His eyes returned to her mouth, and he rested there for several moments before
finally reaching out and cupping her face in his hands.
Speaking of us,” she began, placing a hand on his chest to stop any further
movement. “How much of myself am I supposed to sacrifice for this belief of
yours? This idea of marital bliss you’re offering?”
“What do you mean?” he said, almost insulted by the disdain in her tone.
“I’m a woman,” she replied. “I have needs. I’ve been dating a guy for several
months now, and I just told him I’m ready to take things to the next level. I was
supposed to be with him, fully commit, when I return to Chicago.”
Something akin to jealousy flared in Devesh’s heart. So there was someone
else? Why didn’t he think to ask? And why had she only mentioned it now?
“The only kind of marriage that would work for me is an open one,” she
admitted.
Where did that come from? Devesh had no words to respond to those hurtful
terms. She hadn’t considered—not even once—that he could be all the things she’d
need?
“That way, it’s a marriage in name only,” she said, driving a stake through his
heart. “And we both still have options.”
“Open … marriage?” The two damning words practically stuck in his throat.
“That way both of us can find happiness at some point,” she offered.
Devesh stared into her eyes, saw the determination within and realized he could
argue the point and lose her altogether or he could concede and that would give
him time to win her trust and her heart. Because evidently, she didn’t love him as
much as he loved her. “These are your terms?”
“Yes. Open marriage. Eight years in bondage.”
“Bondage,” he spat.
“Marriage has never been fair to women,” she confessed, glaring at him. “Ever.
I have married friends, and I was on the receiving end of hearing all the crap they
put up with. Why would I sign up for that program when the only one who benefits
is the man? She cooks, cleans, takes care of the kids, runs the household and still
has to work a 9-to-5, and he wears the crown of head of household? All so I won’t
have an empty bed or get a little pickle tickle now and then? No, thank you.”
Devesh realized this relationship was going to require more work than he
thought.
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