Luke dumped the popcorn into a large bowl, and they settled on the couch with it between them. Embry didn’t like that set up, so she picked up the bowl, placed it on her lap, and snuggled into Luke. He slid his arm around her and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

“So what are you in the mood for?” Luke asked, scrolling through a list of movies on Netflix.

“I don’t know. Something light and funny?”

“Sounds good to me.”

They settled on a movie about a priest and rabbi who were best friends. Luke placed the popcorn on the couch next to him, grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch, and wrapped it around them.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

Embry snuggled closer, resting her head on his chest. “Perfect.”

“Wake up, beautiful,” Luke whispered.

Embry blinked then nuzzled farther into Luke’s arms. “Mmmm, I’m tired.”

“Clearly,” Luke said, his chest vibrating with laughter. “You slept through most of the movie.”

“Oh crap. I did it again.”

“Again?”

“Yeah, sorry, I should have warned you. It’s kind of impossible for me to stay awake when I watch movies at home.” Embry said, stretching. “I don’t know why, but I almost always pass out.”

“I just figured you were exhausted from a long week.”

“Well, that too, I guess.”

Luke yawned, and Embry followed suit. “I should probably get you home.”

“What time is it?” she asked.

“After midnight.”

“I’m too tired. I don’t even want to move.”

Luke stayed quiet for a moment. “You can stay if you like.”

Embry was exhausted, and she saw how tired Luke was. She didn’t want him driving her home and then making the long drive back. She wasn’t ready to examine her other reason for wanting to stay. Embry nodded. “As long as you don’t mind.”

Luke wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her hair. “I don’t mind at all. But are you sure?”

“Yes,” Embry said, looking up into his beautiful blue eyes. “I’d like to stay.”

Luke smiled and dropped the sweetest kiss on Embry’s lips. “Okay, baby.”

Baby.

Just like that, everything changed. That one word sealed the deal. She was falling for Luke Brody.

Embry followed Luke upstairs, too tired to be nervous that she was spending the night with him. They walked into his bedroom, and Luke disappeared into the closet.

He reappeared with a pair of boxers and a T-shirt. “Something to sleep in?” he offered, holding the clothes out to her.

“Thanks.”

Luke grabbed Embry’s shoulders and gently nudged her toward the bathroom. “You can change in there. There are extra toothbrushes in the bottom right drawer, and the toothpaste is behind the mirror on your right.”

“Okay.”

Luke disappeared back into the closet, and Embry walked into the master bath. It was a huge, open area with double sinks, a large stall shower with multiple shower heads, and a separate Jacuzzi tub. Embry slipped out of her clothes. Picking up Luke’s T-shirt, she brought it to her nose. It smelled like him. She was in heaven as she pulled it over her head and was surrounded by his scent. The shirt was big enough that it hit her mid-thigh, so she decided to forgo the boxers.

Embry busied herself with finding a spare toothbrush, and then located the toothpaste. Just after she stuck the toothbrush in her mouth, there was a soft tap at the door.

“Can I come in, Bree? Are you decent?”

Embry pulled the toothbrush out of her mouth and called, “I’m good,” before shoving it back in. She was examining herself in the mirror, her back to the door, when Luke walked in. Seeing his reflection, Embry’s hand froze, the toothbrush sticking stupidly out of her mouth; she couldn’t function at the sight of him.

He stood just inside the bathroom door with a knowing grin. “Hey.”

Embry turned to face Luke, surprised she was able to move at all. “Hey.” she garbled around the toothbrush.

Her eyes roamed Luke’s body, taking in every delicious inch. His navy sleep pants hung dangerously low on his hips, accentuating the v of his lower abs. His bare chest was all hard lines and valleys, and a Celtic cross tattoo marked his muscular bicep. But her favorite part was the dark trail of hair that started at his belly button and disappeared beneath his pants.

Embry stood, speechless, as Luke stalked toward her. He stopped directly in front of her and slowly lifted his hand to her face. Gently swiping his thumb under her lip, eyes dancing with mirth, he leaned in to whisper in her ear, “You’re drooling, baby.”

“Oh my god!” Embry squealed, covering her face with her hands. She was mortified. At some point, she had become so enthralled with a shirtless Luke that toothpaste had dribbled down her chin without her noticing. She went back to the sink, finished brushing her teeth, and bent over to splash some water on her face.

Luke brushed his teeth alongside her. When he finished, he stood, unmoving, and stared at Embry with such intensity she thought he was angry. “You didn’t put the boxers on,” he said, his voice strained.

Embry followed Luke’s eyes down to her bare legs; the shirt had ridden up considerably as she was bent over the sink. She met his eyes. “No, I didn’t.”

Luke stalked toward her again, this time not stopping until she was in his arms and he lifted her onto the counter. He slammed his mouth down on hers as she opened her legs, allowing him to move closer.

“I like you in my shirt,” he whispered between kisses.

“I do, too,” Embry replied. She ran her hands up and down his bare torso, thrilling at the feel of his smooth skin. Luke’s tongue stroked hers expertly as his hands drifted up and down her sides, leaving chills in their wake.

“Wrap your arms around my neck,” he commanded.

Embry complied as Luke grabbed her ass and lifted her from the countertop. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist, and he carried her into the bedroom.

Luke stopped at the bed, looking into Embry’s eyes. “Is this okay?”

“More than okay.”

He eased her onto the bed and crawled over her, dropping kisses on her neck, cheeks, and temple before making his way back to her lips. Supporting his weight with one arm, Luke’s other hand began a torturously slow path up Embry’s thigh and under her shirt. Her muscles clenched as his fingertips grazed the bare skin of her stomach. He drew back to look at her, but she guided his mouth back to hers, showing him with her kiss how okay she was. Her breasts swelled and her nipples tightened as his hand continued its upward journey. Embry gasped and arched off the bed as he found her breast and rolled her hard nipple between his fingers. It had been so long since she had been touched like that. Knowing it was Luke and not some quick hookup meant so much more.

He made his way across to her other breast, massaging and then pinching her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. Embry lifted her hips, pushing against Luke, and causing him to let out a low groan. He was hard and straining against the thin cotton of his pants. Letting the weight of his lower body settle between Embry’s legs, Luke began moving in a slow rhythm against her core. He felt amazing, his hard length right where she needed him. With their clothes the only barrier between them, Embry knew she was on the verge of losing it.

“Luke …” she whispered, breathless.

Sensing how close she was to the edge, Luke slowed his rhythm. “Shh, baby, not yet. I want to see you.”

Embry chewed on her lip and nodded, trying to gain control. Luke slowly pulled away, dropping kisses down her body.

He sat back on his heels between Embry’s legs and motioned her toward him. “Sit up, sweetheart.”

Embry pushed herself up and sat facing Luke. He ran his hands up her thighs until he reached the hem of the shirt. Slowly, he dragged it up her torso, past her breasts, and tugged it over her head. She eased back on the bed, exposed except for the small scrap of lace between her legs. Tossing the T-shirt aside, Luke took her in with hungry eyes.