Separate Weddings, Separate Lives novel Chapter 30

When Louisa finally stepped out of the bathroom, Elijah was leaning against the headboard, reading. He had put on a pair of rimless glasses, and the sharp, sophisticated lenses softened the usual intensity of his gaze.

However, Louisa's heart was still racing far beyond its limit.

She had mentally prepared herself for this, but making a decision and actually following through were two very different things. Besides, she wasn't exactly supposed to be the one to make the first move.

"Are you planning to stand there all night?" Elijah asked, lifting his brows slightly as his dark gaze swept over her.

Louisa was wearing the silk pajamas provided for her. While they weren't overly provocative, the off-the-shoulder design left her back and shoulders exposed. Under his scrutiny, she felt her skin start to burn.

She looked away and hurried toward the massive bed and climbed in from the far side. Even though she was light, the plush mattress dipped slightly under her weight, causing the book in Elijah's hands to shift.

Louisa stayed at the very edge of the mattress, barely covered by the corner of the duvet. With a bed this large, it felt as if they were worlds apart.

Elijah didn't speak or move. He simply remained focused on his book.

Louisa sat there awkwardly, unsure whether to lie down or try to find a book of her own. But her nightstand was empty, leaving her with nothing to do but nervously pick at the corner of the blanket.

The atmosphere was suffocating. She found it hard to even breathe.

"What? Aren't you tired?" Elijah's deep, velvety voice broke the silence.

Louisa hesitated. "I am."

As soon as she spoke, she scrambled to lie down. She moved too quickly and ended up bumping her head against the headboard. Fortunately, the padding was soft enough that it didn't hurt her.

Elijah snickered, making Louisa feel utterly embarrassed, but that also gave her the sudden nerve to roll over and turn her back to him.

Even so, she remained incredibly tense, her toes curling under the sheets.

Louisa waited anxiously as each second passed.

Louisa stared at him in shock. He pressed the book into her hands and lay down, rolling onto his side to face her. Closing his eyes, he murmured, "You can stop once I'm asleep."

Watching his closed lids and the long shadows his lashes cast on his cheeks, Louisa felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was a bizarre request, but she much preferred it to the alternative.

She opened the book and began to read. It was a collection of historical stories. Elijah had no way of knowing that history had been her least favorite subject in school.

After only a few pages, Louisa's eyelids began to grow heavy. She forced herself to keep going and glanced at Elijah. He was still lying there peacefully with his eyes closed. She couldn't tell if he was actually asleep yet.

But she was so tired. The words were starting to blur, and all she wanted was to close her eyes.

Eventually, the text she was reading morphed into her own thoughts. "I'm so tired. I want to sleep..."

As she drifted off, the book slipped from her fingers. Within moments, she was sound asleep. Only then did Elijah slowly open his eyes.