Page 69 of His Wild Seduction

“Stop it! Dad stop!” I screamed.

He backed away, eyes wide, and ran a hand over his face.

“Oh no. Merry, I didn’t mean. Shit. Stop crying. Stop it! Just stay here,” he told me, locking me in his office before he left.

Sorrow, confusion, and pure, abject misery filled me.

“Please let me out! Let me out!”

“Let me out!” I screamed, sitting up.

“Hey, hey, easy,” a familiar voice broke through the foggy haze of my nightmare.

“I got you. You’re safe,” Josef whispered.

His powerful arms wrapped around me, and I clung to him, my chest still heaving.

I stared behind him at the floor to ceiling windows in our bedroom.

Our bedroom. In New York City. I’m married. To Josef. I’m with Josef.

The nightmare loosened its grip on me as I caught my breath and stared at all the shimmering lights of Manhattan, glittering beneath us like some magical, everlasting festival.

New York was the City That Never Sleeps. A place that held more opportunities than anywhere else. Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, played in my head, and I shivered.

My stepfather had been a huge fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes. Most folks from his generation, and New Jersey especially, since the famous crooner had been born in the Garden State, were.

I couldn’t stand to listen to him anymore. Not without thinking about that horrible night.

I trembled again, and Josef’s arms tightened around me.

I was being dumb.

In my line of work, I’d seen true horrors, and I knew what I’d been through was nothing.

But I allowed myself a moment of self-indulgence, and I burrowed into my husband’s strong, warm chest.

Tracing the tribal tattoo on his shoulder, I steadied my breathing.

Yes, I’d had nightmares over the years, but they’d gotten a lot better. I’d had some counseling, but not much.

Still, having Josef there to comfort me was more than I could have ever wished for. He kissed my temple, rubbing my back in soothing circles. I breathed in his spicy masculine scent and felt his chest move with each breath he took.

He grounded me. And I was so damn grateful to have him.

“Wanna talk about it, Baby?” he rumbled.

I shook my head. I didn’t. Not really. I just wanted him to hold me.

“Okay, Little Red. Whatever you want,” he said, kissing me again and leaning back against the pillow with me firmly in his embrace.

I sighed. Happy and content for the first time in what felt like ever.

I’d fallen asleep still feeling hurt by him. I was upset he’d checked on my story. But really, of course he did.

What did I expect? He owned a security firm, for fuck’s sake. It was literally his business.

Anyway, I’d never had a nightmare before tonight. But just like with everything else he did, Josef made it better.

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