Dev curled his finger under her chin and made her look at him. “Tina, you are not weak. You are a strong woman who struggled with depression. The struggle is part of who you are now, but the depression will never define you.”
She wanted to believe that. She wanted to believe that Dev could look at her and not see the torment that had overwhelmed her. She didn’t want Dev to remember how she had been at her worst.
Tina pulled her chin from his hold and bent her head. “I’m sorry I’ve been a burden. I know I’m not the wife you wanted. You should have someone who will improve your life and be a business asset.”
“You are not a burden.” He sounded surprised that she would suggest it. “I know that if the roles had been reversed, you would have done the same.”
She couldn’t imagine Dev sick or struggling. He could conquer anything. He had the inner strength that helped him meet challenges head-on.
But she would have looked after him if needed. She would second-guess herself, but she would have done what was best for him. She also wouldn’t have walked away from him unless it was the only way he could be happy.
He wasn’t happy now and he wasn’t going to be for the next six weeks. He was miserable and moody. She was, too. It was painful being next to Dev without touching him. Without connecting. “We should end this now.”
“Enough,” he said gruffly. “Stop talking or I will make you shut up.”
“We can divorce quietly and—”
Dev bent his head and claimed her mouth with his. Her knees buckled as she clung onto his shoulders. His fierce kiss lit something deep inside her. A dangerous fire that she had tried so hard to ignore. It roared through her veins as she returned his kiss.
Tina whimpered when Dev pulled away. Her stomach clenched with anticipation when she saw the lust flaring in his eyes. She didn’t protest when he lifted her up. Instead, she wrapped her legs around his waist and grabbed the back of his head. She kissed him hard as he carried her to the bed.
CHAPTER EIGHT
TINA TIGHTENED HER hold on Dev as he laid her down on the bed. She didn’t want to let go. She yearned for the feel of him under her hands. She skimmed her fingers down his strong back and bunched his tunic in her fist. She didn’t want anything to stand in the way of her skin touching his.
She pulled his shirt off his head, barely taking a moment to break the hungry kiss. Clinging to his strong shoulders, Tina opened her mouth wide as she drew Dev’s tongue deep inside.
Tina had missed this fierce touch. The ferocious longing. Her blood was pumping hard through her veins as Dev shoved her drawstring pants down her thighs. His large hand slipped under her tunic and he captured her breast.
Dev pushed aside her flimsy bra and she groaned with approval when he squeezed her breast hard. Her nipple tightened as it rasped against his rough hand. Tina arched her spine so she could thrust against his palm.
When he pinched her nipple, Tina began to rock her pelvis against his. Heat washed over her as a delicious ache centered in her core. She grabbed the hem of her tunic and tore it off over her head. Her bra followed.
Tina reached for Dev but he caught her wrists and held them against the mattress beside her head. His hips pinned hers but she didn’t feel trapped. The dark excitement pulsed through her body as Dev bent his head and took the tip of her breast in his mouth.
Tina tilted her head back and moaned as the fire crackled inside her. She curled her fingers into fists as the edge of his teeth scraped her nipple. Rocking her hips, Tina urged for more. She wanted it harder. Faster. She wanted it all and she wanted it right now.
When Dev let go of her wrists to cup her breasts, Tina reached for him and dug her fingers into his hair. She wanted to guide Dev but he already knew what she craved.
He drew his hands down her body, his touch untamed and possessive. He grabbed the hem of her panties and stripped them off. Dev drew back into a kneeling position and pushed her legs wider apart.
She stared at Dev as her raspy, choppy breaths filled the air. Her heart lurched when she caught his primal expression. For a moment she felt vulnerable as he rubbed his fingers along the folds of her sex. A wicked smile slashed through his harsh features when he discovered she was ready for him.
Dev’s gaze clashed with hers. Slowly his eyes narrowed and she looked away. She wasn’t sure what had displeased him. Did he see her uncertainty? Feel her hesitation? She parted her lips to say something—anything—just to break the tension that coiled around them. But Dev grabbed her hips and turned her over.
Tina gasped when she was suddenly on her hands and knees facing away from Dev. His fingers tightened against her hips as she felt his tip pressing against her. Dev entered her with one long thrust. Tina shuddered as her slick flesh held him tight, drawing him deeper, as she rocked against him.