Chapters (40)
- Cover
- Also by Saumya Dave
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Acknowledgments
- Readers Guide
- Discussion Questions
- About the Author
- What’s next onyour reading list?
She still doesn’t know if that future includes a child. But for the first time in years, she feels the freedom to figure it out based on what she wants for their future, not because of something holding her back in her past.
“Being with you is the first decision I ever made because it felt right, not because it looked good or because I thought it was what I was supposed to do. You’re my first risk,” Suhani says.
“I know. It was pretty obvious when I first met your parents that they thought you’d be with an Indian doctor, like you did.” Zack smiles. “I may not be able to save lives, but I can put things into a pretty good-looking Excel spreadsheet, okay?”
“Oooh, organization. You know how much I love that.”
“I do.” Zack’s lips twist into a smile. “Organization and psychiatry terms are my go-tos to put you in a good mood.”
“Is that so?” Suhani asks.
“Yep. Let’s see.” Zack holds up his hand as though he’s counting on his fingers. “Self-sabotage, DSM, cognitive behavioral therapy . . . is any of this working?”
“Ha. You’re ridiculous.” Suhani laughs as she sinks into her husband.
She traces the curve of his jaw and neck. Zack pulls her closer, tasting like red wine when he presses his lips against hers. Their kisses are tender at first, and then a hunger overcomes them both. There’s no space for words anymore. There’s only her tongue moving against his.
Suhani inhales his natural citrusy scent as she reaches forward and grips his hair. Zack’s strong, gentle hands tug at her silk blouse and pull it over her head. Suhani fumbles with the buttons on his shirt and stays wrapped around him as he carries her to their bed. Zack moans when she nibbles his earlobe.
On their cool duvet cover, she’s both anchored and free, passive and powerful. Zack explores her body as if they’re naked together for the first time. Suhani pushes him closer to her, struck with the awareness that it’s possible to feel protected and exposed at the same time.
He grips her ankles and then pushes her legs back as he lowers himself into her.
“I love you so much,” Suhani says as her nails dig into his back. She needs his weight on her, the thump of his heart on her chest.
“I love you, too.” Zack’s breath is warm on her ear. He moves inside her and she’s never felt safer in her life.