Liam felt the noose tightening.
If Hammer managed to fuck up their relationship beyond repair… Liam’s hands curled into fists. The prick would have to die.
Swallowing back the curse scalding the tip of his tongue, Liam ignored the guilty apology skewed over Hammer’s face and focused on Raine. She looked somewhere between concerned and relieved.
“Why didn’t you tell me that?” Compassion filled her voice. “I worried that—”
“I know what you worried about. Trust me when I say it’s not you. Never you, love.” He cupped her chin and gently kissed her. All the tension left her body as she melted beneath his lips. “I didn’t want anything to spoil this time between us, especially after all we’ve been through. I’m sorry if I worried you.”
Wrapping her in a tight embrace, Liam tossed Hammer a glare that promised retribution. Macen might have embroiled him in this deceit, but Liam would be damned if he’d spoon-feed Raine lies of his own.
“I understand,” she said softly, pulling back to cup his cheek. “I want to help.”
Wasn’t that just like Raine? The submission in her heart sparked to life, big, bold, and beautiful. It was her nature to want to fix this for him, take on his worries, and keep the waters calm. He loved her all the more for it.
“Just be patient with me while I sort out this mess. Like I’ve said, this is something I need to deal with. But I promise, I’ll rush through it as quickly as I can. Nothing is more important than you.”
“Nothing in the world,” Hammer echoed, drawing a knuckle down Raine’s cheek. “We’re here for you, precious.”
Cupping her face, Macen drew her attention away from him. In a way, Liam was grateful. Raine was sure to ask more questions, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for him to tap-dance around the details. On the other hand, talking to her had felt good, eased something in his chest.
“I need your lips again,” Macen cut in, coaxing her in a raspy voice.
Liam saw her hesitate. Clearly, she wanted to make sure he was all right. His attitude softened, and he nodded her way. If Hammer could soothe their girl with a kiss, he shouldn’t mind. In fact, he should be happy.
Raine smiled, the gesture finally reaching her blue eyes, before she turned and faced Macen.
Liam watched the other man brush his lips over Raine’s, making her melt and sigh. Then Macen dipped his head again, covering her mouth, going deeper. Taking control.
As he funneled his hands in Raine’s hair and began to devour her, Liam stared. Hammer was doing exactly to Raine what they’d forbidden her to do: distract with sex. Cheeky bastard.
The soft kitten moans she made as Macen claimed her mouth echoed in Liam’s ears. The sounds filled his head and crawled up his back. Hammer knew he had a fair bit on his mind. Liam hadn’t objected to a peck or two, but he wished the man hadn’t elected to stick his tongue down her throat and bloody climb all over her.
He shot them an annoyed glance. Neither noticed. Hammer caressed his way down her lush body with covetous, possessive strokes. A tic spasmed in Liam’s jaw. The shit piled on his plate already overflowed, and Hammer appeared to have forgotten that Raine was their girl, not just his when his hand fell between her soft thighs, nudging them apart. And he didn’t look as if he intended to stop at a feel. Did Hammer really mean to fuck her in the car?
Liam’s blood boiled.
Macen stroked her pussy with one hand, then began to cup her heavy breasts with the other. Raine continued to whimper, oblivious. A shudder rippled through her body as the other man’s thumb brushed one of her turgid peaks. After all the ways they’d consumed her the night before, her body still responded in perfect, total surrender—at least for Hammer.
Because she’d always loved him. Misery wound through Liam. Where did that leave him?
I don’t need your love, lass, just your trust.
Liam slid a hand down his face. He’d uttered those words to Raine a month ago, before he’d even kissed her once. At the time, they’d been true. Now he wished he’d never said that at all. Maybe she would never feel for him all she felt for Hammer.
Raine’s thighs parted farther, welcoming Macen’s busy fingers. Resentment seared Liam as Macen tugged at her tank top and her plump breast spilled into the man’s palm as if it belonged there.
“You need to feel this,” Hammer coaxed Liam. “She’s so hot…like liquid velvet. Just as incredible as last night.”
Yes, Liam remembered her wet, silky warmth surrounding him, sucking at him. She’d taken him to paradise repeatedly. But his anger over Gwyneth’s scheme, the fear he might be a father, and now Hammer laying his hands all over Raine obliterated those magical moments. They were both so lost in pleasure.