He disrobed and so did I, and we both got in. He sat me on his lap and turned me around so my back was to his chest. He was hard underneath, but he didn’t make an attempt. He began to massage my shoulders. “Relax, relax. You’re very tight.” I said nothing. “Feel good?”

“Heavenly.”

“Good.” He ran his fingers down my spine, pressing his thumbs into my back muscles.

“Where’d you learn to do this?” I asked.

“From getting massages. I get them at least three times a week. I’ll set you up if you want. I just didn’t think you’d want my workers touching you.”

“If they’re good, send them over.”

“Sure.” More rubbing. That lasted a few minutes. Then he kissed the back of my neck. “I have about five minutes before I have to get out.” He wrapped his hands around my breasts and played with my nipples. “The way I feel right now, it’s enough time. Is it okay?”

And what could I do after what he told me. I owed him a debt I’d never be able to pay off. “Yeah, it’s okay. Thanks for asking.”

“I’m trying,” he said. “I’m not used to it, I don’t like it, but I’m trying.”

Five minutes later, he got out of the tub, dried off, and began to dress. “Water and drinks are in the bar. Help yourself. I’ll be back before you meet with the lawyers. I’ll bring something to tide you over before dinner. Take as long as you want in the tub, but don’t get dizzy, okay?” He bent down and kissed the top of my head. “See you later.”

After he left, I sat in the hot bubbling water and luxuriated, thinking about going from one doomed marriage to another. I didn’t know if Chris was lying or not, but his story had the ring of veracity. Pramod had mistresses—a lot of them. What did he need me for? But then I thought: maybe he just wanted what his younger brother had. That I could see.

Pramod had always dominated Devek. The constant competition wore my husband down emotionally—and sexually. Devek was a decent lover in New York, but once we got to Mumbai, he turned tepid. As the years crept along, we didn’t engage much. When he took on another woman in Goa, we were nearing the end. I certainly didn’t care. Perhaps he disengaged because he knew what Pramod had in mind. Or maybe he just didn’t like me that much. Whatever the reason, sex became nonexistent.