11

The hardest obstacle I had ever had to face was to release her from my embrace. Every fiber of my body and mind urged me to claim her as mine, but it was too soon. I wasn’t ready.

With a deep breath that filled my lungs with her fragrance, I stepped back. “I have something to take care of.” It hadn’t been a second I release her, and the longing to feel the warmth of her skin was nagging me. I gripped her hands, circling my thumb on her palm.

“Okay.” She pushed the loose strands of her hair behind her ear.

“I’m sorry about the way she spoke to you.”

She shrugged. The corners of her lips lifted. “I don’t care.”

She moved to hug me, and my hands encircled her. My chin rested on her head as she pressed her cheek against my heart.

We stayed that way for a while before she pulled away. “You had something to do.”

“Oh, yes.” I cleared my t