Page 78 of Pyg

Ash exhaled a breathy laugh. “No, I don’t suppose you are.”

* * *

Whilst Alice huntedaround in the bathroom cabinet, Ash scooped up the fallen shower curtain and draped it over the bath.

“I’ll have a go at fixing that for you tomorrow, if you like? Should be easy enough, I’ll just have to grab some new hooks.”

“Doctorandhandywoman. Is there no end to your talents?”

Ash’s cheeks flushed. Alice grinned and presented her with a new toothbrush.

“Help yourself to anything else you need.”

Alice’s stomach flipped as she returned to the bedroom, the king-size bed looming in front of her like a pool of possibilities. She quickly smoothed out the rumpled duvet and flipped the pillow where Fran had lain earlier —uninvited.

With the fleeting thought of Fran came the echo of“I love you, you stupid, stupid girl.”Alice shook the words from her head and undressed, which was manageable until she reached her bra. Twisting her good arm behind her back, she could reach the clasp with her fingertips, but couldn’t flick it open.

“I think that’s a job for me.” Ash’s voice came from behind as she stepped up and uncoupled the bra’s clasps. Alice held the cups in place on her tumbling breasts, and craned to look over her shoulder, but Ash had already retreated.

Alice pulled on a T-shirt and some striped pyjama bottoms, then set out an oversized T-shirt for Ash — she picked one of her favourites for sleeping in. She offered pyjama bottoms too, but with a blush Ash declined.

“My legs get hot. I prefer to just sleep in my pants, if that’s okay?”

Alice swallowed hard.Of course she does.And of course, Ash’s pants turned out to be fitted boxer-briefs that hugged her so perfectly around her hips and arse that Alice had to fight the urge to reach out and pull her close enough to run her fingers beneath the tight fabric. She tried to look away, but her eyes wouldn’t obey. Watching Ash get ready for bed did little to quench her desire, and it was charging the air between them with want.Surely it isn’t just me feeling this.Ash had gone awfully quiet.

Alice couldn’t recall a time when she’d had another woman in her bed and not slept with her. Maybe this was why she didn’t have any female friends? But not everyone had this effect on her; this was something else.Oh, get a grip.The voice in her head sounded suspiciously like Maggie, throwing a cup of cold water over her libido.

“Do you need anything else before I jump in?” Ash had untied her hair, and it hung loose to her collarbones.

“No.” Alice smiled. “Thank you.”

Ash pulled back the duvet and slipped underneath. So close, yet so far away — a tundra of bed between them. She lay on her back and looked up at the high ceiling.

“Shall I turn out the light?” asked Alice.

Ash turned her head on the pillow and glanced over with those chocolate-brown eyes. “Yeah, go for it.”

Alice flicked the switch, plunging the room into darkness. She couldn’t see her, but she sensed Ash was still looking in her direction.

“I, er, I haven’t done this for a long time,” said Ash.

“Done what?”

“Stayed over with someone.”

“No?”

“Not since Sam, actually. I’m sorry if I’ve made things awkward at all, it’s just?—”

“You haven’t. I mean… it’s not awkward, is it? Like you said, we’re friends.” Alice reached across, searching for Ash’s hand amidst the sheets. She eventually found it, laced their fingers together and squeezed. “I really appreciate everything you’ve done for me over the last few days.”

“I, er… I meant what I said earlier.”

“Which bit?”

“When I said you don’t realise how lovely you are.”

And at that, guilt clenched in Alice’s gut.

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