Chapter 2: The Awakening

Camille's POV

"You can't sleep either?" I jumped at Kieran's voice, spinning around from the kitchen counter where I'd been staring at the glass of water in my hand.

The clock on the microwave read 2:47 AM. He stood in the doorway wearing only sleep pants, his chest bare and his hair messy from lying down. "I'm fine," I lied. "I was just thirsty."

"Right. That's why you've been standing there for ten minutes without drinking anything." He moved into the kitchen, and suddenly the space felt too small. "We need to talk about tonight."

"There's nothing to talk about." I set the glass down, preparing to leave. "Vincent made an inappropriate suggestion. End of discussion."

"Inappropriate?" Kieran laughs. "Your husband is trying to save your marriage."

"By offering me to his friends like some kind of party favor?"

"By admitting he can't give you what you need." He closed the distance between us until I had to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. "When's the last time someone touched you, Camille? Like, really touched you?"

My face suddenly turns red. "That's none of your business."

"It became my business when Vincent asked me to take care of you." He came closer again. "And I want to."

“Since when did you start liking me?" I asked and took a step closer.

"Since the engagement party." Kieran's eyes locked on mine. "You wore a green dress. Vincent introduced us, and when you shook my hand, I thought about what it would feel like to have those hands on me instead. Every visit after that just made it worse."

"Stop." I muttered but I didn't move away. "You can't say things like that."

"Why not? You asked, remember?" He then reached out slowly, giving me time to retreat. When I didn't, his fingers brushed my cheek.

"Tell me you haven't thought about it too. Tell me you don't lie in bed next to Vincent and imagine what it would be like if someone could make you feel alive again."

I couldn't tell him that because it would be a lie. "I'm married," I whispered, but it sounded weak even to my own ears.

"And your husband wants this." Kieran's thumb traced my lower lip. "He wants you to be happy. He wants you satisfied. Why is that so hard to accept?"

"Because it's wrong."

"Is it? Or have you just been told it should be wrong?" His other hand found my waist, and he slipped his hands under my nightgown.

"Your body knows what it wants, Camille. I can see it in the way you're breathing right now. That's why

you haven't pulled away."

He was right. Every nerve ending in my body screamed for more of his touch. Two years of nothing had left me desperate in ways I hadn't fully acknowledged until this moment.

"This is insane," I breathed, but my hands came up to rest against his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart under my palms.

"Maybe." Kieran leaned down until his lips were barely an inch from mine. "But tell me to stop and I will."

I opened my mouth, but before I could form any words, footsteps sounded in the hallway. We sprang apart just as Nikolai appeared in the doorway, his expression unreadable as he took in the scene.

"Interesting," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "You guys started without me, huh?

"We were just talking," I said, my voice embarrassingly unsteady.

"Sure you were." Nikolai pushed off the frame and entered the kitchen. "That's why you both look like you're about to catch fire."

"Nikolai…" Kieran started, but the other man cut him off.

"No. If we're doing this, we're doing it right." He looked at me, his usual playful demeanor getting replaced with seriousness. "I won't let Kieran have you alone. Not when Vincent gave both of us permission."

"I haven't agreed to anything," I protested, even as my body betrayed me with its reaction to having both men's attention focused entirely on me.

"Haven't you?" Nikolai moved closer until I was effectively trapped between them. "You're still here. You didn't leave when you had the chance."

"I don't know what I want," I slowly admitted.

"Then let us show you." Kieran's hand returned to my waist, and this time Nikolai mirrored the gesture on my other side. "Just let us make you feel good."

"Just this once," I heard myself say. But Nikolai just gave me a naughty smile. "Whatever you need to tell yourself, for now, drip for us."

Kieran's lips found my neck, and I gasped at the sensation.

It had been so long since anyone had kissed me there, since I'd felt desired instead of pitied. His mouth moved along my throat while Nikolai's fingers tangled in my hair, tilting my head back.

"Tell us what you like," Nikolai murmured against my ear. "Tell us what you need."

"I don't…" My words dissolved into a moan as Kieran's teeth grazed my collarbone. "I don't know anymore."

"Then we'll figure it out together." Nikolai turned my face toward his. "But I need to hear you say it. Say you want this."

The last thread of my resistance dissolved and I muttered a. "I want this."

He kissed me then, swallowing my gasp as Kieran's hands slid under my nightgown.

The dual sensation overwhelmed me completely. Nikolai's mouth claimed mine with a hunger that matched my own while Kieran explored skin that hadn't been touched in two years.

I was drowning in them, my hands clutched at Nikolai's shoulders as Kieran pressed against my back.

"Let's go to the bedroom," Kieran said roughly against my shoulder.

They guided me down the hallway, their hands never leaving my body.

In the guest room, far from where Vincent slept, Nikolai closed the door while Kieran pulled me against him.

Nikolai's hands joined Kieran's, and together they began to strip away my nightgown.

Kieran's mouth moved down my throat while Nikolai's found my breast, and I stopped trying to hold back the sounds they drew from me.

This was happening. I was letting it happen. And for the first time in two years, I felt something other than empty.