Ashley Bowen slowly walked over, holding the clothes to her chest as she presented them to him.
Her gaze was fixed on the man before her, but her mind was elsewhere. 'How can I make Yuri Sinclair forget his past pain? How can I get him to smile, even just a little?'
Instead of taking the clothes, Yuri Sinclair pulled Ashley Bowen into his arms.
"Your High... ness," Ashley Bowen cried out, the clothes dropping from her hands onto the bed.
"Shh, just let me hold you for a moment. Just a little while," Yuri Sinclair's voice was suddenly gentle. He held her tightly, as if trying to fuse her into his very bones, resting his head on her shoulder, perfectly still.
Ashley Bowen didn't dare to move. With her hands braced on the covers, she leaned forward, her chest pressed firmly against his.
The only thing separating them was Ashley's thin nightgown. She could even hear the beating of his heart.
