“Hungry?” he asked.

“Starving actually.”

“Good. I grabbed a few sandwiches before we left.” Luke opened the cooler and pulled out two cellophane-wrapped packages. “Caprese or Pesto Chicken?”

“Mmm, they both sound good.” Embry pouted, trying to decide which sandwich she’d rather have. “Can we share?”

“How’d I know you’d ask that,” he teased before kissing her neck. After having lunch together a few times, Luke was used to Embry picking off of his plate. She took forever to order, always conflicted about what she wanted. He started ordering whatever she didn’t so that she could have both. “Of course we can.”

“What else have you got in there?” Embry twisted out of Luke’s hold to peer into the cooler.

“Snacks, drinks, the usual.”

Embry relaxed against Luke’s chest and opened one of the sandwiches. They traded bites until it was gone, then sat in silence and watched people come and go on the beach. The sun sank low on the horizon and the air had cooled down quite a bit. Chill bumps rose on Embry’s skin.

Luke rubbed her arms. “Want a sweatshirt?”

“Yes, please.”

Luke reached for the sweatshirts. “Arms up,” he instructed.

Embry complied, and he pulled the soft, gray material over her head. She slipped her hands through the arms, and he tugged it down until she was cocooned. The sweatshirt smelled like Luke, and she snuggled into it. He pulled a sweatshirt over his own head and brought his arms back around Embry. She looked down as she twined her hands with his.

Then she shot up off the blanket, turning and pointing her finger. “No, you did not!”

“What?” Luke said, failing miserably to suppress a smile.

Embry dramatically pulled the sweatshirt away from her chest, stared down at the red and black “G” on the front, and narrowed her eyes at Luke. He stared at her for a moment before letting out a hearty laugh. Luke and Embry hadn’t yet come to a truce over their fierce love for their college football teams.

“You put me in a Georgia sweatshirt?” Embry yelled. She stalked toward him, pushed him onto his back, and climbed on top of him, poking him in the chest. “You, my friend, are a sneaky bastard.”

“Take it off if you don’t like it, sweetheart. I’ll keep you warm instead,” Luke said, his eyes gleaming.

She watched as his blue eyes burned bright with desire. Embry became aware that she was straddling his lap as she felt the heat of his body beneath her. She hovered over him, her hair creating a curtain around them. Luke gently swept her hair aside and pulled her mouth down to his. A shiver rippled through Embry as their lips met.

Luke’s tongue ran across the seam of her lips, begging for entrance. She opened and moaned as his tongue glided over hers. His hands found her bare legs and slowly slid up and down her thighs as they kissed. Before she knew it, Embry was on her back, Luke poised above her, his hands tangled in her hair. He deepened the kiss, and she lost all coherent thought.

Embry was lost in a sea of sensation as Luke placed hot, wet kisses along her jaw. She raised her hips reflexively, feeling Luke’s hardness against her core, and he groaned into her neck. He pulled back to look at Embry, but she pushed her hands into his hair bringing his mouth back to hers. Their kiss slowed, and Luke brushed his lips across Embry’s cheek as she squirmed beneath him.

He pulled back to look at her again. “Warm enough?”

Embry nodded, breathless.

“Good.” He placed a soft, sweet kiss on the corner of her mouth then sat back onto his knees. “It’s starting to get dark. We should probably head out.”

“Okay.” Embry sat up and began packing up the cooler. “Where to now?” She knew where she wanted to go—back to her or Luke’s place—but she didn’t know what else he had planned.

Luke rubbed the back of his neck, something Embry noticed he did out of nervousness or frustration. “I was thinking I could take you back to my place, if that’s okay by you. Maybe watch a movie?”

“I’d like that.”

A while later, Luke pulled into a driveway in front of a large townhouse. “This is me.”

They unloaded the car and headed toward the house. Luke unlocked the door and gestured for Embry to go in ahead of him. The door opened into a large foyer.

“Wow, this place is bigger than it looks from the outside, huh?” Embry said.

“Yeah, it’s not bad. You want the grand tour?”

“Yes, please.”

Luke grabbed her hand and led her into the kitchen to the left of the foyer. He dropped the cooler on the counter. “Kitchen.”

The word kitchen didn’t do it justice. Embry stood in the middle of the room admiring the granite countertops, beautiful cabinets, and one-touch stove top. If she was as good a cook as Luke, she’d love a kitchen like his. Hell, she barely cooked and she’d still love a kitchen like his.

“Wow, you must love cooking in here.”

“Truthfully, I haven’t gotten much use out of it yet.”

“Maybe we can change that,” Embry said, nudging Luke.

“Maybe we can.” He smiled. Luke led Embry through the kitchen and into what looked like a formal dining room, but it was empty. “Dining room. Still waiting on the table to be delivered.”

From the dining room, they headed into the living room. A large sectional couch, with what looked almost like a bed at one end, took up most of the room. The couch was a warm brown that matched the entertainment center and other furniture. What had to be at least a fifty-inch flat screen hung on the wall opposite the couch.

“This is really nice, Luke. Did you decorate it?”

“Thanks. Nope, this is a perk of having an interior designer for a sister-in-law. I just gave her an idea of what I wanted, and she picked out and ordered everything.”

“That’s right. I forgot you said Lori was into interior design.”

“Come on, let’s go throw some popcorn in the microwave. It’ll be done by the time I show you the rest of the house. Then we can pick out a movie.”

Embry nodded and followed Luke into the kitchen. He pulled a package of popcorn from the pantry and put it in the microwave, then led Embry through the rest of the lower level. They headed up the stairs that sat off the foyer.

Luke pointed at the three doors to the left. “Those are the guest bedrooms and bathroom.” Then he grabbed Embry’s hand and led her through the door on the right. “My bedroom.”

Embry walked into a huge room with a gorgeous bed. It was so large, it had to be a California king. The bed frame was a rich espresso, the headboard padded in matching leather. Embry looked toward the right of the bed and saw two doors.

“Master bath and walk-in closet,” Luke provided, coming up behind her. He gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. She turned to the left and saw French doors leading out to a balcony.

Embry turned to Luke. “It’s beautiful, Luke. Thanks for the tour.”

“Anytime.” He winked.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. She felt the pressure of being in Luke’s bedroom, the gigantic bed within reach. They stared at each other, the weight of it all freezing them to the spot. Embry chewed on her lip as Luke stood close enough to touch. Just when she couldn’t take a minute more, a loud beeping from the first floor startled them out of their moment.

“Saved by the bell,” Luke said with a sheepish grin. “That’s the popcorn.”

Embry stared at Luke, not sure what to say.

“Come on, beautiful. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” Luke gave her a knowing look.

Taken aback, Embry shook her head. “No, I’m not uncomfortable. I’m never uncomfortable with you. It was just …”

“Intense. I know.”

That was exactly what it was. She thought about the beach and how much she wanted him. Being in Luke’s bedroom somehow made it more real, and suddenly Embry wasn’t sure if she was ready for everything that meant.