Page 77 of The Billionaire's Wife

Nobody worked out at three twenty-seven a.m.

I’d probably dozed here and there for an hour? Maybe two? But it was all in little snatches of sleep that did more harm than good.

I turned my head to the side and let my gaze rest on the reason for my sleeplessness.

Faith.

She was curled on her side, almost on the edge of the bed, facing away from me. From her slow, even breathing, I believed she truly slept. And so I worked to be still so I didn’t wake her.

One of us ought to start the day rested.

Going to bed hadn’t been as awkward as I’d feared it would be. She’d come out of the bathroom in a long-sleeved T-shirt and cotton pants. Her hair braided. Her toes were painted a bright pink.

I couldn’t have explained to anyone why those pink toes made my mouth water. I never considered myself a man with a thing for feet.

Maybe it was just her feet.

Because they were part of her.

She’d climbed into bed without saying a word, rolled over, and closed her eyes. After a moment, I’d turned out the light and started counting the seconds as they ticked the night away.

I’d considered—and discarded—the idea of scooting over so we could spoon. She had seemed fine with my hugs in the kitchen, but here, in my bedroom? In bed? It seemed a lot more intimate. And she wasn’t awake to tell me if it was okay.

I couldn’t decide if that would help me sleep or just make it even more impossible.

Probably the latter.

The covers rustled and Faith rolled over. Her voice was slurred with drowsiness. “You think loud.”

“I’m sorry.”

“S’okay.” She reached up and rubbed her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.”

Her sigh explained without words that she didn’t believe me for a minute.

I smiled in spite of myself. “It’s hard to sleep with you right there.”

“Did I take your side?” She started to sit up. “We can switch.”

“It’s not that. And no, you didn’t. It’s you.” I swallowed as her expression turned to confusion.

“I can sleep on the floor?”

I reached out and took her hand. “I’d rather you didn’t.”

“K?” She yawned hugely.

“Go back to sleep, honey.”

Her lips quirked up at the corners and her eyes drifted closed. She shimmied closer until her head was pillowed on my shoulder. I shifted to get more comfortable and she burrowed in.

On the one hand, this was much, much better.

On the other? So much worse.

She slid her arm up my torso until her hand came to rest over my heart. Her fingers curled slightly. I rested my cheek on the top of her head and closed my eyes. I still might not sleep, but at least now she wasn’t so far away.

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