章 42: Chapter 42: Out of Her Comfort Zone

Blake watched Shasta sleeping peacefully beside him, her long red locks splayed across the pillow, her blissful face in sharp contrast to her agony the previous night. While he’d been surprised by her revelation, all he felt for her was love. He’d seen plenty of self-loathing in the youths he’d worked with as a wilderness counselor. Hell, if he thought about it, he’d seen plenty of it in the mirror. But the road to self-forgiveness started with blunt honesty.

She stirred, turning toward him, and blinked open her eyes. “G’morning,” she murmured sleepily.

“Hi, beautiful. How did you sleep?”

Yawning, she stretched her arms over her head. “Mmmm, great! After… Well, you know.”

Blake nodded. “I know, kitten.” He pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “So, I’ve been thinking.”

“Have you?” she grinned cheekily.