Page 95 of Three Steps Behind

She bit her bottom lip. “Can’t?”

“Not in this situation and . . .”

She furrowed her brows.

“Come over here.” He led her over to the sofa, and she sank into the squishy pillows.

She waited for him to sit beside her, but instead, he knelt in front of her and took hold of one of her hands, his touch lovingly tender.

“I want—” He cut himself off.

She scooched forward, her knees knocking her chest. “What is it? Do you regret the kiss?” Please say no.

“No, of course not. It’s just . . . you should be treasured. Kissed by someone . . . someone you’re in a relationship with.”

She thought they were headed that way, impossible as it was.

“You should be with someone who loves and cherishes you.”

Which meant he didn’t.

Humiliation pierced hot in her chest.

He clasped her hand. “I just want better for you. Better than me. Better than in these circumstances.”

“I understand.” She stood and headed for the door. The kiss had been a mistake. No matter how he packaged it, he regretted it. “’Night.” She stepped through the doorway, and this time, didn’t look back.

Thirty-Eight

AUBRY HOPPED UP, met her stride, and tugged her back into the apartment. “Hold up. I’m not saying the kiss was wrong. I just want you to know your worth.”

“My worth?”

“You’re beloved, treasured . . . and the list goes on.”

“Beloved by whom?” Clearly not him, which made sense given the circumstances.

“By God.”

Bristol burst out a laugh, but his expression didn’t change. “Oh, you’re serious?” she said.

“Very.”

“Look . . .” She patted him on the chest, realizing once again how ripped he was. “I appreciate you worrying about my soul and all that, but you’ve got the wrong girl.”

His hand shifted to hers. “Do I?”

She swallowed at his intense stare. “I’m going to go. I need to get some sleep.”

“I’m sorry if I upset you. That wasn’t my intent.”

No one hurt her, ever. She’d made herself not care. So why were his words like barbed arrows sticking in her chest? They clung to her in a way she’d never experienced before. “I’ve gotta go.”

“I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Dalton’s going on a work trip for a couple days, but I’m sure you heard that.”

“Yes, but—”