The Secret: A Friends To Lovers Romance (North Woods University Book 3)

by J. L. Beck

  Luke’s face is a mask of steel, no emotion, nothing, and I worry that maybe I’ve gone too far, but then just as sweat starts to bead against my forehead he lets out a low chuckle.

  “If we can’t do it, you’ll find someone else?” I can’t tell if he’s joking or being a smartass or asking a legit question.

  “Yeah…”

  “Hate to break it to you, but there is no one else. It’s just me, and even though I’ve chosen to quit this life, I’ll make an exception because fuckers like that don’t deserve to walk the earth.”

  “Perfect!” Xander exclaims, clapping his hands together.

  “What do we owe you?” I pipe up, taking another gulp of whiskey.

  Luke smiles, but it’s not a friendly smile, it’s a predatory smile, one that makes your insides twist and your body throw up a red warning sign that says run.

  “No charge, kid. This one is on the house. It’ll be a pleasure for me to get rid of this dude. Leave the details with Xander and I’ll personally deliver the news to you when it’s done.”

  Never in a million years did I think I would find myself in a situation like this, going to someone to have someone killed. I know I should be freaking out, worried that someone will find out, but no one will. These men know what they’re doing and even if someone did find out that’s a risk, I’m willing to take to get rid of this fucker. Never again will he touch Emerson. As soon as he breathes his last breath, she’ll be free, we both will.

  “Thank you. I look forward to hearing the good news.” I smile before downing the rest of my drink. It burns a path of fire down my throat, warming my body all over. If doing this makes me a bad man, then I guess I’m a bad man for taking care of the woman I love.

  “See ya soon, kid,” Luke says, waltzing out of the room.

  I glance over to Xander who is smiling, amusement glittering in his eyes. “Give me all the details, kid, and I’ll be sure Luke gets them.”

  And so I tell him everything I know about the piece of shit.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Emerson

  Clark has been acting weird, and not in a bad way, but a strange way. He’s been more carefree, less brooding and angry. He hasn’t asked me about Rick anymore, hasn’t tried to push me into going to the police. It’s almost like after our talk he’s let go of the idea of going after him. If I knew speaking out would one hundred percent guarantee that he would be sentenced then I would do it, but Rick is a manipulator, an abuser, and horrible person.

  It would be nothing more than my word against his, and I couldn’t stand to relive the memories of my past with him for it to do me no good. I want him to pay, more than anything, and I want to bring him to justice, but I’m going to stand in front of an entire courtroom full of people reliving my worst nightmare knowing that they would probably not believe me. It pains me to know he walks free, and I do have a fear that he could possibly hurt someone else, but I can’t bring myself to think about. I need to believe that I was and will be the only one, I need this for my sanity.

  I will forever carry around the memories of what he did to me, the scars, but that’s just how it is. It’s my burden to carry and mine alone. I can’t do anything about it.

  I pull the pizza out of the oven and set it on the stovetop when someone knocks at the door. Slipping off the oven mittens, I throw them on the counter on my way to the door. At this time at night, it can only be Vance and Ava who decided to stop by. I don’t even look to check who it is before I open the door, ready to greet my friends.

  When I don’t find Vance or Ava behind the door, my lighthearted mood fades away and is replaced by heart-pounding fear. I take in the tall, muscular man in front of me. I’ve never seen him before, but one look is all I need to tell me something very important about him. He is dangerous. I can see it in his gaze and in the way he carries himself, I can feel it in the air surrounding him.

  My self-preservation instinct kicks in and I slam the door shut in his face. Unfortunately his reflexes are faster. Stopping the door with his foot, he wedged himself into the space. I step back, trying to put distance between us, almost falling over my own two feet in the process.

  He holds up his hands showing me his palm as if showing me that he doesn't have a weapon would calm me down somehow. Something tells me that this guy doesn’t need a weapon to do damage.

  “I come in peace,” he announces while stepping into the living room like he owns the place. “You must be Emerson.”

  “I-I don’t know you…” How does this guy know my name?

  “I’m Luke,” he says calmly, closing the door behind him. Who invited this guy in?

  “Luke?” Clark’s voice chimes through the house. Looking over my shoulder even though my gut tells me not to turn my back on this Luke guy, I find Clark heading toward us.

  His hair is still wet from the shower he just took as he rushes to my side. “It’s okay, Em. Luke is a friend.”

  “A friend?” How could this guy possibly be a friend of Clark’s? He looks more like an assassin or hitman, but friend? Pff, no way.

  “Yeah… ah… Luke. I didn’t expect you to drop by so soon.” Clark looks between us sheepishly.

  Luke shrugs. “I like to get things done quickly. No point in elongating the inevitable.”

  “Can I offer you a drink or something?” Clark asks nervously, making me even more wary of this guy. If Clark is afraid of him then I should definitely be.

  “No thank you, I only came by to tell you that it’s done. You don’t have to worry about Paulson any more, and neither does anyone else.”

  The world falls away and my mind goes blank for a moment. The words I just heard start to slowly take seed in my brain. He said Paulson. He said not to worry anymore. He said it’s done. What's done?

  I can feel Luke’s eyes on me. “Judging by her shocked expression, I’m guessing you didn’t tell her?”

  Clark looks over at me shamefully. “No, I didn't want her involved in any of it. I would have told her, but I figured it would be safer if she knew as little as possible.”

  “You don’t have to worry about anything coming back to you. I’m a professional after all,” Luke says all matter of fact, almost as if he’s a tad offended by the insinuation.

  “Em, I’m sorry I was hiding this from you, but I had to do something. I couldn’t let him get away.” I stare at Clark waiting for the guilt and sorrow to hit me.

  Clark hired someone to kill Rick. This guy, Luke, killed Rick. Because of me. Someone died… no, got killed, murdered, because of me.

  I let it sink in. I should feel guilty. I know I should, but the feeling never comes. All I feel is… relief. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For the first time ever, I feel ... free.

  “Well, I’ll be going now. Seems like you have a little explaining to do,” Luke smirks, and I feel this strange need to hug this stranger. It’s the least I can do, so I take a timid step forward and then another wrapping my arms around the stranger’s middle. He stiffens as if he doesn't know what to do. Clark’s arms snake around my waist hauling me backward against his chest.

  Ignoring Clark, I look up at Luke with tears in my eyes. “Thank you.”

  Luke looks surprised at my feeble attempt to hug him. Discomfort written all over his face when he murmurs, “You’re welcome.”

  I guess he isn’t used to having people be so thankful, or hugging him.

  Clark releases me and brings Luke to the door, telling him goodbye. After he closes the door, he turns his attention back to me. Alone at last, I know I should be scolding him, telling him that he was wrong to do what he did but I can’t. He approaches me slowly, as if he is waiting for the moment when I freak out and start yelling.

  “I’m not mad at you and I’m not going to freak out,” I tell him before he gets the chance to say anything. He takes my hands into his and brings them to his lips, pressing soft kisses to each knuckle. It’s such a tender motion. Fire fills my belly, every cell in my
body lighting up like I’ve been struck by lightning.

  “I wasn’t keeping it from you. I was going to tell you eventually, I was just worried…”

  “Shhh, I’m not mad, and I don’t think you were keeping it from me because you wanted too. I trust you and I know without question that you were doing it to protect me. I know I should be freaking out, you hired a… criminal to get rid of Rick, and as messed up as it is, I know it came from a good place. I know you did this out of love for me.”

  Clark smiles, showing off his two dimples. “I had to make sure nothing would ever happen to you again and the only way to do that was to get rid of him. I hope you don’t think badly of me.”

  “I could never think badly of you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I’m so fortunate to have found you and have you in my life. I love you so much and nothing you could do would ever change that.”

  “You mean it?” Clark asks, and all I can think about is proving to him just how much he means to me.

  “Let’s go to bed so I can show you just how much I mean it,” I wink. “Unless you want to sit down and eat the pizza first.”

  “Fuck pizza, I’m hungry for something entirely different now,” he teases, his gaze traveling up and down my body before his hands circle my waist, sinking into the flesh. He gives them a tight squeeze before he starts to guide me backward and into the living room.

  “We’ve never done it on the couch,” I squeak, as my legs meet the edge of the sectional. With his eyes on mine the entire time, his fingers grip, the hem of my t-shirt, waiting patiently for me to give him permission. Nodding, he pulls the shirt up and over my head tossing it to the cushion beside us. My bra is unclasped and follows suit next.

  Clark releases me and gently nudges me back against the cushion, his fingers slipping into the waistband of my yoga pants. He tugs them, and my panties down my legs, and I lift my hips to help him.

  “Eventually I’ll take you on every surface inside this house.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips while tossing my pants over his shoulder. Reaching out, I slip my hands into the front of his sweatpants, my eyes widening when I don’t feel anything but bare skin.

  “Did you have this planned?”

  “I’m always ready for you Emerson, permanently hard,” he says cheekily, giving me a wink. I shove the sweatpants down his hips, and his steel hard cock breaks free of the fabric, hanging proudly in the air. A soft giggle passes my lips, that turns into a gasp as his lips find my skin. He peppers my collarbone, chest, and each nipple with hot kisses, causing rivulets of heat to pulse through my abdomen, igniting a fire in my already throbbing pussy. I need him inside me, today, tomorrow, forever.

  “I want you…” I pant, raking my nails down his chiseled abdomen.

  He groans, “I want you too, but I also want to taste you, finger you, worship every inch of you for as long as I live.”

  “Take me, please?” I plead, my hand finding his cock, circling the velvet skin. I give a squeeze, and then another, enjoying the way his eyes darkening with each squeeze, the honey color in them being overtaken by a need for something more.

  “Fuck Em, I’m weak for you…” he hisses, taking his cock and guiding it to my entrance. He presses just the head inside and I sigh, knowing I’ve found my forever. Leaning forward, he brings a hand behind my head cradling it. He flexes his hips forward and with one single motion, he’s seated deep inside of me. We both let out a pleasurable sigh at the connected feeling coursing through our bodies.

  With his forehead pressed against mine, he starts to move, his hips positioning as we reached a rhythm that suits both of us. It’s not long before I’m a panting mess, the sound of our mixed arousals filling my ears. I feel nothing but Clark, inside me, on me, he is under my skin, in my head, and wrapped around my heart.

  “I love you,” Clark whispers as he presses a kiss to my lips. The sparks of fire in my belly ignites into full-blown flames that flicker wildly.

  “Clark…” I sigh, the sound of the sofa hitting the wall softly filling the room, and grow louder and louder as Clark moved faster, his hips swiveling. I’m close, the pleasure building at the bottom of my spine.

  “I’m… I’m going to….” My lids fall closed, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip to stifle the screams trying to erupt past my lips.

  “Come, baby, come all over my cock,” Clark purrs in my ear, his teeth grazing the flesh. That was all it took to set me off flying across the midnight sky like a shooting star. I was on fire, soaring, floating, protected, from everyone by the one person who owned my heart.

  “Fuck…” Clark curses as he snuggles into the crook of my neck. A few more strokes and he had found his own release, a deep groan rumbling out of his chest and vibrating through me. His cock pulses deep inside of me, as his sticky warm cum fills my womb.

  Forever. Clark Jefferson is my forever, and never will I give him up.

  Proudly I say, “I love you…”

  “I love you too, Emerson, and I’m so fucking glad you’re mine.”

  Epilogue

  Clark

  “Are you sure we should just drop by like this to tell him thank you?” Emerson questions, her hand tightening in mine.

  “He’s the Dean of the University, Em. It’s literally his job to see students.”

  “Yeah, but maybe we should have made an appointment or something?”

  I shrug. “What’s the worst thing that can happen? He turns us away.”

  “I guess you are right, but it is kind of late, I think they are about to close the administrative building.”

  “Well, hurry up then,” I tease, tugging Emerson around the corner, drawing a high-pitched giggle out of her. As if she’s flipped a switch, her laughter is cut off suddenly. I come to an abrupt halt as I take it the person in front of us.

  “Luke?” I try not to sound so nervous, but it’s not every day I run into a contract killer… one that I’ve hired, nonetheless.

  “Oh hey, crazy seeing you here,” he greets as if this situation is the most normal in the universe him. Dumbfounded, my eyes catch on a willowy looking woman tucked into his side. She can’t be much older than Emerson and I… and I guess Luke is our age as well, though it’s hard to tell with the whole assassin vibe he has going on. He looks like a total badass with his leather jacket and denim jeans. I wonder if he drove here on a motorcycle. Wouldn’t surprise me.

  “How did you get here?” I ask, realizing how stupid that question sounds as soon as it comes out of my mouth. I follow it up with another question before he can answer. “I mean, what are you doing here?”

  “This is…” Luke’s eyes dart between Emerson and me, and it’s almost like he’s reading us, trying to see if he can trust us. “This is my wife, Grace,” he finally says as if he’s decided that we’re worthy of the knowledge. The woman at his side pops out and gives us both a warm smile. Eyes the color of chocolate meet mine.

  “Wife?” I try not to sound overly judgmental but married? The first thought popping into my mind is, does she know? She must know what he does, right? I can’t imagine she would marry him without knowing, which makes me wonder if she knows of the work he did for me?

  Fuck this is weird.

  “Yes, we’re married. We’ve known each other a long time, grew up together actually. Anyway, we’re here to register Grace for classes. She’s going to start coming here next semester.”

  “Oh, cool,” I manage to get out. My hitman’s wife will just be attending classes with me and Emerson, that’s totally not weird or anything.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Emerson says, surprising the hell out of me when she offers her hand to Grace. They shake hands and smile at each other, making this whole thing ten times weirder.

  “Okay, ah… we actually need to go, we wanted to drop by the Dean’s office before they close.”

  “Sure, great seeing you guys. I’m sure we’ll run into each other again,” Luke says, making it sound like he guarantees
that we will meet again.

  We part ways and I can’t help but laugh, “This is insane.”

  “I actually like them,” Emerson says, shrugging her shoulders. “Maybe we can do a double date or something?”

  “You realize how crazy that sounds, right?” Shaking my head, I open one of the large double doors. “Let’s just get in and out of here before they close.”

  The desk at the front is already empty, but the lights are still on, and obviously the door is still unlocked since we’re inside, so someone must still be here. Pulling my phone out to check the time, I find that it’s only a few minutes after five. I bet Sebastian is working late tonight, so he probably won’t even care that we’re dropping by. Sliding my phone back into my jeans, I start toward the long hall that heads down to the Dean’s office.

  Still holding Emerson’s hand, I know on the door with my free hand. As soon as I do, I notice weird noises coming from inside the office. What the hell? It sounds like someone is choking. Confused I look at Emerson, finding the same confusion on her face.

  “Sounds like something is wrong,” she whispers, and I agree.

  Without knocking again, I grab the doorknob, twist and push the door open. The door swings open and we step in at the same time. Then we both freeze. Actually not just us, the other two people in the room do too. I try to look away but I can't.

  Sebastian is sitting on the leather couch with his pants down to his ankles and his dick out. A petite blonde that I know for sure I’ve seen around campus. Which means that is a student kneeling in front of him, her gaze swings to us, her eyes widening like they are about to pop out of her head.

  Her lips are swollen, and saliva is dribbling down her chin.