Page 23 of Seduction (Wicked Vows)

“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you the truth. I should have. I was pulled from another mission to be put on this one, and I made some quick decisions. It won’t happen again.”

It’s hard to hold a grudge with an apology that’s so honest and direct. I’m so relieved we can actually talk to one another that I’m quick to forgive.

“Thank you. So, do you want that American dude to know that you speak English?

“Believe me,” he says with a smile. “He’s going to know that very quickly.”

“Remember, this is my professional job here, Markov. . .”

“I’ll remember.” His eyes darken. “And so will he.”

We have no more time to chat. Why do I all of a sudden feel so shy in front of him now that we can communicate more freely? That layer of protection between us isn’t there anymore.

When he opens the door, I walk past him. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “I know what my job is, Vera. Do you know yours? That little attitude you gave me a few minutes ago? I’ll remember that.” He smiles and nods. “After you, wife.”

Oh, my God, I really need to start reading romcom instead of all that erotic romance. Seriously. Maybe thrillers.

“I studied the map while you were sleeping,” he says. “It’s this way.” He reaches for my hand.

“Markov—”

“You’re supposed to be my wife,” he says in a whisper. “You were the one that chose this, Vera.”

Shit. He’s right. I take his hand and practically have to trot to keep up with his long strides.

“We need to solidify the story,” he says in a low voice only meant for me to hear.

“What story?”

“How we met. When we got married. All of that.”

Something about just hearing him so those words… those events that I’ve longed for and mostly given up hope of ever happening… just hearing him speak them aloud makes my heart thump in my chest.

Why did I do this?

“Okay. Um. Alright, we can tell them we were high school sweethearts. We went our separate ways after graduation and reunited at a friend’s wedding.”

“High school sweethearts? That can’t work. I’m way older than you. “

I didn’t even think of that. “Are you? How old are you?”

“I’m thirty-one. You’re, what, twenty-two, twenty-three? Next idea.”

“Right. Um. . . I was on vacation, hiking in the mountains of Switzerland, and you were my tour guide?”

He shakes his head. “Do I really look like someone who could be a Swiss tour guide? And what if they ask me about it? The only thing I can tell you about Switzerland is that the chocolate’s good.”

I snort. “Okay, so, what’s your genius idea?”

He purses his lips and scowls. “Online dating service. The algorithm matched us as compatible, even though we come from two very different backgrounds. You were too busy with grad school to date, but we hit it off immediately. After only three months of dating, we eloped, much to our parents’ chagrin. That was a year ago.”

My romance lover’s heart thumps. This is a dangerous place to be, but I can already see the dining hall and Irina waiting for us. We don’t have any more time.

“Deal.”

“Vera! Markov! I hope you got some rest,” Irina says, greeting us at the door. “We’re still waiting for a few guests, but please go on in and introduce yourselves.”

Markov opens the door and rests his hand on the small of my back. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “Remember what I said about the American and about behaving yourself. I expect an obedient wife, Vera.”

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