Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

In front of me, the door opens, and Chelsea appears.

“Jeez, chill, man.” She’s looking up at me like I’ve lost my mind.

And I feel like I have.

“Smidge.” I try to keep my tone calm. “Where’s your aunt?”

Ruth steps up behind her. “Sorry, she’s gone.”

I shake my head. “She can’t be gone.”

“Maddox —”

“I’m not letting her go.”

Ruth reaches over Chelsea and smacks me lightly on the chest. “Hun, pay attention.”

I blink.

Ruth smiles and lifts her hand. “She’s right there.”

Turning to follow her finger, I see Hannah’s car turn into the driveway. And I bound down the steps.

ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN

HANNAH

Guilt swamps me as I see the distress on Maddox’s face as he practically runs toward me.

I hurry to unbuckle and get out of the car before Maddox can reach me, but by the time I have my door open, he’s already there, tugging me up and out of the seat.

He slides his hands up my arms until he’s palming the front of my throat in that way I love, tangling his other hand in my hair.

“I’m not letting you go, Little Bunny.” His words crash into me. “Not now. Not fucking ever.”

Emotions swirl my vision, and I reach up to grip his forearms. “Maddox—”

He shakes his head. “Let me say this.”

I swallow and nod, the movement small with his hold on me.

“I love you, Hannah Utley. And I don’t believe in curses.” I grip his arms tighter. “But I’d still do it. I’d still love you, even if it kills me because I don’t know any other way to live.”

Tears fall freely from my eyes.

He leans down, kissing my cheek. “Don’t cry, Babe.” He kisses the other cheek, catching another tear on his lips. “I’ll fix it.”

I shake my head.

“I promise I’ll fix it,” he tells me again, his tone full of conviction.

“Maddox.” My voice breaks.

His hand leaves my hair so he can brush his thumb under my eye. “You’re not fired, Hannah Bunny. I won’t let them.”

God, this man.

I shake my head, but he shakes his own.