Undone (38 page)

Embry stepped out of the limousine, and Morgan followed. They stood side-by-side staring at the English Tudor-style mansion.

“Shall we?” Embry asked, linking her arm with Morgan’s.

“We shall,” Morgan agreed.

They made their way along the cobblestone path to the entrance. The manor held all of the opulence and grandeur of the 1920s. They walked through the main doors, and Embry lost her breath. A large, sparkling chandelier illuminated the foyer and the grand staircase. She felt as if she had traveled back in time or stepped right into
The Great Gatsby
. At least she would have been dressed for it.

Morgan must have been familiar with the venue because she had picked out the perfect outfit for Embry. Her long blond hair was curled to perfection and gathered so that it hung over her left shoulder. Her makeup was soft and feminine, highlighting her emerald-green eyes. She wore a beige mini-dress with an open back, cap sleeves, and a silver lace overlay that shimmered with her every move. The final touch was a long strand of pearls that Morgan had wrapped around her neck in a way that had them falling down Embry’s bare back. She had never felt so beautiful.

Morgan stunned in a blush, sequin-covered gown with a plunging neckline. Her long brown hair was pulled back into a ballerina bun, showing off the long line of her neck. The girls were dressed to impress and ready to party. They followed the staircase to the second floor where it opened into a large ballroom. Morgan had insisted on being fashionably late, so the party was already underway.

They walked arm-in-arm into the room, Morgan pulling Embry and gushing over the ornate antique fixtures. Jazzy Christmas music played through the speakers as gloved butlers passed around champagne and canapés.

“Don’t mind if we do,” Morgan said, plucking two flutes of champagne from a tray and handing one to Embry.

Embry took a sip, the bubbles tickling her nose, and scanned the room. Morgan was still talking excitedly about the venue, but Embry couldn’t be bothered to listen. She was searching for Luke. She hadn’t set eyes on him in days, and she needed her fix. Finals had taken their toll. She was sleep-deprived and had lost five pounds from the stress, but it was missing Luke that had been unbearable. Between his proctoring schedule, his law practice, and her studying, they’d had no time to spend together. She missed his arms, his warmth, his touch. She may not be able to interact with him at the party, but she needed to see him.

“Are you even listening to me?” Morgan asked, taking a healthy sip of champagne.

“No,” Embry answered honestly. “Sorry.” She followed Morgan’s lead and sucked down some more champagne. “Let’s go find Jer and—”

She watched Morgan’s eyes shift and grow wide as a warm hand pressed against the bare skin of her back. She struggled to stand as her knees buckled and her body flooded with sensation. His touch didn’t last more than a second, but in that second, everything slowed down. His thumb dragged down her naked spine and tangled with the pearls. He gave a slight tug and drew her back into his body as his lips brushed her ear. She smelled his spicy-clean scent combined with whatever scotch he was drinking, and she had to fight the whimper rising up her throat.

“You look stunning tonight, Miss Jacobs,” he rasped as he dropped his hand and continued walking.

Her heart kicked into overdrive as she watched him walk away.

“Miss Jacobs,” a voice said to her left, forcing her gaze away from Luke.

Embry turned to see her contracts professor standing before her. “Professor Coleman! How are you feeling? You look fabulous.” Embry said, taking in her long, black gown.

“I’m well, thank you. Feeling much better and ready to get back to work next semester. Professor Brody has nothing but wonderful things to say about your help as a research assistant. I’ve seen the results, and I’m quite impressed myself.”

“Thank you. He’s been a good teacher.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Well, it was nice to see you. I look forward to working with you again next semester,” Professor Coleman said.

“Thank you, Professor. Happy holidays!”

“You too, Embry.”

Professor Coleman walked away, and Embry turned to Morgan, panic sweeping over her features. “Do you think she saw him? Us?”

Morgan grabbed Embry’s hand and pulled her toward the bar. “Calm down, and no. Even if she did, it was so quick I doubt anyone would have given it a second thought.”

“I’m pretty sure
your
professor doesn’t greet you like that,” Embry argued.

“I’m pretty sure
my
professor doesn’t look like yours.” Morgan wiggled her eyebrows. “Come on, stop worrying and have another drink.”

The girls found Jeremy and Tessa at the bar. He’d been pretty cold toward Embry since the review session, but they stayed and mingled for a few minutes before strolling out onto the dance floor.

“I don’t like that girl,” Morgan commented.

“So it’s not just me?”

“No. She gives me the creeps. There’s just something about her. It’s kind of like someone cloned you and left out the brain.”

“What? She’s nothing like me!”

Morgan raised her eyebrows. “Really? You can’t see it? That boy is hopelessly in love with you. He went and found a girl who looks just like you.”

“I don’t see it.” Embry shrugged.

“You wouldn’t. You don’t want to.”

“Morgan, stop. He’s my friend.”

“I know he is. I love Jeremy too. I’m just saying I don’t like her.”

“Well, we can agree on that,” Embry said.

At that moment, the music stopped, and the dean grabbed a microphone to address the faculty and students. The dance floor cleared, and Embry had her first real look at Luke. He stood directly across the dance floor, wearing a charcoal-gray suit with a thin black tie and crisp white shirt. The suit was perfectly tailored to his long muscled body, and his dark hair set off his cobalt eyes, which were fixed intently on Embry.

“Wow,” Morgan said, following Embry’s line of sight. “Your man cleans up well.”

“Yeah, he does,” Embry agreed.

The dean prattled on in the background, but Embry’s eyes remained locked on Luke’s. She couldn’t look away. He was jaw-droppingly handsome, and he was all hers. A jab to her ribs caused her to stop her greedy perusal and glare at Morgan.

“Just doing my job.” Morgan gave Embry a dazzlingly smile.

“What job is that?”

“Bree-sitting. It’s a dirty job, but someone’s got to keep you from mounting your professor in the middle of a school-sponsored event.”

Embry rolled her eyes and took another sip of her champagne. They chatted idly for a few minutes while the dean finished his speech. Everyone clapped politely, and the music kicked back on.

Embry and Morgan made their way around the room, mingling with other students and enjoying the hors d’oeuvres. She did her best to keep her eyes away from Luke, but no matter where in the room she went, she felt him watching her—felt his eyes like a soft caress that set her skin on fire. She eventually lost the battle and found him across the ballroom. He was talking with the blonde woman he’d taken to the bar the night of her setup with Brendan, but his eyes were fixed on Embry. She was stuck to the spot and lost in this gaze.

Morgan leaned in close to whisper, “I suggest that if you want to keep up the innocent student act, you stop eye-fucking your professor from across the room.”

“I’m not—”

“You are, Bree. Everyone stares at him; that’s not the real problem.”

“Then what exactly
is
the problem?” she asked, annoyed.

“That he stares back. I don’t think a single person in this room could miss the sparks flying between you two if they bothered to pay any attention.”

“Well, then I guess it’s good they’re not paying attention.”

“You’d better hope they’re not,” Morgan said.

Embry let out a frustrated sigh, but she knew Morgan was right. They couldn’t be so obvious. “You’re right, thanks.”

Morgan nodded.

“I’m going to find the bathroom.”

“In need of a cold shower?” she joked.

“Yeah, something like that.”

Morgan wasn’t entirely off base. Embry had to remove herself from the situation, take a few deep breaths, and compose herself. They weren’t love-struck teenagers, and they needed to exhibit a little more self-control. She looked around for Luke but lost sight of him. She walked down the long corridor to the bathrooms. Other than a few students on their way back to the ballroom, the hallway was empty. She found the bathroom and opened the door. Suddenly, a warm chest pushed against her back and forced her into the room. Startled, she gasped and turned to find Luke smiling down at her.

He pressed his body into hers and against the closed door. “Hey, beautiful.”

“Luke!” she whisper-yelled, pushing against his chest. “Are you crazy? You can’t be in here with me!”

“I can’t?” he asked, smirking.

“No, you can’t!”

He eased away from her and reached for the door. “Okay, I’ll just—”

“No,” she said, grabbing his tie and pulling him to her.

He crushed his lips to hers and held her against the door. She felt his erection, long and hard, pressing against her belly.

“Luke,” she whispered.

He tore his mouth from hers, his hands coming up to cup her cheeks. “I couldn’t help myself, baby.” His eyes burned into hers. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.” He captured her lips in a searing kiss, his tongue slowly invading her mouth.

Embry made short work of his belt buckle and pulled him free. His hands traveled down her body, hiked up her dress, and ripped down her panties as he continued his assault on her mouth. Luke cupped her ass with both hands and lifted her up against the door. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist as he slid her onto his hard cock. Embry cried out. He stretched and filled her until she wasn’t sure she could take anymore.

Luke’s hand came down over her mouth. “Shhh.”

She groaned into his hand as sensation took over and she felt that delicious tremor building deep inside. Luke removed his hand and gripped her ass again. He held nothing back, slamming into her with such force her back slid up the door.

“Is this becoming our thing, baby?” Embry whispered teasingly. “Sex against doors?”

Luke smiled against her lips. “It’s your fault. If you weren’t so goddamn beautiful, I might have a chance at keeping it in my pants.”

“I like it that you can’t keep it in your pants, at least with me. I just think I might miss the bed a little bit.”

Luke groaned as he dragged himself out of her before pushing back in with more force. “Mmm, I have plenty planned for you later tonight, don’t you worry.”

“Is that a promise?”

“No, beautiful. That’s a guarantee,” he said as he joined his mouth with hers once more.

Embry’s mind went fuzzy, and she wasn’t sure if it was the champagne or Luke or both. Her head fell onto his shoulder as her body seized up. “Oh my God! Luke!” she cried into his neck as waves of pleasure took her over.

“Fuck,” he said softly, releasing inside of her.

He feathered light kisses across her cheeks, whispering how beautiful she was before slowly sliding out of her and easing her down from the door. They both cleaned up, and Embry fixed her curls in the mirror. Luke watched her intently before slipping his arms around her from behind, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror.

“You’re coming back to my place tonight, right?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

“Yep. I packed a bag and left it in the limo.”

They were spending the weekend doing all of the fun Christmas things they wanted to do together before Luke’s family flew in that week.

“Good. I’ll see you in a few hours then.” He spun her in his arms, turning a mega-watt Luke smile on her.

“I’ll see you in a few hours.” She pushed up onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his before he slipped out of the bathroom.

Embry checked herself once more in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, but she could chalk it up to the alcohol. She stepped out into the hallway and saw Luke a little ways ahead of her. He nodded at someone walking toward him and continued into the ballroom. The woman was walking in her direction and as she drew nearer, Embry’s heartbeat skyrocketed.

“Miss Jacobs,” Professor Coleman said, tilting her head and pausing to examine Embry.

“Professor,” she replied, smiling. She felt her blush deepen as her skin flushed with embarrassment, but she kept walking and hoped that Professor Coleman wasn’t as perceptive as she seemed.

Embry shoved her hands in her pockets and huddled against Luke, the cold wind whipping against her face. Snow had fallen the night before, adding to the feel of Christmas. His arm came around her, tucking her against him.

“How high are your ceilings again?” she asked.

Luke chuckled. “High enough, baby. Pick whichever one you like.”

Embry stared at the row of Christmas trees before her and chewed on her lip. Christmas music echoed in the background, and Luke waited patiently as she made her decision. She picked the largest one of the bunch, a fifteen-footer, and watched as it was wrapped up and tied to the top of Luke’s Rover.