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“Samina, if you want it to change, you can’t jump into bed together.”

“We haven’t slept together for at least six weeks.” I crossed my arms and frowned at the phone, then realized she couldn’t see me.

“Umm. Correct me if I’m wrong, but haven’t you been separated for over four months? Why were you bumping uglies, and why am I finding out now?”

I cringed. No one knew about that night but Dev and me. He’d come to the house to check on the progress of the pool and found me sleeping on a lounger by the beach. When he tried to wake me, I thought I was having a vivid dream and grabbed him, pulling him toward me. Then, as always, we ended up having crazy monkey sex.

“Yeah, about that. Let’s say it won’t happen again anytime soon. The next morning, Dev assumed we were back to normal, and for me, nothing had changed. Which, in turn, led to an epic fight and resulted in him flying home to Louisiana to take that bitch Veronica to the Mardi Gras ball his grandparents throw every year.”

“Bitter much?”

“You have no idea,” I grumbled, trying to push back the hurt bubbling up.

That was the day I’d made my decision to take control of my life. A man who claimed to love me but couldn’t make me a priority didn’t deserve me in his life.

“Sam, you can’t do the same thing over and over and expect the outcome to be different.”

“I know, Sarah. I’ll try my best.”

“Do or do not. There is no try.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes, Yoda. You and the kids have been watching too manyStar Warsmarathons.”

“You were on my couch for seven of the nine movies.” She paused to say something to a person in the room with her. “Hey, I have to go. You know, the mom thing. Samina, I love you. Be good.”

“Yes, Jedi Master.”

Sarah laughed before she said, “Bye, young Padawan.”

I hung up the phone and couldn’t help but smile. We were such dorks.

Grabbing a sweater and blanket, I headed for the outdoor sofas near the fire pit. I ignited the fire and then made myself comfortable on the cushions.

I closed my eyes as the cool summer breeze from the Sound glided over my face, and the heat from the burning lava rocks warmed the rest of me.

This was my respite before the storm.

I’d never bar Dev from his own house, but I couldn’t help but worry about what to expect.

Could we live under the same roof again? I wasn’t the same Samina who’d accepted being second to his aspirations.

I wanted it all or nothing.

I released a deep yawn and snuggled under the covers.

If I stayed here long enough, I could fall asleep. Maybe a short catnap was in order. Then I’d have the energy to handle the emotions of having Dev under the same roof as me again.

“Now this reminds me of another time, not so long ago, but you were naked under the blanket.”

Chapter Five

My breath hitchedas I took in Devin leaning against the pergola that shaded the pool. He no longer wore his suit but instead a pair of well-worn jeans and a fitted black T-shirt. His sandy-brown hair was messy as if he’d run his fingers through it.

He peered at me with such intensity that butterflies tickled my stomach. I’d had the same reaction the first time we met. Years later, he’d claimed I was his from that first glance. And I couldn’t deny the truth of his statement.

Devin held my gaze as he moved to the couch and sat where my feet were, picking them up and placing them on his lap.

“I’m home,” he said and started to massage my feet.