Page 98 of Luke, The Profiler

“I’m good to you because I love you, you idiot.”

“But I failed you,” he said, and all at once I could see the wounds he carried, wounds that could be laid at my father’s doorstep right alongside my own. “I didn’t protect you when you needed me to do it, like a good brother should. I’ve felt so guilty all this time that I couldn’t even face you. Not until I could show you that I was capable of standing on my own two feet without your father having anything to do with it. That way you’d know that when I finally came to you, you’d be able to trust that it was justme, and not your father pulling my strings. I’m only sorry it took me this long to get my shit together.”

“All that matters is that you did get it together, and you know beyond all doubt that you’re your own man now. God, Kels, I couldn’t be prouder of you.” I gave him another hug, then turned when I heard footsteps heading our way. “Hey, honey.”

“Happy birthday, Luke.” Stepping forward, Kels offered his hand as my husband came to pull me to his side. “And congratulations on the latest edition to the family. Remember, Kelsey is a unisex name, just in case you were thinking of going that way.”

“I let Eden do the name-choosing,” Luke said, his tone deceptively mild as he slid a glance my way, checking to see if I was okay. I gave his middle a squeeze and smiled up at him.I’m good, baby. “Do you want to come in? I know the party’s winding down, but you could always help us with the clean-up.”

“As tempting as that is, I think I’ll pass.” With a chuckle Kels stepped back, raising his chin in my direction. “Remember, I’m just a phone call away, yeah? And as soon as I find a place, I’ll let you know where I’ve landed. The college is offering some kind of university-related housing, but you know me—I’ve got standards.”

“Yeah, Louis Vuitton standards.” Damn it, my eyes were stinging again. “I’m going to miss you so much, Kels.”

“Idiot, I’m just going across the lake.”

“It’s one of the Great Lakes, dumbass, but I get it. And like I said, I’m happy for you.” My stupid hormones had me choking up again, and it took all I had to give him a smile. “I love you so much, brother. Go and live a great life up there in Michigan, you hear me? Find your happiness.”

“I’m already halfway there, because I’m finally free. And it feelsgood.” He blew me a kiss and nodded at Luke, looking both strong and vulnerable with tears in his eyes. “You better take care of my sister while I’m gone, pal, or I’ll find a way to kick your ass. Don’t you doubt me on this.”

“I believe you.” Clearly relaxing, Luke held me to his side and gave Kels a warm smile. “I swear to you that I’ll do my best to look after your sister. Just do me a favor and promise me that you’re not going to be such a stranger anymore, yeah? Cato needs his Uncle Kels and I know Eden’s missed you, so don’t forget that our door is always open to you. You’re part of this crazy family, whether you like it or not.”

For a second I thought Kels was going to cry. Then I heard him swallow, and he gave us a smile. “Damn, you guys are the best. I’ll probably have time off from teaching during winter break, so be prepared to make some time for me, yeah? We’ll get together then. And don’t you fucking cry, Eden,” he added when I sniffled noisily. “Michigan isn’t Timbuktu, all right? I’m just across the lake.”

“But it’s such a big lake,” I whispered as he walked back down the driveway with a wave of farewell. “I can’t believe Kels is leaving Chicago. I mean, I’m so proud of him, forging his own way in the world, but… oh, Luke. It’s such a big lake.”

“Kels needs this, love.” Turning me to him, he wrapped me up in his arms and rested his brow against mine. “I admire the hell out of him, you know that? To break away from a charismatic cult leader who had him under his control since he was fourteen, then stepping out into the world to make his own way shows just how strong-willed Kels is. Our job now is to be happy for him, and be there for him should he need a support system. But between you and me, I don’t think he will. I have a feeling Kels is starting the life he was always meant to live. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

“Same here.” Trying to blink away my tears, I looked over at Steele, who was watching us along with his family. “Were you two going to run to my rescue?”

“Something like that.” He gave me a kiss before turning us back to the house. “You got a problem with that?”

“What a silly question.” I smiled and gave him another squeeze. “I’ve got no problem with my own personal monster wanting to rescue me.”

“What your very own monster wants to do is get you into the hot tub so I can enjoy my real birthday present—you. So what do you say we kick everybody outta here and get that tub warmed up?”

A thrill went through me. “I’m on it.”

Half an hour later I closed the front door on the last guest with a sense of finality. Then, turning to face my husband, I reached behind me to pull on the zipper at my back. “Last one in is a rotten egg.”

“No fair.” Laughing softly, Luke toed out of his shoes, pulled his socks off, then went to work on his shirt. And all the while he didn’t take his eyes off me as he walked backwards out the sliding glass door toward the hot tub by the pool. “All you have to do is get out of that sexy little dress. I’ve got all these dumbass clothes to get through. It’s going to take me a minute.”

“Obviously I need to give my man the proper motivation to get his ass in gear.” Smiling, I dropped the dress at my feet and stepped out of it, leaving me in just a pretty white thong and high-heeled peep-toe slides. “Tell me, my monster. Will this be enough to motivate you?”

“Fuck me.” His eyes moved over me covetously, as if he had never seen me before. I’d worked hard to get my figure back after Cato was born, and I still had some work to do. But the way he looked at me made me feel like the most desirable woman in the world, and I fell in love with him all over again. “Get over here, woman.”

“You’ll have to catch me.” Playfully I dodged him and ran out to the tub, kicked off my shoes and yanked my thong off. Then I was in the bubbling water, the silken warmth of it enveloping my nakedness while Luke followed close behind.

“Rotten egg,” I teased as he shucked the last of his clothes and slid into the tub beside me.

“I’ll show you who’s a rotten egg.” Reaching for me, he hauled me up on his lap so that I straddled him. His palm gave my bottom a little smack, with the water taking away the sting. “That’s for dodging your man, genius.”

“I also ignored your command to come over here.” Smiling, I looped my arms around his neck and nuzzled my nose against his. “I’m a bad, bad girl. You should probably punish me.”

“Now that’s the kind of birthday present I’m talking about.”

“Yay.” With a breathless laugh I kissed him, my hand stroking over his chest. “I have one or two more presents for you upstairs, by the way, whenever you feel like getting around to them.”

“I thought we decided the hot tub was going to be my big present this year.”

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