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the flame.
    “Bah,” she gasped, startled. Fumbling with the lighter, she managed to relight the candle. “Okay, freaky.” She glanced around the room searching out a reason the candle went out and Ethan saw the surprise rise in her eyes.
    “So—oo—o,” she stuttered, “if you put the candle out just now, can you not repeat it. I don ’ t think my heart can handle it being pitch black in here.” She paused. “Can you knock or something.”
    “Yes.” He wanted to tell her, “You ’ ll have to listen hard.” He could knock, but it wouldn ’ t hold much strength, quiet for living person ’ s ears.
    “All right—” Her voice came hesitant. “Will you knock if you ’ re here with me?”
    He did.
    Cassie ’ s eyebrows drew together and she cocked her head to the side. “Was that you?”
    Ethan used all his strength to bang his fist against the floor. Her head straightened up, her eyes wide and she paled before him.
    “I heard you,” she squeaked.
    “Good. I ’ m here.” He finally had her attention, his body tensed and he sat up straighter in anticipation.
    Cassie stayed quiet a moment, her gaze inquisitive.” Are you stuck here in the house?”
    “No.” He didn ’ t knock to confirm it.
    “So, if you ’ re not stuck in the house, why are you here?” She shook her head and laughed. “Right, you can ’ t answer me.”
    The sound of her laughter forced his to rise. She chastised herself and he found it endearing. All the reasons she appealed to him. Her personality had proven to give him much amusement.
    “Do you want me to help you?” she continued.
    He knocked, not quite sure how she could help him. Only knowing, she needed to acknowledge his presence.
    Cassie nodded to his response as if she ’ d expected it. Her cheeks flushed and she nibbled on the corner of her mouth, “Are you a man?”
    He gave a steady knock.
    “Have you been watching me?”
    Again, he confirmed her question.
    The subtle color to her cheeks now burned red-hot. “Did you watch me earlier, in the bathroom?”
    The bang against the floor sounded loud to him, even though she ’ d heard a slight tap.
    “Oh my goodness.” Her hands covered her face. “That ’ s so humiliating.”
    “No, it was fantastic.” Frustration grated at him and tensed his jaw. He wanted her to hear the enjoyment he received watching her pleasure. Yet, he had no way of telling her.
    She squirmed for a while before she lowered her hands. “All right, well, I ’ m going to pretend the event never happened so you do the same.” She released a long deep breath and the color in her cheeks dimmed. “I ’ ll do what I can to help you. I ’ m not quite sure what to do, but I ’ ll do something.”
    “It would please me if you did.” He touched her face, and she leaned into his hand making him believe she sensed him. He wished he could embrace her , although, even if she did save him from his personal hell, he would never experience her warm skin beneath his hand.
    He continued to cup the side of her face. If he pushed too hard his hand would go right through her skin, and the reminder only confirmed his current state of despair.
    Cassie closed her eyes, her lips parted as she exhaled, “Are you touching me right now?”
    He knocked.
    “I can feel you on my cheek. It ’ s so cold.”
    “But you are warm, my sweet.” He might wish to embrace her for hours upon end, however, he didn ’ t want to make her uncomfortable. He lowered his hand and she opened her eyes.
    A sweet smile spread across her face and Ethan could swear the sight of her happiness warmed his cold form. “I don ’ t know if you have to leave here,” she said, “If you can stay, will you stay with me tonight?”
    His fist came down hard on the floor. “I wouldn ’ t want to be anywhere else.” He craved to have the acknowledgment she shared the unexplainable attraction between them, and it thrilled him she declared it now.
    Cassie blew out the candle, stood and