Read Sassy Ever After: Kiss My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) for Free Online Page A

around taking everything in.
    Every now and then another shopper would stop to compliment on her cuteness, but what struck Ashe as odd was how some of them seemed to sniff. It was almost like they could smell something, but nobody commented on it.
    Thinking perhaps Lilly had messed her diaper, Ashe gave her a quick check, but came up with nothing. With the baby all clear, she wracked her brain trying to recall if she’d remembered to put her deodorant on before leaving the house.
    A glance up and down the aisle confirmed that she was the only one in it, so she quickly snuck a whiff of her pit, relieved to detect the powder-fresh scent.
    She was just lowering her arm when possibly the hottest guy she’d ever laid eyes on passed the row. He was walking slow enough for her to get a good look, and Ashe took full advantage. She may be a single mom, but it wasn’t like she couldn’t enjoy the view.
    Olive skin, jet black hair, and a tall, toned body encased in some worn jeans and a black t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders? Yes, please! She thought with a sigh.
    It wasn’t like a guy like that would swoon over a single mom anyway, especially with her abundant curves, but a girl could dream, right?
    She was looking over the label on a can of baby formula when she heard running footsteps. Turning, Ashe was caught off-guard when a wiry little guy latched onto her purse strap and yanked as he continued to run.
    Her shoulder burned as her arm was wrenched backward, her feet tangling as she spun, sending her crashing to the ground. Her back it the cart, jostling Lilly and causing a startled cry to erupt from her.
    “Stop you bastard!” she screamed, though he was already rounding the end of the aisle. “Just freaking great,” she muttered, beginning to stand.
    She was kneeling when a pair of strong arms lifted her to her feet. Peeking over her shoulder, she saw Benson, the local honey supplier, gazing at her with concern.
    “Are you okay? Did he hurt either of you?” he asked, his eyes shifting to Lilly, who was still crying.
    “We’ll be fine, but he got my purse,” she grumbled, fumbling to unbuckle her daughter with shaking hands.
    “Here, let me help. My friend went after him.”
    Benson made quick work of the straps and Ashe pulled Lilly to her chest, bouncing and cooing in an effort to calm her down. “Thank you,” she said, smiling at the giant of a man. He was probably close to seven foot tall!
    She’d seen him around town and he always had a smile and a kind word for everybody. His sheer size would be intimidating if not for the way he presented himself.
    “You’re very welcome,” he replied, looking past her. “Ah, it looks like Luke got your purse back.”
    Turning, Ashe nearly swallowed her tongue. She couldn’t help but stare into the most mesmerizing set of ice-blue eyes she’d ever seen.
    It was the guy from before, and now he was striding toward her with a confident swagger. It gave him a predatory quality that just did it for her. There was no doubt about it, the guy was smokin’…and Ashe was still staring.
    He cleared his throat, holding her bag out to her as he approached. “Here you go, ma’am. Are you okay?”
    “Thank you so much! We’re fine, just a little shaken up.” Reaching for her purse, Ashe’s arm protested the movement. No doubt she’d be feeling sore for a few days.
    He must have picked up on it, because instead of handing it to her, he placed it in her cart. Lilly was cuddled into her shoulder, probably peeking at the large man standing behind her, judging by the soft whispers.
    “Aren’t you a brave girl?” she heard Benson say. There was just something about babies that turned everyone into softies. She was smiling as Lilly gurgled back at him, until purse-boy sniffed in her direction.
    Still very much on edge from the whole ordeal, her mouth overrode her current gratitude and snapped, “What the hell is everyone sniffing at? I don’t stink and Lilly’s butt is