She started to nod but was interrupted by a yawn. I checked the clock and was startled by how late it had grown.
"We should go to bed," I suggested, moving from my spot and stretching out my stiff arms. "It's late, and I'm sure we both have work in the morning."
"Yes, it has been a long day. You know you didn't have to send all those men to take care of the repairs today. I don't know how I could ever repay you."
"You don't have to repay me. That's the deal. That's part of being my wife. I will help you run the farm with the same effort I put into my businesses."
"Well, thank you," she repeated, and then she rose to the tops of her toes and brushed a kiss on my cheek.
I had done so to her several times throughout the day, but it was always when someone else was around and when someone else was watching. She had never returned the gesture, but when she had, it was clear that it was a gesture meant for me and me alone. Before I could react, she had already dashed out of arm's reach and was halfway out of the door.
I caught up to her in the bedroom where she was ruffling through her bag; I figured she was looking for a pajama; I leaned against the doorframe, enjoying watching her as she grew increasingly flustered.
"I can't believe I forgot them," she muttered, unaware I was also in the room.
Without saying a word, I walked over to where she stood, tugging my shirt off as I went.
“Here,” I said, announcing my presence with the word.
“What are you - oh.”
Her cheeks flamed as she took in my bare chest and the tee shirt I had been wearing dangling from my outstretched hand. I wanted to make a snide comment about her not needing pajamas, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so I refrained from saying anything. Besides, the thought of seeing her in my shirt, with nothing else, was close to driving me to madness without even having seen it.
"I guess I forgot to pack pajamas," she explained, tugging the shirt out of my fingers. "I'll grab some tomorrow when I go over there."
I nodded, unable to swallow the lump in my throat. We stood there like that for a moment, the reality of where we were standing in full effect.
“Can you, um - can you unzip me?”
Her request dried my mouth instantaneously. I had to clear my throat several times before forming any words.
"Sure," I finally said, my voice lower and raspier than it was three minutes ago. This dress had a similar high back zipper as the wedding dress. The wedding dress store guessed correctly about her style.
She twisted away from me; my hands found the small of her back and her zipper. I could have sworn that neither of us dared to breathe as I tugged the zipper down, lower, and lower, revealing each inch of her porcelain skin. She stepped out of my hold as soon as it was low enough for her to reach.
“Thanks,” she murmured before swiping my shirt off the bed and rushing towards the bathroom.
I wanted to laugh at her skittishness, but I was too tense and just crawled under the cool sheets, hoping they would relieve some of the heat bouncing off my skin.
Shortly, Agotia scurried out of the bathroom, my shirt covering her petite frame almost down to her knees. The darkness of the room hid whatever expression she was making. She walked to the couch, making me wonder what exactly she was doing.
“Why are you on the couch, Agotia?” I asked, ready for sleep.
"I told you last night I will not share a bed with you unless I have to. The couch will be fine for me.”
“That couch isn’t very comfortable. You’ll wake up sore and stiff. Just come get in the bed.”
My words were halfway between a command and pleading, but she didn't listen.
I laid there for a few hours, listening for any cues that she might be asleep, but instead, I heard her toss and turned on the cold leather couch. Eventually, she gave up the fight and padded over to the bed.
As she peeled back the covers and slid into the bed next to me, I was surprised to find that the muscles in my back relaxed, the tension slipping out of me. We were only on day one of pretending to be married, and I already enjoyed sleeping beside her far more than I should.
Chapter eighteen
Agotia
Wife,
