Behind me, Ash sighed and I felt his breath flutter in my hair, which matched the fluttering in my stomach and that wasn't a good thing because it made it even harder to keep myself from turning around. Clenching my fists at my side, I reminded myself that he probably thought I was innocent who had never—
"Zara, are you certain you're well?"
"Yes!" I yelped.
"You seem quite out of sorts this morning."
I nodded quickly, refusing to turn and look at him because I might actually launch myself at him and climb him like a tree. "I only… I'm a little nervous… the King… this whole… situation."
"Yes. Yes. Of course," he said soothingly… then put that warm, calloused, massive, strong hand on my shoulder.
I actually groaned.
"Zara, what—"
"Ash, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything. You know I will—"
"Please go put on a shirt."
I felt him freeze behind me. "Oh. Right. Yes. Of course."
