“No. Absolutely not,” Veer challenged Jacinta. “I am not going to be used to make Devin jealous.”

“Oh, come on.” Jacinta crossed her arms. “It’s a fabulous idea. It was Sam who put the idea in my head.”

“No. He already sees red every time I’m anywhere near you, his baby sister. How do you think he’ll react if you fuck with him when it comes to Sam?”

I frowned. “Care to explain that comment?”

“Sam, he thinks I’m competition for your affections.” He stared at me as if I’d asked a stupid question.

“Wait. What? I though your mutual dislike had to do with my secret marriage and not being public with our relationship.”

“Well, you thought wrong,” Jacinta interjected. “When I told Dev the list of people who were joining us on the riverboat and came to Veer’s name, he growled. The always-poised, never-reveal-his-true-feelings Judge Devin James Camden growled. I loved it.”

“You can’t be serious. That’s just gross.” I scrunched up my nose. “I think I just threw up a little in my mouth. V, you’re hot and all, but no.”

“Feeling’s mutual.” He glared at Jacinta, who tried to ignore him.

I was not going to be a party to this. My life was complicated enough.

“Aren’t you the one who said not to poke the angry bear? Dev and I are trying to fix our marriage, not destroy it with no hope of repair.”

“My plan will work in your favor.”

“How?”

“Veer is your dad’s version of a wet-dream son-in-law. He is the son of a business partner, well educated, a war hero, and most importantly, shares your cultural background.”

“No!” I shouted as a tinge of anger flared to life. “And that’s final. I’m fighting all the people who’ve tried to control me my entire life and now you want me to do something to manipulate Dev. I can’t believe you would suggest something like this.”

Her eyes grew big, telling me she realized she’d crossed a line.

“Sorry, Sam. Forget it. I just want Dev to see that he could lose you if he doesn’t change the way things are going. I love the both of you so much. You’re my family and I want it to remain that way.”

My irritation evaporated. “I know, Jaci, but you have to let Dev and me fix the mess we created.” A line formed between her brows and she opened her mouth to argue, but I spoke again. “I’m as much at fault as he is, no matter what either of you believe. I’ve thought about it. I accepted this fucked-up marriage because I love him more than anyone ever could and because…” I trailed off.

Was I ready to admit something I hadn’t verbalized but knew was true?

“And because?” Jacinta probed.

I looked out the window and noticed the group of reporters and “Hot Stuff” fans waiting outside of the driveway leading to Jacinta’s house.

“Saved from answering the question we all know the answer to by the relentless media,” Jacinta muttered.

I covered my face with my hands. “They followed me here from Seattle? Why won’t they leave me alone?”

Another look passed between Veer and Jacinta.

“Want to tell her, or should I?” Jacinta asked.

“Tell me what?”

“You do the honors. She’s your best friend.”

“If you two are done talking about me, I’d appreciate an answer to my question.”

“Sam, your secret is out. The Bassett Hound announced you were already married and he couldn’t set you up anymore.”

“And?” It was like pulling teeth to get a straight answer.

“And now he’s decided that you would make the perfect candidate for president. He is on a mission to convince you to run.”

“What?” I exclaimed and looked out the window again.

Sign after sign had “Kumar for President.”

Well, hell, why didn’t I skip the senatorial election and jump right into becoming a presidential candidate?

“Stop looking at me like that, Jacinta Ellen Camden. The presidential election isn’t for two and a half more years. Outside of being born in the United States, I’m not qualified. I’m neither old enough nor have the experience.”

“Well, that didn’t stop our current president. I’m not talking about his age, by the way,” Veer interjected, resulting in a glare from Jacinta. “What? He’s a real-estate tycoon with no political knowledge prior to running for office. At least Sam knows the law.”

I shook my head. “This is not the time for a debate between Mr. Liberal and Ms. Conservative.”

“I’m not a liberal, I’m an independent,” Veer countered.

Jacinta snorted. “Same difference.”

“Hey, I take offense to that. I’m an independent, too.” I gave an exaggerated scowl and wagged my finger at Jacinta. “Plus, you’re the one who just went through a whole pitch to get me to run for Senate.”

“Whatever. You never let me have any fun,” she grumbled with a smirk on her face.

That’s when I realized she had orchestrated the conversation to keep my mind off the paparazzi until we passed through the compound’s gates.

“You think you’re so clever.”

“You’re not the only child prodigy in the car. And for the record, I wasn’t referring to you, Veer,” Jacinta said as the car pulled up to her house.

“God, I love this house. It’s the perfect combination of Southern plantation and modern architecture.” I gazed up at the two-story mansion Jacinta called home.

“If you hadn’t hooked up with my brother and moved up to Seattle, we could have lived here together.”

The mention of Devin made my stomach fill with anxiety and desire.

Just like Clint had said, that man had me twisted inside and not knowing what I wanted.

“Speaking of Devin. Where is he?” I tried to keep the hope I felt from my voice but failed miserably.

Jacinta lifted a brow and then answered, “He was in some meetings with Dad. Something about planning out his future. Oh, to be a fly on that wall, when Dev handed Dad his ass. One day my father will realize he has no say in what his children decide to do with their careers.”

“What are you talking about?” The only thing I knew about Devin’s last conversation with his father was that he’d told them about me.

“For a married couple, y’all need to talk more instead of banging each other’s brains out.”

“Shut up, you’re such an ass.”

“Takes one to know one.”

“Ladies, if you’re done acting like children, I suggest we table any more discussions about politics and media. There are eyes and ears everywhere. The house won’t be secure as long as all the extra staff is here. Then even less so when all the guests arrive.”

“Jaci, how many people did you invite? I know you are trying to hobnob with the political elite but you usually keep it to a minimum.”

The door opened and she slipped out as she responded. “I did what was necessary.” And headed toward the side door of the house.

“Well that clears up absolutely nothing.” I scowled at Veer.

“Don’t look at me. She’s your best friend.”

I stepped out of the limo and waited for Veer. “But you two have become chummy since she moved here.”

“The fact we socialize on occasion because we live in the same city means nothing,” he said as he watched Jacinta with a predatory twinkle in his eye.

“I don’t buy that for a second. An acquaintance doesn’t have the ability to convince someone to run for governor or make him look at her as if he’d like to lick every inch of her body.”

“Let it go, half pint. Remember what I said about eyes and ears.” He placed his hand on my waist and guided me toward the house. “I’ll escort you inside and then make my way home. I have to tidy up my house before my parents arrive. You know how they get when I don’t have everything in the proper place.”

“Be nice. Uncle and Auntie are the sweetest people I know. I think you want to get home to hide any evidence of all those illicit affairs you like having.”

“I’m a political candidate. I don’t have time for a moment alone, much less a romantic liaison with anyone.”

“Welcome to the world of media intrusion.” I smiled up at him and winked.

I caught sight of Dev looking down at us from the second-story balcony of Jacinta’s giant house. He clenched his jaw and turned back to listen to whatever his father was saying to him.

Just perfect. I wasn’t here more than a minute and I’d pissed him off.

At that moment, two reporters jumped out of the bushes. One took pictures and the other shouted questions. Within seconds, Jacinta’s security team tackled them.

Veer pushed me behind him.

“What will your husband say about you arriving here with Mr. George?” the man asked, even though he was cuffed and his face pushed into the ground. “Is he a family friend or more? How does your new celebrity impact your career? Is Mr. George planning to use your popularity to help his campaign?”

I ignored him, but I couldn’t help but shake. Images of what had happened with Spencer Miller flashed before my eyes as well as the fear I’d felt, knowing someone had gotten so close to me.

“Come on, Sam. Let’s get you inside.”

We ran toward the side entrance of the house leading into the kitchen and then I collapsed on one of the barstools surrounding the granite island.

I inhaled deep and then dropped my head onto the counter. This sucked.

Not only was I a complete wimp when it came to paparazzi, I was letting others handle my problems instead of facing them myself. A tear slipped down my cheek.

I had to get it together. I could stare down the scariest of opponents without flinching in the courtroom and now I was falling apart at every turn.

“Here. Drink this. It will take the edge off.” Jacinta handed me a drink, but the second I smelled it, my stomach turned.

“I just need some sparkling water.”

Within a few moments, Jacinta’s housekeeper rushed over, giving me a glass of the fizzy liquid.

“God, how the fuck did they get on my land?” Jacinta pulled out her phone and began to text. “From this point on, no one will have access to any part of this property without clearance.” She glanced at Veer, who nodded and left the room, and then she approached me, taking my hands in hers. “I’m so sorry this happened.”

She knew how devastated I had been after the whole Spencer Miller debacle, especially when Decker used his political pull to have Miller’s charges dropped to a misdemeanor instead of a felony.

At that moment, Dev rushed in.

“Baby, are you okay?” He pulled me into his arms.

I buried my head against his chest, clutching his shirt under my fingers. He smelled of spiced cologne and soap. A scent so comforting, I could get lost in it.

And I did. A sob escaped my lips and within the next few seconds I was releasing months of worry, apprehension, and chaos.

I never cried and now I was doing it at every turn, and for some reason, having Dev hold me made the havoc and violation of the media invasion of my life even more prominent.

What I wouldn’t have given for him to have held me when Miller broke into our house and made me think he’d have done more to me than take pictures if I hadn’t pressed the panic button in our bathroom.

Dev picked me up, cradling me in his arms as I cried.

“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.”