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“Let it out, baby,” he whispered into my hair. “I’ve got you. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you before. I’m here now.”

When the last of my weeping subsided, I looked up to find the kitchen empty, with Dev and me the only occupants.

I lifted my gaze to Dev’s worried one. “Thank you.”

“You’ve been so strong for so long. The least I could do was hold you when you needed to let go of the reins.” He thumbed a stray tear.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I should be used to this type of thing by now. Hell, if I don’t have a day where a reporter doesn’t jump out of nowhere to ask questions, then my day isn’t complete.”

“I’m beginning to really hate Clint Bassett.”

“Let’s be honest. Ever since I took Senator Xander’s case two years ago, my name has been in the spotlight.”

A former staffer had accused the senator of forcing him to cover up an affair she denied having. He had tried to blackmail her, and when she decided to press charges, I took the case. In the end, after an extensive probe into the allegations, Senator Xander was exonerated. The investigation revealed the staffer was part of a plot to ruin the senator’s character because of her support and stance on women’s reproductive rights.

This was the case that had put me in the national spotlight and the one that had revealed the cracks in my relationship with Devin.

“Yes, but it wasn’t to this level.” He inhaled deep. “I’m sure you saw the groupies outside the gates. It’s only going to get worse.”

“I know. Especially when I announce I’m running.”

He didn’t respond to my comment but said, “Come on. Let me get you upstairs. Take a nap and then we’ll go meet with my parents.”

I nodded, not commenting on the fact he’d ignored my statement, and slipped off his lap. He led me up a set of stairs from the back of the kitchen and to a guest room I assumed was mine.

All of my bags were inside, as well as Devin’s.

“So, we’re sharing a room this time? No pretending I’m only your sister’s best friend.”

He closed the door, walked up to me, and untucked my shirt, pulling it over my head. “Everyone knows you’re my wife and have been for almost five years.”

Goosebumps prickled my skin as the cool air from the air conditioner hit my body.

He unbuttoned my jeans, pushing them over the curve of my bottom and down my thighs, and then he lowered himself to kneeling. “Lift your leg.”

I followed his command, stepping out of my pants, and waited. His breath was dangerously close to my panty-covered crotch.

My insides grew hot as arousal took seed inside my core.

His breath changed, and he licked his lips as he stared at the growing dampness wetting my underwear.

“Devin,” I whispered.

“No, baby, not now.” He stood and pushed me toward the bed.

He lifted the covers.

A yawn escaped my lips and made me realize how tired I was from all my crying.

A nap was something I rarely indulged in, but since Dev insisted, why not?

“Get in. You’re exhausted. I’ll be here when you wake. I promise to satisfy you then.”

“I’ll hold you to it.”

Chapter Eleven

“Wake up, Sami.”