Page 34 of Ash

Suzannah's eyes widened at the sound. "Wow."

He smiled at her and felt a little embarrassed at his lack of restraint. "Sorry."

"That sounded... um..."

"Just like a bear?"

She nodded, her eyes still wider than normal.

"This is all... This is so amazing."

"You-"

He'd spoken without thinking and bit down on his tongue to keep from continuing.

"Me?"

Tell her.

Sucking up his hesitation, Ash looked her in the eye. "You." He nodded. "You're amazing."

The world around him seemed to stop.

He didn't hear the soft conversation going on in the kitchen.

He didn't feel the heat from the ovens.

He didn't even hear the blood rushing through his veins.

He heard her soft intake of breath.

He could hear her heart beating in her chest and his own heart shifted and changed to fall in step with her own.

She was beautiful.

She was enchanting.

She was a wonder.

"H-how... I mean... Why would you say that?"

The healthy flush of blood in her cheeks was rosy and her eyes were shining.

Every inch of his body and every bit of his soul was focused on her. Just her.

"It's the truth," he told her. He meant it.

"You're just being kind."

"It's not about being kind."

The look she gave him said she didn't believe it.

He wanted her to understand that he meant it.

"I wouldn't lie to you."

"People don't think that being kind is a lie," she flushed again and turned her gaze away. "I am grateful that you're trying to make me feel better."

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