Marrying My Billionaire Hookup - Nadia Lee Page 0,93

His breathing is too shallow for slumber. Besides, I can sense palpable tension radiating from him.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper. It sounds much louder in the dark.

“Nothing,” he says. “Go to sleep, Jo.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I pause for a moment. Maybe it’s the intimacy of the dark, but my filter quits working.

“About the advantages to living together… I can’t seem to fall asleep, even though a good night’s sleep seems to be all I’m getting.”

The moment all the words leave my mouth, I want to smack my forehead. Why am I doing my best to project a needy nympho? Him seeing my apartment wasn’t enough?

Edgar reaches out. Runs a hand along my hair.

I close my eyes and sigh. It feels so good.

“I’d rather not do anything that might put you and the baby at risk.”

“What do you mean?” I say, surprised.

“I want to wait until we see Dr. Silverman.”

I tense. Is he expecting a problem? As far as I know, my side of the family is healthy as a horse. But his family might not be.

“I’m not saying that you’ll have issues,” he adds, “but it’s always best to be on the safe side.”

That’s so sweet. I start to relax. Then, since I hate to sleep separated, even though we’re in same bed and because it’s dark and I feel like whatever I’m doing now doesn’t—and shouldn’t—count, I inch closer until he pulls me into his arms.

Sighing quietly, I relax against his body heat and scent.

Then, as I start to slip into sleep, I imagine him whispering, “I know why you’re like this, and I’m going to change that in the upcoming months.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Edgar

My eyes open automatically, as usual. I don’t have to check my phone on the stand next to the bed to know it’s around five in the morning.

I should get up, but Jo feels too good wrapped around me. Her arm is draped over my chest, and her leg is twisted around mine. She’s still deep in sleep, her breathing slow and even.

As much as I love that nightgown on her, I wish she’d worn something comfy, like Hugo said. The way he spoke of it didn’t indicate that her “relaxing at home” outfit is anything as thought out as what she’s wearing. If I didn’t know better, I might’ve thought she was trying to seduce me, but she was a bit too tense last night for that.

She probably doesn’t see this place as her home yet. Once she puts her own stamp on it—with colors she likes, furniture she picks—she’ll be better.

I give myself ten more minutes to hold her, then, reluctantly and very carefully, leave the bed. I tuck her in, pulling the sheet tight around her, then take my phone and head toward one of the extra bedrooms. I’ve set it up as a temporary office with a desk and rolling chair.

After hitting the button to boot my laptop, I go to the kitchen and make a cup of coffee. Hmm… The place is rather large and empty. Perhaps I should hire a live-in housekeeper. We had a few growing up in Tempérane. It’s such a pampered pleasure to wake up to coffee and breakfast. Jo would probably enjoy the perk.

I take the coffee to the office and check my email. Susan sent me a couple messages with summaries of what’s been going on at Blackwood Energy HQ since the unpleasant meeting yesterday.

My phone rings. Dad. My muscles tighten instantly, like a well-trained police dog when it senses something wrong.

Do I want to answer it when I haven’t even finished my first cup of coffee?

And is he calling me as my father, or as head of the board of directors?

If I don’t handle it now, he’s going to try again. Sighing, I pick it up.

“Edgar.” My voice is rough.

“Did you just get up?” Dad says.

“I am still in California.”

“When are you coming back?” Impatience vibrates like a poorly tuned violin in his tone, grating and annoying.

“I don’t know.”

“Why not? You should be here by now. You have a duty to the family and business. We employ all these people. We have a responsibility to the town.”

My lips twist. I don’t need to finish my coffee to understand what he’s really saying.

We employ all these people.

Our responsibility to the town.

They’re socially acceptable phrases to say the family cannot and will not loosen its control over Tempérane and its people. The company has always given us enormous power. It provides so many jobs, so much money for every