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It wasn’t flashy or daring or even particularly sexy. The soft, clingy material was the same color as her wedding dress. It reached just above her knees and clung to her hips and breasts,but there were no slits or cutouts or adornments other than the lace on the thin straps.

She wasn’t the kind of person who could wear sexy lingerie and have it feel natural. She’d feel stupid showing up at Jude’s door in a lace teddy or sheer chemise. At least this looked somewhat normal as a nightgown she might sleep in, and it was as comfortable as it was flattering.

She thought about putting her hair up in a more elegant style but concluded that would be trying too hard.

He might not even want to have sex with her. In her experience, guys often thought she was pretty, but she didn’t fill them with lust. There was something about her appearance that appealed aesthetically but not sensually. Maybe she was lacking the pheromones other women put out.

A little part of her had been hoping Jude would knock on the door and make the first move tonight, but his room was silent beside hers. He might have already gone to bed. He might have another headache.

He might not find her sexy enough to bother.

She swallowed hard and brushed the thought aside. She’d resolved on this course of action, and even as shy as she was, she was a person who always followed through.

So she set down her hairbrush. Took one last look at the girl in the mirror. And then walked barefoot over to the connecting door.

She sucked in a silly, ragged gasp as she knocked.

It didn’t take long before Jude opened the door. His hair was still pulled back, and he wasn’t wearing anything but a pair of loose gray pajama pants in a soft, thin material. He smelled like soap, so he’d probably taken a shower like she had.

He wasn’t smiling, but his soft, questioning expression didn’t appear annoyed or impatient.

She really liked the looks of his chest, but she forced her eyes back up to his face. “Hi.”

His forehead wrinkled slightly. “Hi. Is everything all right?”

“Yeah.” Her cheeks suddenly flushed hot. He appeared confused. He hadn’t been expecting her to show up here, and now she was stuck. “I just wanted… I was wondering… I mean…”

Shit. She’d had her light, casual offer and explanation all planned out in her head, but now she couldn’t remember any of it.

Jude was still staring down at her.

“I didn’t know if you wanted to have a wedding night,” she blurted out, dropping her eyes because she was now so embarrassed. “It’s fine with me either way, but I wanted to… to let you know I don’t mind if… if you want.”

Oh God, she sounded absolutely cringeworthy.

When she got the courage to glance back up at him, she caught his gaze running up and down her body. His expression had subtly changed.

“I assumed you wouldn’t be comfortable with that,” he replied, his voice as pleasantly quiet and deep as always but a little more gravelly than usual. “It’s really okay with me if you’d rather not.”

“No, I want to.” She gulped as she heard what she’d said. It sounded almost… eager, and she was never like that. “I mean, I want to be a real wife to you. When I agreed to marry you, I meant all the way. We don’t have to. If you’re not interested or if you don’t feel up to it, it’s totally fine with me. I won’t be offended at all. Honestly, I’m not all that good at it. But I wanted to… to let you know that… we can. If you want.”

He seemed to be having trouble raising his eyes from her breasts, which at the moment was deeply reassuring to Eve.

“I do want to,” he told her. “But I don’t want it if it’s from sympathy or duty.”

“It’s not. I… I like how you look. I mean, I think I can get into it. I wouldn’t be forcing myself.”

Just perfect. Could she possibly sound sillier or more immature?

His expression softened slightly. He stepped to the side to let her into his room.

She went in. Saw his big bed, the covers folded down neatly by Nancy the way hers had been. She darted him a couple of quick glances. “You wouldn’t be forcing it either, right?”

He gave a soft huff of amusement. “Definitely not.”

“And your head still feels okay?”

“Yeah. I haven’t had much of a headache today.”