by Sienna Snow
“If you ever take another woman to any more events, I will never forgive you. I don’t care if nothing ever happened with them. Don’t ever think of coming back home again. We’ll be divorced before you know what hit you.”
“Are we really talking about you divorcing me while I’m fucking you? I must not be giving it to you good enough.”
Dev’s pace changed, and all I could do was focus on the sensations coursing through my body.
“More,” I cried out. “Harder, please Dev. I’m almost there.”
Dev released his hold on my neck, kissed my shoulder, and then covered my hands, pressing against the wall with his.
“Fuck yourself against me, baby. Show me what only my cock can satisfy.”
I pushed back, meeting each thrust for thrust.
My body heated and pussy quickened.
Right there, yes. Right there.
I threw my head back as my orgasm surged forward, coursing through every pore in my body like a bomb detonating.
My pussy contracted hard, clamping down on Dev’s pulsing cock and trying to draw out the sensation longer.
“You’re not done yet. I need to hear my name on your lips at least two more times,” he whispered into my ear.
And I did, again and again.
I tried to say something but could only moan—verbalizing my feelings wasn’t possible.
Dev was still thrusting inside me, and then a few seconds after my third orgasm, he came, calling out my name and shooting his cum deep inside my still-trembling pussy.
I rested my face on the wall, barely able to remember my name, while Dev leaned against my back, trying to catch his breath.
“Oh God. What have you done to me?”
“I’ve just shown you to whom you belong. And remember this, if you flirt with any more men, I’ll do it again.”
A giggle bubbled up and I shook my head. “You are absolutely insane, Devin Camden. No wonder I love you so much.”
“Say that again.”
“What?” I asked over my shoulder, but Dev pulled out of my body and turned me to face him.
“Tell me again how you feel. Tell me again that you love me and I haven’t killed what we shared by neglecting you. That I’m not pushing you toward the man who’s perfect for you.”
My face softened as I cupped his cheek. The uncertainty in his eyes made me realize how much he feared I’d leave him for Veer. Both Jacinta and V were right—Devin did view V as competition.
“Dev, I’ve told you over and over.”
“No, you talked about loving me. You haven’t said the words to me.”
“I love you, Devin James Camden. You are the only man I have loved and will ever love.”
He kissed first my forehead, followed by my nose, and last my lips, before he whispered, “You are my everything, Sami. Love doesn’t describe what I feel for you.”
“Oh Devin.” I leaned my head against him, savoring the feel of this moment.
A knock sounded on the door, making me groan.
“I know you’re in there,” Jacinta shouted with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
“Jaci, go away,” I said as I pulled back from Devin and tried to fix my dress.
“You have a cabin for the shit you’re doing in there. Dammit, there are at least five bedrooms upstairs you could have used. Now I’m going to have to sanitize the housekeeper’s storage closet.”
“Was there a purpose for seeking us out?” Dev tucked himself back into his pants. “Or are you just being an annoying little sister?”
“You need to get your asses out onto the patio. People are noticing your disappearances, especially Mom.”
“We’ll be there in a few.” I scowled at Devin. “Dammit, Dev. I’m wrinkled. Why do you have this need to bunch up my clothes all the time? Ashur is about to arrive, and I look a hot mess.”
“No, you look like you were thoroughly fucked by your husband.”
“The last thing my brother wants to see is his sister sex-tousled and flushed.”
He pushed my hands away from the hem of my dress, lifted it back up, and used my torn underwear to clean up the stickiness between my legs.
When he was satisfied, he pulled the flowery fabric down, straightened his clothes, and then tucked my wet thong into the pocket of his slacks.
“Now you are presentable.”
“Thank you.”
He looked up from buckling his belt and smiled. “It was my pleasure.”
My heart skipped a beat. “You are too good looking for your own good.”
“Are you complaining?” His cheeks reddened.
It always seemed to embarrass him when I mentioned his looks.
“No. What woman doesn’t want a man who looks almost as good as her?” I joked and stood on tiptoes to kiss him.
At that moment the door slammed open, and an annoyed Jacinta walked in with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face.
“Seriously, you two have got to get down there. Ash’s car is approaching the house.” Jacinta grabbed my arm and yanked me from Dev. “Sam, you look like you’ve been freshly fucked.”
“That’s because she has.” Dev wedged his way between Jacinta and me, sliding his hands around our waists. “And I’ll do it again if you don’t keep your gubernatorial candidate away from her.”
“He’s her family. Honestly, you need to get over this jealousy when it comes to Veer George.”
“That’s what I told him,” I said. “Besides, I think Jacinta is the one he wants to do delicious, dirty things to.”
Dev paused. “Someone kill me now.”
“At least you’re thinking about Veer and Jaci instead of me. Can you imagine it? An independent with liberal tendencies and a conservative, getting it on. They’d make politically hybrid babies.”
“Sam, stop before you give him a coronary.”
“Did you notice she didn’t object to the image I painted about her and V?”
“Sami?”
“Yes, love?”
“Stop talking. You aren’t helping.”
“Sorry. I was only trying to make a point.”
“On that note, I need to check on the caterers. Head out and tell Mom I’ll be there in a minute.” Jacinta slipped out of Dev’s arm and went down the hallway to the kitchen.
The second Dev and I walked onto the patio leading down to the shore, multiple sets of eyes focused on us.
“You know all the single ladies and half the married ones are going to hate me and have visions of throwing me overboard the moment we leave the dock.”
“The only woman whose happiness I give two shits about is yours.” He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “Come on. I see Ash’s car.”
We took the steps leading to the driveway and joined Carol and Tyler.
“Where’d you two disappear to, Mr. and Mrs. Camden?” Tyler said it loud enough to be in earshot of everyone around us.
“I had to show Sami some rooms she hadn’t seen before.”
Tyler snorted. “That’s why your shirt and Samina’s dress are wrinkled.”
Carol popped Tyler on the back of the head. “Tyler David Camden. You know better than to comment on their clothes when we’re surrounded by company. I have no idea where I went wrong with you boys.”
“Hey, what did I do? I’m merely escorting my wife to meet her brother.” Dev pretended he was offended.
“You know what you did. Hello, Samina dear.”
“Hello.”
“Word of advice.” She scanned my attire and shook her head while glaring at Dev. “Don’t give in so easily. Make him work for it. How are you ever going to get your way if you don’t leave him wanting on occasion? How do you think the senator and I made it through forty years?”
“Mom, people can hear you.” Jacinta sounded scandalized as she approached.
“Seriously,” Tyler added. “The last thing I want to think of is you and Dad having sex.”
“You can’t possibly think the too
th fairy brought you into existence?”
Tyler groaned. “Stork, Mom, not tooth fairy.”
“Same difference, they’re both made up. The point I was trying to make is, don’t put out unless Devin makes it worth your while.”
“I do, Mom. That’s why she’s standing here with a well-satisfied sex glow.”
“Devin, honey.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Shut up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I loved this woman. She could make any situation fun.
I grinned as the limo door opened, ready to hug my brother, but immediately my smile vanished and tears filled my eyes.
“Mommy.”
Chapter Sixteen
I ran to the car, hugging the beautiful woman with long black hair and kind eyes who stepped out.
“Mari Dikri, I missed you so much.” She hugged me so tight that I couldn’t help but let the tears free. Five years without seeing her, without her hugs or her little quirks that made me feel loved.
She smelled of jasmine and lilies, the scent I associated with love and my childhood.
“Oh, Mommy. I’m so happy you’re here.” I held on to her and cried for the next few minutes, not caring if I was making a spectacle of myself in front of all the guests.
Finally, when we pulled apart, I glanced behind me and found both Carol and Jacinta dabbing at their eyes.
“Do I get any love or does Mommy get to hog you?”
I stepped out of Mommy’s arms and turned toward my brother, but noticed my father standing behind Ashur.
I peeked at Dev, who gave me a nod of encouragement.
“Ash,” I whispered and let him engulf me in his giant arms. “Thank you.”
“It wasn’t me. The man behind you is the reason she’s here. The reason they’re both here.”
I looked into Dev’s eyes. This was what he’d been doing in Houston. Not meeting with potential donors. He was trying to convince my parents to come see me. I couldn’t imagine what it was like for Devin to stand in front of my father after all the hell Papa put us through.
I love you, I mouthed to him, making him smile at me.
I stepped out of Ashur’s arms and approached my father.
“Papa.”
He looked older, with more gray in his hair and lines on his face. He seemed a bit more fragile than the formidable man I knew growing up, who’d tried to control my life.
“Beti.”
We stared at each other, making no move to show any affection. I couldn’t remember the last time Papa had hugged me or told me he loved me. It was something I could never expect from him, and I refused to make the first move.
“Come inside.” Jacinta broke the standoff. “I have rooms ready for you. You can freshen up before we have dinner and board the riverboat. Dev, will you check on the guests while I get everyone settled in?”
Devin nodded and moved toward the crowd enjoying their cocktails.
I threaded my arm through my mom’s and led her toward the steps of the house. Tyler and Ashur joked while Carol and Jacinta engaged my father in a conversation, asking him his opinion of the latest technology trends on the market.
Papa seemed to enjoy the discussion and happily shared his thoughts. Of all my friends, Jacinta had been Papa’s favorite. He would go out of his way to make time for her whenever she was around. It was as if he ignored the fact her brother was married to his estranged daughter.
“Mommy,” I said in my family’s native language of Gujarati.
“Why did Papa come? He can’t bear to look at me, much less want to socialize with me.”
“Your husband is very persistent.”
I gave her the side eye. “Right. I buy that.” We ascended the steps into the house. “Mommy, I have to tell you something before you learn about it in the tabloids.”
“I know, sweetheart. You’re going to be a politician.”
“That’s part of it.” I paused midstep. “How do you know this? I haven’t made it public.”
“I read the news. All rumors have some truth. Your client likes to talk too much, but he’s a smart man and never puts anything out to the public that doesn’t have a solid basis. I don’t like his tactics but he’s never disrespected you. In fact, he adores you.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. This woman could always pull apart the facts from the fiction.
People assumed I’d inherited my smarts from Papa with his technology savvy. What most never knew or dared to learn was that Mommy was a child prodigy like I was. She had graduated magna cum laude from Princeton and then by the time she was twenty-three, gained her PhD in computer analytics and physics from Oxford University.
The life she’d planned had taken a dramatic turn when her grandfather arranged her marriage to Papa. She’d cemented her family’s place in the Indian community, not by her achievements in science and technology, but by marrying into one of the wealthiest Indian families in the United States.
“Mommy, you are brilliant. No wonder Papa keeps such a tight rein on you. He’s afraid you’ll overshadow his success.”
“Samina—” her voice grew stern, “—don’t go there. Be happy I’m here.”
I released a deep sigh. I’d never win any discussion where it concerned Papa. “Okay. I hear you.”
“I know you did. Take me to my room.” She followed me along the hallway. “I want to change. Your Papa has a meeting with your father-in-law.”
I frowned as I opened the door to her suite. “Why?”
“Business,” she responded, and that was the extent of the information she was going to give me.
She had this way of shutting down a subject that left no room for argument. It didn’t matter how much I fought with Papa. He never could keep me quiet the way Mommy managed with a glare.
Oh well. I’d better enjoy my time with my mom instead of worrying about what the two fathers were concocting.
An hour after setting sail from Jacinta’s property, I stared at the passing homes along the river. There was so much going on, and I couldn’t hide the strain anymore. I’d come to the lower deck, away from the festivities, to refocus and prepare myself for the discussion I’d have with the family after all the guests left.
I could only pretend to enjoy myself for so long. Hell, Jacinta looked exhausted, and she thrived on the chaos of a socialite party. Thankfully, she’d told me about a back passage to this level so that I could escape.
A boom of laughter reached my ears, and I heard the distinct accent and timbre of my father’s voice. He was a politician in his own right, using his charisma to charm everyone around him.
Papa still hadn’t spoken a full sentence to me. He acted as if I wasn’t even in the room, and whenever anyone mentioned my name or asked about my newfound fame, he’d made an underhanded comment like, “That’s the life she chose—she can’t expect anything less.”
I could tell Ashur was doing everything in his willpower to keep from losing his temper every time Papa opened his mouth. During my younger years, I used to resent Ash for being Papa’s favorite, but quickly I learned he used his position in the family as a way to keep a buffer between Papa and me. My big brother dealt with so much crap because of me. I knew he’d have left long ago and told my father to shove his money where the sun didn’t shine if I weren’t in the picture. Ashur loved me and protected me the way I’d wanted Papa to do.
God, I had such daddy issues.
“Baby, is everything okay?” Devin asked as he sat down next to me. “You barely touched your food at dinner, and you haven’t said much since we left the dock. Don’t let your father get to you. I heard what he said to Representative Cartwright.”
“He wants to hurt me because I didn’t follow his plan for my life. And telling others that I didn’t have the stomach or will for business is his way of taking a jab at me. It’s not as if I was ever going to get to run Kumar Tech. He has strict views on women’s roles.”
I exhaled and wrung my hands tog
ether. He would have done to me what Mommy’s family did to her, educate and then marry the prized daughter to the most advantageous alliance. Papa acted modern but was as ass-backward as they got. Hell, most families in India were more open-minded than he was.
There I went again with my daddy angst.
Devin pulled me to his side and pressed my head against his chest.
“I’m glad you didn’t say anything to him. I saw your jaw clench,” I said as I watched a family jumping into the water from their dock.
“I was tempted, but it would have hurt your election prospects if I threw my father-in-law off the riverboat. Now tell me what’s really bothering you. Are you nervous about the announcement tomorrow?”
I glanced up at him, but he pushed me back against him.
After making love to me in the cabin, Dev and I had touched on my conversation with Tracy but hadn’t gone into details. Devin accepted the plan, but something told me he was holding back his true feelings and I was too chicken shit to probe him. What if the loss of his privacy was too much for him? After the pictures came out, we’d become even more of a spectacle.
“Honestly, I’m worried about telling our families about the pictures. The election will be less important to my father than the images of me naked.”
“This isn’t about him, Sami. Someone illegally took photos of you in a vulnerable state and then threatened to hurt you. If your father can’t see your innocence, then he doesn’t deserve a single thought. One day Spencer Miller is going to be sorry.”
I lifted my face up, and the look in his eyes told me he was planning something.
“What did you do?”
“Ash and I have it under control.”
“Excuse me. When did you and my brother become friends again? The last thing I knew, Ash wanted to take you to the gun range and use you for target practice.”
“We came to an agreement,” Devin said. “Our differences are secondary to your safety. Plus, your brother missed taking our annual guys’ trips.”
“I’m not sure if I believe you but I’ll buy it for the moment.” I pursed my lips and then narrowed my eyes. “Now tell me what the two of you did.”