Free Angel of Ash by Josephine Law Page B

herself on her honesty, wanting him to know her limited background with men. “Asher, I have, never, kissed anyone, before this morning, before you, what you make me feel is wonderful…but wrong. I cannot continue what you…and I would wish were so, I fear. We dare not venture down such a dark road.”
    Asher was at a loss for words, the first time ever, even though her sexual vulnerability tugged at him he still wanted to push aside her words and claim her for his own. He knew what she asked, secretly, fearfully deep inside and knew he could deliver her unspoken request, but at what cost? Would she resent him for doing the thing she so claimed was not to be, and if so, could he afford possibly alienating herself from him upon once lying in bed with him. He decided not to push her, for now, and nodded, smiling slightly. “You are right, my lady,” he said.
    Angel shook her head a pleading look in her eyes. “And no more, endearments, please, Asher, treat me as if you would, your sister-”
    It was his snort that interrupted her and caused her to laugh softly self-consciously. “Alright, a female relative, then, sir.”
    “ I will treat you as a dear and treasured friend, Angel, something in which I now hope you think of me?” He asked, as his own hint of vulnerability showed through his face, an unwanted emotion he squashed instantly, before smiling widely once again in an endearing way, the dimples deepening in his cheeks.
    Angel wanted to touch those dimples, hold his face lightly in her hands and trace every curve and line upon it; she fisted her hands even tighter, something which did not go unnoticed by Asher. “Angel, do you not hurt your hands?” he commented.
    She dropped her eyes to her lap, making a painful effort to release the grip before placing her palms flat upon her lap and then glancing up, but instead of staring at her hands, he was staring at her face and smiled. “That is better, here, your apple,” he said, handing her the large, red apple.
    She reached for it, her hands stopping within inches of the apple. “And so shall we claim a truce? No more,” blushing she glanced up and met his eyes. “Kisses or whispered endearments?”
    Asher paused, a wicked grin on her face that raked Angel once more in desire. “Truce,” he finally said while inwardly, he thought, ‘for now.’
    Smiling, he handed her the apple, which she gratefully took and watched as she took a bite out of the succulent fruit, seconds later, he had to turn away from the pretty picture she presented to look outside the carriage window at the still dark morning sky. “With much luck, we shall reach the estate quickly, but the horses will have to stop during the trip to rest and feed. If you are tired, feel free to sleep…against my shoulder if you wish, I shall be the perfect gentleman.”
    Angel stopped chewing staring at him warily. “I am not tired,” she quipped, sitting up even straighter in her seat and opening her eyes even wider, the very epitome of a bright eyed and bushy tailed squirrel.
    He couldn’t help smiling, feeling at once relaxed and tense, his manner easy at her gentle nature which he still doubted, underneath he knew, was a vixen, cold blooded, who would take him for everything he was worth if he allowed her to. He would play her games of innocence for now, until he would lay claim upon her body and give them both pleasure untold. He calculated her seduction, the thought of his sisters’ wishes pushed to the furthest recesses of his mind.
    “ And what if I perchance were to grow sleepy, would you accommodate my weak nature and allow me to rest my head upon your shoulder or perhaps even your lap?” He asked.
    She couldn’t help but burst out with a startled and embarrassed laugh at the picture he presented, his eyes closed with their thick black and luscious lashes, fanned upon his cheeks as he feigned sleep. “I trust your nature to be strong, sir; I do not think you will need any respite. You