“You were worth it,” she said quietly.

Luke carefully put the bottle back in its case and placed it on the end table before pulling her into his lap. He cupped her face, his eyes boring into hers. “I love it. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

He reached behind him and pulled out a small box, placing it in Embry’s hand. “I have one more.”

“Okay.” Embry stared at the glossy white box before pulling off the festive green and red ribbons. She lifted the cover to find a … key ring? She pulled it out of the box and turned it over to find a Bulldog hanging from it. “Um, thanks?” Embry straddled his lap. “I love you, but you know I won’t use this right?” she teased.

“Maybe if there was something attached to it,” he hinted.

She tilted her head, a quizzical look crossing her features.

“Ah, there’s something else in the box.” Luke said, his hand automatically going to the back of his neck in a nervous gesture.

“Oh.” Embry peeled back a layer of tissue paper to find a key nestled in the bottom of the box. She stared for a minute before taking it out of the box and rolling it between her fingers. She must have been quiet for too long because Luke wrapped his hand around hers, closing the key in her fist.

“It’s the key to my house,” he said.

Embry’s eyes widened. A million thoughts ran through her mind, making her head spin.

Luke lightly gripped her chin and lifted her eyes to his. “I love you, Embry. I want you in my bed and in my home.” She began to tear up as he continued. “I know it may seem too soon, but I know it’s right. I want you to move in with me.”

“Luke …” Her heart beat fast, excitement warring with anxiety. She had never lived with anyone other than college roommates. She had never had a relationship like theirs either, let alone any relationship since Jack. But she felt more for Luke than she had for anyone else, and a small part of her hoped that he really was it for her.

“I know you may not be ready yet,” he said, interrupting her thoughts.

“Luke—”

“Either way, I want you to have the key and—”

“Luke,” she said more forcefully, grabbing his cheeks in both hands. She couldn’t believe she was about to agree, but he was right. They were right. She stared into his blue depths and believed she could see straight through to his soul. “Yes.” She ghosted her lips against the corner of his mouth. “Yes, I’ll move in with you.” Embry was on her back and his lips were on hers before she finished her sentence.

“I love you so fucking much,” he said between kisses.

“I know,” she replied.

His hands roamed her body, tracing slow, sexy circles over her clothes before slipping under her shirt and pulling it up and over her head. He dropped sweet kisses across her stomach and then made his way up to her breasts. He pulled down the cups of her bra and went to work kissing and teasing her nipples. Embry reached down and tugged at Luke’s shirt until he pulled away to help her get rid of the layer of clothing between them. He tugged the shirt over his head and came back to her, his chest rubbing against her heated skin and causing a moan to rise up her throat.

“I need to be inside you,” he said, joining his mouth with hers.

Embry nodded. Luke stood, removing the rest of his clothes, and set to work undressing her. He swept soft kisses across her body as he pulled off her pants and dragged her panties down her legs. He propped himself up on his elbows, cradled her face in his hands, and tangled his tongue with hers as he slowly slid inside of her.

There was something about two bodies connecting not just for pleasure but for love. Every touch, every feeling was heightened, intense. Luke’s movements weren’t rushed or rough. Although Embry loved that side of him, he was giving her exactly what she needed in that moment. He took his time, slowly dragging himself in and out of her while his hands traveled over her skin and his tongue stroked hers. Before she knew it, she was shouting his name and clenching around him as he let go inside of her.

Embry and Luke lay tangled together on the couch, the only light in the room coming from the soft glow of the Christmas tree. Luke had pulled on his new Gator pajama pants, and he held Embry against his naked chest. She wore his T-shirt and humored him by wearing the lace Bulldog panties he’d bought her.

The Christmas music had long since stopped playing, and Luke had switched the playlist to blues and jazz. Soft violin strains filled the room as Frank Sinatra’s melodic voice sang about his funny valentine. Embry loved the song and hummed along.

“You like this song?” Luke asked, nuzzling her neck.

“Mmhmmm.”

He sang softly in her ear, and even though his raspy, southern voice singing those words was sexy as hell, Embry started to giggle.

Luke gripped her hips, threatening to tickle. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing really.”

“Tell me,” he commanded, nipping at her ear.

“I’m just surprised to hear Frank Sinatra, that’s all.”

Luke squeezed her hips, causing her to jump. “What? A southern boy like me can’t like Old Blue Eyes?”

Embry turned in his arms so she could see his face. “I just figured you for more of an ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ kind of guy.”

Luke rolled his eyes and looked as if he were fighting a smile. “‘Achy Breaky Heart?’” he asked, incredulous.

Embry nodded, smiling.

“I’ll give you an achy breaky heart,” he teased, his lips trailing along her neck.

She really hoped not.

Embry put her key in the lock and walked through Luke’s front door. “Hello?”

After speaking with Morgan’s parents, she had spent the last few days packing up her apartment. She and Luke had decided that it would be better to wait until after the New Year to move in. With his family visiting for Christmas and their trip to New Orleans, the week would be hectic enough. But she had gone home and started the process anyway.

She’d been spending so much time with Luke, her apartment needed some attention. Especially her mailbox. Embry hadn’t checked her mail in over a week and had a stack in her purse that she needed to go through. It was Christmas Eve though, and she was excited and nervous to meet Luke’s family.

“Hey, beautiful.” Luke strode through the foyer with a tow-headed toddler on his shoulders. Her tiny hands were wrapped around his head, pulling on his hair, and he gripped her legs to hold her in place. He bent forward, placing a kiss on Embry’s cheek. “Say hi, Mackalya.”

“Hi, Embee!” The little girl waved from atop Luke’s head.

“Hey, Mackayla,” Embry said, waving back.

“Are you here to have Christmas with us?”

“I am.” Embry smiled and set her keys and purse on the entry table.

“Come on.” Luke grabbed her hand. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Embry’s stomach fluttered with nerves as he walked her through the house and into the living room. Luke’s family was seated casually on the couches, enjoying the warmth of the fire.

“Embee’s here!” Mackayla shouted, announcing her arrival.

His family turned as one to look at them.

“Everyone, this is Embry.” Luke wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and Mackayla took the opportunity to stroke the top of Embry’s head. Luke continued the introduction. “Embry, this is my mother, Caroline, my father, William, my brother, Camden, and my sister-in-law, Lori.”

“Nice to meet you all,” Embry said.

Luke’s family took turns standing to shake Embry’s hand or greet her with a kiss on the cheek. Lori scooted over on the couch to make room, and Embry took a seat. Lori was a tiny thing with blond hair in a pixie cut, a soft face, and green eyes.

“Welcome to the family,” Lori whispered, her eyes kind.

“Thanks,” Embry replied. Everyone seemed so nice, but it was overwhelming meeting Luke’s entire family.