by Shayla Black
Macen felt like a new man because he was one.
Caressing her baby bump, he slid her shirt up and teased her breast through her delicate bra with a swipe of his thumb over her nipple. When it drew up hard beneath his touch, Hammer smiled and lifted her flesh from its lacy cup, dipping his head to close his mouth around the erect bud and draw her deep. When Raine’s little gasp, followed by her throaty, feminine moan, filled the air, his pride wasn’t the only thing that swelled.
“Mmm…” Raine fell limp in his arms as the butter knife she’d been holding clattered to the floor. “I can’t think when you do that to me.”
“That’s why I do it, precious.” He claimed her mouth, feasting on her sweet softness, falling under her spell.
“Bloody hell, I can’t leave you two alone for five minutes,” Liam mockingly chided as he sauntered in from the garage.
“I tried to start lunch,” Raine protested breathlessly as Hammer tugged at her lobe with his teeth and teased her nipple with his thumb again.
To his relief, Liam joined in, pressing his mouth against Raine’s neck. “Who cares about bloody food? Watching you two eat at each other is far more tempting.”
Raine wriggled and gently nudged at them, managing a bit of distance. “You’ll care very much about ‘bloody food’ when your stomach is rumbling in an hour or two. Your parents at the airport all right?”
Liam gave a long-suffering sigh that Hammer related to. “Of course. They’re fine.”
“Let me finish making you two sandwiches. And, oh, let’s figure out where we’re taking the birthday boy for dinner. Then…anything goes,” she promised with a smile.
“That sounds promising. Any particular restaurant you’ve had a yen for?” Liam asked.
Hammer arched a brow. “First, you two threw me an amazing surprise party last night. That’s plenty.” Then he turned to Raine with a warning. “Second, did I give you permission to end our kiss?”
He pinched her nipples with just enough force to remind her who was in charge. Hammer felt his Dominance expand as Raine sucked in a sharp gasp.
“Maybe we should forego dinner and spend some time in the dungeon.” He slid Liam a questioning glance. “What do you think?”
“I’m always in favor of that, but it’s not every day you turn thirty-five, Macen. And after the upheaval we’ve been through, I think a private celebration—just the three of us—would be perfect. We can always torment her afterward.”
“Please?” Raine sent him an imploring gaze.
How could he say no? They’d been through the wringer because he’d chosen to waste his years with meaningless whores like Marlie instead of giving into his need for Raine. For that, Karma had come back around, chewing him up and nearly spitting him out.
“All right.” Making them happy made him happy, too. “How about The Penthouse?”
“In Santa Monica? Love it.” Raine grinned, visibly excited. “Great view!”
“It’s almost as beautiful as you are.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she promised with batting lashes.
Liam laughed. “I’ll ring for a reservation. After dinner, we’ll come home and remind our girl who’s boss.”
After sandwiches and a lazy afternoon, they piled into Macen’s new car and headed down Coast Highway. He caressed the sleek steering wheel, loving the power of the ride, and smiled. They’d chosen well.
The sun dipped toward the horizon as they arrived. High above the city, their private dining alcove overlooked the glorious view of the indigo mountains and sapphire waters. Raine sat between him and Liam on a padded sectional. Hammer felt as if they’d shifted into a sublime world all their own.
After sipping sparkling cider from a delicate crystal flute, Raine set the glass down and stared at the endless ocean with a contented smile. Hammer couldn’t keep his eyes—or his hands—off her, but then neither could Liam.
As their appetizers arrived, she slid a palm to her belly and gently caressed their little bump.
“You all right?” Liam pressed his hand over hers.
Macen settled his on top of them both.
“Yeah. Just thinking. We’ll be welcoming a new life into this world soon.”
The weight of her words lumped emotion in Hammer’s throat. He was actually going to be with them—and not in some fucking jail—when their child came. He’d be there through the years to guide and raise their son or daughter. Unlike his own sire, he’d be a real father.
“If someone had told me six months ago we’d be in a committed relationship with Raine and preparing to become parents, I would have pissed myself laughing.” He looked at Liam. “You?”
It seemed almost impossible. Last Thanksgiving, he and Liam had been surrounded by broken dishes, accusations, and anger in Raine’s kitchen. Not long after, they’d had a debacle of a fistfight in the bitter snow at the lodge. The discord they’d provoked all faded away when he remembered the sublime perfection of the night they’d first held Raine between them.
Liam patted Hammer on the shoulder. “That would have bowled me over with a feather, mate.”
Now the possibility of all their sparkling tomorrows spread out endlessly in front of them. All they needed to do was ask her one little question…
Hammer cleared his throat. “Raine, if you didn’t have to choose one of us over the other, would you say yes to marriage?”
“Of course, but that’s not possible.” She sounded dejected by that fact.
“What if it was, in a sense?” Liam took her hand. “What would you say then?”
Tears filled her eyes and her chin quivered. “I’d be thrilled. But—”
“No buts. Just… You’d say yes,” Hammer grilled her. “Right?”
Confusion furrowed her brows but she nodded. “If there was any way to marry you both without leaving either out, then of course I would.”
“All fucking right,” Hammer growled.
“Finally,” Liam laughed as they high-fived over her head.
“What just happened?” She raised her brows, shooting both of them insistent glances. “What did I agree to?”
Liam and Hammer explained their plan.
Her smile took his breath away. “Then…yes. Yes! But not until after the baby is born. I want a real wedding dress, not something that could pass for a maternity special.”
Hammer hated to wait that long. A glance over at Liam said he felt the same. But her pleading expression melted them. She’d said yes. After that, everything was a mere detail. “All right. Let’s at least set a date.” He pulled out his phone and launched the calendar. “August seventeenth?”
Raine’s eyes flashed open wide. “That’s ten days after the baby is due.”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”
Liam shook his head. “Wanker. She’ll have been pregnant for nine months. It’ll take more than five minutes for her to reclaim her body.”
“How was I supposed to know?” Hammer threw his hands in the air. “And why the fuck do you?”
“I’ve got a bloody brood of sisters, remember? They pop out babies like a muffin factory.”
“Oh, my god,” Raine groaned. “Don’t ever refer to me as a muffin factory, Liam O’Neill, or you won’t be getting near my muffin for a long, long time.”
Liam scowled. Hammer threw back his head and laughed. God, it felt so good to actually find life laughable again.
“Okay, so what date would you like to get married, precious?” He handed her the phone.
Before she could answer, Liam slid his hand into her hair and tugged her to face him. “Don’t ever threaten to take my muffin away again, sub.”
He almost spoke the threat without cracking up…but not quite.
Raine giggled, then leaned in and kissed him. “My muffin is always available for either of you, as long as—”
Hammer slid his hand between her legs. She tensed.
“Macen,” she hissed. “Don’t do that here or I’ll—”
“Who gives the ultimatums, precious?”
When his fingers danced over her cunt, she shuddered out a breath. “Like I said, muffin for you both.”
“That’s what I thought. Now pick a date, before I lift your dress and Liam spanks your muffin in front of God and everyone in this restaurant,” Hammer threatened with a wink.
Raine let out a tiny squeak as Macen rubbed her slowly. “Um, I don’t know. Let me think.” She turned to him. “If you want me to come up with a date, you really have to stop that.”
He sighed noisily but withdrew his fingers. “Hurry.”
“You’re so bloody romantic,” Liam teased.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “So if the baby is due on August seventh…”
“I have a feeling our wee one will make an early appearance,” Liam murmured.
She sent him a glance that asked if he was turning into his mother. When he shrugged, her eyes lit up and a broad smile spread across her lips.
“Uh-oh, Macen. She’s got that mischievous look on her face. What?” Liam demanded.
“How about September seventh?”
Liam cocked his head. “Why in bloody hell would you actually remember that date, love?”
“What? Why is that date important?” Hammer felt totally lost.
“See? He’s really not good at the touchy-feely shit,” Liam teased. “Enlighten him.”
“Well…” She looked adorably nervous. “That’s the day Liam arrived in LA. That was the beginning of us.”
Macen remembered now. “That’s fitting as hell. September seventh it is. Will all your…um, will you be able to fit into…oh, fuck. I’m not asking, just going with it.”
As they discussed the details of their big day, the food arrived. Between scrumptious bites, they continued to talk about the day they would “officially” become one.
When the meal was through, they were stuffed, but Raine insisted they share a dessert. Soon, the waiter reappeared with a slice of mascarpone cheesecake, complete with a lit candle in the center. The other wait staff in the restaurant all gathered around their table to sing a loud and slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
After blowing out the candle, he leaned in close to Raine’s ear. “When we get home, you’ll take all thirty-five of my birthday spankings.”
She sent him an eager grin. “I almost wish you were older now.”
“Greedy minx.” Liam chuckled.
As night fell, the men sipped a glass of brandy, and Raine took a cup of tea while they drew in the city lights glistening below them. Macen had a feeling she was fantasizing about the ceremony of their dreams.
He’d already skipped ahead to their wedding night.
Blood boiling, heart racing, he threw down the napkin and tossed back the last of his brandy. “It’s time to go home.”
“And share a private celebration in that big bed of ours, mate?”
A wicked smile tugged at Hammer’s lips. “I thought your Spidey senses were going to disappear once your mom left.”
“I don’t need them for what you were thinking. It’s written all over your face. In fact, I’m entertaining the very same thoughts.”
“So pay the bill and let’s get out of here.” Raine’s voice held an edge of impatience.
Sinking his fingers in Raine’s hair, he held her still and nibbled at her ear while Liam devoured her lips.
“You two are killing me.” She breathed hard.
“We’re just warming you up, precious.”
“We’ll have you at a slow, rolling boil by the time we reach home, lovely,” Liam promised.
Hammer eagerly thrust his hand in the air. “Waiter.”
The three burst out laughing.
After the valet delivered his car, Hammer opened the back door on the passenger side for Raine but wrapped an arm around her waist, pressing his erection against her ass. “Lose the panties, precious.”
She whipped around, meeting him with wide eyes. “Here?”
He nodded. “And now.” When Raine darted a nervous glance at the valet, he stepped in and blocked her body. “Do it.”
Hastily reaching beneath her dress, she tugged at her thong and dragged it to her knees.
“Stop,” Hammer commanded. “Lean in. I’ll take them from here.”
As Raine bent into the backseat, Hammer tugged the scrap of silk down her calves and over her heels. He settled her onto the leather and shut the door before jogging around to the driver’s seat. As he sat and put the vehicle in drive, he drew her panties to his nose and inhaled deeply. His cock sprang to life, already attuned to her scent.
Liam settled into the passenger’s seat with a grin and held out his hand. Hammer obliged by dropping Raine’s thong into the man’s palm, watching as he inhaled their girl’s tangy scent with a sigh. “Reminds me of our trip to the lodge.”
“It does.” Hammer glanced at Raine in the rearview mirror. “As I remember, you were particularly needy that day, precious.”
“No. I was desperate,” Raine confessed. “You two teased and tormented me relentlessly.”
“We were giving you your first lesson in control, proving how thoroughly we could make you ache for us.”
“I still do,” she whispered. “More than ever. Can you drive faster?”
He could relate to the impatience in her tone. His cock throbbed, hard to the point of pain. He’d enjoy lifting her snug, wet pussy onto him and riding her fast and hard all the way home. But tonight, he wanted to spread her out on their bed so the three of them could share every spine-bending sensation together.
He spent the drive home imagining all the dirty, wonderful ways they could make her scream. By the time he pulled into the garage, Macen’s balls were churning. He was ready to shove open his door, haul Raine upstairs, strip her naked, and drag her soft body beneath him. Instead, he controlled his carnal urges, helped her from the car, and waited for Liam. Then they half led, half carried her upstairs to their room.
They’d barely cleared the doorway when he and Liam began doffing every stitch they wore, then set about stripping Raine. Anticipation zinged through the air as they explored her lush curves with their mouths, hands, fingers, and tongues. They exchanged dominant control over her body in effortless, fluid movements. With each clutch of her hair, pinch of her clit, or tug of her nipple, he and Liam moved in perfect harmony.
The beast within him stretched and yawned, slow to awaken and even slower yet to engage. Oddly, he felt as if purging his anguish and making love to Raine had tamed his inner savage. Macen wanted her like that again because he could savor her in ways he never had.
“Your skin is so soft, lovely.” Liam trailed ardent kisses over her collarbones, easing lower to one breast.
Hammer slid his fingers through her hair, gently tugging her head back to capture her lips. Skimming his other hand down Raine’s body, he cupped her other breast. She writhed, every move she made rocking him to the core. Her kitten-like moan hung in the air between them.
It was as if they connected on a sharper, more potent level than anytime he and Liam had taken her before. Macen wanted to harness this sensation and hold it in his heart for all time.
Easing from her lips with a smile, he found Liam tonguing her beaded nipple. “Does that feel good, precious?”
“Mmm,” she barely managed to sigh.
“How wet is she?” he asked Liam.
His friend slid a pair of fingers between her plump folds, then gave a heated grin. “Very. She’s more than ready.”
“Liam. Hammer,” she panted. “I want you both but…”
They paused and exchanged a glance.
“But?” Macen prompted.
A hesitance settled into her tone, broke across her face. “Would you… Can we try again? The ropes, I mean. I think I’m ready.”
Hammer studied her intently. He wasn’t sure that was a stellar idea. Not that he was afraid she’d fail. If it didn’t work out tonight, they would hav
e a next time…and a next—until she succeeded. But they’d been on one hell of a roller coaster ride the past couple of weeks. Each one had struggled to cope with the notion that their dreams might be ending. Since that morning he’d awakened hungover and feeling left out, he hadn’t given much thought to pushing Raine’s submissive limits. And while the three of them had grown stronger during the ordeal, Hammer wasn’t in any hurry to set them up for failure again.
On the other hand, if Raine was determined to try, could he deny her?
Liam’s expression reflected his own concerns. This time, they’d watch her like a fucking hawk. They were prepared and knew the signs to watch for.
“Are you sure, love?” he prodded, delving deeply into her eyes.
“Completely.”
Her conviction strengthened Macen. She was willing to risk falling back into terrible dark memories for them. Yes, she loved bondage…but they did, too. She knew that.
“You don’t have to do this,” he murmured.
“I do. I need to try but I’m hesitant because…” She sighed. “I don’t even know how to say this. I want to be with you two the way we were the other night, Macen.”
Hammer understood. But the puzzled expression on Liam’s face said he didn’t have a clue.
“The night you went to dinner with your parents, I made love to Raine not like a Dom…just a man,” Macen confessed. “That’s what you mean, Raine, right?”
She nodded. “Is that even possible if you tie me up?”
Liam looked relieved to comprehend. “Anything is possible with trust, love.”
“I never stopped trusting you.” She looked almost horrified that either of them would think she had. “I just…in trying so hard not to think about what happened with Bill, I ignored signs. I know what to look for now. I won’t say I’ll never panic again. But we’ll all be more aware. And I know you’ll catch me.”
Macen wasn’t sure being aware was enough. He’d worn her trust in him thin these past few months. He ached to grant her desire, chafed to prove they were stronger together than ever, but he feared she wasn’t really ready. For the first time, he was unsure whether to proceed.
