Page 72 of Utah

Instinct told me I was entering dangerous territory, but I did as he demanded. I pressed my mouth to his, and at first, our connection was soft, gentle. But when I squirmed on top of him, unable to control the surge of lust thickening my veins, he groaned, the vibration tickling my lips.

He wrapped his fingers around my throat, squeezing gently as his tongue slid against mine.

My pulse fluttered in my throat, my heart like a wild drum beneath my ribs.

We shared one breath.

A single moment of ecstasy that could go no further.

A lapse in judgment because all this teasing couldn’t lead anywhere. Not today, at least.

My lips momentarily slipped from his. “We have… have to stop,” I breathlessly said.

“I know.”

His gaze bore into mine, and all I wanted to do was ravage him, but as he mentioned, we still had two more days to go before we could be together again.

“I should get off you.”

“You should,” he said.

For a moment, neither of us moved. It was the first time in a long time I wished for the hours to fly by just so we could be two days into the future.

Deciding it best not to tease myself any longer, I hoisted myself into a sitting position, straddling his lap. “This isn’t any better.” I laughed.

“Nope.” His smile mirrored mine, and my heart flickered. “How about you sit here?” he said, pointing to the cushion next to him. “I want to talk to you about something.”

“Is it bad?” I asked, moving off him.

“No,” he answered, shaking his head at the same time. “I told you I wanted us to move in together, but there’s no rush.”

I angled my body toward him, tucking my right leg beneath me. “You don’t want me to move in? Because if you’re having doubts—”

“I’m not having doubts. I promise. I want you to take all the time you need, though. We just got back on track after everything that happened. I don’t want to force the situation andhave you regretting the decision soon after. That’s all.” He entwined his fingers with mine. “I swear. I’m not backing out. I’d have you move in here tonight if it was up to me. But this will happen on your time. When you’re ready.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely.”

I nodded, a mixture of excitement and apprehension battling for the win. I looked forward to the day Utah and I lived together. To go to bed each night in his arms and wake up next to him would be amazing. But after the incident with Will, I still had some reservations. I believed him when he said he’d never act that way again, but I needed him to prove it to me as well.

While I’d been worried he was having second thoughts about our future living arrangements, I was grateful he gave me the time I needed before I took the plunge.

41

“Don’t go yet,” Ria pouted, tossing her leg over mine as I attempted to get out of bed. “I’m too comfy.”

“I have to meet your brother at Mendi’s. We’re starting on the bathroom reno today. I was supposed to have it completed by now, but… well, you know the reason for the delay.”

She rested her hand on my stomach, directly below my healing wound.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? Should you be working yet?”

“I’ll be fine. Besides, Knox is gonna be doing most of the heavy lifting for me.”

“Does he know that?”

“Not yet.”

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