Read Online Unbroken (The Disclosure Series Book 2) by R.E. Hunter - Free Book Online Page B

never felt for anyone else what he felt for her, and he didn’t want to risk it, her. That had worked out well, clearly.
    She brushed at the tears on her cheeks and sat up straighter, meeting his eyes with a determined stare. She was so brave, so strong, and she didn’t even see it.
    “Is there anything else?” she asked.
    Luke was thrown off guard. “Anything else?”
    “Anything else you haven’t told me,” she explained.
    A small grin lit his face. “I stole a candy bar from the grocery store when I was nine. And blamed it on Cam.”
    He watched as a light flickered in Embry’s eyes, and her lips curved into a tiny smile.
    “And if we’re telling the truth,” he continued, “I should probably tell you about that time I got caught with Miranda Wright under the bleachers.”
    Her eyes widened in astonishment before letting out an adorable laugh. “I’m serious!” she said, playfully slapping his arm.
    His eyes heated. “I know you are, sweetheart. But I couldn’t resist. I needed to see that smile.” And that’s exactly what he got—an all-out, eyes gleaming, mega-watt smile just for him, and it broke his heart. Because he didn’t deserve it, didn’t deserve her.
    A voice in his head was screaming at him to leave, to let her find happiness with someone else. He wasn’t good for her; he’d done nothing but cause her pain. But he wasn’t strong enough to walk away. If he still had even the slightest chance with her, he was selfish enough to take it.
     

     
    Embry squirmed under Luke’s intense gaze. She wished she knew what was going on in his mind.
    “Is there a chance?”
    His question threw her.
    “A chance?” she repeated, her pulse picking up.
    “For us. A chance for us.” His eyes pleaded with her.
    “I don’t know, Luke.” She glanced away, busying herself with the hem of her shirt. “I’d be lying if I said no. I wouldn’t have bothered asking to talk if I didn’t want to try, I just don’t know how to move past it.” She looked intently into his eyes. “Jack left me broken and bruised, in more ways than one. It was impossible for me to open up, to trust anyone after that. But I did… with you. You knew what I’d been through and you still kept things from me, were dishonest.
    He stared at her silently.
    “This is twice now, Luke. And I know you have a good reason, but that’s the problem… you always have a good reason. You’re not malicious, I know you thought you were doing the best thing for me, for us, but you weren’t. You broke me, broke us.”
    “I know,” he replied, grimacing. He pushed off of the couch, and Embry sucked in a sharp breath as he knelt on the floor in front of her. Pulling her hands from her lap, he entwined their fingers. “I’m sorry, Embry. More sorry than you’ll ever know. If I had it to do over, I’d never lie to you. I’d do anything and everything to avoid causing you pain. But I can’t regret what happened with Sydney. Not when it brought me here.” He squeezed her hands. “And here is where I always want to be.” His eyes bore into hers, intense and sincere. “I promise you, I will never hurt you again. I’ll never give you another reason to run.”
    Embry nodded, at a loss. She believed him. With every word, her will became a bit weaker; her determination to stay away was waning. She stood suddenly, forcing Luke away, and began pacing. “I—” She turned to him. “I want to try.”
    He sat patiently on the couch, waiting for her to gather her thoughts, and it warmed her throughout. He’d always given her time—space—to think. He didn’t push her, didn’t make demands. It strengthened her resolve.
    “I want to try,” she said again, stronger this time. His eyes lit with hope. “But I’m not sure I can jump right back in and pick up where we left off. I need time…”
    He nodded thoughtfully.
    “Everything with us moved so fast.”
    “Then let me date you,” Luke suggested.
    “What?” The word shot out