Free Beyond the Pine by Kate Benson Page B

the sadness from her hazel eyes and pulled me close, congratulating me.
    Things had been awkward since, but none of the blame for that could be put on my dear best friend. The uneasiness could very easily all be traced back to me.
    Not only did I feel guilty for her having to swallow her feelings for Tobias, I knew I’d never love him like she could. The added fact that I’d been doing forbidden things with Asher, sharing it with no one, not even the girl I told everything to, only made my guilty heart heavier.
    Asher and I slowly made our way to the stable, my feet feeling more hesitant with each step.
    Ever so often, Asher’s large hand would brush against mine, his fingertips gently stroking mine when no one was looking. The feel of his skin on mine sent a jolt through me, same as always, but I couldn’t savor in it anymore.
    I couldn’t savor in anything anymore.
    We finally make it to the stable, the silence thick between us as I push the door open, releasing a low sigh. The knowledge that my words were about to end us made my stomach turn. I’d hoped he wouldn’t notice, but I’d known it was a fruitless hope.
    Asher notices everything.
    The door swings closed, giving us the privacy we craved.
    “Okay, sugar, what’s going on?” he asks, reaching for my hand and spinning me to face him.
    The edge in his tone cements my thoughts while my gaze gives me away.
    I risk a glance at him, taking in his eyes and realize immediately it was a mistake.
    Nearly completely healed from his accident, he towers over me, his strong, broad chest at my eye level. A shadow casts over his bronze skin, but as he takes a step closer, the light peeking in falls over his face, highlighting his stunning features.
    “Asher,” I whisper, wringing my hands together as my chest begins to flutter with a combination of nerves and heavy sadness.
    Seeing my struggle, he takes another step closer, brushing the pad of his thumb over my cheek, swiping away the traitor tear that slides down my face.
    “Shh,” he whispers, gently pulling me against his chest, holding me close as he angles my eyes to his. “I don’t know what happened, but everything’s gonna be okay.”
    Immediately, I’m hit with an onslaught of emotions as I shake my head in disagreement. I try to speak the words, finally come clean about everything I’ve been keeping from him, but I can’t. As he wraps his arms around me, tightening his grip on me, I fall apart.
    Asher says nothing, instead gently soothing me, pressing his lips to my hair as I sob against his chest. As I cling to him, cling to everything I’ve ever wanted knowing it’s the last time, he croons sweet reassurances. After a long moment, I calm, slowly pulling away from his chest and loving when he doesn’t let me.
    “Baby, I know you’re upset,” he says quietly, his thick, dark eyelashes resting against his cheeks as he presses his forehead to mine. “But eventually you’re gonna have to talk to me.”
    Swallowing hard, I resign myself to our truth, knowing I can’t put it off any longer and nod my head. Taking a deep breath, I run my fingertips along his jaw, memorizing the softness of his beard as it surprises me the way it always does.
    “Asher,” I begin, sniffing away my tears and bracing myself. “Asher, we have to talk.”
    “I think you’re right,” he muses softly.
    “There’s something I have to tell you,” I continue, hating the look of apprehension hiding in his eyes. “Something I should have told you, but...”
    “Sister Riley?”
    His voice flows through the barn, causing me to panic slightly as Asher and I pull away from our intimate embrace.
    “Brother Tobias,” I stutter, cheeks blazing as I take a step back when he approaches us, only to bump into Asher’s broad chest behind me. “I’m sorry. I had no idea you were in here.”
    “I can see that,” he says, his eyes moving suspiciously between mine and Asher’s before finally falling back on me. “What’s