Chapter 1: The Proposition

Camille's POV

"You look beautiful tonight, Camille." Kieran said the moment I opened the door.

And I hated how my stomach flipped because of how he called my name. He stood there in a dark shirt that fit him too well, his eyes traveling over my dress before meeting my face with a smile.

"Thanks," I slowly said, stepping back to let him in. "Vincent's in the living room."

Nikolai appeared behind him, with his perfectly tousled hair. He leaned in, and kissed my cheek. "Two years and you still smell amazing. What is your scent? Jasmine?"

"No, lavender." I moved away before my body could betray me further. "Come in, dinner's almost ready."

They followed me behind and I could feel their eyes on me the entire walk.

These two people were Vincent's best friends, the men who'd been there through his recovery, who visited every month without fail.

Vincent waited in his wheelchair by the dining table, with a genuine smile as they greeted him.  Two years ago, he'd been the one turning heads, the one making me feel desired with just a look. Now he couldn't even stand without help.

"Sit, sit," Vincent said, gesturing to the chairs. "Camille made your favorites."

Dinner started normally. Nikolai told stories about his latest business trip to Dubai. Kieran complained about a difficult client who kept changing architectural plans.

I laughed at the right moments, and played the perfect hostess. But underneath the table, my hands kept trembling.

Because I knew what I'd been thinking about lately. What I'd been dreaming about when Vincent lay beside me, unable to touch me the way I needed. The fantasies that left me guilty and desperate in equal measure.

"Camille?" Vincent's voice brings me back from my lost thoughts. "Can you bring the dessert?"

"Of course." I said, standing up quickly, as I was grateful for the escape.

In the kitchen, I pressed my palms against the counter and took a breath. Get it together. You're a married woman. These feelings, this hunger, it would pass. I kept muttering to myself as I tried to believe them.

When I returned with the chocolate mousse, the atmosphere had somehow changed.

"Actually, skip dessert for now." He looked at me, then at Kieran and Nikolai. "I need to say something, and I need to say it before I lose my nerve."

"Vincent, is everything o…"

"Let me finish." He cut me off. "It has been two years since the accident, and I haven't been able to give you what you need."

"Don't." Heat flooded my face. "Not now, not in front of…"

"They know, Camille. I told them." Vincent wheeled closer, his eyes pleading. "I see how you look at me now. Like you're mourning something we lost. And I can't fix it. The doctors said the nerve damage is permanent."

Kieran and Nikolai were acting all nonchalant. Vincent had discussed this with them before now.

"I love you," Vincent continued, his voice breaking down completely. "And because I love you, I can't watch you slowly die inside our marriage. So I'm asking them to help."

The words didn't make sense at first. I stared at him, then at Kieran and Nikolai, waiting for someone to laugh, but nobody did.

"Help how?" I whisper instead of yelling.

"I want them to satisfy you." Vincent's hands gripped the wheelchair arms.

My legs went weak. "You can't be serious."

"I've never been more serious about anything."

"Vincent, this is insane." I looked at Kieran and Nikolai, expecting them to back me up, to tell Vincent he'd lost his mind. But Kieran's gaze was locked on me with an intensity that made breathing difficult. Nikolai leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable.

"You knew about this," I said to them. "And you accepted it."

"He called us last week," Nikolai admitted. "And asked if we'd consider it."

"And you guys said yes?"

Kieran responded before Nikolai could talk. "I said I would do whatever makes you happy."

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

"I need air." I said turning toward the door, but Vincent's voice stopped me.

"Camille, please. Just think about it."

"Think about sleeping with your best friends? About betraying our vows?"  "What kind of marriage would we have left?"

"The kind where you don't resent me for the rest of our lives."

Somehow I knew he was telling the truth, because someone part of me had started to wonder if this half-life was all I'd ever have again.

I walked out without another word, heading straight for the back porch.

"Camille, wait." Kieran called out.

"Go back inside," I said without turning around.

"Vincent sent us out here, he just wants someone that can satisfy you in ways he can't."

"And you volunteered?" I finally faced him. "Or did Nikolai lose the coin toss?"

"I volunteered." He moved closer, and I should've stepped back but didn't. "I need to tell you something too."

"I don't want to hear it."

"I have always wanted this, long before tonight. Since before you even married him, if I'm being honest."

"Kieran…"

"I'm not proud of it, because before I realised you were already off-limits. Now Vincent has given his permission, I can't pretend I don't want you."