt for anyone else what he felt for her, and he didn’t want to risk it, her. That had worked out well, clearly.
She brushed at the tears on her cheeks and sat up straighter, meeting his eyes with a determined stare. She was so brave, so strong, and she didn’t even see it.
“Is there anything else?” she asked.
Luke was thrown off guard. “Anything else?”
“Anything else you haven’t told me,” she explained.
A small grin lit his face. “I stole a candy bar from the grocery store when I was nine. And blamed it on Cam.”
He watched as a light flickered in Embry’s eyes, and her lips curved into a tiny smile.
“And if we’re telling the truth,” he continued, “I should probably tell you about that time I got caught with Miranda Wright under the bleachers.”
Her eyes widened in astonishment before letting out an adorable laugh. “I’m serious!” she said, playfully slapping his arm.
His eyes heated. “I know you are, sweetheart. But I couldn’t resist. I needed to see that smile.” And that’s exactly what he got—an all-out, eyes gleaming, mega-watt smile just for him, and it broke his heart. Because he didn’t deserve it, didn’t deserve her.
A voice in his head was screaming at him to leave, to let her find happiness with someone else. He wasn’t good for her; he’d done nothing but cause her pain. But he wasn’t strong e
nough to walk away. If he still had even the slightest chance with her, he was selfish enough to take it.
Embry squirmed under Luke’s intense gaze. She wished she knew what was going on in his mind.
“Is there a chance?”
His question threw her.
“A chance?” she repeated, her pulse picking up.
“For us. A chance for us.” His eyes pleaded with her.
“I don’t know, Luke.” She glanced away, busying herself with the hem of her shirt. “I’d be lying if I said no. I wouldn’t have bothered asking to talk if I didn’t want to try, I just don’t know how to move past it.” She looked intently into his eyes. “Jack left me broken and bruised, in more ways than one. It was impossible for me to open up, to trust anyone after that. But I did… with you. You knew what I’d been through and you still kept things from me, were dishonest.
He stared at her silently.
“This is twice now, Luke. And I know you have a good reason, but that’s the problem… you always have a good reason. You’re not malicious, I know you thought you were doing the best thing for me, for us, but you weren’t. You broke me, broke us.”
“I know,” he replied, grimacing. He pushed off of the couch, and Embry sucked in a sharp breath as he knelt on the floor in front of her. Pulling her hands from her lap, he entwined their fingers. “I’m sorry, Embry. More sorry than you’ll ever know. If I had it to do over, I’d never lie to you. I’d do anything and everything to avoid causing you pain. But I can’t regret what happened with Sydney. Not when it brought me here.” He squeezed her hands. “And here is where I always want to be.” His eyes bore into hers, intense and sincere. “I promise you, I will never hurt you again. I’ll never give you another reason to run.”
Embry nodded, at a loss. She believed him. With every word, her will became a bit weaker; her determination to stay away was waning. She stood suddenly, forcing Luke away, and began pacing. “I—” She turned to him. “I want to try.”
He sat patiently on the couch, waiting for her to gather her thoughts, and it warmed her throughout. He’d always given her time—space—to think. He didn’t push her, didn’t make demands. It strengthened her resolve.
“I want to try,” she said again, stronger this time. His eyes lit with hope. “But I’m not sure I can jump right back in and pick up where we left off. I need time…”
He nodded thoughtfully.
“Everything with us moved so fast.”
“Then let me date you,” Luke suggested.
“What?” The word shot out of her mouth more harshly than she meant. “We were dating.”
He shook his head. “We never dated, not really. We spent four months sneaking around, looking over our shoulders” —a naughty grin crept onto his face— “having sex on desks and in bathrooms.”
Embry’s cheeks heated at the memories, her heartbeat speeding in her chest. “I don’t remember you complaining.”
“No ma’am,” he said, his southern charm coming out in full force. “And I hope we won’t do away with the desk and bathroom sex entirely. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” He winked and her knees weakened as they always did. “But I want to take you out, treat you like you deserve. Spoil you fucking rotten.”
They’d been so far beyond dating—spending almost every night together, deciding to live together and share a home. To go back to just… dating? It seemed like such a foreign concept.
But wasn’t that what she wanted? To slow things down and start from the beginning? She wasn’t ready to lose him entirely; maybe this was what they needed, what she needed, to regain her trust in the man who still held her heart.
And being spoiled rotten by Luke Brody didn’t sound like the worst thing in the world.
“Will you let me do that?” he asked, emotion in his eyes.
“Okay,” she agreed. “We can date. But I want to get to know you better. The real you. No more lies or façades. I want to know every little horrible detail.”
Luke chuckled. “I’m right here, sweetheart. You already know the real me, I promise.” He stood, holding out his arms. “C’mere.”
She hesitated, unsure. “There’s nothing else?”
He dropped his arms and his face fell. So there was more. “The reason I called you tonight…”
“I thought you called because you wanted to talk,” she questioned apprehensively.
Luke sat back down. “I did.” He patted the couch next to him. “Come sit.”
Embry walked cautiously toward him. Her nerves were so frazzled, she wasn’t sure how much more she could handle. She sat down and Luke immediately turned toward her, his eyes reassuring. “You’re thinking the worst, but it’s nothing like that.” He reached behind him and pulled an envelope from his back pocket. “I got this in the mail.”
She inspected the crisp, white paper, turning it over in her hands. The seal in the left-hand corner read New York State Unified Court System, and her stomach dropped, fear and dread gripping her tightly. She glanced back up to find Luke’s eyes trained on hers, his jaw clenched.
“I’ve got you, Bree. Okay? I’m going to protect you, no matter what.”
She silently flipped the envelope in her hand and pulled out the letter. “We have a court date.” She looked to Luke. “I have to see him?” Her voice was barely audible.
He reached for her hands, squeezing them tightly. “I’ll be there every step of the way. Once it’s over, you’ll never have to see him again.”
“I—but—” She couldn’t get the words out.
He cast his eyes seriously on her. “I’ve got you. Do you understand me?”
She nodded numbly, feeling like a fool for being blindsided, but with everything else going on, it had completely slipped her mind. Of course there would be a court date. No judge would grant a final restraining order without a defendant being able to make his case. After Luke had filed the temporary restraining order against Jack, the harassment had stopped, but it wasn’t permanent. The only way to keep Jack away for good would be to go through with the hearing.
Luke cupped her face, bringing her eyes to his. “Are you all right?”
She swallowed thickly, her mouth dry. “I think I need another beer.”
He chuckled. “That’s my girl.” He went into the kitchen and came back out with two fresh beers. Popping the tops, he handed one to Embry and sat beside her. “We’ve got a few weeks. And it’s quite possible it could be adjourned to a later date. It can take some time, before the actual hearing itself is scheduled.”
“But Jack will be in court?”
Luke took a sip of his beer and nodded. “If he wants to fight the restraining order, which I’m sure he does.”
Embry let out a heavy sigh and Luke patted her leg.
“For now, it’s just a court appearance. We’ll go before the judge, or possibly just the judge’s clerk, and if Jack doesn’t consent to the restraining order, then a hearing date will be set. But I’ll take care of everything.” He smiled sympathetically. “You worry about school. Let me worry about this, okay?”
Embry nodded, her thoughts already someplace else. “What happened to Sydney?”
Luke’s eyebrows bunched together. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you said she was here. Where is here?” She wasn’t sure why she hadn’t asked about it earlier, but suddenly her stomach was in knots and she needed to know Sydney was out of the picture. She could only handle one fucked up past at a time.
His face hardened. “I took care of it.”
She shot Luke a stern look, and he conceded. “She came to me, asking for help. She’d worn out her welcome in Georgia. People talk, and her reputation preceded her. She was looking for a job, and thought I had some connections she could use. I found her one.”
“You what?” She must’ve heard him wrong. There was no way he’d help her. How could he? She was an evil, vindictive little bitch. Why would he ever help her?
He leaned toward her, his hands coming
to rest on her shoulders, his nose nearly touching hers. “I had the same reaction initially. When she showed up at my house, I slammed the door in her face. But she isn’t the type of girl that goes away easily, Embry. I realized if I wanted her out of my life, out of our lives, I had to do something. I found her a position with an old friend from law school”
“Where?”
“Here in Nassau County.”
She nearly spit out the sip of beer she’d just taken. “Here?” A fine line of worry formed between her brows. “But I… what?” Her mind was spinning. Why couldn’t he have found her a job across the country, or farther? Hawaii. Alaska even.
He offered a reassuring smile. “He runs a private criminal practice. We won’t be running into her anytime soon. I’m sure of it.”
Embry wasn’t so sure. A girl that determined wouldn’t be so easy to get rid of. But she could hope, right?
Luke bent his head, gently brushing his lips against hers. She startled at the contact, but he backed away before she could protest.
“Sorry,” he muttered, pulling her toward him into a bear hug. “I couldn’t help myself.”
She relaxed against his chest as he held her tight. Breathing him in, she relished the feel of his arms wrapped around her and shut her mind off.
“I missed you,” he whispered in her ear.
“Me too,” she murmured against his chest. Tipping her chin back, she narrowed her eyes playfully. “But if you want another kiss, you’re going to have to wine and dine me first.”
He threw his head back and laughed richly. Anticipation flared in his eyes. “Just you wait, baby.”
Embry smiled. She was hesitant—cautious—but for the moment, her empty heart felt a bit more full.
Embry sat in class that Friday, waiting for the day to end. It had been a grueling first week back. Her professors slammed her with assignments right out of the gate, and she felt like she couldn’t keep up. Luke had called and texted throughout the week, keeping in touch as much as possible, but she hadn’t seen him since Monday. Trying to find time was impossible.
Her phone buzzed on the desk in front of her. She swiped her finger across the screen finding a text from Luke.
