Chapter 382: Awaken Love - Part 3

~ ASH ~

Time stood still.

Lizbeth and I, however, did not.

We hadn't closed the curtains, so the sun was shining through the sheer curtains and around the doorways, turning the light inside to a warm glow. A glow that suffused every inch of her, and set my heart alight, over and over.

There were moments throughout the hours, precious moments, each a step forward she gave like a gift—hands shaking, eyes wide, but always with that stunning, near-childlike hope.

The moment she allowed me to unpin her hair and let the gold tresses tumble down her back.

The moment she tipped her head aside so that I could dip my tongue into that divot between her collarbones.

The moment she relaxed against my chest and let me slowly release the buttons down the back of her dress.

The moment she stared at my open shirt and smiled, let her hands play across my chest, then up to my shoulders to push the sleeves off my arms.