chapter 1

"Mason, honey"

Grace's voice came out breathless and muffled. She was floating in warm water, the surface rippling just above her face. A silk blindfold covered her eyes. She was naked underneath the foam, feeling exposed and excited at the same time.

Then a hand touched her face. Slow and deliberate. It traced down her jawline, across her collarbone, then lower to cup her breast. She gasped, her chest tightening with anticipation. The hand moved again, sliding down her stomach, brushing over her thighs, teasing her with feather-light touches that made her squirm.

"Is this... a Christmas gift?" Her breath hitched. "Or an anniversary one? Either way, it's really special."

"Don't talk."

His voice was rough and commanding. Then his lips crashed against hers. The kiss was deep, hungry and possessive. Grace melted into it, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst. The water felt impossibly warm around her body.

His hands explored her beneath the surface, touching her in ways that made her dizzy. One hand slid between her legs, fingers brushing her inner thighs, and she moaned softly into his mouth. She reached up, fumbling for the blindfold, wanting to see his face, wanting to kiss him back properly.

The silk fell away.

Grace opened her eyes and screamed.

"Oh my God! This is Aiden!" She jerked backward, water sloshing violently. "I'm kissing Aiden!"

She whipped her head to the left. Mason was there. Her husband. Standing at the edge of the pool, watching her with cold and unreadable eyes. No shock. No anger. Nothing. Just... watching. Grace's mind spun in confused circles. What was happening? Why wasn't Mason stopping this? Why was Aiden kissing her? And why did Mason look like he didn't care?

Before she could speak, both men moved toward her. Aiden's lips found her neck. Mason leaned down from the pool's edge, his hand sliding into the water to touch her shoulder. The warmth surrounded her again, the sensation overwhelming. Her body betrayed her, responding to their touches even as her mind screamed in confusion.

Was this real? Was she really about to have a threesome with her husband and his brother? She closed her eyes, surrendering to the heat, the pleasure, the impossible fantasy of it all

Her eyes flew open.

Grace gasped, her whole body jerking upright. She was in a bed. A regular bed. No pool. No water. No naked skin. She was fully dressed, lying under white sheets in a brightly lit room that smelled like antiseptic and lavender. Her heart was racing, her skin damp with sweat. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to catch her breath.

"What... what just happened?" she whispered to herself. "Was that a dream? Did that really happen?"

She blinked hard, trying to clear her head. Then she turned to the left.

And there he was.

Aiden Hartwell. Standing near the window, checking his watch with that same cold, handsome face she'd come to hate over the years. He looked up and met her eyes briefly before looking away again, his expression unreadable.

Grace sat up fast, panic flooding her system. "Oh my God. I just dreamed about a threesome. With Mason and Aiden. Aiden! Mason's own brother! The man who hates me!"

Her mind was a mess. She looked around the room wildly, trying to piece together what was real. That's when she saw Sophia. Her best friend. Standing way too close to Mason, her hand resting lightly on his arm. Mason looked annoyed, distracted, like he had better places to be.

"Doctor, she's awake," Mason said flatly, barely glancing at Grace. "What am I paying you for? Check on her. Quickly."

Grace's confusion deepened. Why was she here? Where was here? Then it hit her like a punch to the gut. The memory rushed back. She'd been walking on the icy path outside the resort. She'd slipped. Fallen hard. Hit her head on the stone steps. Everything had gone black.

The doctor's voice cut through her thoughts. "She's stable. Nothing too serious, but she's still shaken up."

Grace exhaled slowly. So Mason did care. He was worried. Maybe she'd been wrong about everything. Maybe the distance between them wasn't as bad as she thought. And this trip could fix things after all.

Mason walked over and took her hand. His touch was firm but not warm. "Hi, Grace. Do you remember how you fell?"

She looked up at him, then at Sophia, then at Aiden still standing by the window with his arms crossed. Everyone was staring at her. Waiting and concerned. Well, except Aiden. He looked like he wanted to be anywhere else.

Grace's heart softened a little. "Oh. Everyone cares about me. Even my husband. I guess it's just Aiden who still hates me."

Then a thought struck her. A dangerous, impulsive thought. When did Mason ever fuss over her like this? When did he ever look this worried? He didn't. Not in years. So why now? And that dream... God, that dream. It was so vivid, so real. What if she could use this moment? What if she could test him? Find out if he really loved her, or if this was all just an act?

Grace made a decision.

She looked at Mason with wide, confused eyes. "Who are you?"

The room went silent.

Sophia's mouth dropped open. "No way! You lost your memory?"

Mason's face went pale. He grabbed the doctor by the collar and yanked him close. "What is going on? I thought you said she'd be fine!"

The doctor stammered, "Some patients experience temporary amnesia after head trauma, but I'm sure it will pass—"

Grace watched Mason's reaction carefully. He was panicking. Actually panicking. Seven years of marriage and this was the most emotion she'd ever seen from him. Interesting.

She tilted her head innocently. "Why do you care so much about me?" She paused, letting the words hang in the air. "Are you my husband?"

Mason froze. He looked at her. Then at Sophia. Then at Aiden. His jaw tightened.

"No," Mason said slowly. "I'm your husband's brother."

Aiden shot to his feet. "Mason, what—"

Mason grabbed Aiden's arm and pulled him close, his voice low and dangerous. "This is your husband. Aiden Hartwell."