page_314

< previous page | page_314 | next page >

Page 314

| candles flickered low on the tables. Helping her to her chair, he then sat down opposite her and took her hands across the table. |

| "I'm not hungry for food," he whispered huskily, his violet eyes gleaming into hers. "But since we are forced to be proper about this, taking time to eat with the others, I have a surprise for you, sweet darlin'." |

| "A surprise?" Sasha said, her eyes widening. She gasped low and her face lit up when a cabin boy brought a bottle of champagne to the table, and two long-stemmed glasses. "Why, Ashton, champagne again? Can we truly afford it?" |

| "We will soon be selling our wool for a substantial price," Ashton reassured her. "And after all you've been through, partner, I think you deserve a special reward tonight." |

| "And also you, Ashton," Sasha said, squeezing his hands before releasing them so that he could pour the champagne. |

| Her gaze went over him, admiring his finely chiseled face that was now sun-bronzed from his outdoor activities. This evening he looked so handsome in his fringed kangaroo-hide shirt that clung to the expanse of his sleekly muscled chest and wide shoulders beneath, and with his golden-red hair combed to just above his collar. When he returned her loving gaze, it felt as though he was scorching her skin with his intense gaze, a look of possession in his eyes. |

| Ashton poured two glasses of champagne and slid one over to Sasha. He lifted his glass as she circled her fingers around the long stem, also lifting it and holding it before her. |

< previous page | page_314 | next page >