“You’ve earned a kiss and so much more, precious. But not here. Back in your room.”
“Precisely, love,” Liam crooned. “Kissing you will be our pleasure.”
The way she smiled up at them pumped Hammer full of more power than he could ever recall and stuffed his lungs until he felt ready to burst. Being a part of her progress—watching her blossom—gave him such a profound sense of accomplishment.
He and Liam shared a glance, then he scooped her up in his arms. Liam opened the door, then dashed back to blow out the candles before trailing them down the long hall, into the master suite.
Wall sconces on either side of the bed glowed. Ambient light spilled over the golden silk duvet. Liam surged ahead and shoved the mountain of pillows from the bed with a wide sweep of his arm. He’d have to remember to thank his old friend later. No time now.
Hammer eased Raine onto the bed and covered her with his body. He pinned her to the mattress with a knee between her thighs, cupped her nape, and slanted his lips over hers, taking complete possession. Under him, she arched and whimpered, throwing her arms around his neck, open and welcoming as she swallowed in all his hunger and gave it back tenfold.
Lost in the sweet sea of her mouth, Hammer barely noticed the sounds of clothing rustling in the background—until Liam appeared at his side, pressing kisses across Raine’s shoulder and down her arm. He was bare from the waist up.
After one more stroke inside her mouth, Hammer pulled away. Raine wasn’t exclusively his, and he couldn’t hoard her. Besides, he wanted the opportunity to press his naked skin to hers as well.
Rolling to his feet, Hammer toed off his loafers, watching Liam pull Raine beneath him. The man pressed his forehead to hers. They shared a breath, a silent, suspended moment. Hammer had seen the two of them together before, but now a new intimacy flourished. He could almost see how bare she’d laid her soul.
“I’m desperate to touch you, love,” Liam murmured as he smoothed the dark hair from her face.
Raine clung to him, gripping his shoulders, then gliding over the tops until she thrust a hand in his hair. “Please.”
Liam took her chin in his hand and tilted her to his descending lips. Their kiss was somehow raw and tender at once. Hammer couldn’t ignore the devotion flowing between them. He’d been completely against the two of them at first…and now he couldn’t deny that Raine had grown immensely because Liam had nudged and demanded that she emerge from her shell. Hell, he’d all but walked through fire for her. And she’d finally responded, giving them both the chance to see the stunning submissive just under her skin. But Raine had also been good for Liam. He’d never seen the man so centered, committed…in love.
Tearing off his coat and shirt, Hammer littered the carpet with the garments, then stalked back to the bed, drinking in the sight of Liam and Raine tangled together. Maybe it should bother him, but he knew she hadn’t given him any less of herself. She’d climbed an emotional mountain for them tonight. As much as he hated to admit it, Hammer wasn’t sure he could have managed this much progress with her this quickly if he’d been working alone. He knew Liam couldn’t; it was why he’d uncollared her. If they both truly held a part of her heart, then nothing short of working together to make her whole would do.
Raine gripped Liam’s neck as he began to ease away. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he promised, propping himself on his elbow beside her. “We’re both here.”
Hammer crowded along the other side of her body, pressing his lips to hers again. He closed his eyes, and she put her small palm to his chest. He groaned. So sweet. And when he looked into her eyes again, she smiled with her soul. Damn it, the girl had always touched his heart, but now he could feel her holding it, squeezing it, feeding it.
“So beautiful,” Liam said thickly before he took her mouth again and cupped her breast, flicking the hard pink nipple with his thumb.
Something between a groan and a gasp fell from her lips. Her body trembled. So delicate, so eager… Hammer covered her neck in kisses, then dragged his lips down, laving his way over the full swells.
“You are, precious,” he whispered into her skin.
Her eyes slid shut, and the look of utter bliss on her face went straight to his cock. She arched, and her nipple brushed his lips. Fuck, he wanted to suck her in and take her deep, hear her moan, feel her scratch at him for more. With a shuddering breath, he barely managed to refrain.