Chapter 2

Ava's POV 

The morning after that insane hotel suite, I drove home in a daze. My body still hummed from everything they did to me, but I forced myself to push it down deep. I took a long shower, scrubbed every inch of my skin, and put on my usual perfect wife face. No one could know what happened. Especially not Derek. I spent the whole day cleaning rooms I did not need to clean and answering emails I did not care about, trying to act like the loyal housewife he expected.

By evening I felt almost normal again. Almost.

The front door opened with a loud click. Derek walked in wearing his expensive suit, smiling like he had not been balls deep in another woman the night before. "Ava, darling. How was your day?" he asked in that fake charming voice he used when other people might hear.

I stood in the hallway and forced a small smile. "It was fine. Yours?"

"Busy. Very busy. Actually, I have great news." He loosened his tie and walked past me without even a kiss on the cheek. "I am hosting three important business associates. We are closing a huge deal and they will stay here for a few weeks. Make sure the guest wing is ready. Best sheets, good wine, everything perfect."

"Three men staying here? For weeks?" I asked, my stomach twisting. "Is that really necessary?"

Derek turned and gave me that cold look I knew too well. "Yes, it is necessary. Do not question me, Ava. Just do what you are good at. Look pretty and play hostess. Dinner at eight. Do not embarrass me."

"Of course," I said quietly. Inside I felt sick. Another few weeks of pretending. Another few weeks of sleeping in a bed where he brought other women. I went upstairs and changed into a modest black dinner dress that covered everything. Nothing sexy. Nothing that would remind me of last night.

At exactly eight I walked into the grand dining room. The table looked beautiful with candles and fine china. Derek stood at the head like a king. And then I saw them.

My blood turned to ice.

Marcus, Damien, and Lucas sat across from him, looking relaxed and powerful in their tailored shirts. Marcus with his intense dark eyes met mine first. Damien flashed that wicked grin. Lucas watched me with that same piercing stare that had seen every part of me last night.

No. This could not be happening.

"Ah, here she is," Derek said proudly. "My wife Ava. Ava, meet Marcus Kane, Damien Cross, and Lucas Reed. Gentlemen, my beautiful wife."

Marcus stood first and offered his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ava." His voice was smooth but his eyes burned with everything we had done. "You have a lovely home."

I shook his hand and felt electricity shoot up my arm. "Thank you," I managed. My voice sounded normal but my heart raced.

Damien was next. He held my hand a second longer than necessary. "Ava. I have heard so much about you. Derek says you are the perfect hostess. I cannot wait to see what you have prepared for us tonight."

"I hope you like it," I said. Under the table, as I sat down, his fingers brushed my thigh lightly. Just enough to make me jump.

Lucas did not stand. He simply looked at me across the table. "It is nice to finally meet you properly," he said softly. That stare reminded me exactly how his tongue felt between my legs. I squeezed my thighs together under the dress.

Derek poured wine for everyone. "These men are key to my biggest deal yet. We will be working late hours, so they will stay in the guest wing. Ava will make sure you have everything you need."

"Everything?" Damien asked with a straight face, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. "That is very generous of you, Derek."

I picked up my wine glass to hide my shaking hands. "Yes, of course. If you need anything, just let me know."

Marcus smiled politely at Derek but spoke to me. "I am sure we will need quite a lot, Ava. The nights here can get long. Do you ever have trouble sleeping in this big house?"

"Sometimes," I answered carefully. "But I manage."

Under the table Damien's hand returned, sliding higher up my thigh. "You should not have to manage alone," he said casually while cutting his steak. "We are here now. We can keep things interesting."

My face felt hot. Warmth pooled between my legs despite everything. "That is kind of you."

Lucas leaned forward slightly. "Derek told us you are very attentive to details. I appreciate a woman who pays attention to what her guests need. Tell me, Ava, what do you think we might need most while we are here?"

I nearly choked on my wine. "Good conversation. Comfortable beds. Whatever helps the deal go smoothly."

Marcus chuckled low. "Comfort is important. Last night I stayed in a hotel and could not stop thinking about how much better a real home feels. Especially with the right company."

Derek nodded, completely clueless. "Exactly. Ava is excellent at making people comfortable. She has been quiet lately but she knows her role."

"Quiet?" Damien asked, squeezing my thigh under the table. "That is a shame. I bet when you let loose you are full of surprises. What do you do for fun, Ava?"

I shifted in my seat. My nipples had hardened against my dress and I prayed no one could see. "Not much lately. Work around the house mostly."

Lucas spoke again, his voice calm but loaded. "Everyone needs release sometimes. Stress relief. You look like a woman who deserves to feel good after holding everything together."

"I do what I can," I said, my voice a little breathy.

The conversation continued like this for the entire dinner. Double meanings flew across the table while Derek bragged about his business.

"Tell me more about the deal," I said, trying to steer things safe.

Marcus answered but kept his eyes on me. "It involves high stakes. Lots of late nights. Close collaboration. We like to go deep into every detail until everyone is completely satisfied."

Damien leaned closer to me while Derek was distracted. "You are blushing, Ava. Is the room too warm for you?"

"A little," I whispered back.

His fingers traced small circles on my inner thigh now. "I know something that could cool you down. Or heat you up even more. Your choice."

"Stop," I breathed, but I did not move his hand away.

Lucas caught my eye again. "Remember to breathe, Ava. We would hate for you to miss anything tonight."

Derek laughed at something Marcus said about profits. "You three are exactly what I needed. Staying here will make everything easier. Ava, make sure their rooms have fresh towels and whatever else they want."

"Of course," I replied.

By the time dessert came I was a mess. My body remembered every touch from the hotel. Every kiss. Every thrust. I kept shifting in my chair while the men made polite business talk and secret promises with their eyes and hands.

Finally Derek stood. "Gentlemen, it has been a long day. Ava will show you to your rooms if you need anything. I have some calls to make. Do not hesitate to ask her for whatever you desire."

Damien grinned. "We definitely will."

As everyone rose from the table, Marcus passed close behind me. "We know how wet you got for us tonight," he whispered so quietly only I heard. "Sleep well, beautiful."

I excused myself fast and almost ran upstairs to my bedroom. My heart would not slow down. The second I stepped inside I saw it on my pillow. A single perfect red rose and a small folded note.

I picked it up with trembling fingers and opened it. "We know how wet you got for us tonight."

My breath caught. How did they even get in here?

I turned around fast to check the door.

Marcus stood there. Tall, dark, and watching me with a hungry smile. He reached behind him and locked the door with a soft click.

"Ava," he said, his voice low and full of promise. "We have been waiting all night to get you alone."

My mouth went dry. Part of me wanted to scream. Another part, the part still aching from last night, wanted him to step closer.

"What are you doing in here?" I whispered, even as heat flooded my body again. "Derek could come up any minute."

Marcus took one slow step forward, eyes never leaving mine. "Then we better make this quick and quiet. Unless you want him to hear exactly how much you enjoyed our company last night."

I backed up until my legs hit the bed. The rose fell from my hand onto the sheets. My mind raced with questions, fear, and a dangerous amount of excitement.

This was only the beginning, and I was already in way too deep.