Page 28 of Utah

“Do you realize you keep asking two-word questions?”

He smiled, and I all but melted.

“I do.”

His grin deepened, and I released a heavy breath. When he looked at me like this, stood so close, he messed with my brain and my sanity.

“I miss you,” he said, his lips even closer now.

“I’m right here.”

“Not close enough.”

“What do you me—”

His mouth took mine, and I gasped, inhaling his breath as my own. The soft sweep of his tongue elicited goose bumps. It had been so long since we kissed, I almost forgot what he tasted like, what he smelled like this close. Weaving my fingers through his hair, I tugged, and he groaned his approval.

He seized my waist and pulled me impossibly close. “Don’t go to work. Stay here with me.”

“I have to go,” I mumbled against his lips. His response was to bite my lower one. “You don’t play fair.”

“Of course not.” He pulled back and looked at me. “But you don’t either.” He glanced back down at my breasts. “You’re really not gonna change your shirt?”

“What? No.”

He clenched his teeth but didn’t say anything more on the subject, dropping his hands from my waist and stepping back.

Was the kiss his way of trying to get me to change my mind about my attire?

Or did he really mean everything he said?

15

“Okay, brother. I’ll see you there.”

“Who was that?” Ria asked as soon as I tossed my phone on the bed.

She’d stepped out of the bathroom, a billow of steam swirling behind her. A small white towel was the only thing shielding her nakedness, and I was consumed with past memories of her spread wide on the bed, ready for me to consume. She waved her hand in front of my face to get my attention, shaking her head because she’d caught me staring at her.

“Renner. He called to see if I wanted him to pick me up for Crash’s service today.”

“Oh.” She nibbled on the corner of her bottom lip, looking as if I’d given her the trickiest puzzle to solve.

“What’s wrong?”

I tossed a pain pill into my mouth and swallowed it without water. I’d had one a couple hours ago and wasn’t due for another until later, but my stomach bothered me.

“I thought I was taking you.”

“You’re going to the funeral?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you didn’t know him. I just assumed you’d sit this one out.”

She lightly squeezed my forearm. “He was important to you and to my brother because he was part of your club. I can appreciate the comradery. I’d like to be there for you.”

“Don’t you have an early shift today?” I clasped the buttons on my shirt. “The service is at one.”

---