by Shayla Black
It was time they negotiated with their girl.
“Precious, I would love nothing more than to tie you to our bed and make love to you again. But I need you to be honest. If the trust between us isn’t strong enough right now—”
Raine looked up at him as if he’d landed on a spaceship in the front yard. “After that night you opened up about your past, I’ve never been more sure of you in my life.”
“But I left you to Liam these past few months, ran away from you both. It’s totally understandable for you to doubt—”
“Macen, stop assuming you know how I feel, especially when you’re wrong.” Raine eased out from between them. “First of all, I now understand why you put distance between us. My god, your wife killed not only herself but your unborn child. I can’t even let myself dwell on the fact that I came close to being another woman with a child in her womb to die on you. I wish you’d told me sooner. But if you think for one minute that I’m angry or blame you for trying to deal with your demons, maybe you’re the one who lacks faith in me.”
Hammer stood, dumbfounded. When had she gotten this fucking strong? “Christ, I’m so proud of you, Raine. You amaze me over and over.” Macen gripped her shoulders and yanked her in tight against his chest, bending close to her ear. “And yes, we’re going to tie you up and make sweet love to you all night long.”
“I’ll get the rope, mate.” Liam grinned as he pulled open the nightstand drawer and tossed three bundles to Hammer.
“On your knees.” Macen turned to Raine.
She sucked in a stuttered gasp, then lowered herself to the carpet, stunningly submissive.
As Hammer admired her, pride exploded in his chest. “Wait there.”
Silently, he and Liam braided the three strands of silk into a symbolic, unbreakable bond.
When they were done, Liam smiled down at their girl. “Fucking gorgeous.”
“She always has been… always will be in our eyes, brother,” Hammer whispered.
Raine’s cheeks blossomed. She smiled at their words.
Peace settled into his chest. Not only had they all saved one another, they’d managed to help each other grow, become better lovers and people. Raine was no longer the insecure, impulsive girl who expressed her anger with tantrums and petulance. In an unbelievably short time, she’d matured into a resilient, strong, self-assured woman who would fight not only for herself but those she loved.
He was a fucking lucky man.
“Rise and lie on your back in the center of the bed, precious,” Hammer instructed.
She followed his command without a word. He and Liam shared a smile, then crawled onto the mattress—each an anchor at her sides. Macen laid the rope on his pillow as he and Liam glided their hands up and down her body, preparing her for pleasure. They infused her with the heat of their touch and branded the feel of their hands onto her heart and mind.
When her milky white flesh had turned rosy and her breathing was rough, Hammer worked with Liam to thread the rope through the frame of the headboard, binding her wrists in the soft coil. They watched her intently, looking for any sign of panic or distress.
“Talk to us, lovely,” Liam instructed.
“I’m good, Sir.” She swallowed but nodded decisively. “I’m better than good.”
The confidence in her voice filled Hammer with reassurance. A look of silent understanding passed between him and Liam. For now, they would take turns suffusing her with love while the other watched for signs of panic. It was the only safe, sane, and consensual way to help her scale her unpredictable trigger.
As if sensing their concern, Raine stared up at them. “I’m fine, Sirs. I’m safe. I’m loved. I’m protected. Don’t stop.”
“We have no intention of stopping,” Hammer promised.
Unless you need us to.
He kept the thought to himself. She’d proven she was strong and capable. And now she was choosing to give over the power of her will in helpless surrender. He intended to bask in it and fill his primal needs, giving ecstasy back to her.
“You’re going to do just fine, lovely.” As Liam bent to kiss her lips, he flashed a knowing nod Hammer’s way—a silent guarantee that Raine would find comfort in the ropes now.
Trusting his friend’s sixth sense, Hammer paused to watch their heated kiss. His heart skipped as the palpable love ebbed and flowed between them.
His mouth watered. He wanted a taste of her, as well—everywhere. Macen eased down her lush body, leaving a trail of feather-soft kisses as he positioned himself between her legs and gripped her soft thighs. Before he could spread her open, Raine willingly parted her legs, offering herself fully.
Lifting her calf, Macen kissed her ankle, pressing his mouth to her all the way to her inner thigh, imprinting a promise to cherish her with each touch of his lips and gentle flick of his tongue. He would show her every day with his words and actions that he was worthy of her unfaltering love. Hammer wasn’t letting this second chance slip through his fingers.
He knelt back in awe as he drank in the sight of her. The years he’d spent fantasizing about her—exactly this way—rolled though him in a quaking rush. He remembered the first time he’d tasted her, on the bar at Shadows. He’d been drunk, accusing, angry—a mean son of a bitch. Yet she’d never stopped longing for him, loving him with her whole heart. She wasn’t a conquest, an itch to scratch, or a possession to add to his collection. This remarkable woman who lay spread out before him was his tormented past, his satisfying present, and his extraordinary future.
“Macen?” Raine’s soft whisper drew him from his musings.
Jerking to attention, he found her staring, tension settling on her face.
Liam wore a matching quizzical expression. “Are you all right, mate?”
Over the past two weeks, his whole world had been nearly severed in half. But these two devoted people had helped him put it back together and smoothed out every jagged edge with their unconditional love. Hammer was better than all right. His life and this love were his every fucking dream come true.
“I couldn’t imagine being better,” he answered softly. “Tell us about the ropes, precious.”
A broad, happy smile parted Raine’s lips. God, he could spend from now until eternity drinking in that blinding glow on her face, savoring the way her inky mane spilled over their white sheets, basking in the inviting pink hue of her aroused body.
“I feel safe. Protected. Bound to you both.” She wiggled her fingers and curled her hands into fists. A dreamy look of bliss danced in her shimmering blue eyes. “I’m really all right now, Macen.”
“We all are, precious.” He turned and arched a brow to his friend. “Liam?”
“Yes, brother?”
“Our wee wench is naked, pregnant, lusciously ripe, and begging to be devoured. I say we feast,” Hammer said in a horrifically bad Irish accent.
Raine giggled. Liam laughed, but within seconds those happy sounds had been replaced with hungry whimpers and moans.
Tied beneath the driving pleasure of his and Liam’s mouths and fingers, Raine writhed. Macen scored her cries and pleas into his soul as they stretched her to the edge of ecstasy, only to softly cradle her back down with soothing caresses and tender words. Over and over, they bathed her mouth and succulent pussy in sweet misery. Raine basked in their blissful torture, giving back every ounce of herself to them in enchanting surrender until their cocks were nearly bursting and spilling in need.
When they untied her hands and filled her smooth passages, stretching her full of their throbbing demand, she tossed back her head and screamed. Macen stared, stunned by her unequivocal beauty, as he and Liam followed her over in their own sublime surrender.
Epilogue
Saturday, September 7
* * *
“You ready for this? You’re trembling.”
River cupped her elbow, steadying her. Raine looked up and met his stare, so grateful to have him by her side, especially today.
“Fine. Nervous.” She sucked in a shaky breath.
“Second thoughts?” River asked.
“No. Worried I’m going to trip.” Raine sent him a watery laugh. “And excited. Is everyone ready? I want to do this before I ruin my makeup.”
Her brother sent her an indulgent smile. “Yeah. All you have to do is climb the last step to the top of the roof and push the door open. Your two very eager grooms are waiting.”
“I’m ready,” she assured him with a nod.
“You are. And you look beautiful.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “They’re very lucky.”
“I am, too. I thank God for them every day.”
“You’ve all earned this happiness. Enjoy it. With my blessing.”
For the past seven months, River had been the perfect big brother. God knew he’d been instrumental in Marlie’s ten-year federal felony sentence for filing a false report and obstruction of justice. But Raine and River had learned to tease each other like a normal brother and sister. They’d both leaned on the other when the anniversary of their mother’s death rolled around. She’d tossed him a big-ass party in May when he’d turned thirty. He’d gotten together with Liam and Hammer to return the favor when she’d celebrated her birthday at the end of June. He’d helped prop her feet up and kept her entertained as July had sweltered on and her pregnancy had forced her to suffer weeks of boring bed rest. He’d held her hand and cried tears of joy with her the day she’d become a mother. They’d grown so close in a few short months.
Raine wished Mom and Rowan could be here with them. Bryn insisted they always would be in spirit, and that gave Raine comfort.
She curled her hand around his wide forearm. “I hope you find something this wonderful someday. You deserve it.”
He shrugged. “Let’s focus on getting you married off, storm cloud.”
Raine smiled his way. “Thank you for being here, for walking me down the aisle.”
They were both aware that was usually a father’s duty. River had nearly as many terrible memories of the man as she did. Eager to shuttle all thoughts of Bill Kendall today, her brother stood in his place. Neither of them would give the violent sociopath who had torn their childhood apart another ounce of their energy.
River gave her a smile and patted the fingers she’d wrapped around his forearm. “I wouldn’t have missed it.”
“Let’s do this.” Raine pushed open the door that led to the rooftop access above Shadows.
Evening approached, just beginning to color the perfect blue sky with shades of yellow and orange. A gentle breeze kicked up, brushing her dark curls over her bare shoulders. The flowing silk of her white dress swished around her ankles with each ruffle of the wind, exposing her thigh through the dress’s slit. The warm air caressed her torso through the transparent lace of her corset-style bodice.
She couldn’t marry Macen and Liam both legally. But they weren’t a conventional family, so they’d chosen to commit themselves to one another in front of the people who meant most to them in the way that made their hearts glad. Not quite a traditional wedding, something beyond a collaring ceremony, everything about this permanent handfasting had been planned as an expression of their unique love.
Raine had worn her Valentine’s Day gift from Hammer and Liam—with her mother’s heart pendant attached—as her something old. The something new was her dress, which she’d chosen because it paired traditional elements with very sexy details she hoped would keep her grooms squarely focused on her. The something borrowed was a beautiful pair of dangling pearl earrings Bryn had lent her for the ceremony, since she’d married Duncan wearing the same jewelry. Something blue… The strings holding her corset together were a beautiful peacock color that held her post-pregnancy body in tight while flowing all the way to her bare feet.
The music started, simple guitar strands. Everyone rose.
As she looked toward the altar, her breath caught. Liam and Hammer waited for her with wide smiles and eyes filled with naked love, standing shoulder to shoulder under a towering arch of white, blush, pink, and pale yellow hydrangeas and baby roses. All the flowers had been tied together with flowing white, gray, and peacock ribbons.
A pair of gauzy pale drapes had been swept back from the center of the altar, framing her men. They looked so masculine and beloved, each in gray tuxedos. Hammer wore a peacock-hued vest and a black tie. The colors suited his warm skin and rugged face. Liam wore the inverse, and she loved how spectacularly handsome he looked with that rich blue tie setting off his dark eyes.
Despite her shaking legs and teary eyes, Raine managed to put one foot in front of the other and walk down a trail of peacock silk trimmed in shimmering gray, floating on a cloud of white petals.
The venue was beautiful, everything she had dreamed. Heavenly—bless her—had helped Raine create this magical vision. But it was even more perfect to her because the two men waiting for her at the end of this momentous walk filled her entire heart, owned every single day of her future, and worked together to securely cradle her soul.
Their wedding song played on. The singer’s heartfelt voice vowed that he belonged to her from this moment on, before he invited her to take his hand and share forever. He promised to give her his love completely. The sentiments swelled and resonated inside her. She gave it back to them with every expression and heartbeat, every touch and kiss she couldn’t wait to bestow on them.
Damn, she was going to start crying in earnest.
As River escorted her to them, Macen and Liam parted to make room for her between them, where she belonged. She caught sight of a framed chalkboard that had been propped on an easel in the center of the parted curtains.
A CORD OF THREE STRANDS IS NOT EASILY BROKEN.
Raine hadn’t expected that, and her heart melted all over. She glanced at her men, pressing a hand to her trembling lips. They both beamed proudly. She’d arranged the ceremony, and reception in the club below, as a labor of love. But Liam and Macen had added this meaningful detail all on their own.
It utterly described their relationship.
She gripped her bouquet, her smile watery and full of joy.
River handed her off, each holding one of her hands in theirs. Then he kissed her cheek. “I love you, storm cloud.”
“I love you, too, big brother,” she managed to choke out.
He clapped Macen on the shoulder, gave Liam a brotherly nod of approval, then took his seat in the front row of silk-draped chairs, dwarfing the pink bow across the back.
Raine turned to face the future with her men.
As one, they all stood before the altar. Raine swallowed, so much less nervous now that they both held her hands and flanked her, the pillars of her life.
As she’d planned this day, Seth had helped her search Los Angeles for someone who performed poly-commitment ceremonies. Raine had interviewed several candidates but never quite felt the connection to any. None of those people had any meaning in her life, hadn’t played any part in bringing her, Macen, and Liam together.
Beck had discovered he could be ordained online to perform handfastings, so he’d volunteered. Seeing him in a crisp suit standing in front of them was a bit surreal—but very sweet. When he winked at her, she gave him a teary giggle.
“Not too late to change your mind, princess,” he teased.
Liam glared. Hammer growled.
Raine just shook her head and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “It was too late a long time ago.”
He gave her one of his rare, real smiles. “Then let’s get you married.”
Suddenly, the doctor and sadist stood taller, taking on an almost stately air. Beck never ceased to amaze her.
“We’re here today to witness the joining of three people we all know and admire. They’ve elected to share their lives together because they’re filled with love for one another. They’ve asked us to watch them because they’d like us to share their joy. They’ve chosen to celebrate their commitment on this day bec
ause exactly one year ago they all stood together for the very first time and began to fall in love.”
Raine glanced over at Liam with tears falling, glad she’d remembered to wear waterproof mascara. But what she really thanked God for was the man who’d left his adopted home in New York a year ago today to unwittingly start a new future. He might have intended to come for a temporary visit, but he’d stayed and become a permanent part of their forever.
“Some of their bonds are older than others,” Beck continued.
Liam glanced over her head to meet Hammer’s stare. They smiled, shared a nod that said they were beyond friends, even closer than brothers. She turned to Hammer as he looked down at her. She remembered Macen the night he’d taken her in, the day he’d celebrated her college graduation, the moment he’d first touched her, the time he’d finally admitted he loved her. So many years, so many memories. Yet in some ways, they’d only begun a year ago on this date—when Liam had finally completed them.
“But they all commit with their free will and their whole hearts. Today, three officially become one interwoven, unbreakable cord of love.”
From behind him, Beck produced a braid of silk that she, Macen, and Liam had previously braided together in solemn silence and abiding devotion. White, gray, and peacock strands blended perfectly, shining in the falling sunlight as he draped it across his palm. Together, they leaned in to kiss the length of silk.
“Join.”
At Beck’s soft command, they all held up their hands, fingers curling around the wrist to the right. Liam held her. She caressed Macen. He gripped Liam. An endless flow of love.
“This bride and her grooms have chosen a three-stranded cord as a symbol of the lives they have chosen to lead together,” Beck told the bystanders.
Then he wrapped their braided cord around their joined flesh, beginning with her wrist, all the way across Hammer’s hand, and ending with Liam’s fingers on her.
“Liam, Raine, Macen, if you let them, these are the hands that will passionately love you, utterly cherish you, and wrap you in comfort through your lifetime. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills you. These are the hands that will wipe away every tear, whether they be from sorrow or joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and join your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it, support and encourage you to pursue your dreams, and comfort you through difficult times. Do you commit to holding your partners with that care from now until death parts you?”
