Page 50 of His Wild Seduction

“I’m so sorry, Josef. I didn’t even think about it like that. But all those years without her? I had no idea you suffered so, brother,” Marat said quietly.

I inhaled roughly.

It sounded insane.

How could I still be so torn up over this woman?

Fuck.

What was that feeling inside my chest?

It wasn’t good. I knew that much.

Heavy. It felt heavy. Hard to breathe. Angsty. Unsettled. And nervous.

All terrible feelings for an ex-soldier who’d honed his skills by tamping down his emotions.

I just couldn’t afford to be reckless about this.

About her.

Not again.

Adrik and Marat were the closest things I had to brothers. I appreciated it when either of them called me that. More than I could ever express.

I supposed confiding in them would suffice.

“When I knew her then, she was spoiled, sheltered, perfect. She’s different now. More beautiful, older, wiser, still perfect.”

“So, what is the problem?” Marat asked.

“The problem is she told me something on our wedding night. Something I don’t believe. And I can’t do this if she is lying. I need the truth,” I confessed.

“And you don’t trust her?” Andres asked, speaking up for the first time.

“I don’t know if I can afford to,” I confessed.

“Meanwhile, you’ve been avoiding her bed, haven’t you?” Marat asked.

He was all sage observation, no wise-assery. So, instead of punching him in the face, I just nodded.

“Well, there is a simple solution, brother,” Adrik said, a grin toying at the corner of his mouth.

“Oh? What’s that?” I asked.

“You need to seduce your wife into falling in love with you.”

Yeah. Real simple.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

MEREDITH

The penthouse that was my new home was absolutely stunning. I mean, I grew up wealthy, but I never dreamed I’d live on Billionaire’s Row.

I wasn’t one of those Jersey Girls who ran to the big city every chance she got, so I was sort of a tourist in Manhattan. I liked it, though.

The energy. The history. The architecture. Even the crowds.

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