Page 45 of One Merciful Moment

"Did you feel that?" she whispered, squinting into the trees.

"Yeah." He kept his arms wrapped around her. "Let's get away from the woods."

She hurried beside him, glancing behind her, afraid something was out there.

Chapter 27

Boone

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A bird chirp woke Boone. He lay in bed, wondering if he was fucked up again. The only things that ever woke him were his hard-on for Ashley and her quiet breathing.

They'd gone back to bed after breakfast, sex, and a shower, and crashed again. He couldn't remember a time when he hadn't rushed out the door to mow the courthouse lawn.

But with Ashley living with him, he'd rather be with her.

The bird whistled again. He stared up at the ceiling. Moe had mentioned seeing a bird months ago, but Boone and the others hadn't seen one yet. Once the deer showed up, all their attention went to the animals that would eventually provide meat for them in the hopes that they wouldn't disappear.

He stayed still. Ashley's weight curled against him kept him in bed. Her hand rested lightly on his chest, her breath warm and steady against his skin.

It still confused him how Ashley came into his life and stayed. She claimed to love him. He wasn't even sure what love was, but he wanted to experience it with her.

She stirred, lifting her head slightly, and looked at him. His cock pulsed at the way her heavy eyes softened when she found him awake.

"We slept too long." She yawned.

"Hungry?"

She shook her head and sat up. "Lazy. I feel weak."

"I was too hard on you."

"No." She laughed softly. "I love everything we do together."

"I was rough." He hooked her chin with his finger and tilted her head. "You have razor burn all over your neck."

"Hm." She got up on her knees and kissed him. "I don't mind."

Banging on the door startled her. Boone stood, grabbed his jeans, and pulled them on.

"Whoever that is better have a damn good reason for beating on the door," he muttered.

"Go see what's going on." She slid off the bed. "I'm going to get dressed. I should've been at the garden at sunrise. You distracted me." She slapped his ass and grinned. "No complaining."

He walked out of the room, glancing over his shoulder at her. He couldn't get enough of her.

Bang. Bang.

He pulled his shirt over his head and walked barefoot into the living room. Opening the door, he found Copper and Finn.

"We need Ashley." Copper stepped forward as if he intended to walk inside.

Boone planted a hand in the middle of the older man's chest, stopping him. "She's getting dressed."

"We'll wait." Finn turned away from the house.

Copper reluctantly backed off. Boone shut the door, found his boots, and sat down to lace them when Ashley walked in.