by Shayla Black
“I’m not trying to play devil’s advocate here,” Beck began. “But are you sure you two didn’t have her so revved up, she responded that completely just to get off?”
Liam shook his head. “No. I’m well versed in the ways she maneuvers from the truth. There wasn’t even a whisper of that today.”
“Don’t get too cocky yet,” Seth warned. “She’s still got a hell of a lot of work ahead of her.”
“We’re not,” Hammer growled as if taking offense to the other man’s words. “We know what we’re doing.”
“I know you do.” Seth raised his hand, staving off Macen’s glare. “All I’m saying is tomorrow might not be as easy as today. I’m just trying to prepare you both.”
“We never said it would be easy,” Liam agreed. “But then I was mostly thinking for her, not us. Seems like she’s not the only one learning a few things.”
“What do you mean?” Beck leaned in to study first Hammer, then Liam.
“Her home life.” Hammer slammed back a gulp as if steeling himself to continue. “Bill did a number on her emotionally and physically, far worse than we’d known.”
“The sick, fucking prick killed off anything she coveted. Her dreams, goddamn puppies she wanted for pets… The son of a bitch needs to die a slow, painful death. And I’d love to be the one to do it, too.” Liam felt his anger boil again.
“Get in line, man. I’m right there with you.” Hammer nodded with a tight set of his jaw.
“Sounds like she’s going to need the first part of tomorrow’s task even more.” The look on Beck’s face revealed the depth of his concern.
Liam had harbored contempt for Beck almost from day one. He’d noticed the friendship between the brash, tattooed Dom and Hammer when he’d first arrived. It had crawled under his skin that another was privy to his best mate on more than a surface level. Even though the resentment made him feel like a girl, it scorched him. But after the day they’d spent working with Raine, Beck had grown on him. And Liam himself had a new understanding; he and Hammer still shared a bond deeper than brothers. Far deeper than Beck or any other could imagine.
“It sounds like she’s needed what you both have to offer for a long time.” Seth tossed back a shot of bourbon with a hiss. “I’m glad you two didn’t make us drag out the two-by-fours.”
“That’s a last resort.” Beck chuckled. “They’d just try to shove them up our asses.”
Seth scoffed. “Good luck with that.”
The sling of insults continued a few minutes longer before they all buckled down and got back to business. They discussed strategy and collectively agreed to a plan of action.
One by one, the other men left for their beds while Liam sat before the dying embers. Pondering all he’d once had with Raine, praying he could have it again…but better than before. He could see a future with the girl so very clearly, and he ached down to his marrow for it.
Placing his empty tumbler on the side table, he thought about Hammer. He didn’t want to focus on how deeply they both loved Raine. But it was a fact he couldn’t deny. Facing the reality that the dream of ever having her for himself again might be nothing more than fantasy chilled him. He hated the way his jealousy made him feel, but he owed himself the same honesty and openness he and Hammer demanded of Raine.
It seemed much longer than a few short weeks ago that his life had been uncomplicated and predictable. The struggles he now faced were nothing compared to her ultimate happiness. Come what may, it satisfied something inside him to see her blossom beneath their hands. Their voices. Their will. She became something more with them both, someone more… He had no words for it yet, just an inkling of something not quite free of the shadows. But when it revealed itself, when they could see all of her soul, it would be the most priceless gift he’d ever received.
Climbing the stairs, he reached her room. With a soft snick of the handle, he peeked inside. She lay just as they’d left her, buried deep beneath the covers, only her nose and dark hair peeking free.
The need to go to her damn near overwhelmed him. It surprised him, too. But it shouldn’t have. Raine had always had that effect on him, from the very first time he’d seen her. He’d been so torn, never sure whether to beat her ass black and blue, fuck her senseless, or hold her against him and feel their hearts beat together—none of which she’d minded too much. And always to protect her, to keep her safe from whatever frightened her that he couldn’t see. But he knew what she feared now, and something inside him raged for the injustices she’d endured. He couldn’t have helped her as a child, but he could love the woman now. Liam hoped it would be enough.
Chapter 17
Coaxing voices drew Raine from the inky depths of sleep. The heat of two solid bodies surrounded her. Crisp soap and a familiar mix of male spices filled her senses. A little smile played at her lips before she even opened her eyes.
“Time to wake up, love.”
Liam. She’d grown to love the sound of his voice first thing in the morning. When she’d worn his collar and slept in his bed, she had often drifted off anticipating what his first words would be the following morning—and how much they’d make her shiver.
“You’re not sleeping the day away, precious, at least not alone.”
Hammer. The rare times he’d awakened her in the past had usually been about Shadows, but business sounded like the last thing on his mind now.
She opened her eyes and saw them each leaning over her, already showered, dressed, and immaculate. Definitely sexy. She sighed happily. “Morning.”
Contentment warmed her. Happy, safe, and sheltered, Raine felt sleep tug at her again. She snuggled deeper under the blankets and closed her eyes.
“Oh no, you don’t. Up with you, wench!” Liam pulled back the covers. The cold air blasted her skin and pebbled her nipples as he rolled her to her side to swat her bare butt.
It startled far more than hurt. At her yelp, Hammer chuckled.
“If you don’t move, I’ll take that as a sign you’d like to be spanked again,” Macen murmured in her ear.
Raine giggled. “And what if I would?”
“Demanding little brat.” Hammer shook his head with mock concern.
“A pretty one, though. But we’ll have to do something about that saucy mouth, however.” Liam’s eyes glittered with mischief as he raked her with a hungry gaze.
“I’ve been a bad girl,” she teased.
Their touch would be a great way to wake up, and if orgasm came with it, even better.
Raine couldn’t miss their hot stares riveted on her. With a sultry smile, she stretched, arching her back—and thrusting her naked breasts up to them. Her legs fell open, and both men’s stares zipped immediately down to her pussy. An exhilarating sense of power filled her. She might kneel and call them Sir, but she could definitely get their attention.
A big smile broke across her face.
“Look at her, all full of herself,” Liam chided, but his voice sounded rougher than usual.
Hammer’s eyes darkened. “I see that. Do we need to start the morning by reminding you who’s on top?”
Pretty please? “Whatever you think is best, Sirs.”
“That is a stunning piece of manipulation.” Hammer watched her, his gaze almost impressed. “I can see I’m going to have to up my game and stay on my toes.”
She blinked up at them, resting her hands on her stomach just beneath her breasts, plumping them up. “What? I’m merely offering myself in whatever way pleases you.”
“Because you flashing me those pretty nipples and showing me your cunt is all about my pleasure, I’m sure. It has nothing to do with yours.” He sent her a skeptical smile that told her the jig was up, but she didn’t care. After the difficult task yesterday and their emotional exchange last night, the banter felt good.
“Precisely,” Liam added, tongue firmly in cheek. “We’ve got an agenda that doesn’t allow for a morning romp. So get up, love. Into the bathroom with you. We’ll give you a few minutes t
o see to your business, then it’s on with the day.”
Raine pouted and glided her hand down the front of Liam’s dress shirt. “Are you sure I can’t serve you in any other way?”
She reached deliciously closer to his buckle when he grabbed her wrist and lifted her hand away. “You can start by not topping from the bottom and doing as you’re asked.”
“Bathroom,” Hammer ordered. “Now.”
She shivered at his deep command, then scurried from the bed with a come-hither glance back, grinning when she heard them groan as she shut the door.
Raine hurried to relieve and tidy herself up. When she returned, both men waited on the edge of the bed, their watchful stares sweeping her from head to toe. A thrilling sense of anticipation gripped her. They wanted her submissive and eager. Despite her teasing earlier, she felt alive and beyond ready to give them exactly what they sought.
Sucking in a deep breath, Raine crossed the carpet, then bowed her head and knelt before them, naked and ready.
“Gorgeous, love,” Liam praised in a whispered rumble.
“Stunning as always,” Hammer added in silky approval. “Raise your gaze to us, precious.”
She lifted her head and took in the two men who owned her heart. Their polished exteriors hid hungry, commanding Doms. They focused on nothing but her. Everything about their demeanor said they couldn’t wait to get their hands on her again.
Memories of the previous evening flashed through her mind, so vivid she could almost feel their hands on her pussy, stroking her to ecstasy. She could almost taste them on her tongue, both giving her their power and pleasure with guttural male groans.
It could happen again.
As soon as the thought whispered through her head, her pulse quickened and heat slid up her spine. Anticipation made her heart skitter. Need throbbed and tingled beneath her clit. Only one emotion fueled all that: love. So much love it was hard to contain.
Liam patted the mattress, silently demanding that she sit on the bed between them. “Come here.”
They eyed her every move as she rose. Before she even settled herself, they positioned her with her back against the headboard, arms at her sides, legs slightly spread.
“There. Now we can look at all of you.” And Hammer’s hot stare said he appreciated everything he saw. “Tell us how you slept last night.”
She sighed happily. “Very well, Sir. I crashed.”
“I don’t think she’d mind if we tucked her in like that every night.” Something wicked flashed through Liam’s eyes as he stroked her thigh gently.
“Her sweet mouth could become addicting, but it would be worth every moment.” Hammer growled, cupping a breast in his hand and lightly thumbing her nipple. “I take it you enjoyed yourself, too?”
“I did, Sir,” Raine gasped out. She had no idea how long they were willing to work together and fulfill both her and her fantasy, but she intended to take advantage of every moment.
“Look. Her cheeks are already flushed,” Hammer pointed out, tormenting her nipple with his thumb again.
She struggled to focus on their words. Liam’s fingertips skated against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, dancing so close to her aching pussy. She shuddered in a breath and closed her eyes.
But she could still feel Liam’s stare. “Feeling bashful, love?”
“Aroused,” she admitted. “Everything has happened so quickly, the sensations are magnified. It all feels wonderful but surreal.”
“Why?” Hammer asked.
Despite their provocative touches, they were digging into her psyche. It didn’t put her on edge as it would have only days ago. They’d coaxed her to peel back her barriers and examine how her behavior had affected her relationships and her happiness. They’d dredged up some of her most painful hurts. Revealing her vulnerability and giving them the power to wound her had been so damn hard. But they’d taken her apart and put her back together with such care. Her psyche might still be a little scratched and bruised, but Raine felt the healing under her skin.
“We can’t hear you, Raine. Stop filtering,” Hammer interrupted her internal musings, sounding displeased. “All that stuff running through your head—the things you don’t want us to hear—we need you to say.”
“I’m not sure how to put it into words that will make sense. I’ve barely had time to analyze it myself.” The urge to express the changes she felt was almost suffocating, but blurting it out probably wouldn’t make sense.
“Then take your time.” Liam tucked her hair behind her ear before smoothing a hand over her knee. “There’s no judgment here. No right or wrong answers, love.”
She nodded, falling back on the familiar comfort of sarcasm while she gathered the rest of her thoughts. “Can I just say that I’m shocked neither one of you ended up with a broken nose?”
Hammer arched a brow, leaving her no question they meant to have a serious conversation.
“Sorry,” she murmured. “You two were the biggest shock, though. I really did expect an argument or a fight. I’m so relieved and impressed that you gave me something much better instead. God, it was perfect, all of it. So were you. Thanks for that.”
“You’re welcome.” Liam’s words were stiff and didn’t invite further commentary.
Raine realized they didn’t want her to examine their behavior, just her own.
“I learned some things about myself yesterday.” She hesitated for a moment before continuing. “At the end, I really felt like I’d achieved something I thought impossible.”
Their twin smiles of encouragement were a balm. Now she was giving them what they wanted.
“What was that?” Liam coaxed.
“I stepped out from behind my walls and the world didn’t end. No one attacked me or tried to take advantage of my vulnerability. I told you exactly how I felt and I was still safe.”
“You’ll always be with us,” Liam pledged.
“You shared so much of the gorgeous woman inside with us.” Hammer caressed her arm and settled her shaky composure. “Beyond our wildest dreams, in fact.”
Liam took her hand. “How did opening up to us make you feel?”
“Empowered. Terrified, too, but in a good way because I felt better knowing I could just be me. Letting go of some of those insecurities made me feel stronger.”
“We’re both proud of you, Raine.” Liam tucked his hand in hers, strumming his thumb along the inside of her wrist.
“Very.” Hammer cupped her cheek, and she couldn’t miss the approval in his eyes.
A sense of triumph filled her. “I needed to hear that. Thank you, Sirs. It’s nice not feeling like an eternal screw-up.”
“You never have been, precious. That was in your mind, not ours,” Hammer pointed out.
“Don’t you think it might be time to let that pretty little head of yours start listening to your heart?”
Liam’s soft question hit Raine in between the eyes. She smiled his way gratefully. “I think so. I’m definitely going to try harder now. It’s like you’ve shown me there’s light at the end of a dark, awful tunnel. And I want that. It’s been lonely and scary in here these last six years. You two give me hope that I am finally on the right path.”
“You definitely are.” Hammer smiled at her before brushing his lips over her cheek.
Liam moved in for a kiss, too. “Yes, love. You did so beautifully yesterday. Today, we’ll be asking you to give us more.”
Even yesterday, that would have scared her. Their reinforcement just now steadied the ground beneath her feet. While it felt foreign, a confidence she’d never known surged inside her.
“Are you ready for your next task?” Hammer queried.
“I think so. I’m just a little anxious.”
“Anxious? As in scared or excited, love?” Liam probed her with a curious stare.
“Some of both. But I’m eager to start.”
“That’s what we want to hear,” Hammer praised.
Liam nodded. “But
before we carry on, tell us how it feels to have us both beside you?”
“Analyze your feelings out loud. Talk it through with us. You’re as safe as you were last night,” Hammer promised.
“When you touch me and tell me I’m doing a good job, I feel…relieved. I feel complete. You make me want to do you both proud.”
“Hold on to that feeling while we take you through the day. Lean on us, Raine. We’re right beside you all the way,” Hammer insisted.
“We’re not going to leave you half done,” Liam promised. “You’ve learned that your growth is worth the bits of pain now, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” She bit her lip. “But there’s always that little voice in the back of my head… I’m terrified of failing you two.”
Liam cradled her face in his hands. “The only way you can fail is if you give up.”
“Just keep trying. As long as you keep reaching for us, we’ll be there to hold you.” Hammer rose and headed for her suitcase, plucking up a little red silk robe. He turned with a mischievous smile. “Time for breakfast, precious.”
That was it? They were done picking through her soul? Funny, it hadn’t hurt a bit. But Raine knew they’d only been assessing her mood and progress. No doubt they still had plenty of difficult hurdles for her to overcome. Butterflies in her stomach dipped and fluttered.
“I’m starved!” she admitted.
“I imagine so. You didn’t eat much yesterday.” Hammer helped her to her feet and slid the robe up her arms, settling it over shoulders.
Neither Hammer nor Liam said another word for several long moments, just stared at her as if they expected something Raine didn’t understand. As the uncomfortable silence dragged on, she swung her gaze between them. Liam’s expression all but screamed: Didn’t we just have a lesson about communication?
With a cocked head and a raised brow, he leveled her with a slightly menacing stare. “I assure you, love, Ngaire has a cupboard full of pickles.”
Raine winced. “Ugh, no pickles. You know I hate them.”
“Indeed, I do.” Liam’s voice was cool and told her he expected more of an answer.
