Page 82 of His Wild Seduction

I watched as Josef’s face changed before my eyes as we approached the two men standing by the door. He looked hard, unreadable. The man on the left nodded his head.

“Mr. Aziz,” he said.

Josef’s chin dipped down slightly. A small confirmation he’d heard the man as he guided me inside.

They must be part of his security firm, I thought.

The men did not bother stopping us, and for the first time I understood just how powerful my husband was. There were a few more imposing men and two women, dressed all in black with cleverly concealed weapons on their persons.

They stood at three foot intervals, stopping guests from trying to make their way around back as they checked their lists.

Everyone entering the party was expected to announce who they were and show their invitations. Everyone except for us, it seemed.

I’d been nervous as we bypassed the small queue that had formed outside, but Josef didn’t even slow down. He moved with an air of arrogance and complete ease that on anyone else would have been obnoxious.

But on him, it just enhanced the muted strength he carried so well. The hand on my neck lowered to the small of my back and I shivered at the heat coming from his fingertips.

“Are you cold?”

This man.

“No. I’m good,” I said, leaning into his powerful body.

He hummed appreciatively, and his hand flexed against my back. I knew this was a party for one of Josef’s friends’ wives, and I wanted to be there. But I also wanted to be alone with my husband.

Later.

Turning my head away from my husband’s heated stare, so I didn’t melt into a puddle of take me I’m yours goo at his feet, I took a moment to look around. The house was stunning.

I hadn’t expected all this. The ceilings had to be at least sixteen feet high, and everything was done in shades of blue and gray. It was the perfect mix of old and new.

Framed paintings and stained glass lined the walls. Large vases with fresh flowers decorated tables. The floors were highly polished wood, stained a slate gray, but somehow the wood itself added a warmth to the décor I wouldn’t have expected.

The party was taking place in what looked like a large, comfortable sitting parlor whose back wall was made entirely of glass that opened up onto an outdoor terrace.

I saw small glittering lights outside and grinned. It was like a magical fairyland out there between the beautiful wrought iron fence, the lights, and the dozens of potted lemon trees and blooming shrubs.

It was brilliant. Cozy somehow, despite the obvious opulence. Deep blue leather couches and velvet chairs were strategically posed to make the most of the space and offer guests a respite.

I was thoroughly impressed. The home was positively beautiful.

“Josef!” a female someone called out to my husband with a familiarity that, at first, sent jealousy spiking through me.

I frowned as I watched a pretty woman with beautiful dark curls wearing a stunning sapphire jumpsuit approached us.

“Thank God you’re here,” she said, clapping her hands together. “Will you please find my husband and tell him there is nothing wrong with allowing guests to wander around the ground floor?”

Josef chuckled beside me as he looked at the woman with an indulgent expression on his face. He obviously knew her and cared about her. But who the fuck was she?

“I would love to do that, Destiny, but Marat’s not wrong,” Josef said apologetically.

“Ugh, you’re just like them! I’m sorry to interrupt. Hi, I’m Destiny,” she said, offering me her hand.

Destiny. Marat. Oh shit.

It all came together, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“I’m Meredith,” I replied with as best a smile as I could manage, considering I’d just been plotting ways to get her away from my man.

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