Utah (Knights Corruption MC: Laredo #4)

Chapter 28

28

I’d finally managed to fall asleep when I was woken by loud banging on the front door. Then my phone rang.

“What the hell?” I grumbled, wondering if I was locked in a dream.

More knocking was followed by another phone call.

Nope. No dream.

Instead of grabbing my cell to answer, I knocked it off the bedside table as someone shouted my name over and over.

“Is that Utah?” Evie poked her head into my bedroom, stifling her yawn with a hand over her mouth. At the mention of his name, I wiped away the remainder of my sleep and hopped out of bed. I rushed past my sister, but she grabbed my arm. “You probably shouldn’t be running.”

“Oh yeah.” Guilt overtook me as I slowed my steps.

“Ria!” a loud voice boomed.

I opened the door to find Utah’s fist propped in the air, ready to make contact again. “Why are you yelling?” I asked, rubbing my eyes. I was surprised to see him here. Thankful but still surprised. “It’s four thirty in the morning.”

“What the fuck, Ria?” He ignored my comment on the time and rushed into the house. The line between his eyes deepened as he looked me up and down. “Are you okay?” He reached for my belly but stopped before he touched me. “Is the baby okay?”

“The baby’s fine. How did you…? Who told you…?” I glanced behind me at Evie and remembered that when we got home, our mom’s light was on. We briefly stopped in to tell her what happened.

“Knox called me. He said your mom told him you were rushed to the hospital because you were bleeding.”

“Freaking Knox,” Evie mumbled as she walked out of the room, leaving the two of us alone.

“I’m gonna kill him. I wasn’t rushed to the hospital. I was nervous because there was blood when I went to the bathroom earlier, but everything is fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. The doctor said the bleeding should stop in a day or so.” Then, as if my brain-to-mouth filter had been dismantled, I blurted, “She said no sex until the bleeding stops. I told her that wasn’t a problem at all.”

Utah tied his hair back off his face. An amused expression replaced his worried one. “No sex, huh? That makes sense. Hopefully we don’t have to wait too long, though.”

A smile I could only describe as seductive shaped his lips, and all I wanted to do was throw myself into his arms. I’d been so worried about him since he left, and now that he was back and in one piece, I wanted to shower him with kisses. But I didn’t move, instead focusing on the odd statement he made.

“What?” I asked, needing him to elaborate.

Before I could blink, he was in front of me, standing impossibly close. The warmth of his hands on my waist comforted me, especially after the night I had.

“I’ve been given a third chance at life, and I’m not wasting any more time.”

“A third ch— ”

“I’ll explain later. Right now, I need to tell you something. Something I should’ve said before I left.” His throat constricted on a swallow.

Is he going to say what I think he is? Oh my God, I’m not ready to hear it. Or am I? Do I feel the same way? What if he says something else? Then I’m freaking out for no reason.

“Unless I’m angry, no one ever knows how I’m feeling. But I want to be different with you. I need you to know how I feel about you. I’ve wasted too much time fearing the worst, but I don’t care anymore.” Utah pressed his lips to mine, then pulled back, gazing into my eyes so deep, I swore he could see every secret I held close. “I love you, Ria. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to tell you, but I do. I want us to be together. You and me.”

Seconds ago, I internally freaked out because I wasn’t sure I was ready to hear what he had to say. But as soon as he gave life to those precious words, it was as if a weight had been lifted. Like a puzzle piece fitting perfectly where it belonged. The echo of his words caressed my heart, and I didn’t believe I’d ever been happier—other than when I heard our little bean was okay.

“And the baby,” I added.

His grin deepened, and I’d never seen him look so peaceful before. “And our baby.”

I’d gone back and forth countless times concerning my true feelings for the man standing before me, but no matter how hard I tried to hide from it or deny it, I did love him. More than I’d ever loved anyone.

“I love you too.”

He winked at me, and my stomach erupted in butterflies. “I know.”

“You’re so arrogant sometimes.” I laughed.

He tilted his head to the side and smiled wider. He didn’t refute my claim.

“I’m gonna take a shower before bed. ”

“You’re staying over?”

“I’m never leaving your side again. We’ll discuss the specifics later.”

“What does that mean?”

“That means, I’m tired, I’m in desperate need of a shower, and then I want to hold you as we fall asleep. Is that okay?”

My imagination ran wild with the possibilities of the future for us, and I grinned from ear to ear.

“Yes, that’s okay.”

“Good.”

We stared at each other for a moment, our mirrored expressions lighting my heart and soul.