Page 55 of Façade

There was no way I was ever getting back into bed with him ever again.

So I didn’t…at least while my willpower remained firmly in my control. Until then, I sat stubbornly on the outskirts of the clearing for nearly a half hour before I grew too cold and sense and exhaustion finally compelled me to push aside my embarrassment enough to seek the comforting warmth of the blankets and Ryland’s proximity.

He appeared to be asleep, lending me enough strength to slip beneath the covers…only for him to reach around me the moment I’d settled to tuck the other blanket cozily around my shivering frame.

The man was still awake? Drat. I glared at him. Though he didn’t open his eyes he grinned wickedly, a gesture that matched his behavior when he made no move to scoot away to give me more room.

I debated creating much-needed distance by pushing him away before realizing I’d already grown accustomed to his warmth, more welcome after having sat in the chilly night for so long. I told myselfthatwas the reason I remained near him…and even unconsciously scooted myself a bit closer when I thought he might have been too near sleep to notice.

It took me several sleepy moments to realize Ryland was under both blankets this time…and that I didn’t mind.

CHAPTER18

The light from the morning sunshine danced against my eyelids, gently luring me from sleep…but I was afraid to open my eyes. Unlike last night when I’d experienced a moment of confusion upon waking, this time I was fully aware of my position the moment my consciousness emerged from the tendrils of sleep.

Though I hadn’t fallen asleep in such a position, once more I found my arms had wound around Ryland in a far more intimate way than was appropriate for our marriage of convenience, especially since we were on a journey to annul said marriage.

I kept my eyes closed as I hastily surveyed the situation—his arm snugly around me, my own arms wrapped tightly around his waist with my head nestled against his shoulder…the embarrassing position was just as I feared, worse.

My quiet groan was immediately followed by Ryland’s chuckle. With my body pressed against his the sound rippled through me, allowing me to feel the movements of his laugh, another testament to how scandalously intertwined we were.

“By your groan I take it this position was an accident?”

With a wavering breath I tentatively peeked one eye open and was greeted by Ryland’s amused smile. He appeared entirely wide awake, which meant he’d been fully aware of my broach of his personal space.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…here.” I attempted to wriggle free, a movement which pressed my body scandalously closer, allowing me to feel every contour of his firm chest, the last thing I needed in this particular moment.

“No, allow me…” His own movements were clumsy. Gone was the suave Ryland from moments ago, replaced by one looking as uncertain as I felt.

“Ow!” In the chaos he accidentally elbowed me.

“Sorry…”

The next moment was a confusing tangle of limbs as we both tried to wriggle apart as quickly as possible. The moment I was free, I scooted as far away from him as the limited space allowed while still remaining beneath the blankets’ protective warmth against the morning chill. I peeked shyly up at him only to be greeted with equally crimson cheeks, a mutual embarrassment that caused us to spend the next flustered moment looking everywhere but at each other.

He was the first to break the awkward silence. Still avoiding my eyes, he cleared his throat. “How did you sleep?”

“Fine.” My voice squeaked around the only word I could manage in this moment, which only escalated our already acute awkwardness.Get it together, Evelyn. I took a steadying breath. “Were you able to sleep…despite…” I wasn’t sure what to call what I’d inadvertently done in the middle of the night.Snugglingfelt far too intimate…not to mention embarrassing, and was definitely not what I’d had in mind when I’d given myself the task to get closer to him in order to act as spy.

“Not to worry, oursleeping arrangementdidn’t hinder my rest in any way.” His natural charm and confidence had returned, leaving me even more flustered.

I released a wavering breath of relief, finding myself more concerned about his rest than our situation warranted, which only confirmed my fear that we were becoming friends. It appeared I couldn’t even do my duty to my kingdom’s enemy properly without involving personal feelings that only served to get in the way.

Another tense silence settled between us, during which the man was at least gentleman enough to sense my lingering embarrassment and drop the subject. The gesture only made it more difficult to dislike him as I knew I should, an emotion extra unwelcome midst the already awkward events of the morning. I tried to remind myself that he could have no motive for such behavior other than that ingratiating himself into my good favor would make it easier for him to sway me into giving him his way in annulling our marriage.

Ryland shifted, drawing my gaze back towards him to find him stretching, a movement that caused his shift to pull against his chest, emphasizing muscles I’d apparently spent all night nestled against. It was bad enough that such a thing had happened; why must I keep remembering it?

He noticed my gaze and slowly grinned, causing heat to flush my cheeks. “How long have you been awake?” I asked airily for want of a much-needed distraction.

“Not too long.” But his eyebrow twitched, evidence of his lie. At my suspicious frown he sighed. “Or perhaps…a bit longer than that, but I didn’t want to disturb you, especially after you stayed up so late last night.” Crimson tinged his own countenance and he stared determinedly at his wringing hands.

A pleasant feeling swelled my chest. “That was sweet of you.”

He managed a half-smile as he lifted his gaze. “I’m known to possess that trait upon occasion.”

I’d been privy to enough of such moments to know it wasn’t merelyupon occasionas he claimed, though it’d make things much easier if it were.

I finally tore my gaze away to look around the camp, already abustle with activity. I appeared to be the last one awake, which meant our entire party had been witness to the most embarrassing moment of my life. Most of the camp had been dismantled, leaving only our makeshift bed at the center, causing our position on it to stand out—the prince wide awake while his wife curled against him like a child.

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