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he was very definitely on his side of the bed. His shoulder rose and fell in an even pattern. Perhaps he was already asleep?
    Why her mood dipped at the prospect was a mystery.
    When she perched on her side of the bed, he rolled over.
    “Are you going to take your overalls off?”
    She glanced at him. “I-I wasn’t going to.” The fabric was still damp at the cuffs, but the thought of sloughing off her armor was terrifying.
    “Might be uncomfortable, sleeping in them.” He winked. “I promise not to look.” He covered his eyes.
    She giggled, because he was being silly, and unhooked one strap and then the other. If she’d been wearing a bathing suit, he’d see more, she told herself. “Are your eyes closed?”
    “Mmm hmm.”
    She stood, shimmied the overalls off and draped them on a chair by the fire. When she turned around, his eyes weren’t closed, or covered. He was watching her.
    “You promised not to look.”
    He grinned. “Have I mentioned I’m a liar?”
    Why this confession made her laugh, she didn’t know. Probably because she didn’t believe him. He was so cute. So funny. And, she had to admit it, she was tipsy. Okay, maybe more than tipsy.
    She lifted the covers and slipped into the bed, being very careful to perch on the very edge. Holding herself as rigid as she could, she laced her fingers over her tummy and studied the ceiling. The flickering light of the fire illuminated the room in a soft glow. It wasn’t hot. It certainly didn’t account for the warmth rising on her cheeks.
    No, that was due to his intent gaze. He propped up on his elbow and stared at her.
    Like a frightened doe, she flicked a quick peep at him, and then looked away.
    “Emily.” His voice was dark, deep.
    “Yes, Ash?” This, she chirped.
    “You are so beautiful.”
    “Thank you.” She winced. Damn it. She’d spent her whole life living within a strict code of behavior. Politeness, so deeply engrained in her, did not allow her to stray.
    “I…ah… May I kiss you goodnight?”
    Her pulse fluttered. Her attention snapped to his face. His lips were alluring, full. She’d loved that first kiss he’d given her. Barely been able to stop thinking about it.
    One part of her brain cautioned she should say no. They were alone. In a remote cabin. In bed. Surely allowing a kiss, in these circumstances, would be tantamount to an invitation for more.
    But this was Ash.
    The most handsome, charming, sweet fellow she’d ever met. She felt a connection with him. A connection unlike any she’d ever felt with a man.
    She steeled her spine and levered up. She intended it to be a quick peck, but when their lips touched, when she tasted his breath and felt the damp heat of his mouth, she couldn’t pull away.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Yes. Yes. Yes.
    She was kissing him.
    Lust snarled in Ash’s gut. It had been snarling there all fucking night, but now it rose to a howl. It had been torture, sitting there, chatting with her, putting her at ease, when all he’d wanted to do was pounce. Pull her into his arms, entice her into his bed, and make crazy passionate love to her.
    But he’d known. He’d sensed her reserve. So he’d gone slow.
    Okay, the wine had been a douche move, but he’d given her plenty of opportunities to say no. And she hadn’t. And now she was kissing him.
    Ash changed the tenor of the kiss, slowly nudging it into something far sultrier. Seductive.
    She murmured, moaned. Her fingers skated along his nape and into his hair. He shuddered as she lightly raked his scalp.
    Damn, she was sexy. Everything about her was sexy. When she’d slipped out of those overalls, revealing a flowing shirt that fell nearly to her knees, his cock had twanged painfully. Even dressed like that, she was irresistible.
    “Emily,” he edged closer, pulling her against him. Something prodded his belly. The ridiculous broomstick. He fumbled for it, wrenched it away, tossed it to the floor.
    Her lips moved—perhaps in protest?—so he