R. Hunter - Undone

“I thought about cooking for you,” he said, his eyes mirroring her desire, “but I figured if we were going to get any eating or talking done, we should probably be in a public place.”

“Probably a good idea.” She squeezed his hand. “But what if someone sees us?”

“It’s off the beaten path. We won’t have a problem,” he assured her.

A while later, they pulled up to a quaint restaurant off the main road. Luke hopped out of the SUV and helped Embry from the car. She loved how much of a gentleman he was. It was ingrained, natural, as though he didn’t even have to think about it. If she parted his hair, added some gel, and dressed him up in a tailored three-piece suit, he could be an actor in one of the old movies she used to watch with her grandmother—laying his coat over a puddle and helping her across. The thought amused her as they walked toward the restaurant entrance. It looked more like a cottage. The sign, La Belle, glowed above the entryway, and decorative white lights twinkled all over the exterior of the building.

“This place is beautiful,” Embry said, turning to Luke with a broad smile.

“Wait until you see the inside. A client recommended it, and from the pictures I saw online, it looks pretty great.”

Luke reached for the front door, but Embry tugged on his hand. “Thank you. For doing this. I know we haven’t gone inside yet, but I just want you to know it’s perfect,” she said.

Luke’s lips brushed the corner of her mouth. “I’m just getting started, baby.”

He tugged her to his side and led her into the restaurant. After notifying the maître d’ of their reservation, they were led to a cozy corner booth. It was private, intimate. Embry slid into the rounded booth, Luke following after. Her eyes roamed the interior of the restaurant. Authentic wooden beams ran the length of the ceiling, and a stone fireplace sat in the center of the room, the mantle glowing with more lights. Embry’s gaze returned to Luke.

He was studying her, a content look on his face. “Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s gorgeous.” She picked up the menu and flipped through it.

She ordered duck breast with goat cheese croquettes over a salad, and Luke ordered some kind of veal. He also ordered a delicious bottle of Bordeaux. While they waited for their meals, they chatted about the kinds of things a new couple should, instead of discussing how to hide their affair.

“We should’ve done this a long time ago,” Luke said, running his hand down Embry’s arm and clasping her fingers. “I can’t believe I’ve never taken you for a nice dinner.”

Embry smiled sweetly and rubbed her thumb over the back of Luke’s hand. “We were a bit preoccupied. Besides, you did cook me an amazing dinner.”

“I did.”

“That was pretty smooth too, Professor.”

Luke winced and shook his head. “Don’t, Bree.”

“I was just playing.”

“I know.” He dragged her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips lightly across her skin. “But that’s not who I am with you, not tonight. I don’t want to think about it.”

“Okay. Well, let’s revisit our first date then, shall we?” she suggested.

“And how do you suggest we do that?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Rapid-fire question round.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Oh no, here we go.”

“What?”

“Nothing, beautiful. You’re up. Shoot.”

Embry rubbed her chin, thinking about where to start. “Okay. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“We’re doing favorites. Number, season, band. Go!”

Luke smirked. “Why do I feel like you’re just warming up?”

“Go!”

He held up his hands, chuckling. “Okay, okay. Fourteen. Summer. Kings of Leon. You?”

Embry shook her head. “Nope. We’re not finished with you yet.”

“Oh, I see how this works. You pry all the information you can from me and then leave me in the dark, huh?”

“Something like that.” She leaned in, and lightly swept her lips across his jaw. It was sweet and simple, but it gave her pause. Showing him affection came so easily, but for the most part, she would never be able to do that in public. The thought made her sad.

Luke picked up on the shift in her mood. As if reading her mind, he slipped his fingers under her chin, tilted her head up, and kissed the ever-loving shit out of her. He pulled away, his bold blue eyes fixed on her. “I know what you’re thinking, baby. But tonight, don’t think. You can kiss me wherever and whenever you like. Okay?”

Embry nodded and realized she wasn’t good at hiding her emotions with Luke. She was breathless and didn’t trust herself to speak. The waiter appeared at their table, presenting their meals and pouring more wine. As Luke chatted idly with the man, Embry touched a finger to her lips. She still felt the caress of his tongue, his soft, warm mouth against hers. No matter how many times she kissed him, it always felt like the first time. Always new, exciting … erotic.

“Eat up, baby.”

Embry looked up to find Luke staring at her. Her finger was still pressed to her lips. She dropped her hand into her lap.

“You all right?” Luke asked.

“Yes, fine. I just … That kiss. I …” She was still at a loss for words.

“Sorry I flustered you. I shouldn’t have done that—”

“No!” she said too loudly. She looked around in embarrassment before she realized they had privacy in their booth. “No. I liked it. Loved it. You just caught me off guard.” She smiled. “In a good way.”

“Well then, maybe I’ll try to do it more often.”

“I think you should.”

“Oh, really?”

She pulled him in for another kiss, hoping her actions showed what her words failed to say. “Really.”

It was Luke’s turn to look flustered. He offered her an impish grin as he ran a hand through his hair and then gestured toward the food. “Dig in. And continue with your questions if you’d like.”

Embry took a bite of her duck and groaned. “Mmmm, so good. Okay. More questions?”

“It’s your show, beautiful.”

She loved his easy demeanor. He humored her, playing along with her silly game, and she loved him for it. She rubbed her hands together and wiggled her eyebrows, trying to think of more information to pry out of him. “Food you can’t live without.”

A big, stupid grin formed on Luke’s face. “Mac n’ cheese. Hands down.”

Embry’s eyes rolled toward the ceiling, but she couldn’t help the smile splitting her lips. “What are you, five?”

Luke shrugged. “I love it.”

“Okay, next question. First kiss.”

“Really?”

Embry straightened, giving him a serious look. “Yes, really.”

“Will we play truth or dare next?” His eyes twinkled with humor.

“If you’re lucky, Brody. Answer the question.”

“Savannah Leighton. I was six; she was eight. She ran up to me on the playground, kissed me, and pushed me into the dirt.”

Embry laughed and ran her hand over Luke’s. “Aww, poor kid.”

“I’ve never fully recovered,” he joked.

* * *

The game continued through their meal. Embry eventually ran out of clever questions. She let Luke take the reins, and instead of grilling her, he made her answer her own questions. She was forced to relive her awkward first kiss with Connor Gallaway during a game of suck and blow, and she had to admit that she, too, was a five-year-old and would eat macaroni and cheese every day if she could.

They finished their bottle of wine and shared a delicious pastry for dessert. Luke held her hand as they drove down the dark highway toward his house, his thumb grazing back and forth against her skin. Embry stared out the window. She always had fun with Luke, but that date took the cake and proved to her that they had something special. Embry jumped when a loud ringing came through Luke’s speakers.

“Sorry, baby, my phone’s connected to Bluetooth. It’s my mom. I have to take this,” he said.

Embry nodded and leaned her head back against the seat. Luke pressed a button on the console and answered the phone.

“Lucas?” Embry smiled at his mother’s use of his full name.

“Hey, Mom.”

“How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m good. I’m in the car. I’ve got you on speakerphone, okay?”

His mom said, “Oh that’s fine, honey. Who’ve you got with you?”

“My girlfriend, Embry.”

That got her attention. Her head whipped around, finding his eyes burning into hers. He gave her hand a squeeze and shrugged, smiling.

“Lucas James! You didn’t tell us you were seeing someone.”

“Haven’t had the chance, Mom.” He rolled his eyes playfully at Embry.

“Hello, Embry!” she called through the phone. “What a pretty name.”

“Hello, Mrs. Brody,” Embry answered. “Thank you.”

“Well, are you bringing her down here with you next weekend, Luke?”

“No, she can’t make it, Mom.”

Embry raised her eyebrows. That was news to her. Luke hadn’t mentioned going to visit his family, and he definitely hadn’t asked her if she wanted to come. She left it alone though, assuming he hadn’t mentioned it because they had just gotten back together.

“Well, that’s just too bad. Next time, then. Will you send us your flight details, son? Your father will send a car.”

Embry tuned out the rest of their conversation and returned to her thoughts, which were spinning wildly in her head. He had referred to her as his girlfriend and he’d told his mother. That was big. But she wondered why he’d never mentioned his trip to Georgia.

* * *

Embry lifted her hand from the water and dragged it down Luke’s arm. After arriving at his house, they popped open another bottle of wine, made slow, sweet love, and wound up in the Jacuzzi tub. She lay in the warm water, covered in suds, with her back to his chest and his arms wrapped around her.