Page 55 of Utah

Rez, Dax, Miles, and Nash seconded his suggestion with shouts of their own.

“Enjoy,” Salzar said as he stood from his seat. “Marek, a word.” The two men walked out of the room, and I couldn’t for the life of me imagine what else they had to discuss. When I made eye contact with Stone, he didn’t appear as curious as me, which told me to stop worrying about shit that didn’t concern me. Hint received and followed. Besides, I had more important things on my mind. Ria being number one on that list.

I rose from my chair and turned toward the door, sidestepping Knox at the last second.

“Where are you off to?” he asked, splitting his attention between me and the screen of his phone.

“Your sister is finally quitting her job. I’m gonna run her by Rocky’s so she can let them know, and then we’re gonna grab something to eat.”

“How did you convince her to quit?”

“I didn’t have to try too hard this time. I think she got scared when she started bleeding and realized being on her feet all the time wasn’t the best thing.”

“Smart.” He glanced at an incoming text before looking back at me. “I called her earlier, but she didn’t answer. How’s she feeling?”

“Better.” I didn’t get into everything that transpired last night, mainly his sister agreeing to live with me, because that was our business.

“That’s good.”

His preoccupation with his phone allowed me to leave without saying anything else. I smacked him on his arm as I brushed past him and headed toward the exit.

As soon as I got in my truck, I called Ria. She answered on the third ring.

“I just left the clubhouse. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay. I’ll be ready.”

Twenty-three minutes later, I pulled into her driveway. She was on the porch waiting. I couldn’t take my eyes off her as she walked toward me. Her jeans were molded to her, accentuating every curve. The pink shirt she wore dipped lower in the front than I liked, but it wasn’t as bad as those shirts she wore to work. Thankfully, I didn’t have to worry about a bunch of drunk assholes eye-fucking her anymore.

I was overwhelmed with a rush of gratitude when she smiled at me as she buckled her seat belt. Ria not only agreed to be mine, but she loved me, and trust me, I wasn’t the easiest man to love.

It wasn’t until I met this woman that I even believed in such a concept. I’d fought it, I’d denied it, but in the end, I’d fallen prey to the dream most people had. To find someone they wanted by their side through every obstacle. To find someone who loved them at their best… and their worst. All my hesitations were behind me.

“Are you gonna stare at me all day, or are we gonna go?”

“Sorry.” I snapped out of my temporary trance and put the truck in Drive.

“Don’t apologize. I like when you look at me with that level of intensity. It does things to me.”

“It does?” I reached over and rested my hand on her thigh, briefly catching her eye.

Her brows lifted ever so slightly, and my mind drifted back to the last time I’d been inside her. It seemed like a lifetime ago now, but soon enough, we’d be creating more memories like the one playing on repeat in my head.

“You affect me, Utah. In every way.”

Her tone didn’t quite line up with her words, but I didn’t ask her to elaborate. Some things were better left undissected.

“Do you think your boss is gonna be upset that you’re leaving? Not that I care.”

She placed her hand over mine, tucking her thumbbetween my palm and her leg. “This is a dream come true for you, I know.” A soft chuckle followed her acute observation. “And I’m sure she’s not gonna be thrilled, but she knows I’m pregnant. Me quitting can’t be a complete shock.”

I didn’t want to inadvertently upset her by saying something stupid like “I’m happy you’ve finally come to your senses” or “It’s about time you listened to me.” Which were two phrases rattling around inside my brain. Instead, I embraced the silence that drifted between us.

After pulling into Rocky’s parking lot, I opened my door to exit, but she stopped me with a tap on my arm.

“You don’t have to come in. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“I don’t mind.”

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