Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Separated.
She shivered at the thought; she had become attached to Rogan and his considerate ways. But had they been part of a well-executed ruse?
A yawn reminded her that the day had been long and emotionally tiring. It would be a relief to have sleep claim her body and mind. She sat on the narrow bed she had slept in when she had first arrived. She could not bring herself to climb into her husband’s bed. She did not know where his lies began and where they ended and that left her feeling vulnerable.
She now felt more than naked in front of him even though she was clothed.
“What are you doing?”
Aliss jumped at his booming accusation. “Going to sleep.”
“You are in the wrong bed.”
His glaring green eyes and his predatory stance reminded her of a wolf, and she suddenly felt intimidated. He stepped to the side, a silent demand that she seek her sleep in his bed, but she remained firm.
“I prefer to sleep here.”
“You are my wife.”
“The circumstances have changed,” she said, attempting to keep the quiver out of her voice.
“The fact that you are my wife has not.”
“It is better that I—”
“Tend to your wifely duties.”
Her chin shot up. “You intend to enforce my wifely duties? Should I cook for you, sew for you, and disregard everything and everyone except my husband?”
“I did not ask you to be someone you are not. I simply want you in my bed where you belong.”
She had enjoyed making love with him when she thought he loved her—but now? She could not share such an intimate act with him knowing he had lied. She would not feel the same.
“I would not be comfortable.”
“Why?”
She bunched the blanket between her fingers and searched frantically for an answer that would appease him while keeping her worry to herself.
“Why?” he repeated.
“There is strife between us.”
“Sleeping in separate beds will not improve that,” he said.
“Sleeping together when I doubt your love will not help, either.”
“I want you in my bed.”
It was an adamant plea and she almost felt the need to surrender to him. She took a breath, gathered her wits, and said, “I want to sleep alone.”
“I am not giving you a choice.”
She could not make love with him. She could not, she would surely get pregnant. Then what? He would not abandon his child and she would not relinquish her babe. Was that his plan? Get her with child so he would have to remain with her.
She bolted off the bed. “I will not make love with you.”
“I do not recall asking that of you.”
“You said you wanted me in your bed,” she reminded.
“Sleep was what I said and what I meant.”
“And my other duties?”
“I want us to make love, Aliss, but only if you want to make love with me. I want you in my bed, sleeping beside me, but I will leave the choice of making love up to you.”
Relief and disappointment flooded her all at once and confused her even more. What was she to make of this? Was he setting another plan in motion? Did he think she would surrender easily to him once she lay beside him?
Her yawn sounded more like a cry of help.
“You are tired.”
She had no sooner plopped back down on the bed than he scooped her up and carried her into his room and laid her in his bed.
He turned his back to undress, and knowing it was useless to fight him, Aliss shed her sandals but left her clothes on.
“You will be too warm in those clothes.”
“I will not sleep naked beside you.”
Rogan went to the chest near the door.
Aliss stared at his naked body, admiring every inch of muscle and tanned flesh and remembering the feel of him against her and inside her. Her body heated quickly and she silently cursed herself.
He grabbed something from inside and returned to the bed to toss a white garment at her. “This will be more comfortable.”
It was a white linen shift, soft and trimmed at the round neck with ribbon. He was right, it would definitely be more comfortable, and most probably had belonged to his wife. But then she was now his wife, meant to sleep beside her husband.
He climbed into bed and turned his back to her.
She hopped off the bed and swiftly exchanged her garments for the shift, then climbed under the covers, turning on her side to keep a safe distance between them. She lay stiff waiting for Rogan to move toward her, but he remained where he was and she remained hugging the edge of the bed.
Exhaustion finally claimed her, her body relaxed, her eyes fluttered closed and Rogan turned and draped his warm body over her.
She was too tired to object, and besides, his warmth chased the chill from her flesh and he made no move to touch her. He simply held her.