Page 167 of The Wrong Husband

James eyes him closely. "Is that a gray hair at your temple?"

"I believe, the word you’re looking for is distinguished, as in, 'You look distinguished.’” Brody straightens to his full height.

"It suits you,” Phe assures him.

When I scowl, her features soften. "You have nothing to be jealous about, honey. You know I only have eyes for you.”

She runs a finger down the front of my button-down shirt sleeve, my concession to coming to see my grandfather, when I’d much rather be in shorts and T-shirt, sprawled on my couch with my wife at my side. My idea of heaven.

Previously, I’d have looked down on the idea of being home instead of gallivanting around the world on another of my missions, or working in the lab on another scientific discovery I could patent.

Now that I've met her, I realize how hollow those endeavors truly are without someone by my side to share them.

I promised her I won’t be in the field, and I’m sticking to that.

At Phe’s insistence I have, however, begun discussions with the MI5 to work as a consultant. I'll put my expertise to good use by making missions safer for those in the field. Running missions is part of my DNA. My wife was wise enough to recognize that. And I'd be doing myself, and her, a disservice if I ignored that part of me completely.

Now that I control my patents, I can be assured that the royalties they generate—along with funds from my trust—are used to fund charities that need help. This gives me a deep sense of satisfaction.

It also allows me to feel more complete, which means, I can better care for my wife.

She slides her arms around my waist, then goes up on tiptoes and offers me her mouth. I pull her close, dip my head, and kiss her. As soon as our mouths meet, I’m lost. Her taste, the sweetness, that familiar softness, interspersed with the lick of lust gathering at the base of my spine. Fuck. I want to throw her over my shoulder, walk out of here, and go home. I want to fuck her, then make sweet love to her.

"I know she’s your wife, but she’s also my sister, and it’s taking everything in me not to tear you from her and bash your face in," James growls.

I can understand how uncomfortable it is for James to watch the two of us. Not that I fucking care. She’s mine. And it’s time everyone, especially her own family, get used to the idea. On the other hand, if it weren’t for James, I wouldn’t have met her. That’s the only reason I step back from my wife.

"Get a room." Brody walks past us.

I wrap my arm about Fever and tug her forward. "Might as well as get this over with."

"A bit like pulling off a bandage, then." James grimaces, then squares his shoulders. "Perhaps, some strong refreshments are called for?" He follows Brody.

I realize they’re headed toward the farthermost corner of the garden, where a bar has been set up.

"Is that the single men’s commiseration corner?" My wife follows James’ progress. He steps to where Brody huddles with Toren, Adrian, and Viktor.

"From what I hear, these men have struck up a friendship outside of these gatherings which Arthur instigated," she adds.

"That’s an interesting and very powerful mix of men. I wouldn’t want to fuck with them individually. Put them together, side-by-side, and they’re invincible in the business world." I purse my lips and contemplate the lot of them, then shake my head.

"Nah, not possible."

"What?" My wife shoots me a sideways glance.

"It’s nothing. A passing thought." I shake my head.

"Aww, come on. You can’t leave me hanging like that, surely?"

I shrug. "One would almost think that’s why Arthur invites them to these family functions."

She surveys them. "You mean, Arthur keeps throwing them together, so they’ll turn to each other and form some form of alliance?"

"Sounds far-fetched, right?" I chuckle. "Not even my cantankerous gramps is smart enough to have anticipated this…"Right?

Milling about on the lawn are the rest of my brothers and their wives. Nathan nods in my direction. My uncle Quentin, who’s standing nearby with his wife tucked into his side, flashes me a thumbs-up sign. I head for him, with Phoenix in tow. "I never got to thank you for the role you played in helping me get home safely."

He rushed off while I was in recovery, as he wanted to return home. Seeing how Vivian is wrapped around him like they can’t bear to be parted, I get why.