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Page 143

| Sasha swallowed hard, scarcely able to stop herself from being pulled into feelings that she wanted to deny. ''That's lovely, Ashton," she murmured, her pulse racing as he again tried to claim her hand. This time she allowed it. |

| She looked slowly his way. Their eyes met and held, then she grabbed her hand away again and rose quickly to her feet. "I am suddenly so tired," she said, her voice drawn, not wanting to let her emotions run free again with him. Faking a yawn, she purposely stretched her arms over her head. "Truly, I must retire for the night, Ashton, or be a fright tomorrow when I want to be alert for my first full day on our sheep station." |

| Frustrated by her continued evasions, Ashton rose to his feet and grabbed some blankets from the bed. "I'll go and sleep outside," he said. "Get a good night's sleep, Sasha." |

| He began to walk away, but Sasha was suddenly there, blankets thick in her arms. "Ashton, no," she said in a rush. "There is no need for you to go outside. I shall sleep on the floor. You can have the bed." She began spreading her blankets. "Tomorrow night we shall exchange places." |

| Ashton frowned at her and swept up her blankets and tossed them on the bed. He took her gently by the wrist and led her to the bed. "Sasha, will you quit being so stubborn?" he said, giving her a gentle shove toward the bed. "You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor." |

| Tired of bantering with him, and at least winning one victoryhe wouldn't sleep outside on the cold groundSasha smiled wanly up at him. "If you insist," she murmured, yet wishing that she felt |

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