“Will you answer a question for me?” Carol asked as she poured me a glass of iced tea.

I nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

After leaving the senator and his sons in the library, Carol, Jacinta, and I had decided to have a drink and snacks on the back deck of the house.

Jacinta and Carol had created a giant spread of cookies, tea sandwiches, and pastries, even laying out a white lacy cotton tablecloth on the patio table for our yummy fare.

I could tell both women were visibly shaken by what had transpired and needed something to take their minds off the argument.

I’d tried to help, but they only shooed me away, saying they had everything under control.

“Why do you want to run? Don’t pretend you haven’t decided. I know when someone’s put their name into the arena of politics.”

I had waited for someone to ask me that question and I could always trust Carol to go to the source for anything she wanted to know.

“I want to run because no one expects it of someone like me.” Carol pursed her lips at my response, making me clarify what I meant. “I don’t fit the mold. When it comes to spending, I’m conservative. When it comes to social issues, I’m liberal. There are a lot of incumbents who feel threatened by people like me because of my appeal to the centrists.”

Especially the man I’d go up against in the election.

Senator Anthony Sanders was a person who’d dismissed me the first time we’d met at a charity fundraiser. He’d barely paid attention to anything I had to say, and I happened to be the main speaker for the evening. He’d treated me like a cute, pretty face. Then had the nerve to turn to a junior attorney in my firm to ask his opinion of the very topic I’d brought up. It wasn’t until the emcee had introduced me that he’d realized his mistake in dismissing me.

That was the day I’d realized this man had to go.

“Aren’t you afraid about your privacy and how everyone will react to your relationship with Devin? I know your potential opponent. He views his job as a career and he will pull every trick in the book to keep it. What Richard said is true. I’m not saying it’s right, but your opponent will use your pain as a way to elevate his position. He’ll shame you into hiding.”

As a wife of a politician, I guessed Carol had seen and heard more than she would ever let on. Her insight wasn’t anything I hadn’t learned for myself.

“I don’t have a choice but to face Sanders head-on, no matter what he throws my way. The day I became a celebrity attorney was the day my privacy started walking out the door. Clint just pushed it to a level I never anticipated.”

“That’s an understatement,” Jacinta added and lifted her glass to her lips.

“Excuse me, miss. My career path is your fault. You’re the one who introduced me to Representative Jones and suggested I’d be the best attorney for her case.”

“Jacinta Ellen Camden, how could you send that awful woman to her?”

“Mom, Tracy isn’t that bad. She speaks her mind, and she doesn’t agree with Dad’s viewpoints.”

If Carol only knew that Tracy Jones was the one who put the bug in my ear to run for office years ago and was now my political adviser. Poor Carol was in for a shock when she found out.

I broke the glaring contest between the mother-daughter duo and said, “I’m not worried about my relationship status. As Tyler stated, I’ve never hidden our relationship. I just never acknowledged it in public. If anyone investigated me, they’d find I’ve lived and shared a home with Devin from the beginning of our marriage.”

“What about the separation? Don’t you think the press will figure out you’re legally separated?” Jacinta asked.

Carol dropped the cookie she was about to bite into. “Say that again. You two aren’t together anymore? But…but what about all the sex you two are obviously having? Don’t try to deny it. I know exactly how Devin woke you up earlier.”

I winced, glared at Jacinta, and then peeked toward the library window. Dev paced as he discussed something with his father.

Most likely me.

“I never filed anything. I had Tara draft a separation decree and send it to Devin. However, I never took the step to have it recorded with the court.”

Jacinta smacked me on the shoulder. “You sneaky girl.”

“Don’t scare me like that, young lady.” Carol fanned herself with her hand. “In my opinion, you should have kicked his ass into gear years ago. Then maybe I’d have a baby to take care of while you’re on the campaign trail.”

My eyes just about bugged out of my head as the tea went down the wrong pipe, making me cough. She was always the poised Southern lady, and she was throwing jabs right and left without trying to cover it up with genteel grace.

I looked at Jacinta, who seemed as surprised as I was.

“Mom, I swear, I thought you’d be on his side.”

Carol cocked a hand on her hip. “He’s my oldest son but that doesn’t mean I won’t recognize when he’s wrong. Or when you are.” She paused and took my hand in hers. “You allowed a man to dictate how you lived your life. What was wrong with you?”

“It’s complicated. All I can say is that I’ve come to my senses and decided that I had to make my needs a priority for a change, and at this time in my life, it is my career.”

“What about Devin? Is he still important to you?”

I sighed. “Of course he is, Carol. Devin’s been the love of my life for twelve years. It doesn’t suddenly stop. I’m at a crossroads that will decide if we have a future or not.”

Jacinta set her glass on the table and stared me in the eye. “You mean if he’s willing to let you take center stage.”

I didn’t respond. It was more than about career.

“Samina, if Devin wasn’t committed, my boy would never have gone up against his father. Don’t close off the possibilities. He loves you more than you could ever know.”

“I love him too.”

Dev was never one to stand up to his father, but today he defended me and supported me in a way he’d never done before.

“God,” I said, releasing a sigh. “We are each other’s escape from controlling fathers.”

Carol smiled at me and patted my arm. “Then don’t give up on him.”

“I hope you’re talking about me,” Tyler said as he walked up and slid into the chair beside Carol.

Devin approached a few seconds later, staring at me with a look that told me he’d heard the tail end of the discussion.

He extended his hand, not taking his gaze from me or acknowledging anyone around him.

My heartbeat accelerated and a slow pulse began to throb in my core.

Licking my now-parched lips, I slid my palm over his and rose. His thumb grazed my skin, sending a shot of desire into every cell of my body.

“Where are you two off to?” Jacinta said from behind me.

Tyler answered, “To bump uglies, from the way he’s eating her up.”

The distinct sound of a smack echoed.

“Ow, Mom. That hurt.”

“Tyler David Camden, leave them alone.”

“Just you wait,” Jacinta voiced. “One day we’re going to have a field day at your expense.”

“You’re one to talk,” Tyler said. “Besides, I would need a woman in my life for any of your evil plans to come to fruition.”

Devin tucked a stray hair behind my ear and then said, “Let’s go for a walk.”

“Is that code for sex? Ow, Mom. Stop hitting me.”

“Tyler, this is your last warning.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, which made a smile appear on Devin’s face.

“It’s a wonder you didn’t drown him when you were younger.” I gazed up at Devin.

He ran his thumb over my bottom lip. “I tried, but Mom wouldn’t let me.”

“I heard that,” Tyler grumbled. “I swear. I get no respect in this family.”

“Come on, let Mom deal with the Wonder Twins.” Devin pulled me toward the river and then along a path leading away from the mansion.

So he wasn’t using the long looks and notion of a walk as a guise to make our way back to our room.

I sighed and tried to mask my disappointment by focusing on the river.

God, I was pathetic. In less than forty-eight hours, he had me turned into a nymphomaniac who constantly craved his cock.

Who was I kidding? There wasn’t a time I didn’t want him to fuck me.

Devin smirked and shook his head.

“What?”

“You.”

I jumped over a set of fallen branches, and then growled as my pumps dug into the ground.

“For someone who loves the outdoors and hiking, you don’t seem to be enjoying it.”

“I’m wearing three-inch heels, not sneakers. You should be happy I can walk in them at all over this uneven path.”

“I have a solution.”

I paused midstep. “I’m all ears.”

He stepped toward me, and before I realized it, he’d thrown me over his shoulder. He took each of my shoes and tossed them to the side.

“Hey. Those were expensive.”

“Baby, you have twenty other pairs. We’ll pick them up on our way back.”

“Bad Devin.” I laughed. “Never touch a woman’s Pradas.”

I pinched his butt and then lingered to enjoy the feel of the firm muscles under my fingers.

He responded with a smack and squeeze to my bottom. “Behave.”

“Are you planning on carrying me like this the rest of the way to wherever we are going?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks, Mr. Vociferous.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Camden.” His hand crept up the back of my dress, cupping my ass and then playing with the string of my thong, sliding it up and down his fingers.

Goosebumps prickled my skin.

“Stop it. We’re out in the open.” I lifted up and pulled at his hand, which only made him tug on my underwear harder.

“Devin,” I said in a breathless whisper, and then a moan escaped my lips.

“We’re here.”

He set me on the steps of a cabin hidden among the trees. It was older, made of aged brick and wood. The landscaping was impeccably manicured and well established, telling me it was probably as old as the cabin.

“This is where you came when you studied for the bar,” I said, glancing at him.

He remained quiet and watched me take in the house.

It was beautiful and had a charm only simple vintage homes had. The scent of pine blew through the trees, making me lift my face to the breeze.

“I love it,” I said. “I take it this place was the original home before the mansion was built.”

“It belonged to my mother’s family. She inherited it but rarely came here with Dad’s political career taking off in Louisiana. I’m happy Jacinta is putting the estate to use. Jacinta, Tyler, and I loved coming here to escape the political social scene back in New Orleans.”

“I’m glad you showed me this place. I’ve always wanted to see the cabin you’d disappear to whenever you had to study.”

He cupped my face and kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry I never brought you here before.” There was a tinge of regret in his voice.

“I’m here now. Let’s go inside.”

We climbed the stairs and Dev unlocked the door. I was shocked to see how simple everything was inside. A small living room led to a tiny, almost minuscule kitchen, and a door in the back led to what I could only assume was the bedroom. There were knickknacks everywhere. I walked to the mantel lined with pictures. There were images of Carol and her sisters as teenagers, as well as Devin, Jacinta, and Tyler in various stages of growing up.

I traced the one of Dev standing on the dock, ready to jump into the Colorado River. He was so handsome, even then.

A throat cleared, snapping me from my perusal of the house.

My breath hitched as I turned to find Devin sitting on the couch with the same look he’d had in his eyes when he pulled me from my tea with Carol. His erection pushed against the seam of his pants, making my mouth water.

He crooked his finger at me and then pointed to the pillow on the floor between his legs.

Without thought, I moved toward him.

“Stop.”

I paused midstep.

“Take off all your clothes first.”

Slowly and meticulously, I slid the straps of my dress down my shoulders, letting the dress glide down the length of my body and pool at my feet.

“Keep going.”

I unhooked my bra, revealing puckered nipples, and shimmied out of my sopping thong.

“Come here.”

His raspy voice sent goosebumps over my skin.

I strolled toward him naked and barefoot. He offered me a hand and helped me lower myself onto the pillow.

We watched each other, our breaths a little shallow, and lust filled the air between us.

Sliding my palms up his fabric-covered thighs, I squeezed and molded the hard contours of his legs until I reached his belt. I pulled the leather from the loop and then unbuttoned and unzipped his pants, caressing his hard cock underneath.

“Take him out.”

I followed his order, slowly freeing his cock from the confines of his pants.

The tip dripped with pre-cum, tempting me to have a taste. I licked the angry flared head, savoring his musky essence.

He fisted my hair. “Did I say to do that?”

I gave him a wicked grin and licked my lips. “No.”

“Stroke me the way I like. Then I’ll decide if you can suck my cock.”

“Like this?” I smirked and cupped his balls with one hand as I gripped the base of his erection using the other. I glided slowly and firmly upward and downward a few times, using the cum dripping down the side as lube.

“Yes,” he moaned, and his hold on me loosened.

“Or like this?”

I engulfed the head of his cock in my mouth and followed my fingers on their path downward.

“Oh, fuck. Sami,” Devin cried out, giving me a sense of satisfaction at taking him by surprise.

As I traced the thick vein on the underside of his hard cock, I peeked up and saw his head thrown back and eyes closed tight.

I let him hit the back of my throat and then swallowed in the way that drove him crazy.

A deep, guttural rumble erupted from his mouth. The sound of his pleasure made the slickness from my pussy drip on the insides of my thighs, and I rocked back and forth, squeezing my legs tight to relieve some of my need.

I bobbed up and down in the rhythm that I knew he enjoyed.

“You’re in so much trouble.”

Pulling off for a second, I asked, “Doesn’t that mean you want me to stop?”

He responded by cupping my face and bringing me back to his pulsing cock.

He took control, pumping in and out of my mouth. The feel of him using me for his desires pushed my body to scream for its own release.

I slid my fingers between my folds and strummed my aching clit.

Oh, yes.

My hip ground against my hand, trying to emulate the pace of Dev’s thrusts. His fingers dug into my scalp, causing my eyes to water and sending me over. My knees buckled and I grabbed hold of Dev’s legs. After a few more thrusts, his orgasm consumed him and he poured jets of hot cum down my throat.

I swallowed to match his release, taking in every drop until he finished. I licked him clean and Devin loosened his hold on my hair, and then I dropped my face onto his thigh.

I panted, trying to calm my breath, and a slow rumble came from him, reminding me of a cat who’d eaten a lot of cream.

Strike that. I was the one who had the cream.

I closed my eyes as Dev petted the side of my face.

“You’ve become feistier.”

I lifted my head and questioned, “Is that a good thing or bad?”

“Sheathe your claws. I meant it as a compliment. Don’t get me wrong, I love when you do everything I say, but this brat side is a turn-on.”

“I’m a brat?” I crawled up his body, straddling him and making his softening cock twitch as I poised it between my folds.

He grabbed my hips and pulled me against his chest. “You proved my point.”

He flipped me onto my back, caging me with his arms. He ran his tongue over my lips and then kissed me.

“You taste like me.”

“I did have your monster cock in my mouth.”

“I have other places it wants to go. Are you up for it?” His now-revived cock bobbed between us.

My man definitely had some master recovery. It’s a wonder I could walk after one of our nonstop sex sessions.

“Don’t we have to get back?”

“No. We’re staying here.”

I tried to push him up so I could sit, but he had me flat on my back again with my wrists pinned above my head in a matter of seconds.

I blew at a hair that had fallen over my face. “I’m sure your mom is expecting us for dinner. It’s going to be embarrassing enough walking into the house with sex-tousled hair.”

“I’m serious. We don’t have to go back. Dinner is in the refrigerator and I moved our stuff here earlier.”

I gazed up into his beautiful sculpted face. “Why?”

“Because this is my cabin and we aren’t needed back until the morning.” His voice grew serious. “Sami, I have so much to make up for and I wanted to start by spending time with you here, in one of my favorite places. A place I should have brought you to years ago.”

Pulling my hands free of his hold, I cupped his cheeks. “As I said before, I’m here now.”

The strain eased from his brow.

“Then I propose a game.” He gave me a mischievous grin.

“What is it?”

He jumped off the couch and pulled me up, throwing me over his shoulder. “I call it hide and seek with the monster cock.”

I smacked his butt. “Game on.”