Free An Uncommon Sense by Serenity Woods

and leaning against the doorjamb. “Will you stop for a minute?”
    “I—” She stopped mid-sentence as she turned and saw him standing there, completely naked. “Oh dear Lord, please put some clothes on.” Blushing scarlet, she turned away and began to get dressed.
    Ash studied her with amusement, admiring her trim backside in the white body. “Grace, what are you upset about, exactly? Apart from sleeping with a raving lunatic?”
    She zipped up her skirt, still looking down. “I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have said that. I meant—”
    “I know what you meant.” He handed her blouse to her and watched her slip it on. How could he make her feel better? “It’s only sex, Grace. You’ve not pledged your undying love to me or anything.”
    She stopped and met his gaze for the first time since entering the kitchen. “No. I suppose I haven’t.”
    He smiled. “There’s no need to panic.”
    She studied him for a moment. Then her gaze dropped and her cheeks flushed again. “Please, Ash. Put some clothes on. Just looking at you makes me want to jump you again.”
    He laughed. “And that’s supposed to make me want to get dressed?” He held up a hand as she went to protest. “Okay, okay.” He picked up his boxers and jeans and pulled them on. “Better?”
    She cast him a quick glance as she buttoned up her blouse. “No. Put your top on. Your muscles are distracting.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Smiling, he pulled on the blue polo shirt. “Now. Can we have a conversation?”
    She folded her arms across herself defensively. “I just…” Her voice trailed off as he moved close to her and put his hands on her hips. “Ash…”
    “Mm?” He nuzzled her ear. She smelled divine. “I told you that given the right man you’d be exceedingly good in bed. Even if we didn’t get to the bed.”
    This time she couldn’t stop a smile creeping onto her face. “You think so?”
    He kissed her. “There is no doubt in my mind you are the sexiest woman alive.”
    She blushed. “You’re just saying that.”
    “Sweetheart, how can you be in any doubt with the kind of books you write?”
    She stiffened in his arms. Shit . He hadn’t been thinking. She pulled back and looked up at him, startled. “ What did you say?”
    “Ah…” He couldn’t think how to get out of it. He decided to try to make a joke of it. “Can I read them? I might learn something.”
    She went absolutely scarlet and backed away from him. “How did you know about my books?” she whispered. “Did Mia tell you?”
    “Mia who?”
    She stared at him. “You must have spoken to Mia. Nobody else knows I write. Nobody. Not even my family.”
    He shrugged. “Your dad knows. He’s very proud of you, by the way.”
    She said nothing, rigid with anger, embarrassment and possibly, he thought, fear.
    “I’m sorry.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I’ve put my foot in it, haven’t I?” Still she said nothing. His brow furrowed and he sighed, tipping his head, confused. “I don’t understand. Why are you embarrassed?”  
    “I…” She swallowed. “Not everyone thinks writing erotica is something to be proud of.”
    He studied her. “Who disapproves?”
    “My mother would, if she knew.”
    He surveyed her for a moment. Then he let his lips curve. “Mothers are supposed to be disapproving. That’s their role in life.”
    “She wouldn’t just disapprove of me, Ash. She would outright criticise me. She’s incredibly moral, and extremely religious. She has a strict sense of principles and a long list of Pastimes Appropriate for a Respectable Daughter. Unsurprisingly, writing erotica is not on the list.”
    “And you care what she thinks?” He watched the hurt simmer behind her eyes. Yes, she cares, idiot. Very, very much. Grace clearly wanted approval from her mother, and writing erotica—and getting involved with a medium—wasn’t going to earn her that. He didn’t blame her for wanting her mother’s admiration. Didn’t