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Page 144

| free enough to remove her dress so that she could get more comfortable in a nightgown. Perhaps in time she would become more used to this awkward situation and be able to wear what she pleased at night. |

| She plumped up her pillow and pulled blankets over her, bashfully watching as Ashton stretched out on the floor before the fire. She did not think much about it when he sat up and removed his boots, but she gasped and felt a blush rising to her cheeks when he yanked his shirt up over his head, revealing his bare, magnificently muscled chest. |

| Her breathing quickened when she watched his hands go to the waist of his breeches. Knowing what might be bared to her next, she turned over on her stomach and buried her face in her pillow. |

| Her heart racing, she listened for him to become quiet. And when he did, she was able to relax somewhat herself. Fighting the tumultuous feelings within her, she finally drifted off, but her sleep was no less restless than when she was awake. She began to dreamdreams of being in Ashton's arms. He was kissing her, his hands eagerly disrobing her. She felt a soft, melting energy warm her insides when he began to stroke her breasts. But when he moved over her and entered her with a passion that drew her lips apart in a gasp, she awakened with a start, her heart beating so wildly she felt as though she might faint. |

| "It was only a dream," she whispered to herself, leaning up on an elbow. |

| When she looked across the room and saw Ashton, she caught her breath. She had momentarily forgotten that he was sleeping in the same room. |

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