Page 18 of Dirty Desires

“Feel about what?” he asked, still seeming very confused.

“You.” I looked into his eyes, which were a lot smaller than normal due to the swelling. I still saw him in those eyes. I still found him as attractive as I always had. “Even with that one black eye, your swollen, red nose, and that other eye that’s puffy, I still think you’re the most handsome man I’ve ever met.”

I couldn’t believe it when I saw his cheeks flush and his head lower as he grinned like a maniac. “Shut up, Nina. Stop messing with me. I’ve looked in a mirror—I know I’m hideous.”

“No, I mean it, Ashton,” I went on. “I suppose it’s because you’re handsome—or beautiful, really—inside and out. And no matter the damage, the man you truly are shines through.”

His eyes came up to meet mine, and he wasn’t smiling anymore. “I think you’re beautiful inside and out too.”

“Glad to see we’re on the same page then,” I said, to lighten things up. I didn’t want things to lead to kissing just yet. I wanted to really lay everything out for him.

I wouldn’t have gone this route with anyone I had ever met prior to Ashton Lange. But we needed a firm foundation, or else any relationship we tried for would merely crumble. He needed a little extra time and attention. I could see that.

For a while, he just stared into my eyes before saying, “You’re a very good person, Nina. I hope you know that about yourself.”

With a shrug, I said, “I’m no better than the next person, Ashton.”

He shook his head. “Oh, but you are. I want you to know that. You are much better than most people.”

If I didn’t know what I did about the man, I would’ve been jumping up and down. Shouting at him and demanding to know why he hadn’t made his move yet, if I was such a great person.

Since I did know about his past and his loss, I wasn’t about to do a thing like that. What I was about to do was let him see all of me, and I hoped he would let me in deeper too.

I’d never been one to delve too deeply into a person, but as they say, there’s a first time for everything.