Hardly a moment had passed before Verity had pulled her nightgown to her, holding it between them like a shield. Definitely still unavailable. They were husband and wife in name only. He knew that. Then why did his mind keep wishing for something other than that?

The night Everett had rescued Verity, the night they had come up with this plan, he had known what he was giving up. He had known what she was giving up too. And he had made his peace with that. Or at least he thought he had.

"You're welcome." Everett's voice was low as he turned from her and walked back to his side of the bed. When he had gotten back under the covers he reluctantly turned his back to her and inspected the wallpaper by the window, listening intently to any sounds from Verity, feeling for the shift in the bed that meant she too had gotten into bed. He still found himself disbelieving that she would share a bed with him, but he'd be damned if she slept on the floor instead of him.