Free Sassy Ever After: Kiss My Sass (Kindle Worlds Novella) by Serena Pettus Page B

the two attacks that day, she’d been beyond stressed, but once the bombshell about Matt’s death had been dropped Ashe couldn’t explain her feelings. Frankly, she was ashamed of them.
    Matt was one of the sweetest guys she’d ever met. At one point she’d actually entertained the thought that maybe there could be more between them than just a fling, but he’d been gentle, yet firm when he’d said he wasn’t looking for a serious relationship. Now it looked like it had been for the best, as this would have been so much harder had he been around for her to become even more attached to him over the months following when he’d gone back overseas.
    She would have loved to have him be a part of Lilly’s life, but her emotions when it came to thoughts of Matt had been all over the map once she’d lost touch with him. They’d ranged from feeling abandoned and alone, to anger and resentment for deserting her when she needed him to step up the most. It wasn’t like she wanted to get married, she just wanted her daughter to have everything in life other kids had, including both parents. Now she felt guilty, not only for that, but also for the fact she found his best friend so attractive.
    It was wrong on so many levels to feel drawn to the man who just told her that the father of her child was dead, yet there she was, wondering if by some miracle he’d be in her yard working shirtless in the next few days.
    Yup, there was a special place in hell reserved just for her and her out of control hormones. Honestly, her body had lit up when she’d awakened in his arms earlier. There was something about being held against his broad chest, warm and safe, that seemed to set her entire being at ease. It was like some natural instinct telling her that she was safe with this man.
    Shaking her head, she finished loading the dishwasher and wiped down her counters. They would be coming back soon, and she wanted to have Lilly fed and in bed beforehand.

“Come on baby girl, let’s get that belly filled so you can rest those sleepy eyes for the night,” she softly cooed.
    Ashe didn’t think she’d ever tire of looking at her sweet baby’s face. She had Matt’s dark brown eyes, and his full lips, but she had Ashe’s dark hair and fair complexion. A picture perfect blend of her parents, if only Ashe had more pictures of Matt. It would be nice to be able to show Lilly her father once she got older. Regardless of whether another man came into their lives, she wanted her daughter to know who her dad was, and how brave he’d been. Maybe she could ask Luke if he had any she could put in an album for her daughter.
    With her bottle sucked down, Ashe moved Lilly to her shoulder, only having to wait a moment for a rather robust belch to work it’s way up.
    “Impressive, peanut. I’ll chalk that up to another thing you got from your daddy.” She couldn’t help but chuckle when Lilly emitted a disgruntled noise. “Let’s get you a fresh bottom and tucked in for the night. I see your little eyes drooping.”
    It never took more than a quick application of her lavender lotion and a dry butt to send Lilly off to sleep. Something Ashe was so very thankful for.
    She’d just walked back into the living room when she spotted the headlights of Benson’s big truck coming up the driveway. Opening the front door, she stepped out with the baby monitor in her hand and waved.
    He hopped down from the cab and came around, but she didn’t see Luke anywhere. “Luke decided not to come with you?” she inquired, trying to not appear disappointed.
    “He’s helping out with something at the house, but he’ll be over tomorrow to help me start clearing the area you plan to garden.” He moved to the tailgate and lowered it. “Now, he’s a big boy, so don’t be afraid. He’s very docile.”
    Ashe nearly rolled her eyes. A docile wolf? He may be in denial, but she knew that these animals still harbored their natural wild instinct and could turn on