Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

Her skin is so soft and warm beneath my calloused palm.

The perfect smooth to my rough.

I want to deepen the kiss.

Want to hold her tighter.

My body is ready for more. But I’m not positive Hannah’s is.

Not yet.

I slide my hand off her neck and pull my mouth back from hers.

Hannah’s cheeks are flushed, and her chest rises with quick breaths.

“Good night, Utley.”

She glances past me toward the sunrise. “Morning, Lovelace.”

I take a step back. “Lock your door.”

“I know how to take care of myself,” she tells me, one hand on the door.

“I know you do, Babe. But let me do some of that caring too.”

FIFTY-THREE

HANNAH

I shut and lock the door, then watch through the peephole as Maddox walks to his car.

Let me do some of that caring too.

My forehead drops to the door.

Being with him— around him— it’s just so goddamn easy.

It shouldn’t be. Not after all this time.

I let my anger toward him cloud my happiness for so long.

It felt like it was a part of me. That bitterness. And I thought I’d have it forever.

But it’s gone.

Just like that, it’s gone.

I don’t want to be angry anymore. I don’t want to be hurt.

I don’t want to put caution before passion.

I don’t want any of that.

I just want Maddox.

FIFTY-FOUR

MADDOX