Amber’s POV I pulled away, not because I wanted to, but because I felt it was necessary. I didn’t want to complicate things with Julian worse than they already were. But those few minutes where we had held each other? Those had been perfect. I had missed his absence keenly, and being beside him now felt like I was having a part of myself restored to me. None of which I could vocalize aloud, not without things being misconstrued, or taken too far. I wasn’t ready for the kind of relationship Julian seemed up for – at least not yet. I knew saying these things would only lead him on and make him think I was prepared for the kind of relationship he wanted. Maybe in the future. I didn’t know. But I knew right now was too soon. Between us, silently within in, I felt the buzz of the mating bo

