When the meal concluded, the whole gang pitched in to do the dishes. Once the kitchen was clean, he and Hammer escorted Raine upstairs while Seth and Beck left to prepare the room in which her training would begin.
Liam pushed open the door to the master suite. With a hand at the small of Raine’s back, he led her inside. Her suitcase sat near the picture windows overlooking the mountains.
With a glance at Hammer, who nodded back, Liam made his way into the bathroom and began to fill the sleek tub with hot water and bath oils. He found scented soaps, shampoo, razors, and shaving cream all laid out on the nearby counter beside fluffy white towels. His cock jerked just thinking about what they planned next.
Satisfied that the caretakers had tended to every detail, Liam stalked back to the bedroom. Raine stood beside Hammer, looking more than a little shaky. But she wasn’t balking or quitting. He’d take little victories like that and hope they added up to bigger ones soon.
Raine glanced his way, and he saw the questions rolling across her face.
“Spit it out, love,” Liam said. “What’s got you worried?”
She fidgeted, shifting from one foot to the other. Whatever bounced around in her head, she was reluctant to say it—a bad habit they’d break her of shortly.
“It’s just… I noticed only my suitcase here and I was wondering…” She sighed. “Do you mean to leave me alone?”
“This is your room, but we’ll have access to it twenty-four seven. You won’t really be alone,” Hammer assured.
“But neither of you will be sleeping here?”
He and Hammer exchanged a glance. She hadn’t asked them to stay with her outright. But it surprised them both that she’d voiced her question because having them beside her was something she obviously wanted.
“We’re not,” Liam answered softly.
As her shoulders sagged and she looked down, Liam lifted her chin with a soft smile. “Now don’t look so crestfallen. At times, you’ll be happy to see us go so you can have a bit of peace. But that will only come when we think you need to reflect or rest.”
“Even then, we’ll be nearby and in your head, precious. We’ll be surrounding you. We won’t let you feel lost or abandoned,” Hammer promised.
Liam caressed her cheek. “As you progress, we can discuss sleeping arrangements again. Does that answer your question?”
Understanding—with a hint of regret—flickered in Raine’s eyes as she gave a tentative nod.
“There’ll be none of that.” Liam released her, glowering. “You’ll use your words from now on. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” she whispered.
“Good.” Hammer reached up and trailed his knuckles down her cheek.
She closed her eyes, clearly finding reassurance in his touch. Watching a delicate contentment fill her face, Liam’s hope brightened. Such a challenge, Raine was…then sometimes she could be so giving and soft.
Hammer dropped his hand suddenly. “Strip.”
Liam heard the man’s impatience. Macen was eager to start testing Raine and having her under his control. Liam shared the feeling.
Her eyes flew open. She blinked between them while they waited for her to process the demand. Finally, she pressed her lips together, resolution overtaking her expression. There was her backbone…
Her fingers trembled, but Raine peeled off her flimsy tank top. Then she reached around to unfasten her bra, thrusting her breasts toward them. It was all Liam could do to keep from gliding his tongue up the soft valley of her cleavage. She wriggled out of her short skirt next, and he watched the sway of her hips, captivated, as she exposed the dark tuft of hair striping her pussy and revealed her creamy thighs. Blood rushed to his cock.
Raine stood naked before them, beautiful and tense, looking like warm ivory velvet. Liam clenched his fists, resisting the urge to put his hands all over her.
Beside him, Hammer caressed her bare curves with his stare and sighed roughly, struggling to hold back. Liam knew it not only by the erection tenting his trousers, but the tick of his clenched jaw.
Bloody Christ, this series of tasks would challenge their control.
Finally, Hammer reined himself in and stood tall, stance wide, hands behind his back.
Liam watched Raine’s gaze fall to the floor as he paced around her, stopping when his chest brushed her back, a mere breath from her skin. “Tell me what you’re feeling, love.”
“Nervous.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “Unsure.”
“Good girl,” Hammer praised. “Are you afraid of us?”
“No.” Her gaze bounced up to them both, reassuring. “I’m afraid I’ll lose my courage, clam up, and disappoint you.”
It wasn’t the answer either wanted but both had inherently known. Still, for Raine, that was bloody honest. Liam met Hammer’s glance.
“You’re doing a fine job now. Just keep trying your best. We’ll work through everything else,” Liam promised. “Take a deep breath.”
Raine drew in a shaky inhalation, then let it out, looking calmer. “Thank you.”