by R. E. Hunter
Just then, he reached down, applying wonderful pressure against her clit, and she exploded, pure pleasure coursing through her as she contracted around him.
He pumped into her, prolonging her orgasm and finding his own, his cock pulsing inside of her, until she collapsed in his arms, panting. His chest heaved below her as he fought to catch his own breath.
“Fuck, baby. What was that?”
She let out a strangled giggle. “I don’t know. But whatever it was, I liked it.”
His fingers sought her chin, and he gently lifted her face to his, dragging his thumb across her bottom lip. “I fucking loved it.”
A short while later they pulled up to a large cottage on the sand, the weathered cedar shingles giving it an extra beachy feel. As Embry opened the door and hopped out of the Jeep, she heard the sound of waves lapping at the shore. “How close, exactly, are we to the beach?” she asked, already knowing the answer.
“We’re on it, sweetheart.” He pulled their bags from the back of the 4x4. “This way.”
They walked a winding path along the side of the house, and as it curved toward the front, Embry saw the ocean sprawled before her, moon glowing bright on the rippling surface.
She let out an excited shriek but continued to follow Luke, fighting the urge to drop her bag, run through the sand and dip her feet in the water.
Security lights flicked on at their movement, bathing the front of the cottage in low lights. It had a small, covered porch, with a hammock—the one she’d seen in the picture—and two Adirondack rocking chairs.
Luke reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys Embry didn’t recognize.
“When did you pick up the keys?” Embry looked at him curiously.
“I keep the keys at my parents’ house.”
“Wait… you own it?” She’d just assumed he’d rented it.
He nodded and pushed open the door, standing aside to let Embry walk in first.
All questions died on her tongue as she stepped inside. She was standing in the living room, her eyes traveling the interior. It was the perfect beach cottage— wooden floors and white walls, sea blue and yellow accents bringing it to life. A small brick fireplace painted white sat in the corner, sea glass and driftwood adorning the mantle.
She turned back to find Luke watching her, a satisfied smile on her face. “I love it.”
“I’m glad.” He carried their bags inside and closed the door behind him. “Want the tour?”
Her face lit up. “Absolutely!”
From the living room they made their way into the kitchen. Luke flicked on the light and Embry sucked in a breath. It was a large open space with white glass-front cabinets and light blue wainscoting as a backsplash.
She twirled around in the middle of the floor. “This is amazing. Can we cook a few meals in here while we’re here? It would be a shame not to use it!”
Luke’s arms came around her from behind, hugging her waist as his lips found her neck. “I hadn’t really thought about meals, babe. Sex for breakfast, lunch and dinner was more what I had in mind.”
His words, combined with his warm breath against her neck, had the desired effect, and a shiver of satisfaction buzzed through her. “Mmm, sex for breakfast?”
He nodded against her. “That’s the plan.”
“I like that plan.” She turned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. Pressing up onto her toes, she lightly swept her lips across his. “Show me the rest of the house.”
The living room, kitchen and dining room were connected to the living quarters by a long breezeway, with French doors that opened on each side. They walked through, and Embry noticed a small deck jutting out on the sand toward the front of the house. There was also a small private yard toward the back. In the middle of the yard stood a large, wooden structure that stole Embry’s attention.
“What’s that?” She indicated to the boxed structure.
“Outdoor shower,” Luke said with a smile.
“Ooooh.” The house was beyond impressive, and Embry couldn’t believe Luke had never once mentioned that he owned a cottage on the beach. She poked her head into a cute guest room before they made their way into the master bedroom.
A large four-poster bed with a fluffy, snow white comforter and marine blue decorative pillows sat in the center of the room, an antique anchor hanging on the wall above it. To the left was the adjoining master bath, and to the right was a large bay window with a cushioned seat lined with plush pillows begging to be snuggled into.
Luke drew the blinds and Embry gazed out the large picture window. There was nothing but ocean for miles. She pictured herself sprawled out across the cushioned seat, sun shining in and warming her skin as she relaxed with a good book.
A smile formed on her lips. This place is heaven.
Luke set their bags down and came to her, his blue eyes searching hers. “You like?”
She beamed up at him. “I more than like.”
He bent his head, his lips claiming hers in a soul-searing kiss. “I more than like you.”
Luke stepped out onto the porch with two beers, handing one to Embry, then he sat down in the rocking chair beside her.
She took a delicate sip from the bottle and hummed in pleasure. “Cam?”
Luke nodded, thankful that his brother had stocked the house for them earlier in the day. “Yep.”
They sat quietly for a few moments, lulled by the sound of the crashing surf while he held his beer in one hand, the fingers of his other hand twined with Embry’s. After a few more minutes of silence, he looked over to find her head back, eyes closed as she quietly rocked back and forth. She was flawless. Her long lashes fanned her cheeks, and the cool ocean breeze lifted her hair, sending long, blonde wisps swirling about her face as a faint glow shone on her from the porch light.
She must’ve felt him staring because she opened her eyes and caught him.
“See something you like?” she said with an enticing grin.
Luke took a swig of his beer and nodded.
She let out a long, calming breath.
“Happy?” he asked.
Her emerald eyes shone bright, lips turning up in a sultry smile. “I don’t think there’s a single thing that could make me happier in this moment.”
He smiled. There was nothing he liked to hear more.
“I can’t believe you own this place and don’t live here full time.”
Luke shrugged. “It wouldn’t be as special.”
“How’d you wind up with it anyway? You really lucked out. A gorgeous cottage right on the beach.”
“It was my parents’. We’ve been spending summers on Tybee Island since I was little.”
Embry’s eyes lit with interest.
“A few years back they decided to upgrade,” Luke continued. “They wanted a larger property—more privacy—set back from the beach. They put this one up for sale, and I didn’t want to let it go, so I bought it from them.”
“Have you spent much time here?”
He shook his head. “Not for a long time. I rent it out when I’m not here, and sometimes Cam and Lori use it. I wanted to keep it in the family.”
They sat in silence, hands clasped and staring out over the water as memories played out before Luke’s eyes—running around on the beach with Cam as kids, sneaking into the dunes with girls, Mackayla’s first dip in the ocean in her uncle’s arms. The little cottage was filled with nostalgia, reminding him of happy times everywhere he turned. But it had never felt more like home than in this moment, with Embry beside him.
Embry woke the next morning, sunlight streaming in through the bay window and warming her beneath the covers. She rolled over, reaching for Luke, and found a note instead.
Out for a run. Hot coffee in the kitchen. xo
Tossing off the covers, she slid out of the large bed, her bare feet making contact with the cool wood floor. She pushed up onto her tiptoes and stretched her arms toward the ceiling. Her body was delic
iously sore, the previous insatiable ache in her core satisfied for the time being.
After their romp on the side of the road on the way to the island, Embry and Luke had made love before bed and again when he’d woken her up, sinking inside of her from behind in the middle of the night.
Her skin flushed and a thrill of pleasure shot through her as she remembered it. She turned toward the window and noticed people walking down the beach in the early morning sun. A gentleman turned in her direction and appeared to do a double take. Realizing that she was standing stark naked in clear view, she panicked and shot like a dart into the bathroom.
Taking a quick shower, she let her hair air dry in wild, beachy waves, then she wrapped a towel around her and dug through her luggage, trying to decide what to wear. She’d dragged Morgan shopping with her earlier in the week, planning to buy all new bathing suits to look her best for Luke. Morgan wound up being no help at all. If it’d been up to her, Embry would’ve been wearing a thong and a sheer top that barely covered her nipples.
Today, she opted for something a tad bit more conservative, pulling on a coral bandeau top and stepping into black and white patterned string bikini bottoms.
When a noise from the porch startled her, she padded toward the front of the cottage to investigate. She walked through the kitchen, forgoing the hot coffee and headed through the living room. Pushing through the front door, she nearly walked right into Luke as he came up the porch.
He was wearing nothing but running shorts, his body covered in a fine sheen of sweat and sand. Words failed her as her eyes devoured him. Her mouth parted, tongue darting out to moisten her suddenly dry lips.
“Morning.” He ran a hand through his sweat dampened hair.
She willed her lips to move, but nothing happened.
Grinning, he invaded her personal space, and she almost moaned, taking in his smell—clean sweat and ocean air—as he pressed his lips to the corner of her mouth. “Cat got your tongue?”
She finally found her voice. “Something like that.”
As if just noticing what she was wearing, he became distracted with his own perusal, his eyes raking over her like hot coals. “I like your bikini.”
“Thank you,” she said coyly, offering him a wry smile, then she turned back toward the house, Luke following close behind.
His hand landed on her ass in a loud pop, the sting of his palm causing her to jump. “Ouch, Luke!”
He rubbed a soothing hand over her sore backside, then walked his fingers over to her hip, gently tugging the string of her bikini and causing the right side to fall open. “I’d like it better off.”
“I’m sure you would,” she teased, gripping the strings to keep it from falling.
He caught up with her in one stride, wrapping his body around her. “You look so good I could eat you.”
She pressed back against his chest, and turned her head to look back at him. “Promise?”
“I think you know I keep my promises, Miss Jacobs.” He nipped at her neck. “Don’t tempt me.”
“I wouldn’t dare,” she chuckled, wriggling out of his grasp and turning to face him. “Before you start making sexy promises like that, though, you need to wash all of that sand off in the outdoor shower.”
“Is that right?” He raised an eyebrow.
She nodded, gravely serious.
“Okay.” He shrugged and Embry turned back toward the door.
Suddenly, he was surrounding her, his large arms coming around her, his skin grainy and rough with sand sliding against hers as he lifted her into the air.
“Luke!” She shrieked as he tossed her over his shoulder and gave her another slap on the ass. “What’re you doing?”
“Getting clean, babe.” He walked them around the side of the house toward the private outdoor shower. Setting Embry down, he opened the door and flicked on the faucet. She gazed past him into the stall. It was stocked with fresh towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap and anything else she could think to need. A stone bench sat in the corner, and there was plenty of room for two.
Luke dropped his running shorts and stepped under the showerhead, water cascading over his body, following a path down his chest and over the hardened ridges of his abs. He looked at her expectantly. When she didn’t respond, he leaned forward, his hand shooting out, and he swiftly pulled the string on the other side of her bikini bottom, causing it to fall to the floor.
She looked up at him in shock, but all she could think to say was, “I just showered.”
He hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her under the warm spray and simultaneously removing her bikini top with the other hand.
“Don’t worry,” he said, palming her breasts and bending his head to trail his tongue up her neck. “I’ll get you nice and dirty first.”
Embry stretched luxuriously beside Luke, her body glistening in the sun. After showing her all of the ways to enjoy an outdoor shower, they’d spent the day on the beach, relaxing in the sun. He didn’t think Embry had moved much more than turning from her back onto her stomach. After a single day in the sun, her skin was golden and sun-kissed, and her already blonde hair had brightened even more.
Unable to keep his hands off of her for very long, he turned toward her, spreading his palm across her stomach. “Had enough yet?”
“Mmmmm, what?” She turned her head toward him, pulling down her sunglasses so that her bright green irises were peaking above the frames.
His lips turned up in a grin. “I was asking if you’ve had enough, princess.”
She rolled toward him, and his eyes followed the curve of her body. “What time is it?”
He grabbed his phone and swiped his finger across the display. “Almost five.”
“Dinner soon?”
He shrugged. “If you’d like.” Luke looked around. The beach had emptied significantly; only stragglers remained, sunbathing or tangled together in their own little worlds.
Embry rolled onto her stomach, her head falling onto the blanket as she groaned in pleasure. “This feels so good.”
He was sure it did. He crawled over her, teasing her face with kisses. “Soak up as much sun as you want. I’m going to get showered and relax on the porch.”
He left her on the beach to soak up every last ray of sunlight she could while he showered and got dressed for dinner. Then he settled on the hammock with a book. It had been too long since he’d read anything that wasn’t a legal brief or memorandum. Their lives had been so busy, always one thing right after another, but it seemed as if things were finally calming down—falling into place.
Luke stirred awake a short while later. Warm hands slid beneath his shirt, moving lightly up his chest, and he smiled, eyes still closed.
“Wake up sleepyhead,” she whispered against his lips.
He slowly opened his eyes, his vision filled with bright green eyes and a curtain of blonde hair.
“There you are.” She smiled, causing her eyes to crinkle.
“Here I am,” he said gruffly, sitting up in the hammock and steadying himself with his feet balanced on each side against the porch. “Was I asleep long?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so. I came up not too long ago and had a quick shower.”
“You want to head to dinner?” he asked.
“In a minute.” Embry crawled on top of him, straddling his legs and facing him on the hammock with one hand hidden behind her back. “I’ve got something for you.”
“For me?” He beamed at her, wondering what she got him.
Her cheeks flushed pink as she handed him a smallish wrapped package.
He took it, making a show of shaking and inspecting it. “What is it?”
She dragged her teeth nervously over her bottom lip. “Just open it.”
Tearing through the wrapping paper, he found a large piece of folded blue and red fabric. His eyes lit as he unfurled it and held it up between them.
The flag billowed in the ocean breeze, one half blue with a Florida Gator,
the other half red with a Georgia Bulldog, the words “House Divided” printed down the middle.
He understood immediately, at least he hoped he did. But he needed to hear her say it. “What’s this?”
“I… well.” Her blush spread to the tips of her ears. “I thought maybe we could try again… moving in together.” She looked down at her lap. “If… I mean…”
“If what?” He placed his index finger beneath her chin, gently coaxing her gaze to his.
In his mind, he’d already said yes and was compiling a mental checklist of what needed to be done and how soon the movers could get her under his roof. But she seemed to be having a difficult time, so he waited for her to get her words out. He needed to hear it come from her. After all they’d been through, and the failed attempt the first time around, he needed to know that she wanted it as much as he did.
She shrugged, looking more than a little vulnerable. “If you still want me to.”
He leaned forward, cupping her cheek. “It’s everything I want, Bree. It’s you, in my home, in my bed.”
Her lips rose in a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck, her concerns seemingly forgotten. “Really?”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Do you want me to call the movers right now to prove it?”
She shook her head and giggled. “No, silly.”
“Good. Because we should probably tell Morgan first so her parents can put the condo up for sale.” He flashed her a rueful grin.
Embry gasped, swatting at his chest. “You knew!”
“I knew they wanted to sell,” he clarified. “Morgan mentioned it. But I didn’t know you were thinking about us moving in together. I didn’t want to bring it up and rush you. I wanted you to be ready.”
“I’m ready.” She smiled at him adoringly before pushing him back onto the hammock, her mouth covering his. Her tongue traced the seam of his lips as her hands found their way beneath his shirt.
