Page 37 of Ash

Suzannah looked back at him and waited for some kind of red flag to pop up and start waving in her face, but they weren't there.

"Here," Hetty stepped up beside the table and set down half dozen plates between them, "some deliciousness for you to share why you talk."

Suzannah breathed in the heavenly scents of the pastries and looked up at Hetty with a smile.

Hetty paused and set her hand on Suzannah's shoulder. "It's so good to have you here with us. It's like... it's like Betty is here with us."

Hetty brushed some of Suzannah's hair back from her face. "She would tell you how beautiful you are."

Suzannah shook her head. She couldn't quite believe it.

"You are."

She turned back to look at Ash and the look in his eyes said that he believed the words he'd told her.

Looking at Hetty and Ash, hearing the conviction in their voices, she wondered if there might be some truth in their words.

She hoped so.

She had no interest in being beautiful, but she could be happy, Hetty thought so.

And the way that Ash was looking at her?

She could get used to that.

And looking at Ash? Feeling his touch?

Oh, she could get used to that.

She was already reveling in the warmth of his touch.

Her hand moved, her fingers flexing in his grasp.

It felt like electricity, a buzz of sensation where their skin touched.

Blossoming heat of a kind that she'd never felt before.

Close your eyes.

She heard the words like a whisper in her ears and she looked at Ash, wondering. "Did you hear that?"

There was a question in his eyes, but he nodded. "What did you hear?"

Blushing, she spoke the words quietly. "I heard someone say that I should close my eyes."

His smile warmed her up from the inside. "You heard that."

She nodded. "Why?"

Ash's shoulders lifted and she followed their movement with rapt attention. He was... big.

Big and broad.

And, "Beautiful."

"Hmm?"

Her smile deepened. "I said I think you're beautiful."

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