“Trex didn’t hear me call out. But you did,” Zeke said, his voice soft. “And when you looked over the edge of that cliff, you looked … you were relieved.”

“I was.”

“Why?”

I looked up at him, his baby blue eyes scanning my face. “Because good men like you die.”

He leaned down, touching his lips to mine. They were soft, the way they moved experienced but foreign. My body immediately begged for him, my skin sighing in relief when his hands touched my bare back. When his warm tongue touched mine, I pushed him away so hard he nearly hit the far wall.

He held up his hands. “Sorry. Damn it, I’m sorry, Naomi. I’d never wanna…”

“I know,” I said, frowning, my gaze fixed on the floor. I turned and opened the dryer, throwing him his shirt and yanking mine over my head, shoving my arms through the sleeves.

“My apologies. Sincerely. I think I misread—”

“You didn’t,” I said, angry. “I like you. I wanted to try, but I…” I shook my head. “I don’t think I can. I see that you’re trying to go slow, and I appreciate that. But … this is less than a turtle’s pace, and I’m still struggling.” I sighed, trying to rein in my temper, angry only at myself.

He slipped on his shirt. “I don’t mind waiting, Naomi. I don’t know what gave you the impression I’m in a hurry. I’m not.”

“No, I know. I know that,” I said, crossing my arms. “And I know Matt would want me to be happy. And this,” I said, gesturing to the space between us, “is cool, right? You’re cute, and nice, and a great cook … and a damn good kisser.”

He smiled. “Right.”

I sighed, frustrated.

He took a small step toward me. “It’s a lot to sort through. I know that. Let’s just … maybe … if it’s okay … sit on the couch and watch something. I came in here in the first place to suggest watching a show on Hulu. Have you seen Dexter? It’s about a serial killer. Right up your alley.”

I ignored his jab, more concerned with trying to make something with Zeke work. I wanted to do normal things with him, like Hulu, and serial killers, and wrestle, and kiss, but I didn’t know how to get there from where I was.

“What’s the frown for?” he asked.

“I don’t have Hulu.”

“Do you have a smart TV?”

“Well, yeah.”

“We can use my account. We’ll cast it to your TV.”

I held up my palm. “Slow down. That’s boyfriend stuff. We’re not there yet.”

He smiled, walking down the hall. “Yet.”

chapter nineteen

trial date

Zeke

M

y hands burned as I lowered the stack of hot pans into the brown paper sack. “You’re a life saver, Reese. I seriously owe you.”